NEUROENDOCRINE AND CARDIOVASCULAR-RESPONSE TO SEXUAL AROUSAL AND ORGASM IN MEN

Data regarding the neuroendocrine response pattern to sexual arousal a nd orgasm in man are inconsistent. In this study, ten healthy male vol unteers were continuously monitored for their cardiovascular and neuro endocrine response to sexual arousal and orgasm. Blood was continuousl y drawn before, during and after masturbation-induced orgasm and analy zed for plasma concentrations of adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), prolacti n, growth hormone (GH), beta-endorphin and testosterone. Orgasm induce d transient increases in heart rate, blood pressure and noradrenaline plasma levels. Prolactin plasma levels increased during orgasm and rem ained elevated 30 min after orgasm. In contrast, none of the other end ocrine variables were significantly affected by sexual arousal and org asm. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.