Does Orgasm Affect Fetal Well-Being?

doi:10.1017/9781009025034.005

Chapter 4 - Does Orgasm Affect Fetal Well-Being?

from Section 1 - General Issues

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 09 November 2022

Ayelet Dangot,

Eliane Rozanes and

Ariel Many

Edited by

Dan Farine and

Pablo Tobías González

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Dan Farine: Affiliation:
Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto
Pablo Tobías González: Affiliation:
Hospital Universitario Infanta Cristina de Parla, Madrid

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Summary

The physical and psychological changes a woman undergoes during pregnancy impact various areas of her life, including her sexual life. Sexuality during pregnancy is important, as there is a strong link between sexual satisfaction and overall life satisfaction. Women’s sexual response, classically divided into four stages (excitement/arousal, plateau, orgasm, and resolution), is more complex. Several hormones are involved in sexual arousal, such as oxytocin, β-endorphin, and prolactin. The effect of orgasm during pregnancy has not been well studied and available evidence is lacking. In the absence of evidence of harm, it seems reasonable to conclude that orgasm is safe in pregnancy, at least in low-risk ones.

Keywords

pregnancy orgasm coitus fetal monitoring pregnancy complications

Information

Type: Chapter
Information: Sex and Pregnancy
From Evidence-Based Medicine to Dr Google
, pp. 23 - 26
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009025034.005 [Opens in a new window]
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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