Lovers know only too well that men usually need a “recovery period” after orgasm, and that sexual intercourse with orgasm is more satisfying than an orgasm from masturbation alone. Now scientists think the two phenomena might be linked. After orgasm from sexual intercourse, the increase in blood prolactin (a hormone released after orgasm) levels is 400 per cent higher in both sexes compared with after orgasm from masturbation. The hormone prolactin makes us feel satiated by countering the effect of dopamine, which is released during sexual arousal.
The researchers measured blood prolactin levels in male and female volunteers who watched erotic films before engaging in masturbation or sexual intercourse to orgasm in the laboratory.
This explains why orgasm from intercourse is more satisfying than masturbation. Since elevated levels of prolactin have been linked to erectile dysfunction, this may also explain why most men need a recovery period after sex. The study appeared in Biological Psychology, vol 71, p 312.
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2 Responses to “Orgasms Best in Sex vs. Masturbation” (Pingbacks/trackbacks not shown below)
sancho at 9:42 am on
February 16th, 2008
i am a young male and after reading this im confused. i find masturbation alot more satisfying than having sex, if anything i think sex is very over rated. on many sexual encounters with pretty attractive women i have failed 2 ejaculate even after going for 40 min - an hour, n other times my pennis sort of becomes limp while going at it…..does this mean i’m gay?
Sergio at 9:02 pm on
August 15th, 2008
I doubt this means that you’re gay. Maybe you just didn’t get the correct type of stimulation? Maybe masturbation gives you something that sexual intercourse can’t.
I’m not saying that it’s 100% impossible for you to be gay.. anything’s possible. (myself being slightly bi, for instance)
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i am a young male and after reading this im confused. i find masturbation alot more satisfying than having sex, if anything i think sex is very over rated. on many sexual encounters with pretty attractive women i have failed 2 ejaculate even after going for 40 min - an hour, n other times my pennis sort of becomes limp while going at it…..does this mean i’m gay?
I doubt this means that you’re gay. Maybe you just didn’t get the correct type of stimulation? Maybe masturbation gives you something that sexual intercourse can’t.
I’m not saying that it’s 100% impossible for you to be gay.. anything’s possible. (myself being slightly bi, for instance)
