NCBI ROFL: Pleasure and pain: the effect of (almost) having an orgasm on genital and nongenital sensitivity.

Photo: flickr/Rob HogeslagIf you want to do a scientific study of sexual function (in this case, how orgasm changes genital sensitivity), it's usually necessary to perform it under carefully controlled conditions. So how do you do that in the context of studying female orgasms? Check out the [probably NSFW] description below. "INTRODUCTION: The effect of sexual arousal and orgasm on genital sensitivity has received little research attention, and no study has assessed sensation pleasurableness as well as painfulness. AIM: To clarify the relationship between sexual arousal, orgasm, and sensitivity in a healthy female sample. METHODS: Twenty-six women privately masturbated to orgasm and almost to orgasm at two separate sessions, during which standardized pressure stimulation was applied to the glans clitoris, vulvar vestibule, and volar forearm at three testing times: (i) baseline; (ii) immediately following masturbation; and (iii) following a subsequent 15-minute rest period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Touch thresholds (tactile detection ...