Elevation of pain threshold by vaginal stimulation in women.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Small non-randomized within-subject controlled laboratory experiment
PubMed 4000685 · doi:10.1016/0304-3959(85)90164-2
What was done
Two laboratory studies of 10 women each evaluated the effect of vaginal self-stimulation (via a pressure transducer assembly producing sensations of pressure, pleasure, or orgasm) on sensory thresholds. Investigators measured detection and tolerance thresholds for painful mechanical finger compression alongside detection thresholds for innocuous tactile stimulation, comparing findings against control conditions including distraction.
What was found
Vaginal self-stimulation significantly elevated pain thresholds without altering tactile detection thresholds: - In Study 1, pleasurable stimulation (n=6) increased pain tolerance thresholds by 36.8% and pain detection thresholds by 53.0%. - In Study 2, stimulation perceived as pressure increased pain tolerance thresholds by 40.3% and pain detection thresholds by 47.4%. - In Study 2, stimulation producing orgasm increased pain tolerance thresholds by 74.6% and pain detection thresholds by 106.7%. - Various distraction controls did not significantly alter pain or tactile thresholds.
Why it matters
This study provides early laboratory evidence in humans that vaginal stimulation selectively reduces pain sensitivity rather than general tactile perception, an effect not explained by distraction.
Limits
The sample size was very small (10 women per study), the abstract does not report randomization or blinding procedures, and outcomes were restricted to acute mechanical finger compression in an artificial laboratory setting.
Cited by
- supports Having regular orgasms lowers blood pressure, improves oxygen saturation and respiratory rate, and increases pain tolerance by affecting nociception in the brain.