Oxytocin plasma levels in orgasmic and anorgasmic women

Abstract

The study aimed to evaluate oxytocin (Oxt) serum levels before and after sexual intercourse in women affected by anorgasmia. The sample was constituted of 15 anorgasmic women and 16 orgasmic women. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI, cutoff ≤26.55) and the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS, cutoff ≥15) questionnaires were used to assess sexual function and sexual distress, respectively. Serum Oxt levels were measured before sexual intercourse (T0) and 5 min after coital sexual activity (T1). Anorgasmic women had an unpleasant sexual experience (FSFI total score, 20.1 ± 1.2;) and were stressed (FSDS score, 19.4 ± 1.3), whereas orgasmic women were fully satisfied with their sexual activity (FSFI total score 28.7 ± 1.3; FSDS score 11.5 ± 1.8). At T0, anorgasmic women had lower levels of Oxt than orgasmic women, 1.8 ± 0.2 pg/mL versus 2.1 ± 0.5 pg/mL, respectively, [95% CI: (−0.58, −0.01); p < .04]. At T1, Oxt levels did not change in anorgasmic women (1.8 ± 0.2 pg/mL versus 2 ± 0.4 pg/mL, p = .09). Finally, orgasmic women had higher levels of Oxt than anorgasmic women, 4.6 ± 0.7 pg/mL versus 2 ± 0.4 pg/mL, respectively [95% CI: (−3.02, −2.17); p < .001]. The repetitive processes to experience the sexual body sensations could represent a survival behavior of species by attachment to a partner.