Coitus-induced orgasm stimulates prolactin secretion in healthy subjects

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Abstract

Previous data have indicated that orgasm produces marked alterations in plasma prolactin concentrations in men and women. Thus, the current study aimed to extend these data by examining prolactin response to coitus in healthy males and females. Ten pairs of healthy heterosexual couples participated in the study. Blood was drawn continuously for 20 min before, during, and until 60 min following sexual intercourse and orgasm. Plasma was subsequently analysed for prolactin concentrations. Coitus-induced orgasm produced a marked elevation of plasma prolactin in both males and females. Plasma prolactin concentrations remained elevated 1 h following orgasm. These data, together with previous evidence that masturbation-induced orgasm produces pronounced, long-lasting increases in plasma prolactin concentrations in both males and females, suggest a role for acute prolactin alterations in modifying human sexual desire following orgasm.

Introduction

Loss of sexual desire combined with sexual dysfunction are common effects of hyperprolactinemia (De Rosa et al., 1998, Verhelst et al., 1999, Molitch, 1999, Rosen et al., 1999, Dickson et al., 2000). Hypothalamic dopamine inhibits prolactin secretion and increases sexual libido, whilst prolactin secretion is enhanced by serotonergic stimulation, thus inhibiting sexual desire (Lorrain et al., 1999). As a result, the side effects of chronic antidepressant and antipsychotic medication include alterations of sexual desire, due to the modulation of dopamine/serotonin regulated prolactin release (Hummer et al., 1999, Breier et al., 1999, Rosen et al., 1999).

Although chronic hyperprolactinemia clearly induces changes in sexual arousal in humans, the role of this hormone in modulating acute changes in sexual desire remains unknown. Nevertheless, using a method of continuous blood sampling we have recently demonstrated that masturbation induced orgasm produces pronounced increases in plasma prolactin in men and women (Krüger et al., 1998, Exton et al., 1999). Furthermore, these effects are observed 1 h following orgasm, and are orgasm-dependent (Exton et al., 2000). These studies provide the first strong evidence that prolactin release may be involved in the regulation of arousal following orgasm.

However, although animal investigations have demonstrated that prolactin contributes to regulation of sexual arousal following coitus (Erskine, 1995), the role of prolactin in regulation of acute sexual desire before and after intercourse in humans is unknown. Therefore, we currently examined the secretion of prolactin following sexual intercourse in healthy males and females.

Section snippets

Participants

The endocrine response to coitus was examined in 10 pairs of healthy heterosexual partners (10 males, mean age 28.6±1.2 yr; 10 females, mean age 25.0±0.9 yr) recruited from the student population of the Medical School of Hannover. The participating couples had a stable heterosexual relationship for on average 32±9 months. Participants were screened via a general medical examination and, after complete description of the study to the subjects, written informed consent was obtained. Individuals

Results

All participants reported that they experienced orgasm within the 10 min allowed for coitus. Consequently, pronounced increases of plasma prolactin concentrations were observed in both males and females following sexual intercourse-induced orgasm (Fig. 1). Increases in prolactin levels were sustained over baseline levels 1 h following orgasm in both males (F(6,48)=18.75, P<0.001; condition×time) and females (F(6,48)=5.84, P<0.001; condition×time). Females exhibited generally higher prolactin

Discussion

The current data demonstrate that sexual intercourse produces a pronounced elevation of plasma prolactin, which remains significantly increased 60 min following orgasm. Although females demonstrated slightly higher basal prolactin levels and possible anticipatory increases in the experimental session, the magnitude of the prolactin response to intercourse was similar for both males and females. This data thus extends previous data showing that masturbation-induced orgasm induces increased

Acknowledgments

T.H.C. Krüger was funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SCHE 341/10-1).

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