CHANGES IN BIOMARKERS AND AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM PARAMETERS IN RESPONSE TO ORGASM IN WOMEN AND MEN

Sexuality plays a key role in human well-being, but the relationship between sexual arousal, orgasm, and health-related biomarkers remains underexplored. Specifically, heart rate variability (HRV) has been established as a biomarker for sexual dysfunction in men, with data showing lower HRV in men with erectile dysfunction (ED). However, limited research exists on HRV during sexual arousal and orgasm in women. This study aimed to investigate neurophysiological changes, particularly HRV, before and after orgasm in healthy men and women.

Twenty healthy cisgender men (M = 24.2 years, SD = 2.94) and women (M = 23.2 years, SD = 2.66), aged 19–30 years, were recruited from Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Participants were invited to the psychophysiological laboratory for assessment. They completed validated questionnaires on quality of life, sexual function, and relationship satisfaction – the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), The Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS), “Ressourcen in Sexualität und Partnerschaft” (RSP). Participants self-stimulated to orgasm, with the choice of method left to individual preference. The time point of orgasm was self-reported. Blood samples were collected before and after sexual stimulation, and salivary cortisol levels were measured at seven time points throughout the experiment. HRV and electrodermal activity (EDA) were continuously recorded. Data were analyzed using 2-level mixed effect models.

After excluding noisy data sets, data from seven men and seven women could be analysed. Men reached orgasm faster than women, though orgasm intensity was similar between genders. While women reported a negative impact of the lab environment on arousal, some men reported positive effects. HRV increased immediately post-orgasm for both genders, with a subsequent decline below baseline after one hour. Men had lower HRV on average, though confidence intervals overlapped. Confidence intervals overlapped for all reported differences. Further analysis of EDA and hormonal markers is ongoing.

Preliminary findings suggest changes in HRV post-orgasm, with no substantial gender differences observed. However, the small sample size limits broader interpretation. These results will guide the development of confirmatory studies and future research on orgasm disorders.

None.