Title of Paper
Author’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Abstract
There is extensive literature regarding the female physical orgasm but there exist few studies specifically related to the female mental orgasm - a purposeful orgasm without physical stimulation. Recently, research in functional magnetic resonance imaging of the brain has measured, thus verifying, mental orgasms in women. Expanding the research to include this phenomenon will help illustrate the connection between the conscious mind and the body’s response. The said physical response thought to be involuntary, fill the gap in literature to describe the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of women who achieve mental orgasms. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand the phenomenon of mental orgasms in women. Women who have practiced mental orgasms for over 1 year participated in the qualitative phenomenological study. Participants were individually queried using an interview worksheet and the data was merged and analyzed using NVivo 8 to expectantly bring about themed structural and textural descriptions of the essence of mental orgasms. Findings from this research helped clarify the phenomenon, context, essence of the experience, descriptive statements, and themes of mental orgasms in women. Results show that mental orgasms were described as another type of orgasm which is easily and quickly allowed to occur in a short period of time and have benefits of being sexually fulfilling, increasing mental and physical health, and much more. This may be an important contribution to the existing literature and could enhance social change initiatives by influencing mental, sexual, and physical health care practices for women. The results of the study may also contribute to treatments in inorgasmia, pain management, stress reduction, or other mental, sexual, and physical health concerns. Mental orgasms may now be taught by professionals to benefit more women.
Dedication
This is dedicated to all the women in my family who did not have the circumstance or choice to continue their education. My grandmothers are still the most intelligent women I have ever met, in and out of academia, as well as with and without sheepskin. I have always been inspired by the women who came before me, in family and in sisterhood, who have done so much with much less opportunity. I feel that the work I have done with my doctorate has helped me grow to become a better person, and a better woman in the process.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study. 1
Statement of the Problem.. 2
Research Questions. 3
Purpose of the Study. 4
Theoretical Framework. 5
Definition of Terms. 7
Assumptions, Limitations, Scope, and Delimitations. 7
Significance of the Study. 8
Summary. 10
Research Strategy. 11
Review of Literature. 12
Orgasm.. 13
Potential Themes. 25
Literature Relating to the Methodology. 26
Summary. 28
Chapter 3: Research Method. 29
Methodology. 29
Role of the Researcher. 32
Research Questions. 33
Interview Questions. 33
Context 34
Compensation. 36
Ethical Protection of Participants. 37
Participant Selection. 38
Data Collection and Validation. 39
Data Analysis. 40
Summary. 41
Data Collection. 42
Emerging Data. 43
Participant Profiles. 44
The Findings. 45
Phenomenon. 46
Benefits. 53
Themes. 63
Most of the women (P1, P2, P3, P4 P5, P6, P7, P8, P9) reported a change in their sexuality as they aged. The theme of a change in sexual views as well as physiology with hormones changing or having menopause or a hysterectomy was the impetus for the change. Five report that the change was in their 40s (P1, P2, P5, P6, P9) while Participant 8 reported the change in her 30s and Participant 3 simply stated that her sexuality is growing an d changing more and more as she ages and explores more of her sexuality. 65
Discrepant Cases. 65
Evidence of Quality. 66
Research Protocols. 67
Maintaining Theoretical and Conceptual Framework. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Chapter 5: Discussion, Conclusions, and Recommendations. 70
Interpretation of the Findings. 70
Implications for Social Change. 88
Recommendations for Action. 89
Recommendations for Further Study. 89
Researcher’s Experience. 90
Conclusion. 91
Appendix A: Call for Research Participants Poster 104
Appendix B: Consent Form.. 105
Appendix C: Letter of Cooperation from a Community Research Partner 107
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study
Since ancient Greece and Egypt, medical massage has been used as a method of inducing orgasm for treatment of hysteria (Komisaruk, Beyer-Flores, & Whipple, 2006). Women’s coital, masturbatory, breastfeeding, spontaneous, and nocturnal orgasms have shown useful in treating ailments, that vibrators were designed in the 1930s as medical devices to induce orgasm (Komisaruk et al., 2006). Time has simply broadened the use of orgasms in medical treatments including pain management, relief from menstrual cramps, tension release, stress release, lower blood pressure, migraine relief, sleep, uterine tightening, and vaginismus (Kinsey, Pomeroy, Martin, & Gebhard 1953; Komisaruk et al., 2006; Masters, 1985; Reinisch & Beasley, 1990). It is then predictable that another type of orgasm, the mental orgasm, may similarly improve women’s health (Whipple, Ogden, & Komisaruk, 1992).
There is extensive literature regarding the female physical orgasm (e.g., coital, masturbatory, breastfeeding, spontaneous, and nocturnal) but few studies are specifically related to the female mental orgasm. Research began with Hite (1976) and Ogden (1981) with an open-ended survey in which women reported having mental orgasms. A few years later, Whipple and Komisaruk (1997) did a study on the existence of mental orgasms that focused on the urban myth of women with spinal cord injuries using mental techniques to have orgasms. Today, the said story is no longer an urban myth but has been confirmed by Whipple and Kmosaruk themselves. (Whipple, Ogden, & Komisaruk, 1992).This then spawned the more specific research, now including Ogden, in which able bodied women showed the ability to have measurable orgasms by thought alone (Whipple et al., 1992). Expanding the research to include the experience of mental orgasms will help illustrate the connection between the conscious mind and the physical response that is thought to be involuntary (Komisaruk, Beyer-Flores, & Whipple, 2006). In addition, this research will add to the field of psychology by documenting the depth and breadth of both physically and mentally induced orgasms. The problem statement, research questions, purpose of the study, operational definitions, parameters, and significance of the study will be established here in chapter 1. A more detailed discussion of the historical and current literature on women’s orgasms will be found in chapter 2.
Statement of the Problem
The problem is that sexologists in the past have only concentrated on mental orgasms’ existence and origins; thus leaving a gap in research on women’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences regarding mental orgasms which may reveal mental and physical health benefits such as those reported with other types of orgasms (Hite, 1976; Masters, 1985; Masters, Johnson, & Kolodny, 1988; Reinisch & Beasley, 1990). Physical orgasms, as derived from coitus and masturbation, have been extensively researched; mental orgasms, however, have only been partially studied (Hite, 1976; Masters, 1985; Masters et al., 1988; Ogden, 1981; Reinisch & Beasley, 1990; Whipple, Ogden, & Komisaruk, 1992). Historically, many studies of women’s sexuality have been phallocentric; sexologists now struggle to define and describe fully women’s sexual experiences. Scholars such as Whipple, et al. (1992) have initiated research on the topic. Women have reported mental orgasms as another type of orgasm separate from coitus or masturbation. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of the brain has captured mental orgasms and found they are comparative to masturbatory orgasms (Whipple et al., 1992).
Research Questions
In order to study the subject further, this research utilized a phenomenological study (Fawcett & Hearn, 2004). The foundations of hermeneutical (van Mannen, 1990), transcendental (Creswell, 2007), and feminist (Olesen, 2005) paradigms were used to shape the study. The transcendental research paradigm supports the phenomenological method by increasing the research procedure to create textural and structural description (Creswell, 2007). The hermeneutical assumption, that an individual’s lived experience and perception of truth is important, guides the basis of the participants being the experts (van Mannen, 1990). The feminist paradigm encourages the use of naturalistic settings and the value of participants as experts (Olesen, 2005). While the paradigms will be explained further in this chapter, specific methodology will be discussed in chapter 3. The following phenomenological qualitative research questions helped conceptualize, contextualize, and measure mental orgasms (Creswell, 2007; Fawcett & Hearn, 2004). This research sought to answer the following central question and five subquestions (Creswell, 2007):
What is the collective essence of the experience of the mental orgasm in the sample queried?
● What is the phenomenon of the mental orgasms in the sample queried?
● What statements describe mental orgasms?
● What benefits, if any, are results of mental orgasms?
● What thoughts and contexts (mental and physical states) exist about mental orgasms?
● What themes emerge about mental orgasms?
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this phenomenological research is to understand mental orgasms in women (Fawcett & Hearn, 2004). This study was based on the construct, combined thoughts and characteristics of orgasm. As researchers redefine the term orgasm, both biologically and experientially, its true meaning becomes elusive (Komisaruk, Beyer-Flores, & Whipple, 2006). The biological definitions of orgasm are limited to the capabilities of technological measurement and often by the phallocentric bias of the purpose of orgasm (Komisaruk et al., 2006; Hite, 1976). The bias of orgasm is that it is simply for reproduction of the species. Orgasm is needed in males to procreate, although the purpose of orgasms in women and in non-propagative male activities is not as simple. There are many uses of orgasm including pleasure, connectivity to partner, pain management, stress management, and other mental and physical health benefits (Komisaruk et al., 2006; Hite, 1976). The experiential definitions of orgasm are limited by the lack of generalizability among people and the descriptive vocabulary of the individual (Hite, 1976). The purpose of this study is to contribute to the current literature by describing the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of women who achieve mental orgasms in order to understand the phenomenon (Fawcett & Hearn, 2004).
Theoretical Framework
The theoretical framework of this study was shaped by the hermeneutical (van Mannen, 1990), transcendental (Creswell, 2007), and feminist (Olesen, 2005) paradigms. The hermeneutical paradigm is based on individual viewpoints being accepted as truth and then a common reality being created by not only the overlapping ideologies, but the entirety of the collective perspective. The transcendental research paradigm supports the research procedures to create textural description, structural description, and transparency (Creswell, 2007; van Mannen, 1990). The feminist paradigm supports the value and protection of participants with humanistic considerations (Creswell, 2007; Tuana, 2004). These paradigms affected the ontological, epistemological, axiological, rhetorical, and methodology of the study.
The ontology and nature of reality of this study was based on the hermeneutical paradigm (van Mannen, 1990). Embracing multiple realities or viewpoints creates the descriptive essence of mental orgasms (Moustakas, 1994). Differing viewpoints allow for multiple descriptions of mental orgasms that differed due to individual experience and descriptive choice (Hite, 1976; Moustakas, 1994; van Mannen, 1990).
The epistemological assumption, the relationship of the researcher to the participant, was based on the feminist paradigm which values the participant as an expert (Guba & Lincoln, 1988). The participants were treated as individuals with power and with a minimization of distance between the researcher and the participant. An objective separateness was present though the connectedness and trust between the researcher and participant is important to the feminist paradigm (Olesen, 2005; Tuana, 2004).
The axiological position of the researcher in the study and assumptions are guided by the transcendental paradigm (Creswell, 2007). I supported transparency through multiple methods including bracketing and member checking transcripts (Burck, 2005; Moustakas, 1994; Silverstein, Auerbach, & Levant, 2006). I also used NVivo 8 to record and track the entire data handling process (Ryan, Coughlan, & Cronin, 2007; Silverstein, et al., 2006; Thapar-Björkert & Henry, 2004).
The rhetorical and language, structure of the study was guided by the hermeneutical and feminist paradigms (Creswell, 2007). The acceptance of individual definitions and descriptions of mental orgasms was supported by the hermeneutical paradigm (Creswell, 2007). Employing informal writing and first-person narrative supported the value of participants within the feminist paradigm (Olesen, 2005; Tuana, 2004). The use of individual, verbatim descriptions of mental orgasms supported the hermeneutical paradigm by allowing all viewpoints to be accepted as true and valid (Lincoln & Guba, 1985).
The methodology which supports the hermeneutical, transcendental, and feminist paradigms is qualitative research (Creswell, 2007). The use of trustworthiness, transparency, reflectivity, and theoretical narrative are examples of the foundational perspective driven by the qualitative and feminist paradigms (Morse, Barrett, Mayan, Olson, & Spiers, 2002). The qualitative research allowed for the previously described ontological, epistemological, axiological, and rhetorical paradigms (Creswell, 2007; Moustakas, 1994; van Mannen, 1990). The study specifically used phenomenology to bring about the essence of mental orgasms (Moustakas, 1994). Methodology will be discussed more thoroughly in chapter 3.
Definition of Terms
The definition of terms is limited within this study due to the influence of the feminist paradigm. The feminist paradigm supports the use of subjective rhetoric and terminology (Olesen, 2005; Tuana, 2004). The participants were viewed as experts in the topic and thus defined and described in their own language, as needed, as it applies to the phenomenon (Olesen, 2005; Tuana, 2004). The shared trait of mental orgasms was the only defined term to allow for clarity of the topic being studied.
Mental orgasm: a deliberate orgasm “by thought alone, without physical stimulation” (Komisaruk & Whipple, 2005, p. 63).
Assumptions, Limitations, Scope, and Delimitations
The assumptions, limitations, scope, and delimitations of this study are based on the presumptions of the phenomenological, transcendental, and feminist paradigms which will be detailed in chapter 3. The following assumptions and limitations also frame this study.
● Assumption: The known benefits of other types of orgasm (e.g., pain management, stress management, vaginismus) may be benefits of mental orgasms (Komisaruk, Beyer-Flores, & Whipple, 2006; Whipple, Ogden, & Komisaruk, 1992).
● Limitations
● Identifying women who use mental orgasms may have been difficult due to the lack of common knowledge and scientific study in this area; thus limiting my capacity to identify and recruit participants.
● The willingness of participants to discuss their sexuality openly and honestly may be difficult due to the sensitive nature of sex.
● The study was limited to 10-15 women in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, who speak English and are self-guardians. This focus will limit the ability for the study to be generalized to the overall population whose demographics differ from those of the sample.
● Scope: The findings of this phenomenological study are limited to interpretation rather than quantitative analysis; it is for exploratory purposes.
● Delimitation: The study is delimited by including those who define themselves as women due to the uniqueness of women’s orgasmic experience and expectations (Hite, 1976). The genitalia, legal sex, or legal sex at birth were not used to define woman.
Significance of the Study
The social change implication of this study is to expand the existing limited body of literature with an understanding of the phenomenon of mental orgasms in women (Fawcett & Hearn, 2004). This understanding may influence many health care practices for women due to the benefits of other types of orgasms (Whipple, Ogden, & Komisaruk, 1992). The known benefits of other types of orgasm include pain management, relief from menstrual cramps, tension release, stress release, lower blood pressure, migraine treatment, sleep, uterine tightening, treatment for vaginismus, an embrace of sexual liberalism, satisfaction with current sex life, plasticity in sexuality, and possible replacement of coitus (Kinsey, Pomeroy, Martin, and Gebhard 1953; Komisaruk, Beyer-Flores, & Whipple, 2006; Masters, 1985; Reinisch & Beasley, 1990; Whipple & Komisaruk, 1985; Whipple & Komisaruk, 1988). The other types of orgasm and potential themes will be discussed more thoroughly in chapter 2.
This study is aimed at revealing unique treatment possibilities for women (e.g., pain, migraines, and vaginismus) by exploring this new phenomenon of mental orgasms. Orgasms have in the past and are currently used in treatment of disease and disorder. Medical massage, to manually generate orgasms to female patients to ease hysteria has been used since the times of ancient Greece and Egypt, though finally waned in the 1930s; the first vibrators were designed for such medical treatments (Komisaruk, Beyer-Flores, & Whipple, 2006). Currently, masturbatory massage is a treatment for vaginismus, and orgasm is recommended to ease mental and physical stress among many other orgasm treatments (Komisaruk et al. 2006). Mental orgasms can be taught by professionals, thus could empower more women if benefits are revealed. Mental orgasms may be simply one more way to achieve the benefits of orgasm treatments.
