Subjective orgasm experience in different-sex and same-sex couples: A dyadic approach

Abstract

The subjective orgasm experience (SOE) refers to the perception, sensation and/or evaluation of orgasm from a psychological point of view, representing an important construct of sexual functioning rarely studied under a dyadic approach. This study analyzed SOE in the contexts of sexual relationships and solitary masturbation in 179 different-sex and same-sex couples. The results indicated the absence of differences in intradyadic discrepancies in SOE dimensions in both sexual contexts, varying according to the type of couple. Besides, the study also highlights the influence of some of these discrepancies of SOE in solitary masturbation on SOE discrepancies in sexual relationships among the members of male-female and female-female couples. Furthermore, the study revealed that the intensity of partners' orgasm experience during solitary masturbation influences the intensity of SOE during sexual relationships, with variations observed based on the type of couple. These findings highlight the importance of considering SOE from a dyadic approach, with the association of orgasmic experience in both sexual contexts gaining relevance, differing according to the couple type. The results also point to the clinical implications of the dyadic effects of such an individual practice as solitary masturbation on shared sexual experiences.