(160) NON-GENITALLY STIMULATED ORGASMS (NGSOS) INCREASE PLASMA PROLACTIN IN A POST-MENOPAUSAL WOMAN

Abstract Introduction Sexual orgasm is a complex, multimodal reflex induced typically by genital stimulation. Such stimulation activates excitatory neurochemical pathways in the brain and spinal cord that ultimately stimulate sympathetic outflow. In women, this can be achieved by stimulation of the external and internal clitoris, anterior cervix, nipples, and other erogenous zones in sensitized individuals. Although the reflex is a product of “bottom-up” genitosensory stimulation, it is also controlled by “top-down” processing of excitation and inhibition that controls both the timing of parasympathetic and sympathetic blood flow, and the subjective ability to “let go” into the orgasm when it is imminent. Indeed, orgasms activate cortical, limbic, hypothalamic, and brainstem structures, have characteristic pelvic floor muscle signatures and spinal cord activation that characterizes sexual “climax”, and can be rated subjectively in terms of the quality and type of sensory stimulation, affective experience, and the evaluation of pleasure. Orgasms are also accompanied by neurochemical and endocrine changes that characterize ecstatic pleasure, satiety, and refractoriness. Among these correlates is a consistent, orgasm-induced surge of prolactin released from the anterior pituitary into the peripheral bloodstream due to an immediate inhibition of dopamine. Orgasms can also be induced without genital stimulation. People experience orgasms during sleep or after exercise. Some women can have orgasms simply by engaging in imagery and fantasy. Paraplegic men and women also report “phantom” orgasms. This suggests that top-down control of orgasm can be activated on its own. Objective Women with Tantric experience can give themselves orgasms of different durations. In one report, these resulted in lawful increases in plasma prolactin. Here we examined prolactin and pelvic floor contractions in a surgically menopausal woman who has developed a systematic methodology to induce NGSOs by sensitized pelvic floor movements. Methods Blood was obtained before, immediately after, and 15 min after either a 2.5-min or 10-min NGSO, or a control condition (10 min Pilates workout). Plasma was assayed for prolactin, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and total testosterone. The woman also recorded her pelvic floor movements during a separate 10-min NGSO. Importantly, the woman was fully clothed during the NGSOs, and used only her pelvic floor movements without any tactile stimulation of the clitoral glans. Results Plasma prolactin increased to 109 and 141% of baseline immediately after the 2.5 min and 10 min NGSO. In contrast, the 10-min Pilates workout decreased plasma prolactin levels to 88% of baseline. Changes in LH, FSH, and total T were not significant. Characteristic pelvic floor contractions of orgasm came at approximately 20-sec intervals and were preceded by a sensitizing set of small contractions that built in intensity. Conclusions NGSOs induced by systematic and reproducible training of the pelvic floor represent a new vista in the study of women’s orgasms and a potential therapeutic intervention for women with orgasm difficulties. Disclosure Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: Consultant: FirmTech Inc. (USA); Kanna Health Ltd. (UK); Ovoca Bio/IVIX Corp. (Ireland); Reunion Neuroscience (Canada); SmartBod/Lioness, Inc. (USA); Vella Bioscience (USA).