The phenomenological research helps clarify the phenomenon and essence of mental orgasms in women. This could be an important contribution to the existing literature and may enhance social change initiatives by influencing mental, sexual, and physical health care practices for women (Whipple, Ogden, & Komisaruk, 1992). Mental orgasms can then be taught by professionals to benefit more women. Overall, the social change implication of this study is to provide information that may have an impact on women’s health.
Summary
Mental orgasms are a distinctive sexual experience due to the absence of physical stimulation to achieve purposeful orgasm. There is a dearth of documented research examining mental orgasms in women. This gap in the literature fails to portray the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of women who use mental orgasms; which may include the known mental and physical health benefits reported from other types of orgasms. The phenomenon, context, essence of the experience, descriptive statements, and themes of mental orgasms have been explored to bring about an understanding of mental orgasms in women. This phenomenological study devoted to understanding women’s experiences with mental orgasms may contribute to the literature and research base. The results could influence mental, sexual, and physical health care practices for women. Chapter 2 will review the current literature on the topic and chapter 3 will detail the methodology of the study.
Chapter 2: Literature Review
The arrival of the feminist sexologists (e.g., Barbach, Hite) in the late 1970s brought previously unexplored women’s sexuality topics into the forefront (Levin, 2004). Since then, feminist sexologists (e.g., Ogden, Whipple) have revealed new territory to challenge the phallocentric definitions of orgasm, such as orgasm being the contractions of pelvic striate muscles (Levin, 2004). Though the definition of orgasm differs for men and women as reported by endocrinologists and neurologists (through brain imaging), and as chapter 2 will unveil, in sex researchers (Levin, 2004)., this new line of research has brought to light much information about women’s sexuality but have also brought about more questions. Mental orgasms have now been recognized and measured through the research of Whipple, Ogden, and Komisaruk (1992), but there is very little literature on the subject, and none documenting an understanding of women’s experience of the phenomenon. Until recently, the Freudian-based phallocentric research tended to omit and generalize women’s sexuality. It will take time and effort to compensate for these many years of disparity.
A review of the literature research strategies will be explained, followed by seminal research on women’s array of orgasms. Finally, the current research on mental orgasms to explain the gap in literature and possible themes to emerge from this study will be incorporated.
Research Strategy
A literature search was conducted using several media over a period of time, with new research supplementing current research when it became available. The basis of the research began by reading The Science of Orgasm by Komisaruk, Beyer-Flores, and Whipple (2006). Based on the research included in that book, EBSCO databases were accessed, with the general terms orgasm and women being used as the root of all searches. Other terms including mental, image, and meditation were then added to the search criteria. In addition, the dissertation Perception of Touch in Easily Orgasmic Women during Peak Sexual Experiences by Ogden (1981) was requested from the Institute of Advanced Study of Human Sexuality. Review of this material then spurred the addition of key terms spontaneous, fantasy, and extragenital to be included in the EBSCO searches. The seminal research of Freud, Kinsey, Hite, and Masters and Johnson were included even though not all of these authors appeared in the database search results.
There were no studies found focusing on an understanding of mental orgasms or that went beyond establishing their existence. Thus, the content of this review is limited to the extent of information on mental orgasms in women. Consequently, much of the research is older than five years. The research used is the most recent available or influential research that is still applicable today. The lack of recent research, as well as the gap of literature, will be resolved by this study.
Review of Literature
This study aims to help clarify the phenomenon, context, essence of the experience, descriptive statements, and themes related to mental orgasms in women. The feminist sexologists now struggle to reconstruct the definitions of orgasm and descriptions of women’s sexual experiences created by a phallocentric past. To understand the phenomenon of mental orgasms, it is important to comprehend the current knowledge and research in the area. The conceptual framework of women’s varied orgasms will be reviewed. Then the current research on mental orgasms will be examined -the gap in the literature regarding women’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences of mental orgasms will be exposed.
Orgasm
The physician Charcot (1877) emphasized that women’s mental disorders such as nymphomania, masturbation, moral insanity, hysteria, and neurasthenia were caused by abnormalities in, or the site of, women’s genitalia. Blindness, epilepsy, melancholia, and even death were attributed to the female genitalia. The remedy for these ailments was to remove or destroy the female genitalia (Charcot, 1877). Charcot’s pupil, Sigmund Freud, continued along this line of thought with many writings and lectures about the link between gynecology and mental disease.
Freud (1938) believed that there were two types of female orgasm: clitoral and vaginal. Thus, he described female orgasm as being the vibrating of the clitoris. Conversely, he subsequently reported that psychoanalysts are not confined to just sex, but to the broader sense of sexuality, involving emotions and connectedness (Freud, 1952). This sexuality also includes the sexual instinct, sexual object, and sexual aim (Freud, 1938; 1962). It is important that Freud established a distinction between biologically based orgasm and cognitively based sexuality. The separation of the biological act of sex and cognitive thoughts and feelings of an overall sexuality give light to a non-propagative side of sex. He continued explaining that the sexuality of women is inaccessible due to its being “veiled in impenetrable darkness” by cultural influences and women’s dishonest nature (Freud, 1938, p. 565).
Masters and Johnson and The Kinsey Institute conducted surveys and sexual performance evaluations of participants (Masters, Johnson, & Kolodny, 1988; Reinisch & Beasley, 1990). These surveys and evaluations gave a foundation to define typical sexual behavior. Orgasm for women was defined physiologically by Masters and Johnson and The Kinsey Institute by the contractions of the uterus, the outside third of the vagina, the anal sphincter, and other parts of the body (Masters, 1985, p. 69; Masters et al., 1988; Reinisch & Beasley, 1990). These contractions were noted as occurring as often as every 0.8 seconds (Masters et al., 1988). The Kinsey Institute found great variability in their multiple surveys concerning orgasm, noting that anywhere from 30-50% of married women reportedly had orgasms rarely or never (Reinisch & Beasley, 1990). Masters and Johnson did not limit women’s orgasm to clitoral or vaginal sources; rather they defined it as an experience that can be motivated by any stimulating source (Masters & Johnson, 1966). Newcomb and Bentler (1983) support the concept, finding that women accentuate the general sexual response instead of reporting a singular physiological action. Masters and Johnson coined the term sensate focus to increase awareness of the significance of physical touch sensations between partners (Masters & Johnson, 1966).
Masters and Johnson (Masters, 1985; Masters Johnson, & Kolodny, 1988) created the concept of the sexual response cycle consisting of the excitement, plateau, orgasm, and refractory periods. The sexual response cycle mapped out women’s multiple and extended orgasms. Masters et al. (1988) described that there may be different stimuli to orgasm, but they all follow the same sexual response cycle and thus are identical. The differences in enjoyment of one orgasm over another were not thought to be due to stimulus, but to other psychological factors and fatigue. Kinsey went on to state that “the mind is the best indicator of sexual fulfillment” (Reinisch & Beasley, 1990, p.108) and that women have to be the judge of experiencing an orgasm over physiological events that do or do not occur.
Fisher (1973a, 1973b) reported that the experience of women’s orgasms was complicated due to the past disagreements about the definition of orgasm, percentage of orgasmic women, and the behaviors associated with women’s orgasm. Fisher agreed with Masters and Johnson and The Kinsey Institute’s physiological definition of orgasm. In comparison, Fisher focused more on the behaviors of women, reporting that the degree to which a woman looks for pleasurable sex is related to her degree of self-centeredness. The more orgasmic women in Fisher’s study liked to be the center of attention, were concerned with their appearance, and talked about their own achievements.
Barbach and Levine (1980) surveyed 120 women and reported that women’s orgasms come in a great variety. Barbach and Levine also suggested that women masturbate and use kegles (pelvic floor exercises) to learn about their bodies and thereby improve coital satisfaction. The women in this study found masturbation relieved sexual tension, stress, frustration, menstrual cramps, aches and pains, and fostered sexual freedom.
Hite (1976) conducted a survey of 3,019 women to determine their interpretation of sex. Hite reported that orgasm usually needs clitoral stimulation, though 70% of women reported orgasm is felt throughout the body. Many women reported their whole bodies being stiff during orgasm, with fewer reporting a continual movement (Hite, 1976). Hite (1987) also reported that the phallocentric view of sex has devalued women’s sexual activity. The past abnormal label for women who do not achieve orgasm during penetration may only be a perceptual misunderstanding of what it is to be a normal sexual woman (Hite, 1987).
Masturbation. Freud (1938, 1947) admitted that masturbation is normal and useful to creating an adult sexual life in men. In contrast to the positive attributes of male masturbation, Freud attributed negative, even pathological consequences for women. He predicted hysteria and elements of repression as the result for women who masturbated.
Masters and Johnson defined masturbation broadly as a physical self-stimulation (Masters, Johnson, & Kolodny, 1988). Women were found to have individual masturbation techniques, positions, and aids (e.g., fabrics, vibrators). Fifty percent of Masters and Johnson’s female participants had used a vibrator, compared to The Kinsey Institute’s 26% (Masters et al., 1988; Reinisch & Beasley, 1990). Hite (1976) mentioned that women enjoy masturbation physically, but not mentally and emotionally.
Kinsey, Pomeroy, Martin, and Gebhard (1953) found that women who spent time trying to achieve orgasm by masturbation were successful. Of the 62% of women surveyed who masturbated, 96% were able to orgasm by masturbation (Kinsey et al., 1953). Those who attempted masturbation inconsistently or only a few times were unsuccessful in achieving orgasm. In addition, those who achieved orgasm by masturbation were more likely to be successful in achieving orgasm with a partner (Kinsey et al., 1953). These findings are supported by the research of Van Wyk (1982), who found consistent results in a preorgasmic group of women who learned masturbation techniques. The women who spent 6.2 hours a week on masturbation homework had an orgasm success rate of 60%. Women who only did 3.8 hours a week of masturbation homework were only 30.2% successful in achieving orgasm (Van Wyk, 1982).
Fisher (1973a, 1973b) normalized the coitus experience while labeling women’s masturbation as unusual sexual practice and further questioned the desires of married women to masturbate due to their having a sexual partner available for coitus. Fisher found that women who masturbated believed it was a way to get sexual pleasure without emotional attachment, created sexual control, created guilt, and encouraged unreality due to the women playing the roles of both provider and receiver of pleasure. Finally, Fisher concluded that women who were interested in masturbation were more self-asserted and defiant in doing things in the “orderly, systematic, and not messy” way (Fisher, 1973a, p. 333). These findings are very different from the studies conducted by Barbach and Levine and Hite only a few years later.
Barbach and Levine (1980) challenged Fisher’s comments that masturbation and sexual interest are narcissistic in women. Barbach and Levine instead affirmed that masturbation can be enjoyed by men and women, having its own benefits, but not replacing coitus.
Hite (1976, 1987) found that women considered masturbation normal behavior. The women surveyed had different techniques and frequency, though almost all enjoyed clitoral stimulation while masturbating. Hite (1976, 1987) reported women did not perceive masturbation as a replacement for coitus, but as a more effective and reliable method to achieve orgasm.
Breastfeeding. Freud (1946) did not report the incidence of orgasm in women through breastfeeding, but did report that neurosis caused by lack of coitus could be postponed with breastfeeding. Both The Kinsey Institute and Masters and Johnson found that 15% of their study populations reported orgasm by breast stimulation, though it was not determined how much of this was due to breastfeeding (Reinisch & Beasley, 1990). Barbach and Levine (1980) averred that the women in their study had actually reported orgasm during breastfeeding. Other studies reported up to 50% of mothers had erotic feelings from breastfeeding (Levin, 2004; Levin, 2006). Erotic sensation is caused by the release of oxytocin and prolactin (Barbach & Levine, 1980; Levin, 2006). Oxytocin is a natural pain reliever and prolactin supports contraction of the uterus after giving birth. In other studies, the link between nipple stimulation and orgasm was shown to be significant, with 10-15.5% of women experiencing orgasm by nipple stimulation alone (Levin, 2006). Women expressed mixed feelings associated with orgasm while breastfeeding, specifically as to whether it was erotic and/or confusing (Barbach & Levine, 1980). Some women reported discontinuing breastfeeding due to experiencing orgasms while breastfeeding (Levin, 2006; Masters & Johnson, 1966).
Spontaneous Orgasm. The event of a spontaneous orgasm preceding an epileptic seizure, called an orgasmic aura, supports the need for an even broader definition of orgasm (Komisaruk & Whipple, 2006). Women and men alike have reported, and been shown in the research lab, to have an orgasm preceding their seizures. This can be troublesome to most, due to the unknown trigger and untimeliness of the orgasm, although there are some who decline antiseizure medications in order to keep experiencing the orgasmic aura. Those who describe an orgasmic aura state that it feels like it is generated genitally (Komisaruk & Whipple, 2006). A 37-year-old female who experienced such seizure-induced orgasms reported that they were not troubling, but rather only embarrassing in public; however, she enjoyed the experience (Crevenna, Homann, Feichtinger, Ott, & Körner, 2000). Due to these partial seizures originating in her right temporal lobe, she was placed on antiseizure medication and the spontaneous orgasms ceased (Crevenna et al., 2000).
Drug-induced spontaneous orgasms have been reported by both men and women (Alcántara & Nieto, 1998). The introduction of psychotropic medications can lead to a side effect of spontaneous orgasms. This is evident in a case study of a 40-year-old male with paranoid schizophrenia who was placed on risperidone after reporting erectile difficulties while on other medications (Alcántara & Nieto, 1988). While on risperidone, he experienced three spontaneous orgasms without ejaculation in one week. He then had an orgasm with ejaculation during coitus. After a decrease in the risperidone, the client no longer reported experiencing any erectile difficulties during coitus or spontaneous orgasms (Alcántara & Nieto, 1988).
Ramachandran and Blakeslee (1998) documented a man who feels orgasms in his amputated leg. The man reported that he had a genital orgasm along with feeling the orgasm in his leg, making it a very big orgasm. Ramachandran and Blakeslee explained this as simply the neurological impulses spreading out on the Penfield map.
The Penfield map is a somatosensory homunculus in the brain, but is ordered differently than the actual human body (Ramachandran & Blakeslee, 1998). In the brain, the sensory component of the genitals is next to the foot then leg; thus supporting the surplus sensation. It is also recognized that the breast nerves are also close to the genitals, thus supporting breast stimulation that leads to genital arousal in men and women, and orgasm in women. To create the orgasms, Ramachandran and Blakeslee (1998) explain that the brain only needs the proper stimulation.
Stimulating the brain for orgasm has also been created with a transcranial magnetic stimulator (Ramachandran & Blakeslee, 1998). Placing a magnet on the brain in front of the thalamus can stimulate an orgasm. One subject researched by Ramachandran and Blakeslee (1998) reported this feeling “like a thousand orgasms rolled into one” (p. 175). The stimulation by the magnet is very concrete, though the stimulus for orgasm is not always tangible.
