The subjective orgasm experience (SOE) refers to the personal perception and assessment of sensations experienced during orgasm on a psychological level. It is important in sexual relationships, and it is linked to satisfaction and sexual health.

A Multidimensional Model of the SOE encompasses dimensions such as sensory experiences, evaluations, affectivity, physiological sensations, intimacy, and the rewarding effects of orgasm. Instruments like the Orgasmometer can gauge SOE intensity.

Research often overlooks non-heterosexual groups, and SOE is no exception. While studies of SOE in non-heterosexual populations are scarce, one study validated the Orgasm Rating Scale (ORS) for gay men and investigated SOE’s impact on satisfaction. Another compared SOE among adults of different sexual orientations. Now, a new study aimed to build on this research by exploring how LGB adults describe their orgasm experiences using SOE dimensions and the ORS.

The study involved 1,475 Spanish adults aged 18 to 71 in bisexual or gay relationships. The participants were asked to recall their recent orgasm experiences. Researchers collected data on demographics, sexual history, and orgasm experiences using the ORS.

Participants rated each of the four ORS items, affective, sensory, intimacy, and rewards, on a scale of 0 to 5. The study used multivariate analysis to compare groups and assess which adjectives best described their orgasm experiences.

In the end, lesbians reported the most intense SOE across all dimensions, followed by bisexual women, who scored higher than both bisexual and gay men. Similarly, among the adjectives used to describe SOE, lesbians consistently scored the highest, followed by bisexual women. Gay men consistently reported the lowest scores.

The top five adjectives describing SOE were “satisfying,” “pleasurable,” “exciting,” “elated,” and “fulfilling,” with minor variations among groups. Lesbians favored “blissful” more than other groups. Gay men consistently had lower scores across most adjectives. The authors of the study suggested that the differences in adjectives reflect the emphasis on emotional connection in lesbian and bisexual women’s sexual experiences. Overall, lesbians and bisexual women reported the most intense subjective experience of orgasm across the board.

Limitations of this study include non-probabilistic sampling and a focus on cisgender individuals. Future research should explore other LGBTQ+ minorities, consider additional factors like internalized homophobia, and investigate SOE in solitary masturbation contexts.

Understanding SOE among LGBTQ+ individuals has implications for patients and clinicians and underscores the importance of training providers in sexual and gender diversity. Despite its limitations, this study enhances understanding of how LGB individuals perceive their orgasmic experiences within sexual relationships.

References:

• Sierra, J. C., Muñoz-García, L. E., & Mangas, P. (2024). How do LGB adults rate their orgasms in a relational context? The Journal of Sexual Medicine, qdad170. https://doi.org/10.1093/jsxmed/qdad170