Abstract
Prior research has described women’s experiences with exercise-induced orgasm (EIO). However, little is known about men’s experiences with EIO, the population prevalence of EIO, or the association of EIO with other kinds of orgasm. Using U.S. probability survey data, the objectives of the present research were to: (1) describe the lifetime prevalence of exercise-induced orgasm (EIO) and sleep orgasm; (2) assess respondents’ age at first experience of EIO as well as the type of exercise connected with their first EIO; (3) examine associations between lifetime EIO experience and orgasm at respondents’ most recent partnered sexual event; and (4) examine associations between lifetime EIO experience and sleep orgasms. Data were from the 2014 National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior (1012 men and 1083 women, ages 14 years and older). About 9% of respondents reported having ever experienced exercise-induced orgasm. More men than women reported having experienced orgasm during sleep at least once in their lifetime (66.3% men, 41.8% women). The mean age for women’s first EIO was significantly older than men (22.8 years women, 16.8 years men). Respondents described a wide range of exercises as associated with their first EIO (i.e., climbing ropes, abdominal exercise, yoga). Lifetime EIO experience was associated with lifetime sleep orgasms but not with event-level orgasm during partnered sex. Implications related to understanding orgasm and recommendations for clinicians and sex educators are discussed.
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If accepted for publication, a limited data set may be archived at Indiana University.
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Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to Stephanie Dickinson and Greyson Foote for their analytic support. The authors also appreciate Church and Dwight Co., Inc., maker of Trojan sexual health products, for their generous support of the National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior. The sponsor provided feedback on the survey questionnaire (which was developed by the researchers); however, they did not participate in data collection, had no contact with participants, were not involved in data analysis, and did not participate in manuscript writing or editing.
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The authors are grateful to Church and Dwight Co., Inc., maker of Trojan sexual health products, for their generous support of the National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior.
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Herbenick and Fortenberry developed the survey. Fu and Herbenick analyzed data. All authors contributed to manuscript preparation, review, and approval.
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Herbenick, D., Fu, Tc., Patterson, C. et al. Exercise-Induced Orgasm and Its Association with Sleep Orgasms and Orgasms During Partnered Sex: Findings From a U.S. Probability Survey. Arch Sex Behav 50, 2631–2640 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-01996-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-01996-9