Nocturnal Orgasms. Nocturnal orgasms are often attributed to men. Though acknowledgments of women’s nocturnal orgasms are rare, they do exist. Kinsey, Pomeroy, Martin, and Gebhard (1953) reported the significance of women’s nocturnal orgasms as being a measure of intrinsic sexuality. Kinsey et al. (1953) reported that 37% of the women in their study stated they had experienced nocturnal orgasms by age 45, with an average of 3 to 4 per year. Primarily nonvirgins experienced nocturnal orgasms, with 95% experiencing a waking orgasm before a nocturnal one (Kinsey et al., 1953). More recently, Wells (1986) reported 37% of women experienced nocturnal orgasms, most experiencing five per year; the prior sexual experiences of the women did not help predict nocturnal orgasms. Liberalism, positive attitudes toward nocturnal orgasms, and satisfaction with one’s current sex life are predictors of nocturnal orgasms. Wells also found women who experienced orgasm through fantasy, while awake, had more frequent nocturnal orgasms. Wells did not specify if the orgasms through fantasy were with or without the aid of physical stimulus.
Fantasy. Freud (1947) warned that those who use masturbation are likely to engage in fantasy that will not live up to actual coitus. This distress could then result in neurosis and psychosis. Even though Freud acknowledged fantasy and the unconscious, he supported that touching is necessary for normal sexual aim. He continued that stimulus must be of external, not somatic, provocation (Freud, 1938). This account was defended by Reich (1942) who reported fantasy was an escape mechanism and would result in the inability to surrender to orgasm. Freud concluded that more than a cold shower is needed to prevent sexual desire leading to psychosis, and more treatment and understanding is needed to understand fantasy (Freud, 1947).
The more modern thought on sexual fantasy allows for a healthy outlet for erotic thoughts (Davidson & Hoffman, 1986). Davidson and Hoffman reported women at all levels of satisfaction and dissatisfaction with their current sex life did not experience a significant difference in the occurrence of sexual fantasies. Twenty percent of the women studied reported engaging in regular sexual fantasies, and 89% have had a sexual fantasy (Davidson & Hoffman, 1986). Masters and Johnson and The Kinsey Institute agreed that fantasy enhanced sexual activity including masturbation and coitus (Kinsey, Pomeroy, Martin, and Gebhard 1953; Masters, 1985; Reinisch & Beasley, 1990). Masters and Johnson went even further to explain that sexual response was the same no matter the stimulus, including fantasy (Masters, Johnson, & Kolodny, 1988). The Kinsey Institute affirmed that 2% of the women studied reported orgasm with fantasy alone (Kinsey et al., 1953). Barbach and Levine (1980) stated that the use of fantasy is important for women during masturbation and sometimes during coitus. Women reported more fantasy use during manual masturbation, although the themes were usually not about penetration (Barbach & Levine, 1980).
Wu (2007) found that women were more responsive to auditory, symbolic content and interpretive characteristics of erotica (p. 32). Romance novels could also be considered a form of fantasy (Wu, 2007). Wu found both heterosexual and homosexual women readers of romance novels had fewer sex partners overall than their nonreading counterparts. Also, the first sexual encounter for readers was later than for nonreaders (Wu, 2007). Women differed, showing more plasticity in sexuality and with less cultural restraints, than men (Wu, 2007).
Orgasm in Spinal Cord-Injured Women. Research and rehabilitation of women who have had a spinal cord injury (SCI) has focused mainly on reproduction (Tepper, Whipple, Richards, & Komisaruk, 2001). Menstruation, basic health, and the ability to give birth are the focus of past research (Tepper et al., 2001). Tepper et al. (2001) pointed out that such research was based on the assumptions that females were passive during coitus, it was easier for SCI women than men to participate in coitus due to the lack of erection difficulties, and that women did not experience the same loss of sexual identity as did men when dealing with SCI. As with many assumptions, these were also based on falsehoods.
SCI women experienced cognitive genital dissociation, sexual disenfranchisement, as well as, a need to engage in sexual rediscovery (Tepper, Whipple, Richards, & Komisaruk, 2001). These experiences were consistent with women who had inorgasmia without SCI (Lavie & Willig, 2005). SCI women were reported to utilize methods to either increase sexual arousal or appraise the ability to be orgasmic (Forsythe & Horsewell, 2006). These SCI women were better at achieving mentally stimulated lubrication rather than physically stimulated lubrication. Women with SCI were reported to be less likely to achieve an orgasm and to take longer to achieve an orgasm than able-bodied women, and the reported orgasms were entirely like other orgasms physically and emotionally (Forsythe & Horsewell, 2006). Masters and Johnson called these orgasms phantom. Phantom orgasms are experienced with mental and physical stimulation but devoid of genital origins (Masters, 1985). With this distinction and separation, Masters and Johnson narrowed the definition of a true orgasm to one that originated by physical genital stimulation.
Forsythe and Horsewell (2006) found that 49.7% of women with SCI had achieved orgasm 11 years after suffering their SCI. Orgasms by women with SCI were stimulated from manipulation of their genitals, breasts, and hypersensitive zones, as well as through imagery (Tepper, Whipple, Richards, & Komisaruk, 2001, p. 620). These women also had higher rates of sexual fantasy than women injured only one year earlier. Sipski, Alexander, and Rosen’s (1999) comparison of women with SCI and able bodied women found that all orgasmic women shared increased sexual drive and knowledge.
Mental Orgasms. Ogden (1981) phenomenologically researched easily orgasmic women and found that these women used all their senses, not just touch, to receive pleasure. With this capability, 44% of the women in Ogden’s sample were able to achieve orgasm without touch, and 52% achieved orgasm by extragenital stimulation. Extragenital stimulation included breastfeeding and other nongenital touching or petting. These figures were much higher than those reported by previous research, though it was noted that the women were a special population due to being described as highly orgasmic. It can be argued that past research was also conducted with special populations due to the vast use of performance participants. With this proviso, Ogden’s research corresponded with the performance participant research conducted by The Kinsey Institute and Masters and Johnson. It was suggested that other easily orgasmic nondisabled women could be taught to experience these orgasms to enrich their lives (Ogden, 1981).
Ogden (2006) reported that orgasm without touch has been voiced by countless women and can be used to relieve “shame, fatigue, flagging desire,” and help feelings connected to a partner, practice sex therapy, and heal vaginismus (p. 75). Vaginismus is the painful contracting and spasm of the vagina, often limiting the ability for coitus or vaginal exams. Ogden described these mental orgasms without touch as happening in meditative activities such as guided imagery, breathing, and daydreaming, as well as seemingly normal activities of driving a car, watching television, or talking to someone. A woman interviewed by Ogden called this thinking off, stating that she could simply use her mind to have an orgasm at any time she liked.
Based on Ogden’s research (1981), Whipple, Ogden, and Komisaruk (1992) decided to advance the knowledge of this subject by studying image-induced orgasms. Ten women participated in a performance research to determine whether image induced orgasms produced the same neurological effects as the coitus-generated orgasm. The research reported that women were better able to achieve orgasm by using self-induced imagery than by using guided imagery, and all were able to achieve orgasm by using manual self-stimulation. The systolic blood pressure, heart rate, pupil diameter, and pain detection threshold did not differ significantly when the orgasm was image induced or induced by manual self-stimulation (Whipple et al., 1992). Based on this information, Whipple et al. urged acceptance of a new definition of orgasm that was not limited to physically induced orgasms. From this point, Ogden (2006) continued to question the significance, purpose, and context of these mental orgasms in women’s lives.
Potential Themes
Whipple, Ogden, and Komisaruk (1992) have established that mental orgasms are simply another type of orgasm that was previously unrecognized. The inquiry then appears when these mental orgasms are compared to masturbatory and coital orgasms. Themes that may emerge while exploring mental orgasms may be consistent with the findings on other types of orgasms.
Masturbatory and coital orgasms have been known for their tension release, stress release, and pain management (Masters, Johnson, & Kolodny, 1988; Reinisch & Beasley, 1990). Orgasms while breastfeeding on the other hand have been linked to uterine tightening (Barbach & Levine, 1980; Levin, 2004; Levin, 2006). Predictors of spontaneous orgasms, including nocturnal orgasms, are an embrace of sexual liberalism, positive attitudes toward nocturnal orgasms, satisfaction with current sex life, and plasticity in sexuality without undue cultural restraints (Wells, 1986; Wu, 2007). Ramachandran and Blakeslee (1998) then questioned if mental orgasms can replace coitus, stating, “any creature that could imagine orgasms is unlikely to transmit its genes to the next generation” (p. 111). The examination of mental orgasms to understand their context, significance, and purpose is the next evident step.
Literature Relating to the Methodology
While there are qualitative studies aimed at understanding the female orgasm and the subjective experiences of women, none are focused on mental orgasms (Whipple, Ogden, and Komisaruk, 1992). The Hite Report was a ground breaking qualitative exploration of the female sexual experience (Hite, 1987). It used open-ended survey questions to allow women to voice their beliefs about their own sexuality without the narrowed perspective of phallocentric sexuality (Hite, 1987; Guba & Lincoln, 1988).
More recently, Tepper, Whipple, Richards, and Komisaruk (2001) have researched the phenomenon of orgasms in spinal cord injured women. The uses of phenomenology revealed that spinal cord injured women have sexual and orgasmic wants and needs that have been overlooked. Phenomenology was able to bring about the unique essence of these women’s sexuality (Creswell, 2007; Guba & Lincoln, 1988; Moustakas, 1994).
There has been one study devoted to mental orgasms in nondisabled women (Whipple, Ogden, & Komisaruk, 1992). The existing study was quantitative, simply recognizing the existence of this practice and categorized it as an orgasmic experience. There is a lack of first hand descriptions of the lived experience by women with mental orgasms. The thoughts, feelings, and experiences of women who use mental orgasms are still not known (Ogden, 1981).
Qualitative phenomenology was used to help interpret the role of mental orgasms in women’s lives (Creswell, 2007; Guba & Lincoln, 1988; Moustakas, 1994; Rolfe, 2006; Silverstein, Auerbach, & Levant, 2006). This allows the themes to emerge from the data instead of quantitative research that predisposes variables and constructs (Creswell, 2007; Moustakas, 1994; Rolfe, 2006; Silverstein et al. 2006). In addition, the purpose of this research is to understand the essence of mental orgasms, thus better suited to qualitative research. Phenomenology uses interviews of multiple participants to allow common themes to emerge, thus is more generalizable than a case study (Creswell, 2007).
Grounded theory was also considered, although it is better suited for research that has a predisposed theory (Creswell, 2007; Silverstein, Auerbach, & Levant, 2006). The scientific community lacks this initial understanding of the topic of mental orgasms to support grounded theory. The absence of basic understanding of the context, purpose, and significance of mental orgasms suggests phenomenology would be best to describe the essence of the research (Creswell, 2007). The gap in the literature recognized by Whipple, Ogden, and Komisaruk (1992) can then be fulfilled by qualitative phenomenological methodology.
Summary
Women research participants have confirmed a variety of orgasms, including coital, masturbatory, spontaneous, seizure-induced, drug-induced, nocturnal, and mental orgasms. Each type of orgasm has been described as being experienced as a different, yet corresponding, phenomenon. There have been many methods to record the incidence of orgasm including blood pressure, vaginal contractions, vaginal color change, heart rate, respiration, hormone levels, brain activity, and self-report (Levin, 2006). A review of the many scholarly reports on sexuality yields no collective, universal definition of orgasm; more research is encouraged to evaluate women’s orgasms without a phallocentric bias (Hite, 1987). Orgasm then must be defined subjectively by each individual and not limited by a researcher (Levin & Wagner, 1987; Mah & Binik, 2002; Meston, Levin, Sipski, Hull, & Heiman, 2004). The study of mental orgasms had been limited to the existence and quantification of the phenomenon, thus the gap in literature existed in the study of the experience and essence of mental orgasms in women. Qualitative phenomenology is an apt tool to help bring about the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of women who achieve mental orgasms. The details of the research methodology will be described in chapter 3.
The two previous chapters focused on the current knowledge of female orgasm and the need to understand the phenomenon of mental orgasms in women. The various benefits and types of orgasm have been studied at length. The existing study devoted to mental orgasms in non disabled women by Whipple, Ogden, and Komisaruk (1992) was quantitative; thus it simply recognized the existence of mental orgasms and categorized it as an orgasmic experience. The thoughts, feelings, and experiences of women who experience mental orgasms from a qualitative perspective were still not known (Ogden, 1981). This chapter will outline the methodology utilized to examine the phenomenon of mental orgasms. The participants, role of the researcher, ethical considerations, data collection, and data analysis will be discussed.
Methodology
Chapter 2 reviewed the current literature on mental orgasms. The research on mental orgasms is limited to the expressed self-reports by women in Ogden’s research (1981) and the physiological study done by Whipple, Ogden, and Komisaruk (1992); thus there is a significant gap in the literature. Phenomenology is an apt tool that will, in light of the limited research available, help interpret the role of mental orgasms in women’s lives (Rolfe, 2006; Silverstein, Auerbach, & Levant, 2006). This allows the themes to emerge from the data instead of using quantitative methods which presupposes variables and constructs (Rolfe, 2006; Silverstein et al., 2006). Mental orgasms do not have predisposed, presupposed constructs or variables that can be used in quantitative analysis at this time. In addition, the purpose of this research is to understand the essence, experience, and phenomena, of mental orgasms, thus is better suited to qualitative research (Rolfe, 2006; Silverstein et al., 2006).
Quantitative research was considered for this study, though the topic lacks a foundation of theory. There is no current theory to ground the concept of mental orgasms and thus be able to postulate interactions, correlations, or support surveys (Creswell, 2007). Grounded theory (Silverstein, Auerbach, & Levant, 2006), case studies (Creswell, 2007), and narrative research (Creswell, 2007) were considered within the framework of qualitative research. However, grounded theory is better suited for research that has a predisposed theory; the scientific community lacks this foundational understanding of the topic (Silverstein, Auerbach, & Levant, 2006). Case studies would bring about the individual perspectives, though lack the generalizability to create social change. Narrative research lacks the relationships of meaning that phenomenology can bring about and thus is not a better choice (Creswell, 2007). The absence of basic understanding of the context, purpose, and significance of mental orgasms suggests phenomenology is best to describe the essence of the research. Phenomenology uses interviews of multiple participants to allow common themes to emerge (Creswell, 2007).
This phenomenological study is supported by hermeneutical (van Mannen, 1990), transcendental (Creswell, 2007), and feminist (Olesen, 2005) paradigms. The hermeneutical assumption is that an individual’s lived experience and perception of truth is important (van Mannen, 1990). I then found the meaning of the experiences as a whole (van Mannen, 1990). Hermeneutics were employed when the participants define mental orgasm for themselves, without proving their ability to mental orgasm (e.g., with mental resonance imaging). The self-report of each participant is accepted as her own individual truth and is combined with the other participants’ statements to create the overall essence of mental orgasms.
Transcendental research paradigm supports the phenomenological method by increasing the research procedure to create textural and structural description (Creswell, 2007; van Mannen, 1990). The transcendental paradigm supports regimens such as the interview worksheet that guides and gives validity to the study. The use of a researcher journal is also part of the transcendental paradigm to increase transparency.
The feminist paradigm supports the phenomenological method by encouraging humanistic considerations of the participants (Creswell, 2007; Tuana, 2004). Considerations include decreasing barriers to participation in research, increasing the participant autonomy, and validating the individual experience (Creswell, 2007). The feminist paradigm also encourages naturalistic settings to guide the assumptions and perspectives throughout the entire process (Guba & Lincoln, 1988; Olesen, 2005). These paradigms provide the directionality of the ontological, epistemological, axiological, rhetorical, and methodological approaches to be used (Creswell, 2003; Guba & Lincoln, 1988).
