Skip to main content
Log in

Abstract

Eleven nulliparous women manually self-stimulated to orgasm, each on three separate occasions. Pelvic contraction pressure was measured by an anal probe and a vaginal probe simultaneously. Near the perceived start of orgasm, a series of regular contractions began in nine of the women. Anal and vaginal contraction waveforms were synchronized with each other, and the same number of orgasmic contractions occurred in each lumen. Anal pressure had a higher resting baseline and greater amplitude contractions than vaginal pressure. The perceived start of orgasm did not correspond precisely with the onset of regular contractions. Mean intercontraction intervals increased linearly at an increment of about 0.1 second through the series of regular contractions. Amplitudes of contraction pressure waveforms, representing pelvic muscular force, were initially low, increased through the first half of the regular series, and then decreased. Area and net area of the pressure waveforms, reflecting pelvic muscular exertion (force × time), increased during the regular orgasmic contractions. Three of the women's orgasms consistently included only a series of regular contractions (orgasm type I). For six other women, orgasms consistently continued beyond the regular series with additional irregular contractions (orgasm type II). Types I and II had been identified previously in men. Two women had no regular contractions during reported orgasms. This pattern, type IV, had not been recorded in men. Women of different types showed marked differences in orgasm duration and number of contractions. Identification of these types in subjects is important for meaningful comparison of contraction parameters in different studies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Bentler, P. M., and Peeler, W. H. (1979). Models of female orgasm.Arch. Sex. Behav. 8: 405–423.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bohlen, J. G. (1980). A review of subject orientation in articles on sexual physiology research.J. Sex Res. 16: 43–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bohlen, J. G., and Held, J. P. (1979). An anal probe for monitoring vascular and muscular events during sexual response.Psychophysiology 16: 318–323.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bohlen, J. G., Held, J. P., and Sanderson, M. O. (1980). The male orgasm: Pelvic contractions measured by anal probe.Arch. Sex. Behav. 9: 503–521.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bohlen, J. G., Held, J. P., and Sanderson, M. O. (1982). Response of the circumvaginal musculature during masturbation. In Graber, B. (ed.),Circumvaginal Musculature in Sexual Function S. Karger, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bunzl, M., and Mullen, S. (1974). A self-report investigation of two types of myotonic response during sexual orgasm.J. Sex Res. 10: 10–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Butler, C. A. (1976). New data about female sexual response.J. Sex. Marriage Ther. 2: 40–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, B. (1976). Neurophysiology of the clitoris. In Lowry, T. P., and Lowry, T. S. (eds.),The Clitoris Warren H. Green, St. Louis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dickinson, R. L. (1949).Human Sex Anatomy. Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, S. (1973).The Female Orgasm. Basic Books, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fitts, W. H. (1965).Tennessee Self-Concept Scale—Manual. Counselor Recordings and Tests, Nashville.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gillan, P., and Brindley, G. S. (1979). Vaginal and pelvic floor responses to sexual stimulation.Psychophysiology 16: 471–481.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kinsey, A. C., Pomeroy, W. B., Martin, C. E., and Gebhard, P. H. (1953).Sexual Behavior in the Human Female. W. B. Saunders, Philadelphia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kollberg, S., Petersén, I., and Stener, I. (1962). Preliminary results of an electromyographic study of ejaculation.Acta Chir. Scand. 123: 478–483.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Masters, W. H. (1960). The sexual response cycle of the human female: I. Gross anatomic considerations.West. J. Surg. Obstet. Gynecol. 68: 57–72.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Masters, W. H., and Johnson, V. E. (1966).Human Sexual Response. Little, Brown, Boston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Petersén, I., and Stener, I. (1970). An electromyographical study of the striated urethral sphincter, the striated anal sphincter, and the levator ani muscle during ejaculation.Electromyography 10: 23–44.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Robertiello, R. C. (1970). The “clitoral versus vaginal orgasm” controversy and some of its ramifications.J. Sex Res. 6: 307–311.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roubaud, F. (1876).Traité de l'Impuissance et de la Stérilité chez l'Homme et chez la Femme. Bailliere, Paris.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singer, J., and Singer, I. (1972). Types of female orgasm.J. Sex Res. 8: 255–267.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

This research was supported by grant MH 28395-05 from the National Institute of Mental Health.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bohlen, J.G., Held, J.P., Sanderson, M.O. et al. The female orgasm: Pelvic contractions. Arch Sex Behav 11, 367–386 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01541570

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01541570

Key words

Navigation