Peri-orgasmic phenomena: Women report diverse symptoms ranging from laughter to foot pain

A recent survey investigation indicates that many women experience unexpected physical and emotional reactions during sexual climax, ranging from uncontrollable laughter to foot pain. These occurrences, known as peri-orgasmic phenomena, appear to be diverse and often happen inconsistently rather than with every orgasmic experience. The findings were published in the Journal of Women’s Health.

Medical understanding of the female orgasm typically focuses on standard physiological release and emotional satisfaction. Physiologically, an orgasm is generally defined as a brief episode of physical release that responds to sexual stimulation. Emotionally, it is usually perceived as a subjective peak of reaction to that stimulation. However, anecdotal reports and isolated case studies have historically hinted at a broader range of experiences that fall outside this expected norm.

Existing medical literature on these unusual symptoms is limited and relies heavily on individual patient reports rather than broader data collection. The authors of this new paper sought to categorize these unique physical and emotional symptoms more systematically. They aimed to determine which specific symptoms women experience and how frequently these sensations occur. Additionally, the team wanted to identify the context in which these phenomena are most likely to manifest, such as during partnered sex or solo masturbation.

“My co-author had written a paper on this topic. Before conducting this survey, occurrences of peri-orgasmic symptoms during orgasm were only acknowledged in the medical literature as rare case reports,” said Lauren F. Streicher, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University.

To gather information, the authors created a short educational video explaining peri-orgasmic phenomena. They posted this content on various social media platforms to recruit individuals who identified with having these experiences. The video defined the phenomena as weird physical or emotional occurrences, such as ear pain or crying, that happen specifically during an orgasm. Viewers who recognized these symptoms in their own lives were invited to participate in an anonymous online survey.

The questionnaire consisted of six items designed to capture demographic data and specific details about orgasmic reactions. A total of 3,800 individuals viewed the recruitment video during the study period. From this audience, 86 women aged 18 and older completed the survey to report their personal experiences. The researchers collected data regarding the types of symptoms, their consistency, and the sexual scenarios in which they appeared.

The analysis revealed that emotional reactions were the most commonly reported type of peri-orgasmic phenomenon. Eighty-eight percent of the respondents indicated they experienced emotional symptoms during climax. Among these emotional responses, crying was the most prevalent, affecting 63 percent of the participants. This finding aligns with existing concepts of postcoital dysphoria, although the prevalence in this specific sample was notable.

Forty-three percent of the women reported feelings of sadness or an urge to cry even during a positive sexual experience. An equal number of women, 43 percent, reported laughing during orgasm. This high rate of laughter contrasts with the scarcity of such reports in previous medical journals. A small minority, comprising 4 percent of the group, reported experiencing hallucinations during the event.

Physical symptoms were also widely represented in the survey results. Sixty-one percent of respondents reported bodily sensations unrelated to standard sexual physiology. The most frequent physical complaint was headache, which was noted by 33 percent of the women. These headaches varied in description, but their association with the moment of climax was clear.

Muscle weakness occurred in 24 percent of the cases reported in the study. This sensation is clinically referred to as cataplexy when it occurs in patients with narcolepsy. However, in this sample, it appeared as an isolated symptom associated with sexual release. Foot pain or tingling was another notable physical symptom, affecting 19 percent of the participants.

Less common physical reactions included facial pain or tingling, which was reported by 6 percent of the group. Sneezing was observed in 4 percent of the respondents. Yawning occurred in 3 percent of the cases. Ear pain or other ear sensations and nosebleeds were each reported by 2 percent of the women.

The data showed that these symptoms often overlap within the same individual. Fifty-two percent of the women experienced more than one type of symptom. Twenty-one percent of the respondents reported having both physical and emotional reactions. Some women reported clusters of symptoms, such as crying and laughing together or headaches accompanied by crying.

Regarding consistency, the study found that these phenomena do not necessarily happen every time a person reaches climax. Sixty-nine percent of the participants stated that they experienced these symptoms only sometimes. In contrast, 17 percent reported that the symptoms occurred consistently with every orgasm. This variability suggests a multifaceted nature to these responses.

The researchers also examined whether the method of sexual stimulation influenced the likelihood of these events. The majority of respondents, 51 percent, experienced these symptoms exclusively during sexual activity with a partner. Only 9 percent reported symptoms specifically during masturbation. The use of a vibrator was associated with these symptoms in 14 percent of the cases.

“The findings from this survey indicate that, although the precise prevalence is still unknown, such phenomena are not as rare as previously believed,” Streicher told PsyPost. “The survey also broadens our understanding of symptom types and prevalence, highlighting both emotional and physical manifestations. Notably, this is the first survey to discover that individuals are more likely to experience these symptoms during partnered sexual activity compared to masturbation. This observation suggests a possible emotional component to the etiology, even though the underlying cause remains unknown.”

The researchers postulate that the presence of a partner may evoke more complex psychological and physiological responses. This might hint at the involvement of an emotional component in triggering these phenomena. A heightened emotional state during sexual activity with a partner may potentially activate different neurophysiological pathways. Solo sexual activity might not trigger these same pathways to the same extent.

The study discusses potential biological mechanisms for some of these physical symptoms. Regarding headaches, the authors note that the hypothalamus is intensely stimulated during orgasm. This brain region is also involved in certain types of cluster headaches. It is possible that the modulation of circuits around the hypothalamus during climax plays a role in generating or relieving head pain.

The reports of foot pain are analyzed through the lens of neuroanatomy. The researchers reference theories suggesting that the somatosensory-evoked potentials of the foot and female genitalia are in close proximity in the brain. It is hypothesized that this closeness could lead to “cross-wiring” or referred sensations. Previous case studies have documented women feeling orgasmic sensations in their feet, which supports this neurological theory.

The high prevalence of laughing reported in this sample stands out against the backdrop of existing medical literature. Previous scientific publications have rarely documented laughter as a direct response to orgasm. This survey provides evidence that laughing may be a more common peri-orgasmic phenomenon than clinical case reports have previously suggested. The authors note that the etiologies behind this laughter, as well as the feelings of sadness, remain medically unknown.

But as with all research, there are limitations. The sample size was relatively small, with only 86 women responding out of thousands of viewers. This low response rate makes it difficult to estimate the actual prevalence of these phenomena in the general population. The recruitment method via social media may have introduced selection bias.

The respondents were predominantly older, with a significant portion over the age of 45. This age skew reflects the specific demographic that follows the primary author on social media platforms. The results may not fully represent the experiences of younger women. Additionally, the data relies entirely on self-reporting, which depends on the participants’ memory and interpretation of their symptoms.

Future investigations would benefit from larger and more diverse sample groups to validate these preliminary numbers. Researchers suggest that understanding the underlying physiological mechanisms requires more rigorous clinical study. Detailed physiological monitoring during sexual activity could provide objective data to support these self-reports. Further research could also explore why these symptoms appear more frequently with partners than during solo acts.

The researchers emphasize that recognizing these symptoms is a step toward normalizing the experience for women. “If they experience one of these phenomena, it should not be interpreted as an indication of underlying psychological or physical pathology,” Streicher said.

The study, “Emotional and Physical Symptoms in Women with Peri-Orgasmic Phenomena,” was authored by Lauren F. Streicher and James A. Simon.