The transcendental and feminist approaches encourage finding an imbalance in social science where a minority has been marginalized (Stewart, 1994). The research of the female orgasm is an overlooked topic within a marginalized group that needs further investigation (Tuana, 2004). The feminist approach has foundations in the use of the rhetoric of credibility, trustworthiness, and validity of the researcher’s accounts to be made transparent (Olesen, 2005). These are the basics of creating a supportive, self-disclosing, and nonexploitive relationship (Olesen, 2005). The humanistic focus of the feminist paradigm will be directing this study.
Moustakas (1994) supports the phenomenological ontological view of embracing the truth of reality within a specified context while accepting that multiple realities may exist. This is an expression of the hermeneutical paradigm. With this, individual differences may occur, though are not any less valid. The purpose of this phenomenological study is to “grasp the very nature” (van Mannen, 1990, p.177) of mental orgasm and support the subjective views of the individual (Hatch, 2002). The phenomenological, transcendental, and feminist paradigms are collaborative in supporting the subjective individual experience.
Role of the Researcher
The role of the researcher in phenomenology is to be a tool for the data collection and processing (Moustakas, 1994). The researcher kept a research journal to be self-reflective during interviews and the coding process (Burck, 2005; Silverstein, Auerbach, & Levant, 2006). The journal includes bracketing to record the researcher’s reactions, thoughts, and observations of nonverbal data. The believability of the study is strengthened by the researcher’s clinical counseling experience. Clinical counseling is consistent with the interview process of qualitative research (Berrios & Lucca, 2006; Ryan, Coughlan, & Cronin, 2007, Silverstein et. al. 2006; Thorne & Varcoe, 1998). The researcher used her experiences as a counselor to aid in the interview process and in her ability to be a self-reflective objective observer. The researcher was the only contact to the participants as well as the one to transcribe and code the data.
Research Questions
This study used phenomenological research to clarify the phenomenon, context, essence of the experience, descriptive statements, and themes of mental orgasms in women (Fawcett & Hearn, 2004; Moustakas, 1994). The foundations of hermeneutical (van Mannen, 1990), transcendental (Creswell, 2007), and feminist (Olesen, 2005) paradigms, discussed previously, were used to shape the study. The research questions guided the study to address these concerns by directing the interview worksheet and data analysis. This research sought to answer the following central question and five issue subquestions (Creswell, 2007):
What is the collective essence of the experience of the mental orgasm in the sample queried?
● What is the phenomenon of the mental orgasms in the sample queried?
● What statements describe mental orgasms?
● What benefits, if any, are results of mental orgasms?
● What thoughts and contexts (mental and physical states) exist about mental orgasms?
● What themes emerge about mental orgasms?
Interview Questions
The above research questions, with the use of phenomenology, directed the interview process. The purpose of the interviews was to understand the phenomenon of mental orgasms in women. Open-ended questions were used to promote feelings and thoughts about the participant’s experience (Giske & Artinian, 2007; Rolfe, 2006). The transcendental paradigm supports the structure of an interview worksheet to provide consistency and validity to the interview process. The semi-structured interview questions can be found in Appendix D as part of the interview worksheet. The worksheet includes boxes by each question to be answered as a means to reduce researcher redundancy. The questions are numbered to facilitate linking each question to the researcher’s journal notes. An expert panel consisting of the researcher’s dissertation committee was used to ensure validity, flow, and timing of the instrument (Creswell, 2007).
Context
The study was conducted in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona. The scope was limited to purposeful sampling of 10-15 adult (18 years old and older) self defined women who have been using mental orgasms for 1 year or longer (Morse, Barrett, Mayan, Olson, & Spiers, 2002; Ryan, Coughlan, & Cronin, 2007). The number of participants was determined by saturation within a typical case selection (LeCompte & Schensul, 1999). The study sought information from typical women who use mental orgasms. The lack of information about this population resulted in determining population size by consulting the population sizes used in similar research (LeCompte & Schensul, 1999). Whipple, Ogden, and Komisaruk (1992) used 10 women in their research on image-induced orgasms. Tepper, Whipple, Richards, and Komisaruk (2001) used 15 women in their phenomenological study of sexual experiences of women with spinal cord injuries. This study simply followed their example.
Only participants who are self guardians were included due to the sensitive nature of the study. Participants were recruited through sexologists’ offices and meditation centers until saturation was met (Ryan, Coughlan, & Cronin, 2007; Silverstein, Auerbach, & Levant 2006). The participant selection is consistent with Whipple, Ogden, and Komisaruk’s (1992) quantitative research of mental orgasms and Whipple and Komisaruk’s (1997) qualitative research of spinal cord injured women’s mental orgasms. Each sexologist’s office and meditation center that choose to participate signed the letter of cooperation from a community research partner (see Appendix C) then posted a call for participants’ poster (see Appendix A). The sexologist offices and meditation centers included may be located outside of the Phoenix metropolitan area due to their clientele being located within the research area. All community partnership sites were listed in the internal review board application, though are kept anonymous within the written research to protect the participants and clinics.
Participant selection continued until saturation of data was achieved (Silverstein, Auerbach, & Levant 2006). Generalizability of the data will be limited due to the focused study region in Maricopa County and the use of women who already use mental orgasms (Silverstein et al., 2006). Transferability of results will be preserved with detailed information about the subjects and context (Silverstein et al., 2006).
The context of the research is changed by the presence of the researcher (Irwin, 2006). It is natural for the researcher to have power in the research relationship, which may change the dynamic of the participant (Irwin, 2006; Thapar-Björkert & Henry, 2004). The power disparity was minimized by allowing the participants to choose their interview environment (Irwin, 2006). Location selection increases the autonomy and decreases the possible barriers to participation.
It is part of the feminist paradigm to be aware of the participants’ limitations in time, travel, social responsibilities, and other concerns that may interfere with participating at a set place (Creswell, 2007). The phenomenological epistemological assumption to minimize distance between the researcher and the participants was supported by offering location selection to the participants (Guba & Lincoln, 1988). The participants choose their location for interviews to increase this closeness, invoke more natural responses, understand the context of the data, and give the women agency (Berrios & Lucca, 2006; Giske & Artinian, 2007; Marshall & Rossman, 2006; Stewart, 1994). The locations could include participants’ homes or other place of choice including researcher’s office. The inclusion of the participants in research decision making is a feminist view to establish collaboration within the study.
Compensation
Participants were compensated for their time after completing the final transcript verification. They each received a $10 Target gift card for their time and inconveniences. All participants received the compensation regardless if they chooseto leave the research early. In addition, due to the time needed to conduct the interviews, refreshments were supplied when participants were interviewed at the researcher’s office. This follows the feminist paradigm of appreciation model to express gratitude, not be market dependent, and avoid excessive inducement (Grady, 2005). Finally, the researcher received compensation in the form of data for a dissertation, as part of an advanced degree. The opportunity for bias and coercion by the researcher was combated by journal bracketing and a review of all procedures by the Walden University Internal Review Board and the researcher’s dissertation committee (Grady, 2005; Jacobson, Gewurtz, & Haydon, 2007; Pentz, 2004).
Ethical Protection of Participants
The participants were required to sign the Walden University consent form in order to participate in the study (see Appendix B). Participants had autonomy to withdraw from the research at any time (Ryan, Coughlan, & Cronin, 2007). The consent form was explained orally to every participant and participants received a copy for their records. The Walden University consent form includes information on confidentiality, risks and benefits, as well as contact numbers for ongoing concerns or aftercare. If aftercare is needed, the participant may contact the researcher for a referral or call the local 24-hour crisis line number (602-222-9444) included on the consent form. The consent forms, journal, and digital recordings were first stored in the researcher’s office behind two locks. The data was transcribed into NVivo 8 on the researcher’s password protected laptop and the originals stored in a file box behind two locks at the researcher’s office. At the end of the dissertation process, all computer files will be transferred to one universal serial bus (USB) drive, and all data and materials will be kept in a file drawer behind two locks in the researcher’s office for at least 10 years.
Potential participants were not included in the study if they are current or past clients of the researcher to avoid dual relationships (Silverstein, Auerbach, & Levant 2006). The large metropolitan area chosen for this research allows for the participants to seek other clinical help, if such help is needed for aftercare. The researcher will not take on the participants as future clients (Silverstein et al., 2006).
Participant Selection
The study was conducted in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona. The scope was limited to purposeful sampling of 10-15 adult (18 years old and older) self defined women who have been using mental orgasms for 1 year or longer (Morse, Barrett, Mayan, Olson, & Spiers, 2002; Ryan, Coughlan, & Cronin, 2007). The number of participants is relatively small for qualitative studies in general and was only increased until the researcher determined there was no new information emerging (Ryan et al., 2007; (LeCompte & Schensul, 1999). The study sought information from typical women who use mental orgasms. All participants responded to the call for research posters (see Appendix A) in sexologists’ offices and meditation centers. The interested women were instructed to call the researcher to discuss the research and make an appointment for the interview and transcript verification. Due to the sensitive nature of the study, participants must be self guardians and at least 18 years of age. Locating participants who have experience with mental orgasms may have been a barrier to research and additional time may be needed for participant recruitment (Ryan et al., 2007).
Data Collection and Validation
Participants were interviewed for approximately 1-1½ hours with open-ended, in-depth questions (Bowen, 2006; Burck, 2005). These questions were guided by the interview worksheet to aid in consistency between the interviews. The researcher kept a journal of field notes including bracketing (Denzin & Lincolin, 2005). Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim by the researcher. Participants had a second meeting to member check transcripts in order to add trustworthiness (Bowen, 2006; Burck; Rolfe, 2006; Silverstein, Auerbach, & Levant 2006). Participants member check the transcripts by verifying their responses as being accurately chronicled; participants may then add to their corrections and the researcher may ask more specific questions for clarity at the second meeting (Giske & Artinian, 2007). If information was added or changed, participants verified transcripts one more time. Final transcript verification by participants could be done in person, at the location of choice, or via email.
The researcher’s field notes support the transcriptions and add reflexivity. The transcendental and phenomenological approaches support the axiological use of reflexivity to be portrayed using bracketing in the researcher’s journal to add reflections, processing, and support self-awareness (Denzin & Lincoln, 2005). The researcher used a journal and bracketing to conduct self-reflection during interviews and throughout the data review process (Burck, 2005; Silverstein, Auerbach, & Levant 2006). The researcher was especially aware of transference and counter transference due to the similarity of the population with the researcher (Thapar-Björkert & Henry, 2004; Thorne & Varcoe, 1998). The researcher continued to add notes during the entire process as needed for transparency or the process.
Data Analysis
The digital recordings of the interviews were first transcribed by the researcher utilizing QSR International NVivo 8 (Bowen, 2006; Johnston, 2006; Rolfe, 2006; Ryan, Coughlan, & Cronin, 2007). These transcripts were then member checked for accuracy. The researcher’s field notes were transcribed into the computer program, as well, for accessibility. Data was hen coded, themed, and thick description revealed utilizing NVivo 8 (Bowen, 2006).
The researcher used NVivo 8 as a tool, not an automated coding system, to focus on inductive techniques to increase the trustworthiness and avoid a result of pattern analysis effect if not scrutinized (Johnston, 2006; Rolfe, 2006; Ryan, Coughlan, & Cronin, 2007). NVivo 8 adds transparency by meticulously documenting the coding and note taking of the researcher for constructive evaluation (Johnston, 2006; Ryan et al., 2007; Silverstein, Auerbach, & Levant 2006; Thapar-Björkert & Henry, 2004).
The methodology of phenomenological data analysis includes highlighting significant statements to create horizontalization of the data (Moustakas, 1994). The data then was developed into clusters of meaning while remaining in the original quoted form (Moustakas, 1994). Some of these significant statements were then used as thick description to report the data findings as a structural description of the experienced, hermeneutical phenomenon. A top-down approach was used to find relevant text and repeating ideas, then form themes (Bowen, 2006; Silverstein, Auerbach, & Levant 2006). The data was refined to create textural and structural descriptions of mental orgasms in women (Creswell, 2007). Discrepant cases will be described as separate and valid experiences in chapter 4. Data was then related back to the research questions and created a theoretical narrative (Morse, Barrett, Mayan, Olson, & Spiers, 2002). The aim of the theoretical narrative is to provide as description of the essence of mental orgasms. The data was checked for its communicability by the review of the dissertation committee. This study is not an exploratory study; it stands on its own and does not relate to a larger study.
Summary
Chapter 3 focused on the structure of the research study that will be conducted. The participants, role of the researcher, ethical considerations, data collection, and data analysis were all considered and detailed. The framework of this study was guided by the phenomenological, hermeneutical, transcendental, and feminist paradigms; to create supportive, self-disclosing, and non exploitive relationships which then produce a structural description of mental orgasms (Moustakas, 1994; Olesen, 2005). The full context, purpose, and significance of mental orgasms were explored within these standards to ensure the ethicality and trustworthiness of the study.
Chapter 4: Results
This study sought to fill the gap in the literature to portray the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of women who use mental orgasms; which may include the known mental and physical health benefits reported from other types of orgasm. The phenomenological study also sought emerging themes to help reveal the context, experience, and essence of mental orgasms. Chapter 4 will now detail the results of the study and chapter 5 will discuss the results and implications of the study.
Data Collection
The data were generated by interviewing 10 participants, utilizing the Interview Worksheet, to gather their individual experiences of mental orgasms. Participants were met at their location of choice including homes (P1, P2, P5, P6, P7, P8), coffee shop (P9), workplaces (P3, P10), and friend’s homes (P4). Field notes were taken including researcher reactions, quotes, and body language of the participant.
The interviews were digitally recorded by the researcher and downloaded to her secured laptop to NVivo 8 in MP3 format. One interview did not record due to the recording device having full memory. The researcher asked the participant if she would agree to another interview at that time or at her convenience and the participant agreed to the interview again at that same time and place. The researcher noted this at the start of the second interview recording and it is part of the transcripts. The second interview was consistent with the first as compared to the field notes and memory of the researcher.
A hired transcriptionist using online confidential uploading software typed the transcripts. The researcher then verified transcripts by comparing the entirety of interviews with the digital recording and field notes. The transcripts were then member checked, and corrections made as requested and final verification was made.
Emerging Data
The researcher’s field notes were inserted into the transcripts, once member checked, in brackets. The researcher’s thoughts and processing of information was seen within bracketing and within the researcher’s journal included in NVivo 8. All coding, theming, and structuring of the data can be tracked with NVivo 8 as well as in the researcher’s journal.
A casebook was created with preliminary profile information including age, profession, number of pregnancies, number of children, and number of committed relationships. This was then expanded to include information including age of first consensual intercourse, having an abuse history, training in tantra, nocturnal orgasms, and contraceptive or barrier protection use.
