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Exercise-Induced Orgasm and Its Association with Sleep Orgasms and Orgasms During Partnered Sex: Findings From a U.S. Probability Survey

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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.

Funding

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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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University School of Public Health, Indiana University Bloomington, Room 116, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA

    Debby Herbenick, Tsung-chieh Fu & Callie Patterson

  2. Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    J. Dennis Fortenberry

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  1. Debby Herbenick
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  2. Tsung-chieh Fu
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Contributions

Herbenick and Fortenberry developed the survey. Fu and Herbenick analyzed data. All authors contributed to manuscript preparation, review, and approval.

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Correspondence to Debby Herbenick.

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The research involved human subjects and, as noted in the manuscript, the institutional review board at Indiana University reviewed and approved study protocols and measures (Protocol 1207009071).

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Participants reviewed an IRB-approved Study Information Sheet and indicated consent to participate prior to completing the survey.

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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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