The theming and coding of data was performed in stages. First I listened to and reviewed the transcripts for accuracy, and thus was already familiar with the data. The transcripts were also sent out to the participants and changes made as needed and the final transcripts verified. Changes in areas already coded were reviewed for accuracy even though NVivo 8 automatically updates changes. Then each interview was reviewed with field notes and audio recordings assisting with the context and data was placed into free nodes. The free nodes were added to as needed, but not refined until all interviews had been coded once, revealing a total of 68 free nodes. The free nodes were then placed in four sets for easier accessibility. The nodes were reduced and reviewed for accuracy. The remaining nodes were then analyzed for relationships and overlapping coding with matrix comparisons and continued review of each free node. This allowed for more condensing of the nodes and a structure began to emerge. Themes were then clarified and descriptive statements chosen to help explain and reveal the essence of mental orgasms. Histograms were created as needed to visualize the data more clearly. The researcher’s journal was utilized and reviewed often to allow for presumptive thoughts, patterned thinking, and essence of the experience to be grasped.
Participant Profiles
This study sought after self defined women who report using purposeful orgasms by thought alone for over one year and live in Arizona. The women were referred by posters in meditation and sexology offices, word of mouth, and email. The participants were a homogeneous group composed of 10 white, divorced now single, women from ages 46 (P1) to 65 (P4) with average age of 53. All but one women (P3) have had children with a mode of 2 and average of 1.8 children. All participants have had sex with men primarily, and were not questioned about their sexual orientation. I have decided to not limit their sexuality to a label of homosexual, heterosexual, or bisexual with only the limited information gathered in the study. All have used a variety of contraceptives and barriers for protection from pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. All are multiple orgasmic with multiple orgasm types; one having counted 103 orgasms in one sexual encounter with a partner (P10). Committed relationships were ranging from 2-6 partners with an average of 4.8. Consensual coitus began for the women at age 14 (P3), 16 (P9, P10), 17 (P2, P6, P7, P8,) and 20 (P5); Participants 1 and 4 did not report their age at first coitus. All women have had teachings in tantric and/or shamanism though all have different experiences and time invested in the teachings; the amount of teachings was not investigated nor reported. The women have held professions including a legal secretary (P1), registered nurse (P2, P6), healing arts (P3, P7, P9), retired software engineer (P4), writer and teacher (P5, P9), tantric teacher (P8), and freelance internet consultant (P10).
The Findings
This study is based on the need to fulfill the gap in literature describing the phenomenon of mental orgasms. The thoughts, context, thick descriptions, and experiences of women will be clarified to fill the gap. The question and subquestions this research intended to answer was:
What is the collective essence of the experience of the mental orgasm in the sample queried?
● What is the phenomenon of the mental orgasms in the sample queried?
● What statements describe mental orgasms?
● What benefits, if any, are results of mental orgasms?
● What thoughts and contexts (mental and physical states) exist about mental orgasms?
● What themes emerge about mental orgasms?
The overall essence and experience of mental orgasms will be revealed by addressing subquestions individually. The data will be supported by thick description and descriptive statements that will enhance the understanding of the experience of mental orgasms. Descriptive statements were chosen for their ability to characterize and make the data vivid. Statements that were more lewd or entertaining were avoided to not mask the data.
Phenomenon
The broad subquestion ‘What is the phenomenon of the mental orgasms in the sample queried?’ will be answered in this section. The phenomenon of mental orgasms seeks to understand what a mental orgasm is, when and where it occurs and how it comes about.
Description Mental orgasms were defined by all the women as very similar, or the same, as physically induced orgasms. Mental orgasms were expressed as being just another type of orgasm, having their own differences “Very much the same as a physical one. Really, there is not that much difference” (P1), and “Because the (mental) orgasms are so different. And it so much less work, and I could have repeated, I mean they just roll, clitorally where if I’m just using a dildo I have to really work mentally to get into it to get off” (P2). The experience was depicted as very much a physical response caused by mental stimulation:
Well (with mental orgasms) I would say I feel arousal in my clitoris and my genitals in general in my womb space, in my nipples, in my third eye, in between my ears, my temple kind of thing, and in my crown chakra so all those points are involved. (P3)
The women compared the mental orgasm to physically-induced orgasms, with the same words as being a “full body” experience (P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, P8, P9, P10) which involves a movement of “energy” (P3, P4, P6, P7, P8, P9, P10), that feels like a wave, swirl or roll through the body (P2, P3, P5, P6, P7, P9, P10) and is multiply orgasmic for all women:
Well they (mental orgasms) still, they seem like when they start, it still starts at my root chakra. So the first thing I’m aware of is the scent of a heater warm like a tingling at the base in my root. In my, even in my, in the kind of, well it actually starts, not really starting (at) my clitoris, but starting inside like really right at the base of the spine but then you know, very quick, it’s like a vibration. Or should I say, it’s a little hard to say because it’s not exactly a physical vibration but there is a movement. There is a movement of energy. And then it begins to kind of like stand out to words and then I connect with my clitoris and I feel my whole pelvis get warm and um filled with pleasure… like a vibration. And then it’s usually but as soon as that is happening there’s um naturally without thinking about there is a tendency to want to squeeze, you know the PC (pubococcygus muscle) just kind of spontaneously begin to pulsate and then that as soon as that happens, then there is like well then, this is my spine will automatically starts moving and then it starts going up to. (P8)
Yeah. It (physically induced orgasm) feels like waves that move through my body, and up and down, but always coming back to the point of my lower chakra, or my first chakra my crown. Yeah. Almost like an echo. When I can pull it down to my feet or up to the top of my head, it’s almost like an echo because my concentration and the fun waves and the feeling of just wonderful energy. It will be up here but then all of a sudden my … will explode automatically and I have gone into ejaculation - which I never thought that I was doing before. Probably was doing a little bit but. No it’s really amazing after what my body’s been through because I don’t have any of the female stuff that you need to procreate, but it’s amazing! (P5)
The women recounted a physical and mental relaxation or release with mental and physical orgasms (P2, P3, P4, P6, P7, P8, P9, P10) “just a mental buildup of release and relaxation and ecstasy” (P4). The women who reported female ejaculation with physical stimulation (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P9, P10) also reported ejaculation with mental orgasms, “I can have ejaculation with nothing but mental orgasm” (P5), “I just call it rolling waves that create a physical undulation, that my body is physically rolling with the energy waves and everything is contracting. Everything’s contracting, the juices are flowing. Everything’s contracting” (P4).
The women distinguished mental orgasms from physically induced orgasms due to their ability to change and control the mental orgasms to be as intense they would like them to be (P2, P3, P6, P7, P8, P9, P10):
What I found with mental orgasms is that you can vary them by what you’re thinking…So you can like make them as intense as you want them to be. You can make them as engulfing as you want them to be or you can make them as mellow as you want them to be…Just exactly what you want. (P2)
Unlike physically induced orgasms which were portrayed by all women as discrete and only lasting while the stimulation continued, mental orgasms are characterized as lasting anywhere from a quick moment to days of being in an orgasmic state (P3, P8, P9, P10).
When and Where When asked about when and where mental orgasms occur, the women all agreed on anytime, anyplace “When and where don’t I?” (P3). These women all stated they have mental orgasms while alone at home and other places and times including examples of while enjoying ambiance of candlelight (P3, P10), driving (P1, P2, P10), at work (P2, P3, P10), talking to people (P2), in tantra class (P5, P6), hot yoga class (P6), on a walk or outdoors (P3, P7, P9, P10), dancing (P7), meditation (P7), music (P7), shopping (P2), spinning class (P7), and swimming (P7):
It was just a beautiful day and I went out for my walk in the neighborhood that I usually go walking in. And all of a sudden, everything just became electric. I was just connected with everything. The plants, and the sky and everything and I was just in the vibration of orgasm almost the whole walk. And just such gratitude for being alive. It’s just really powerful. And it’s not like the general rush or spasms particularly, but it was a full body, just a full body experience of being completely electrified. (P7)
The women continued to illustrate these moments, though all recognized they were picking and choosing examples and would not be able to compile a complete list of where and when they have mental orgasms “mental is really the way to go. At the moment, that’s an anytime anywhere kind of thing, so I use that in lieu of other forms of self stimulation” (P10).
Mental orgasms were expressed as having come about in a short period of time from 4 minutes (P10), to one minute (P3), to immediately (P2, P4, P5, P6, P8). The women who did not specify the time needed to mental orgasm continuously proclaim they “just” happen and alluded to mental orgasms being immediate and instant (P1, P5, P7, P9).
With stimulation (L4) The women recapitulated that even though mental orgasms are not derived from physical stimulation, they can exist along with physical stimulation:
I really realized just how much ecstasy I could contain and generate without having to be touching myself or doing anything sexual. Like I remember, one morning and going in and just eating a bite of toast, I was like ‘oh my god, I am having a toast orgasm! What type of bread is this? I have to get this bread!’ And then later of course it had nothing to do with the bread. Because I was just senses open in an ecstatic state where tasting food or drinking a cup of tea or just taking up a cup of tea and I get to feel like ha, ha, ha, just smelling it…anything or every little thing. It was like everything. (P8)
Furthermore, with direct genital stimulation “I mean that’s not bad (the spinning bike rubbing on her genitals). I don’t avoid that. But it’s not because of that” (P7). As well with partnered sex and foreplay (P1, P4, P5):
If you’re sitting in someone’s lap and you’re eye gazing, and you’re doing some maybe exercise to get yourself into letting your energy flow, I guess that’s a mix of mental and physical, because we also probably use face stroking and stroking and like that, so that’s not totally mental. However, for me it was very much a mental thing, because it drew me further and further into my energies so that I could let my mind let me release. And I felt my joy. I would get into my joy, my ecstatic state. (P4)
How When asked how they mental orgasm, many of the women were thoughtful, and even had a mental orgasm to help them think of an answer, or a mental orgasm originated from them thinking about their responses. It is unclear how many of the women experienced a mental orgasm during the interview which will be addressed later. A common theme of not using or creating, but allowing a mental orgasm was stipulated throughout the interviews “I was allowing them. I don’t know how come the word use does not fit; it’s a funny way to think about it. It is allowing” (P5). The women chose the words “allow” (P3, P5, P6, P9), “let” (P3, P4, P6), “choose” (P4, P10), “tap into” (P5, P8), “turn on” (P10), “pick up on” (P5), “recognize” (P5), “decide” (P6), “go there” (P7), and “bring attention to” (P8) for describing how they achieve mental orgasms. There was not a protocol, it is simply allowed:
“It’s so interesting because I, I don’t know exactly. It’s not like something I create exactly. It’s more like something that’s always there but I just have to bring my attention to it and then I’m aware it. I think it’s more like that because it’s more like it’s not like I have to say oh, I got to make this happen and then I do something. It’s more like, oh, I want to connect with this energy and it’s kind of like, it’s kind of like hot water out of the sink. It’s like you don’t have to go out and build the fire and haul the bucket and put them on there to make the water hot. I mean you just have to do that. I had to do that in my life. I’ve lived where I had to do that to make hot water but now I just go over there and make it. And I turn on the tap and hot water comes out.” (P8)
This allowing was at times fueled by clearing the mind first (P3, P5, P6, P7, P8, P9, P10), or fantasy of pleasurable things and experiences (P1, P2, P3, P4, P6). Some of the fantasy was sexual:
“thinking about a man going down on me and having an orgasm orally with him. Uhm, just by touch, thinking about them touching me, how they touched me, touching me in the right way and the right pressure or the right stimulation to make myself climax” (P2),
and some was nonsexual “Memories. You know just really good things that have happened. You know right now I’m thinking about going back to school… And that’s very exciting and I can feel like the tension builds on that” (P6).
Half of the women included fantasy as part of allowing a mental orgasm (P1, P2, P3, P4, P6), the 4 others (P7, P8, P9, P10) did not mention fantasy as part of the experience. It was agreed by all women that unless the thoughts were of a fantasy, the mind is clear (P1, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, P8, P9, P10) without intentional thought:
I want to say there is like there is no thought. Like the thought really become you know, minimal or not. I mean. I don’t think that there is actually no thought. I mean there might be, thoughts might come and go but they have no attention. There is no attention on that thought like coming and going. (P8)
First Mental Orgasm (4) None of the women report being taught to mental orgasm. One specified that she was taught tantric breathing, though the mental orgasm was separate form that experience (P4). The women illustrated a variety of first time experiences with fantasy (P1, P2, P6, P10):
That was the first mind orgasm that I was aware of when I was a sophomore was thinking about a horse. Actually, I think I was actively thinking about it. It was a really cool horse and it was like some hope that possibly I would be able to buy him. (P6),
It just happening (P7, P8, P9) “They just would happen” (P7), and meditation (P3, P4, P5) “I was just I was really getting into a level of relaxation that was really knew I call it ‘meditative relaxation’ when you just stop and really give your body a break. And it just started happening” (P4). The age of mental orgasm onset is quite varied from teens (P1, P6, P10), 20s (P7), 30s (P2, P3), 40s (P8, P9), and 50s (P4, P5). Those who had their first mental orgasm in their teens all included fantasy as part of this first experience. The other age categories do not have a relationship with the type of experience. All do agree that the mental orgasms also came with some insight or knowledge of sexuality. None report being taught to do mental orgasms specifically, though more than half had received training in Tantra, shamanism, and/or with books prior to their first mental orgasm (P2, P3, P4, P5, P8, P9).
Benefits
The subquestion ‘What benefits, if any, are results of mental orgasms?’ asks a direct question based on the benefits that were predicted in chapter 2. Part of the phenomenology of mental orgasms is looking at why women allow these orgasms and what effects or benefits they recognize as part of the phenomenon. It was predicted that the women would have some of the benefits of orgasm that have been recognized with physical orgasm including tension release, stress release, and pain management.
Personal All women conveyed using mental orgasms while alone to ease sexual tension “Mental is really the way to go. At the moment, that’s an anytime anywhere kind of thing, so I use that in lieu of other forms of self stimulation” (P10). The women revealed that mental orgasms make them feel good about themselves, and about doing something that provides a sense of safety and security while also being loving and good for themselves, and having fulfillment (P1, P2, P3, P5, P7, P6, P8, P10) “I think it (mental orgasms) makes it (life) more fulfilling. I think you become more confident, more independent because this is something that you’re doing within yourself” (P2). All the women elaborated that mental orgasms are used to fulfill sexual needs. This is in line with the message that they feel they are more sexually confident because of mental orgasms (P2, P3, P5, P6, P8, P9, P10):
Oh it (mental orgasms) puts a whole different stride in your step. You know you get that ‘grrrrr’ you get that uhm, -it just gives you a different confidence, (it) gives you a different uhm energy, a different mannerism. (P2)
A few women included that mental orgasms can help with their ability to orgasm (P5, P6) “I don’t know how much of my sexual orgasms have to do as I said with genital contact it’s emotional, mental contact” (P6).
Most of the women experienced having a feeling of happiness including bliss, fun, or loving life (P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, P8, P9, P10). While eight agree that they get a sense of being grounded including balance or well being with mental orgasms (P2, P3, P4, P5, P7, P8, P9, P10). Then there was mention of more cognitive benefits of feeling alert (P3, P4, P5, P8). Half the women found that mental orgasms help them connect to their spirituality (P3, P7, P8, P9, P10) “It’s part of my emotional spiritual tune up. It’s kind of like going to church” (P3). And two women delineated allowing the mental orgasms to take them away from painful situations and to escape (P1, P2). This is almost a dichotomy from the experience of three women who used mental orgasms to feel they are able to communicate with people present more effectively (P3, P8, P10).
Health There was a reiteration that mental orgasms help with pain, both physical and emotional. The women all declared mental orgasms help with their “health” and half specify that mental orgasms help with “pain” (P2, P3, P5, P7, P10). The women made clear that mental orgasms have been used for emotional pain (P1, P3, P5, P6, P7, P9, P10) including grief, depression, guilt, shame, and hurt. The use of mental orgasms for the release of tension, stress, and anxiety (P1, P2, P3, P4, P6, P7, P8, P10) was a very common message including relieving “dis-ease” (P5, P10). Even specifically calling mental orgasms “medicine” (P5, P9, P10), and being a “cleanse” or “detox” (P3, P7, P9, P10). Three note using mental orgasms for headache or migraine relief (P2, P8, P10):
Well, I think they’re like medicine. They are a replacement for pharmaceuticals for sure. And, they’re certainly less toxic or contraindicated than herbs that might be used in the wrong sequence or combination. So, to me, movement of energy is exactly what we are and what we should probably use to find good states of health. I mean, cancerous cells can’t live in a harmonious environment. So… intention plus alkalinity oxygenation, or whatever you want to call it as having that energetic body at it's maximum is the way that you combat dis-ease. (P10)
Two women mentioned that they believe one good effect of the mental orgasms is that they help them be more youthful (P3, P6):
I believe that they balance my nervous system and my emotions and keep my vitality. And I think I look pretty youthful for a 51-year-old. And I think it really helps and all that staying young, staying fit, staying balanced. (P3)
Partnered The women recounted knowing about or using mental orgasms to help with partnered sex to enhance it (P1, P2, P4, P5, P9, P10) “Well, I have on occasion (mental orgasmed) when maybe it is time for the relationship where I am not feeling stimulated with my partner I feel like that… and that would improve it. I have tried that too” (P1):
If I had a bad lover, I mean, I could certainly still have a great time, just by tapping into myself. But, it was more knowing that I had this quality. And, to me, that’s a pretty good bit of ammo in my pocket. So, I can just pull it out and utilize it at any time (P10),
or to get themselves ready for partnered sex (P1, P2, P4, P5):
The mental ones? Well, they could count in the foreplay, so it could be a positive because he might be more ready for sex because you have already gotten past that point and you are prepared without preparation so it would be an advantage in a way. I do not know if there is a lot feeling around it just because, why would you? (P1)
Thoughts and Contexts
The subquestion ‘What thoughts and contexts (mental and physical states) exist about mental orgasms?’ asks for an explanation of who these women are and under what circumstances, physical and metal states, do they and mental orgasms exist. Many similarities exist within this group that may be of importance to the context of mental orgasms. Their basic sexual history, sexuality, and abilities were examined.
Current Satisfaction The women were all asked about present satisfaction in sex life and then sexuality. It is important to note that the women did not know that they would be asked about their sexuality when answering first about satisfaction in their sex life. Sex life was labeled as “not satisfied” (P8, P10), “getting better” (P2), a “6 or 7” (P3), “alright” (P6), “B+” (P5), “comfortable” (P7), “semi-satisfied” (P9) and “very satisfied” (P1). Sex life satisfaction was consistently placed in the context of partnered sex:
It’s like a mixed bag. Part of me is very happy with where I am and the other part of me is now, knowing where I am, I'm not satisfied. So that means I know a lot more about me, how I get excited, how I can get my energy going, what it takes to get my energy going, and the lack of partners to do that. Partnering is still important to me. So it’s interesting, but my greatest energetic involvement does come with partnering, and my partners are not up to it. And my teaching has not been enough. So I would say – how satisfied am I? I guess I must say a lot of dissatisfaction. (P4)
Sexuality satisfaction was expounded unanimously as high and was described as an internal, and personal attribute specifically as “very satisfied” (P1, P6, P7, P8), at “about 80%” (P3, P4),” love it” (P2, P9), at “100%” (P5), and “very comfortable” (P10):
Yeah. Sure. I mean I think of sexuality more as a process that happens throughout life and I have experienced probably the highest sexuality that any human being could possibly experience. So I’m not grasping for what isn’t there now, and know that whatever is happening right now will always change. And because I’m capable of feeling orgasmic whether I have a partner or not, I’m comfortable. I’m not longing for what isn’t here and I’m not disappointed that it isn’t here now; just comfortable. (P7)
The women elaborated that sexuality was separate from sex life due to the personal role and expression “at this point my sexuality is my greatest gift and I'm learning that there are many ways to share sexuality without necessarily having sex with someone” (P9).
Female Ejaculation Eight of the ten participants (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P9, P10) revealed having female ejaculation when asked to describe their orgasms. The women had different experiences with their first time ejaculating, though all now expressed enjoying and accepting their ejaculation as part of their normal sexual response:
Now, I'm sure you've probably heard of female ejaculation, I hadn't heard of it. I did not know what was going on; I thought I had peed. I was mortified. I was shocked. I was embarrassed and he wasn't. He liked it. He didn't know what it was either but we got online and looked it all up, and, so, I went from just running this tremendous amount of sexual energy without having any outlet for it to as long as he had his hands on me which he could go for about four hours. I would just keep ejaculating for hours and hours. I would get dehydrated was the only problem. So, that's one of the things that my body will do at this point; it will just ejaculate. It will keep going and doesn't stop. (P9)
Self Pleasuring The age of masturbation onset was quite varied from women masturbating before age 10 (P3, P5, P6, P8) with the earliest being age 2, between ages 10-19 (1P, 9P, 10P), and at age 20 (P2, P7) with one who did not mention age of masturbation onset (P4). The women chronicled using masturbation as a way to release sexual frustration and tensions “So I finally bought a Rabbit, and started to use the masturbating with the Rabbit as a release. Like sometimes if I could not fall asleep” (P4).
The women all expounded on using objects and sex toys during masturbation and sometimes with partnered sex. The toy use included anal plugs (P4), cucumbers (P1), dildos (P2, P3, P5, P6, P8, P10), eggs (P3, P7), feathers (P10), horseback riding (P6), lipstick (P5), pillows (P3), stuffed animals (P3), scarves (P10), swing sets (P10), tetherball poles (P1), vibrators (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, P8, P9), wine bottles (P1), water jets or sprays (P5, P6, P8, P9), and zucchinis (P7). The toy use was part of masturbation for release:
If I'm masturbating with a vibrator I'll be reading a book, but it won't be like a sexual or romantic thing I'm doing. It's just totally a stress release. I could be reading a book on quantum physics and just using my vibrator. (P9)
The women did not show a pattern or theme around reading romance novels, pornographic magazines, or pornographic videos. Only three of the women reported watching or looking at pornography (P1, P4) or reading romance novels (P2) with no overlapping beliefs or likes that came about in the interviews about pornography or reading.
Nocturnal Orgasms All women communicated having nocturnal orgasms and most remembered them being during their teens, 20s, and 30s (P1, P2, P4, P5, P6, P7, P8, P10). The other two (P3, P9) did not mention or remember when they had nocturnal orgasms, but do remember waking up with orgasm:
I would love to have those dreams. I didn’t really know how to do that though. I mean I didn’t think it was something you could recapture. I thought it was just a fluke. And the weird thing is how strong the contractions were that woke me up. You know it was… contracting that would wake you up. (P5)
Another reported, “I think they’re just spontaneous. They’re the result of a long stretch of hunger” (P4).
Prolonged arousal The women vividly recounted that their sexual arousal and orgasmic state could be elongated and enjoyed for hours and even days at a time by allowing it and often call it an ecstatic state (P3, P4, P6, P7, P8, P9, P10):
Sometimes it’s just kind of a quickie, whereas the mental can be an ongoing thing. I can be in a state of arousal for a half a day at a time, or what have you. So, that’s probably the preferred method. It feels better. (P10)
Drugs and Alcohol All of the women used alcohol in the past and most used drugs (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, P8) including marijuana, cocaine, mushrooms, and psychedelics. Most of them agreed that drugs and alcohol can help with relaxing, but overall can hinder sex and orgasm (P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, P8, P10):
It might get me to let go of my mind a little better, a little faster, a little less control. I would say it would help me to release control, but if I have more than a glass or two, I’m no good. Yeah, more than a glass. Or more than a couple of puffs. Sedated. (P4)
They all agreed that alcohol or drugs may be used when having sex if one is uncomfortable, such as with oral or anal sex.
Mental Orgasms in Public The women expressed having had mental orgasms out in public and that they think others cannot tell they are having an orgasm due to their ability to control it and it being an internal response (P1, P2, P3, P6, P7, P8, P9, P10):
No I’m much more discrete about it (mental orgasm). It’s more in my head than anything. Sometimes when I just want to be distracted. Yes, they might think I’m zoning out on them though…And you can have it and nobody knew that you could be in a room full of people and they may not even know what you know but it’s you’re like thing plus I love it. (P2)
Themes
The remaining subquestion ‘What themes emerge about mental orgasms?’ asks for other information and insights that the data revealed. As the research was analyzed, many themes emerged. These themes were not directly questioned and are a result of the women simply expressing their full experience.
Partners All the women expressed enjoying sex with men and 3 also report enjoying sex with women (P3, P4, P10). The women all elaborated on having both fulfilling and unfulfilling sexual relationships. Also, all the women proclaimed mental orgasms are used to fulfill sexual needs, but at the same time acknowledge that they still want partnered sex “I may want someone but I don’t need them, there’s a difference” (P2). Though, all the women explained wanting a partner who is of quality to share their lives with, not just sex, and that they are willing to wait for a good relationship and not settle for less:
Yeah I think it’s not the lover, as much for the, it’s not so much for the sexual satisfaction although you know of course it’s nice but it’s more the, it’s somebody to spend my life with you know, it’s more that. To spend my life with. It’s more like, it’s not so much any of the men that give me orgasms, so I can give myself orgasm you know, but if anything I just say “yeah, yea, oof’ and it is really real. So a man is probably not going to do that for me. But I cannot sit down and eat with my orgasm. I cannot like go on a vacation and yes it goes with me but it’s not the same and there’s not that mutual sharing and someone to dream with and do things with. Just someone to share your life with, snuggle up with just a real practical human need of connection. (P8)
The women expressed concern that they believe sexual partners, men, may be intimidated by their advanced sexuality (P1, P2, P3, P8, P9, P10), while other men may be excited or enjoy it (P5, P6, P8, P9, P10):
I think some men are absolutely mystified and enthralled by it (mental orgasms). And some men are just a little intimidated by it. And I think it takes really educating them. I don’t think that I can just have sex with someone for the first time without kind of warning them. Maybe not. It would be interesting to not do that. (P5)
My fears have been its intimidating for a lot of men, if she can be kinda of be orgasmic without having him to touch you, it kind of like why do you need me around. You know I found, and then I had that experience quite a few times. With men who are kind of put off by my ability to be orgasmic just in a whim. So I guess. And I think I can also get varying, I can be very responsive and they have it really done a lot to, they realize they are not the ones who is making me feel pleasure. I guess, you know, how to be in that state and so somehow it seems like it creates some sense of inadequacy often. (P8)
Change in Sexuality Most of the women (P1, P2, P3, P4 P5, P6, P7, P8, P9) chronicled a change in their sexuality as they aged. The impetus for change was delineated as a change in sexual views as well as physiologically including hormones changing, having menopause, or a hysterectomy. Five noticed that the change was in their 40s (P1, P2, P5, P6, P9) while Participant 8 felt the change in her 30s and Participant 3 simply stated that her sexuality is growing and changing more and more as she ages and explores more of her sexuality.
Should Use Mental Orgasms More Some of the women conveyed that even though they enjoy mental orgasms, like the benefits and effects, they do not allow them often enough and need to allow them more often (PP4, P6, P8, P9):
What I'm mostly aware of, how do I say it, after I've had all of these orgasms I feel so clean inside and I feel that my energy is integrated and moving and it reminds me of how much of the time, how most o my life I was pent up, and stressed out and not integrated in it. So, even though it feels so much better after, I also still have that tendency to get all stressed out and not let others to move in me and be a part of my own. . . I need to just do this more. I need to have this be like my daily therapy and not just let energy move. Because what I noticed even last night I was feeling lousy and then after I had a few orgasms I felt wonderful and yet it still hasn't been clicking. (P9)
Dissemination of Mental Orgasms Many of the women imparted that the ability to mental orgasm needs to be spread and taught so that more people, men and women, can enjoy the benefits and effects (P3, P5, P6, P8, P9, P10):
I just feel like it’s a strength and it’s a tool that there’s a wonderful thing to have and I’d love to have everyone else see that they’ve got it too. And, maybe that’s part of my teaching and being in the tantric and sex education community is wanting to share that because it’s such a great thing. It takes away some of the misery of living in this structured, dogmatic life that has limitations. (P10)
Well I think it is my sense, that I think that everybody has the ability to do that…And I think that … a lot of people have a misunderstanding about that, like they think they always think certain people can be multi-orgasmic. Only certain people can tap into that energy and you have to be enlightened, ‘I guess you have to be some kind of enlightened master sitting on top of a mountain for 50 years in a cave fasting to have that.’ It was like ‘No, everybody has that!’ And I think that people that experience, maybe they would not have it all the time, but they give me a couple of days, I can count on, you know I can tap them into that. At least they can say, yes, I felt it. And if like they feel it once, they can feel it again. So I really believe it’s human, it’s human nature to have that ability to access that kind of ecstatic energy. Just with intention and attention. And so that’s not, I don’t think it’s necessarily special, just given to certain people, I just think that some people are more attuned to it naturally… And I think some, you know, I think some people have more barriers to it and others but I don’t think it’s inaccessible. I think everyone can access it, but obviously I want to communicate to people you have it, it is who you are! It’s just the matter of hearing you out you know how to feel it and it’s not that hard to feel so. (P8)
Discrepant Cases
There were few discrepant cases, and none that seem to be of real impact on the resulting data. The data had an overwhelming consistency and while not all participants brought about the same information, very few incidences existed of contrasting statements. Only one participant mentioned anal orgasms “And, anally, there are orgasmic points in the anal cavity as well, which I’ve experimented with (P10).” All other anal sex was mentioned as either while using substances (P1, P8, P9) for one participant, as part of a rape (P3). Then there was a discrepant case of not wanting to fanaticize “Right. I'm not much of a fantasizer. Since I’ve had that: “Why don’t you just fantasize something?” And I'm not much of a fantasizer, or using images that are pleasant to me. Sometimes I will, but not frequently” (P5). And one woman reported that she believes that others would notice her having a mental orgasm and that it is embarrassing:
But actually in a tantra class it can be really embarrassing because a lot of people will be doing the exercises and stuff and I’ll be doing the exercises. And if I truly do them and allow them, I’ll just go into it. And sometimes it will go like it gets really strong. And it is another thing if somebody else sees, just dealing with it…Because I my chest would heave. I would probably pop up at some point. I can’t help but to start to arch my back my back and my neck and it almost if I were to really allow it I would be making utterances , kind of gasping and breathing and …Yeah. In the tantra classes I have never been able to (hold back). I did once, and the tantra teacher came up to me and asked if I was ok. I was like “I’m okay, I’m just like – very okay!” That was funny. (P5)
Evidence of Quality
This study followed procedures to assure accuracy of the data. Trustworthiness was obtained through member checks of the transcriptions. The researcher’s journal was used to document and track emerging thoughts, themes, and experiences. The journal was then reviewed often to confirm preconceived notions and repeating themes within the journal.
As part of clarifying researcher bias it is important to note I am a woman who uses mental orgasms and teaches them. I have similar views in regards to the health benefits of mental orgasms, the desire to also have a sexual partner for a different experience than mental orgasms, to want to share and teach mental orgasms with others to have them also have the benefits, and that mental orgasms are a very simple and allowable without always being sexual. Though, I do differ by not having tantric teachings, am considerably younger (age 30), have only been in 1 committed relationship, am married, and feel fully satisfied in my marriage.
I was aware of this bias at the start and made efforts to allow for the participant’s views and experiences to be gathered fully. I am accustomed to interviewing without judgment or direction in a clinical setting as a Licensed Professional Counselor. The participants were allowed to answer questions on their own as well as making sure clarification questions were spawned from predicated themes or from emerging themes as described by prior participants or research. I was also aware of my own bias while analyzing the data to allow the true themes to emerge and document these thoughts in the researcher’s journal.
Research Protocols
The research protocols were followed to my best ability; there were a few discrepancies and changes. There were 2 adverse events that occurred during the collection of participants. An email was sent to the Community Partnerships which was then mass emailed to contacts of one Community Participant. This event was reported to the IRB immediately and they decided that it did not cause harm or violate any ethical practices.
Potential participants outside the metro-Phoenix area expressed interest in the research, and the researcher had not yet had interest within the metro-Phoenix area, thus asked to expand the scope to all of Arizona. The researcher got approval to expand the research to include all of Arizona form the IRB and then contacted the interested potential participants. The scope was broadened to help delimit the research area and increase the potential participant pool, and it succeeded. Half of the research participants were found and interviewed outside of the metro-Phoenix area and within Arizona.
The researcher did receive requests from men and women wanting to be participants from all over the world; though the study was only expanded to Arizona to keep the research practices as similar as possible and to decrease travel time and expenses. The researcher chose to keep all interviews in person and in the site of the participant’s choosing, this would dictate the need to travel outside of metro-Phoenix to see some of the participants. It was not in the best interest of this study, due to time and money, to do interviews in Sweden, Australia, United Kingdom, Main, and other locals. The researcher also kept the participants limited to women at this time, even though many men expressed interest in reporting their mental orgasm experiences. The researcher thanked the interested people who were not used and agreed to try to inform them if the research should expand in the future outside of Arizona.
The second event was that one of the emailed contacts created and published a quarter-page advertisement in a local pornographic magazine calling for participants. The researcher reported this immediately. The advertisement had only the researcher’s website as a contact and thus the researcher chose to put a banner on the main page warning potential participants that they will not be included if referred by the magazine. Also, the researcher confirmed that all participants were referred from a Community partnership and not through the advertisement. The IRB again decided that the event was not in violation of ethical practices.
The researcher did get approval for a transcriptionist to be used after the researcher attempted to do the transcripts. The researcher found that the transcript process was lengthy and did not help her feel connected to the data or have better understanding of the material. So to increase time allotted for reviewing and working with the data and decrease time and inaccuracy, the researcher got the transcriptionist approved by the IRB using a change in procedures from and a confidentiality agreement signed by the transcriptionist. The data was uploaded using secure online software and the researcher checked all the transcripts thoroughly.
Summary
The research outlined in chapter 1, evolved from the current literature in chapter 2, and made clear and distinct in chapter 3 has now been shown to have clear and significant data. The results of the study revealed the phenomenology of mental orgasms while also disclosing the benefits, thoughts and contexts, and themes which emerged from the data. The discussion and implication of these results will be addressed in chapter 5.
Chapter 5: Discussion, Conclusions, and Recommendations
There existed a gap in the literature describing the essence of mental orgasms in women. This study sought to encompass the phenomenon to contribute the essence, context, benefits, and themes of mental orgasms in women. The results were significant in describing mental orgasms as simply another orgasm type; that they are allowed to occur; can and do happen anytime and any place. Mental orgasms were attributed to many benefits and also existing amongst multiple themes.
Interpretation of the Findings
This study fulfilled the gap in literature describing the phenomenon of mental orgasms. The essence of mental orgasms has been captured through the data and thick descriptions. The question and subquestions this research intended to answer was:
What is the collective essence of the experience of the mental orgasm in the sample queried?
● What is the phenomenon of the mental orgasms in the sample queried?
● What statements describe mental orgasms?
● What benefits, if any, are results of mental orgasms?
● What thoughts and contexts (mental and physical states) exist about mental orgasms?
● What themes emerge about mental orgasms?
These subquestions will be discussed individually to then bring about the overall essence and experience of mental orgasms. The results will be connected to existing literature to support the findings.
The participants were self defined women who report using purposeful orgasms by thought alone for over one year and live in Arizona. The participants were referred by posters in meditation and sexology offices, word of mouth, and email. The participants were a homogeneous group composed of 10 white, divorced now single, women from ages 46 to 65. All but one woman have had children with a mode of 2 and average of 1.8 children. Ramachandran and Blakeslee (1998) have questioned if mental orgasms can replace coitus, stating, “any creature that could imagine orgasms is unlikely to transmit its genes to the next generation” (p. 111). This question now has a response. The research showed that even with the ability to have orgasms on their own, all but one woman have children. Also, the women do maintain that mental orgasms are sexually fulfilling but are not the same as partnered sex and that they do want a partner for sex as well as to share their lives with, this will be discussed further later in the chapter.
All have used various contraceptives and barriers for protection from pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. All are also multiply orgasmic with all orgasm types. Multiple orgasms are defined by Hite (1976) as either multi-orgasms or sequential orgasms. Sequential orgasms have a pause in stimulation while multiple orgasms have no pause. Other researchers such as Komisaruk, Whipple, Bayer-Flores, and Whipple (2006) do not differentiate between the two types of multiple orgasms and describe them as rare and atypical. The incidence of multiple orgasms in women is not agreed upon with Masters and Johnson (1966) reporting 9%, Kinsey, Pomeroy, Martin and Gebhard (1953) reporting 12-14%, and Darling, Davidson, and Jennings (1991) reporting about 50%.
Committed relationships were ranging from 2-6 partners with an average of 4.8, and all women have been married. First consensual coitus was reported between ages 14 and 20 with mode of 17. All women have had teachings in tantric and/or shamanism though all have different experiences and time invested in the teachings. Brotto, Krychman, and Jacobson (2008) supported mindfulness to treat many mental and physical illnesses including depression, anxiety, personality disorders, substance abuse, psychosis, eating disorders, and child behavior problems. The ability to be mindful predicted increased spirituality, though mindfulness itself is not religion based (Brotto, Krychman, & Jacobson, 2008). This is consistent with the current study. The women studied have reported health benefits from mental orgasms and have had practice in mindful activities including yoga and tantra. It is important to note that the women studied do not report that they use meditation, yoga, or tantra while allowing a mental orgasm, but do report a mindfulness to allow the orgasm.
Brotto and Heiman (2007) reported women who participated in a psychoeducational program for sexuality reported that of the varied teachings, partner exercises, and skills, found the mindfulness component was the most valuable to them. Mindfullness and yoga included physical poses, breath work, and mindfulness to engage the whole body and mind. It is important to note that the mindfulness was increased in everyday life activities, not excluded to sexual encounters (Brotto & Heiman, 2007). Brotto, Krychman, and Jacobson (2008) reported that mindfulness significantly, and successfully, increased sexual response and decreased sexual distress. Brotto & Heiman (2007) included yoga and mindfulness have been shown to increase mental and physical wellness and as such has been implemented as an alternative treatment for many medical issues. Mood, chronic pain (e.g. back and pancreas) sleep, levels of stress, and quality of life are all improved by yoga (Brotto & Heiman, 2007). Though, tantra has not been researched for sexual or health benefits (Brotto & Heiman, 2007). Mental orgasms may now be included in mindful activities.
All women have also been abused emotionally, physically, or sexually. Though, Bartoi, Kinder, and Tomianovic (2000) reported sexual abuse history may not be as impactful as once thought. Research done by Bartoi, Kinder, and Tomianovic (2000) reported that sexual dysfunctions, depression, alcoholism, anxiety, number of unwanted pregnancies, and risky sexual behaviors (unprotected sex with partner of unknown STD status) were not correlated with abuse history. Bartoi, Kinder, and Tomianovic (2000) did show that high anxiety scores positively correlated to sexual avoidance and vaginismus. Bartoi, Kinder, and Tomianovic (2000) suggest that women with sexual abuse histories not be assumed to have sexual dysfunction or higher incidence of mental illness or vice versa. The participants in the current study do have abuse history, though are not assumed to have sexual dysfunctions, and will be discussed later as being sexually advanced.
Phenomenon
The broad subquestion ‘What is the phenomenon of the mental orgasms in the sample queried?’ was answered. The phenomenon of mental orgasms describes in full what mental orgasms are and how they come about. Mental orgasms were defined by all the women as very similar, or the same, as physically induced orgasms including physical contractions and release as well as a feeling of energy throughout the body in waves and can include ejaculation for those who already ejaculate “I just call it rolling waves that create a physical undulation, that my body is physically rolling with the energy waves and everything is contracting. Everything’s contracting, the juices are flowing. Everything’s contracting” (P4). This coincides with the description by Shtarkshall, Anonymous, and Feldman (2008) of orgasms by multiple orgasmic women in the past as ecstatic, meaning beyond the body experience and vaginal orgasms having been experienced as “sensation of rising and falling and fading” (p265). Knowing that all participants are multiply orgasmic, this further synchronizes the findings.
Mental orgasms were then distinguished by the women from physically induced orgasms due to their ability to change and control the intensity. The mental orgasms can feel distinct and discrete, such as a clitoral orgasm described by Shtarkshall et al. (2008) or as a continual experience lasting from a moment to numerous days to be “Just exactly what you want” (P2).
Mental orgasms were expounded to be an anywhere, anytime occurrence. The women gave examples of while enjoying ambiance of candlelight, driving, at work, talking to people, in tantra class, hot yoga class, on a walk or outdoors, dancing, meditation, music, shopping, spinning class, and swimming. Mental orgasms were depicted as being available within a minute or immediately by most women, the longest stated time to allow a mental orgasm was only 4 minutes. The time and place of mental orgasms was clearly defined as also being present with physical stimulation such as foreplay, partnered sex, or genital stimulation: “I mean that’s not bad (the spinning bike rubbing on her genitals). I don’t avoid that. But it’s not because of that” (P7).
The women declared that mental orgasms are created by simply allowing “I was allowing them. I don’t know how come the word use does not fit; it’s a funny way to think about it. It is allowing” (P5):
It’s more like, oh, I want to connect with this energy and it’s kind of like, it’s kind of like hot water out of the sink. It’s like you don’t have to go out and build the fire and haul the bucket and put them on there to make the water hot…I just go over there and make it. And I turn on the tap and hot water comes out. (P8)
This allowing a mental orgasm to emerge was elaborated on as having been the result of a clear mind or having fantasy of pleasurable, but not necessarily sexual, things and experiences. These descriptions align with Ogden’s (2003) depiction of spiritual sex as an “erotic interaction in which the quality of desire, arousal and satisfaction as determined by thought, emotion, and meaning as well as here-and-now physical sensation” (Ogden, 2003 piii).”
None of the women report being taught to achieve mental orgasm. “I was just I was really getting into a level of relaxation that was really knew I call it ‘meditative relaxation’ when you just stop and really give your body a break. And it just started happening” (P4). The age of mental orgasm onset is quite varied from teens through 50s. Those who had their first mental orgasm in their teens all included fantasy as part of this first experience. The other age categories do not have a relationship with the type of experience. All do agree that the mental orgasms also came with some insight or knowledge of sexuality. None report being taught to do mental orgasms specifically, though more than half had received training in tantra, shamanism, and/or with books prior to their first mental orgasm.
Benefits
The subquestion ‘What benefits, if any, are results of mental orgasms?’ asks a direct question based on the benefits that were predicted due to orgasms being noted for physical health benefits of orgasm that have been recognized with physical orgasm including tension release, stress release, and pain management. There are also other benefits that emerged within the study.
Personal All women conveyed using mental orgasms while alone to ease sexual tension “Mental is really the way to go. At the moment, that’s an anytime anywhere kind of thing, so I use that in lieu of other forms of self stimulation” (P10). Shtarkshall, Anonymous, and Feldman (2008) reported post-orgasm emotions and physical responses have been described as satisfying, happy, loving, creating a clear mind, self comforting, and confidence. This is then supported by the current study’s results of women who revealed that mental orgasms make them feel good about themselves, and about doing something that provides a sense of safety and security while also being loving and good for themselves, having fulfillment “I think it (mental orgasms) makes it (life) more fulfilling. I think you become more confident, more independent because this is something that you’re doing within yourself” (P2).
All the women elaborated that mental orgasms are used to fulfill sexual needs. This is in line with the message that they feel they are more sexually confident because of mental orgasms. Smith (2007) reported higher sexual competence and sexual autonomy are independently related to sexual satisfaction and decrease anxiety. The feeling that one has influence over their sexual outcomes is associated with increased need satisfaction and more positive sexual interactions (Smith, 2007, p79). Cooper, Shapiro, and Powers (1998) state that being highly orgasmic can help women affirm themselves.
These findings agree with Lewis and Borders (1995) explanation that orgasms in women have been linked to increased life satisfaction. All of these statements support the current research’s findings of overall feelings of fulfillment and sexual esteem with mental orgasms.
A few women included that mental orgasms can help with their ability to orgasm (P5, P6) “I don’t know how much of my sexual orgasms have to do as I said with genital contact it’s emotional, mental contact” (P6). Laan and Both (2008) purport the best cure for women’s sexual dysfunction is to allow themselves to be sexual by increasing positive contexts to do so. Mental orgasms may be another venue for increasing positive contexts and is by definition an allowing of sexuality.
Most of the women experienced having a feeling of happiness including bliss, fun, or loving life; including a sense of being grounded which also encompass balance or well being with mental orgasms. Some mentioned more cognitive benefits of feeling alert. Brotto, Krychman, and Jacobson (2008) reported brain imaging showed increased focus, decreased tangential thoughts, and increased neural placidity after orgasm which supports this study’s findings.
Half the women found that mental orgasms help them connect to their spirituality “It’s part of my emotional spiritual tune up. It’s kind of like going to church” (P3). The connection with spirituality with orgasm and sex is in line with Ogden’s (2003, 2006) aforementioned spiritual sex. As well as Ogden’s (2003) findings that include not only physical descriptions of orgasm but also spiritual ones of transcendence joy, caring, and connection. The meaning of orgasm is not simply a release and resolution but “bonding with themselves, their partners, and with the universe” (Ogden, 2003 piii). cOgden has found dimensions of spiritual sex including oneness, heightened senses, transcendence, love and partnership, increased energy, and ecstasy which support this study’s findings of the same spiritual growth.
Some women used mental orgasms to take them away from painful situations and to escape; this is almost a dichotomy from the experience of three women who use mental orgasms to feel they are able to communicate with people present more effectively. Research was not found to support these reports, though with mental orgasms being available at a multitude of places and times, it may be unique in its versatility.
Health Mental orgasms were outlined to help with pain, both physical and emotional aligning with the predicted outcome of mental orgasms having similar benefits as coital, masturbatory, breast, and spontaneous orgasms. All have various health benefits including tension release, stress release, pain management, and uterine tightening (Barbach & Levine, 1980; Levin, 2004; Levin, 2006; Masters, Johnson, & Kolodny, 1988; Reinisch & Beasley, 1990). The emotional benefits included dealing better with grief, anxiety, depression guilt, shame, and hurt. Enhanced mood has been reported by Komisaruk, Beyer-Flores, and Whipple (2006) by boosting estrogen in women with orgasm; stress relief is activated by arousal triggering dopamine release and up to 2 hours of relaxation response. Kessling (1999) agrees orgasm can create decreased anxiety, depression, and increased vitality. Copper, Shapiro, and Powers (1998) dictate orgasms have shown to help cope with stress and Burleson, Trevathan, and Todd (2007) recount orgasms creating overall mood repair. This supports the current study’s reported use of mental orgasms for the release of tension, stress, headaches and migraines, and overall cleansing or health and maintaining youthfulness:
Well, I think they’re like medicine. They are a replacement for pharmaceuticals for sure. And, they’re certainly less toxic or contraindicated than herbs that might be used in the wrong sequence or combination. So, to me, movement of energy is exactly what we are and what we should probably use to find good states of health. I mean, cancerous cells can’t live in a harmonious environment. So… intention plus alkalinity oxygenation, or whatever you want to call it as having that energetic body at it's maximum is the way that you combat dis-ease. (P10)
These statements are supported by Komisaruk, Beyer-Flores, and Whipple (2006) who reported that arousal and orgasm can improve cardiovascular, circulatory, and immune systems and decreased pain. Komisaruk, Beyer-Flores, and Whipple’s (2006) inventory of orgasm includes having aided in pain relief for menstrual cramps and overall pain threshold increased with oxytocin release and with increased estrogen. Oxytocin is also reported to increase drowsiness with impact in women being drowsy in about 20-30 min after orgasm (Komisaruk, Beyer-Flores, & Whipple, 2006).
Partnered Mental orgasms were revealed to be used to get ready for partnered sex and to help make partnered sex better “Well, I have on occasion (mental orgasmed) when maybe it is time for the relationship where I am not feeling stimulated with my partner I feel like that… and that would improve it. I have tried that too.” (P1) Again, there is not research to support this happening, probably due to mental orgasms’ unique ability to be present in a multitude of situations where other orgasms are not as convenient.
Thoughts and Contexts
The subquestion ‘What thoughts and contexts (mental and physical states) exist about mental orgasms?’ was explained as for who these women are and under what circumstances, physical and mental states, they and mental orgasms exist. Many similarities existed within this population.
Current Satisfaction The women revealed they are mostly unsatisfied with their sex life and related it to the lack of a sexual partner or dissatisfaction with a sexual partner. Though, the women’s sexuality was reported as very satisfied and was not related to partner availability or quality. Warehime and Bass (2008) reported that married women are 4 times more likely to be physically sexually satisfied than the ever-married, currently single women. Warehime and Bass continued that single women reported higher emotional sexual satisfaction, with the ever- married being most correlated to higher emotional sexual satisfaction. This supports the findings of the current study which notes emotional sexual satisfaction is independent of physical sexual satisfaction which is based on partner availability.
The women elaborated that sexuality was separate from sex life due to the personal role and expression, “at this point my sexuality is my greatest gift and I'm learning that there are many ways to share sexuality without necessarily having sex with someone” (P9). This may be supported by Hurlbert, Apt, and Rombough’s (1996) report that orgasms can increase general psychological well being and life satisfaction. This is in contrast to recent studies which reported that the most significant factor in women’s sexual satisfaction was relationship satisfaction and thus may be an aspect of women who mental orgasm that is unique (Byers, 2000; Joanning & Keoughan, 2005; Moret, Glaser, Page, & Bargeron, 1998).
Female Ejaculation Most of the women revealed having female ejaculation when asked to describe their orgasms and expressed enjoying and accepting their ejaculation as part of their normal sexual response. Orgasms have been shown to be accompanied by ejaculation or extreme wetness known as continuous emanation (Shtarkshall, Anonymous, & Feldman, 2008; Zaviacic & Albin, 2005). The women also report the ejaculation with mental orgasms, yet another similarity to other orgasm types.
Self Pleasuring All of the women report masturbation with different ages of onset including 4 before age 10, 3 between ages 10-19, and 2 at age 20 with one who did not mention age of masturbation onset. The women chronicled using masturbation as a way to release sexual frustration and tensions “So I finally bought a Rabbit, and started to use the masturbating with the Rabbit as a release. Like sometimes if I could not fall asleep” (P4).
The women all expounded on using objects and sex toys during masturbation and sometimes with partnered sex. The toy use was expansive from a-z including anal plugs, cucumbers, dildos, eggs, feathers, horseback riding, lipstick, pillows, stuffed animals, scarves, swing sets, tetherball poles, vibrators, wine bottles, water jets or sprays, and zucchinis. McCaughey and French (2001) proclaim that women’s sex toy use can increase exploration to seek pleasure and may even increase new viewpoints on sex. This may help align the masturbatory history and toy/object use of women who mental orgasm and their openness to an under recognized sexual experience such as mental orgasms.
Nocturnal Orgasms All women reported having nocturnal orgasms. Predictors of spontaneous orgasms, including nocturnal orgasms, are an embrace of sexual liberalism, positive attitudes toward nocturnal orgasms, satisfaction with current sex life, and plasticity in sexuality without undue cultural restraints (Wells, 1986; Wu, 2007). The emergence of the aforementioned personal benefits of mental orgasms including sexual esteem, fulfillment and the women reported being sexually advanced (e.g. multiply orgasmic) concur with Wells (1986) and Wu’s (2007) findings.
Prolonged arousal Prolonged arousal and prolonged orgasm was found in women with mental orgasms. The orgasms and excited, ecstatic, state could be very short or may last days at a time. Laan and Both (2008) reported that sexual motivation is not spontaneous, but a push-pull model where desire is created by women’s sexual senses pushing her toward sexual stimuli and then the stimuli pulling her into the activity. Thus sexual desire is not created on its own, but must be started by a sexual stimuli, though the individual’s perspective of what is a sexual stimuli would be a contributing factor (Laan & Both, 2008). The women who have prolonged orgasm would then support this with their differing views of sexual stimuli described in how these women mental orgasm. Because the women who mental orgasm use little or no stimuli, and all which is internal, then it would be supported that their capacity to be aroused would be for longer durations that women who seek physical stimulation or actual sensations for arousal. Laan and Both (2008) reported that sexual motivation is not spontaneous, but a push-pull model where desire is created by women’s sexual senses pushing her toward sexual stimuli and then the stimuli pulling her into the activity. Thus sexual desire is not created on its own, but must be started by sexual stimuli, though the individual’s perspective of what is a sexual stimuli would be a contributing factor (Laan & Both, 2008).
Drugs and Alcohol The women reported using alcohol and drugs including marijuana, cocaine, mushrooms, and psychedelics during sex. Most of them agreed that drugs and alcohol can help with relaxing and benefit uncomfortable sex such as anal, but overall can hinder sex and orgasm:
It might get me to let go of my mind a little better, a little faster, a little less control. I would say it would help me to release control, but if I have more than a glass or two, I’m no good. Yeah, more than a glass. Or more than a couple of puffs. Sedated. (P4)
Mental Orgasms in Public The women expressed having mental orgasms out in public and that others cannot tell they are having an orgasm due to their ability to control it and it being an internal response. This is a change from the physically induced orgasms where the act of stimulating oneself or another person is more likely to be recognized, whereas mental orgasms are different and discrete in this way. This helps suggest that mental orgasms have a broader scope of times and places to be used for the various benefits without social discomfort by the woman or those around her.
Themes
The remaining subquestion ‘What themes emerge about mental orgasms?’ asks for other information and insights that the data revealed. As the research was analyzed, many themes emerged. These themes were not directly questioned and are a result of the women simply expressing their full experience.
Partners All the women expressed enjoying sex with men and three also report enjoying sex with women. The women all elaborated on historically having both fulfilling and unfulfilling sexual relationships. Also, all the women proclaimed mental orgasms are used to fulfill sexual needs, but at the same time acknowledge that they still want partnered sex “I may want someone but I don’t need them, there’s a difference” (P2). Though, all the women explained wanting a partner who is of quality to share their lives with, not just sex, and that they are willing to wait for a good relationship and not settle for less. Byers (2002) reported that part of women’s sexual satisfaction is also having a balance of sexual rewards and costs including relationship non-sexual rewards and costs. Recent studies reported that the most significant factor in women’s sexual satisfaction was relationship satisfaction (Byers, 2002; Joanning & Keoughan, 2005; Moret, Glaser, Page, & Bargeron, 1998). It is important to observe that the sexual rewards and costs are clearly secondary to the needed non-sexual relationship (Byers, 2002; Moret, Glaser, Page, & Bargeron, 1998). This meaning that the women are seeking equality in their sexual and emotional exchanges in the relationship (Byers, 2002). The women in Byers’ study relied more on interpersonal emotional factors during sex than the physical aspects of sex (Byers, 2001). Women were most physically satisfied when they had increased self disclosure concerning sexual likes and dislikes and emotional needs in the relationship (Byers, 2000; Moret, Glaser, Page, & Bargeron, 1998). Menard and Offman (2009) explained that sexual self esteem and sexual satisfaction within a relationship have been found to be highly correlated. The report of high sexual self esteem with women who use mental orgasm proposes that they may be happier with their relationships, when in them, due to their higher sexual self esteem. King et al. (2007) reported sexual difficulties were best predicted by emotional and relationship difficulties and unrelated to physical sexual health (e.g. genital pain, vaginal lubrication) which helps explain the lack of focus on the sexual relationship by the women in the current study.
The women expressed concern that they believe men sexual partners may be intimidated by their advanced sexuality, while other men may be excited or enjoy it. Blumberg (2003) supported that women have internal and external conflict due to being negatively perceived when labeled highly orgasmic or highly sexual. Shtarkshall, Anonymous, and Feldman (2008) continued that highly sexualized women have described feeling special and different compared to other women. Women who are highly sexual or highly orgasmic have expressed a “struggle with sexual expression” (Shtarkshall, Anonymous, & Feldman, 2008, p267).
Change in Sexuality All but one woman chronicled a change in their sexuality as they aged with most agreeing on the change occurring in their 40s. The impetus for change was delineated as a change in sexual views as well as physiologically including hormones changing, having menopause, or a hysterectomy. Hayes and Dennerstein (2005) explained that pre-menopause sexual functioning, change in partner status, and overall feelings about the partner are the best predictors of post-menopausal sexual functioning and satisfaction. Though the limited involvement of partners with the women studied may show how overall sexual satisfaction independent of a partner may set these women, and mental orgasms, apart. Rhodes, Kjerulff, Langenberg, and Guzinski (1999) helped explain that post-hysterectomy women with dyspareunia had an increase in sexual activity after treatment. The orgasm rates for Rhodes et al.’s (1999) women rose about 10% after treatment, as well as strong orgasms being experienced over 10% more frequent, and two-thirds of women not experiencing orgasm prior to the hysterectomy then experienced orgasm after. Pre and post surgical depression has a strong correlation to women who experienced dyspareunia and inorgasmia pre and post hysterectomy (Rhodes et al, 1999). Sharpe (2004) proposed women are better at maintaining sexual activity over time and have increased genital health when sexually active in later life - ages 40-60. Avis, Stellato, Crawford, and Johannes (2000) purported menopause status is not as important as physical and mental health.
Should Use Mental Orgasms More Some of the women conveyed that they enjoy mental orgasms for the benefits and effects, though often believe that they do not allow them often enough and need to allow them more often:
What I'm mostly aware of, how do I say it, after I've had all of these orgasms I feel so clean inside and I feel that my energy is integrated and moving and it reminds me of how much of the time, how most o my life I was pent up, and stressed out and not integrated in it. So, even though it feels so much better after, I also still have that tendency to get all stressed out and not let others to move in me and be a part of my own. . . I need to just do this more. I need to have this be like my daily therapy and not just let energy move. Because what I noticed even last night I was feeling lousy and then after I had a few orgasms I felt wonderful and yet it still hasn't been clicking. (P9)
Dissemination of Mental Orgasms Many of the women imparted that the ability to mental orgasm needs to be spread and taught so that more people, men and women, can enjoy the benefits and effects:
I just feel like it’s a strength and it’s a tool that there’s a wonderful thing to have and I’d love to have everyone else see that they’ve got it too. And, maybe that’s part of my teaching and being in the tantric and sex education community is wanting to share that because it’s such a great thing. It takes away some of the misery of living in this structured, dogmatic life that has limitations. (P10)
Dissemination of new perspectives on sexuality has been supported by other researchers including Ogden (2003) and Bonheim (1997). Sex therapy for women has been historically, and currently, defined by physical functionality and does not include the spiritual and mental arousal of women (Ogden, 2003). Many studies support the need for women to be emotionally connected in sex to feel satisfied and the secondary gain being orgasm (Byers, 2000; Joanning & Keoughan, 2005; Moret, Glaser, Page, & Bargeron, 1998, Ogden, 2003). The focus on the physical may ignore self-esteem and sensual experience of orgasm -these two factors being more important to women. Ogden (2003) supports a change in the definition and scope of orgasm to include the spiritual and emotional experience and as equally important, if not primary, concern in treatment and healthy sexuality for women. This new approach would include the aspects of safety, self-image and body-image, nurturing, power, and pleasure (Ogden, 2003). This then gives a multidementionality to the sexual experience thus allowing freedom and flexibility from cultural restraint (Bonheim, 1997).
Implications for Social Change
Physicians, mental health professionals, and sex therapists can view mental orgasms as a possible treatment to help with stress, tension, physical pain, inorgasmia, and sexual inhibition. The research did not specifically show effects of mental orgasms, though the data is very supportive of mental orgasms being another venue for orgasmic mental and physical health benefits. Mental orgasms may be taught to individuals and in group format to increase the population gaining its positive effects. I teach mental orgasms at this time to individuals as a supplementary treatment for inorgasmia, sexual inhibition, vaginismus, tension, stress, physical pain, and sexual self-esteem. I would like to increase my teachings to more people and groups to allow more people access to this ability and its effects.
Recommendations for Action
Mental orgasms have now been reported to increase mental, physical, sexual, and intrapersonal wellness. Participants reported decrease in tension, stress, and overall feelings of sickness; and an increase of confidence, sense of self, sexuality, and interpersonal connection. It was recommended by the participants that others learn to allow mental orgasms to increase their health and that the participants themselves need to increase allowing mental orgasms in their lives for the same benefits.
It is recommended that communities and organizations embrace the use of mental orgasms for their benefits and help teach mental orgasms to individuals. It is also recommended that mental orgasms can be beneficial to our culture to open up the definition and experience of orgasm to include mental orgasms. Though mental orgasms have been shown to exist with fMRI, they are not widely accepted; I believe that the health benefits and other benefits will help increase the acceptance of mental orgasms by the popular culture.
Recommendations for Further Study
This study sought broad answers through phenomenology and as such was expected to create as many questions as it answered. The questions that still exist are:
● How can someone best be taught mental orgasms?
● Do men mental orgasm and how do their experiences compare?
● Can mental orgasms be quantitatively recognized separately from physically induced orgasms while physical stimulation is present?
● Will the current results be upheld if the population is varied and increased?
I recommend that men be researched in the same manner as women with fMRI and interviews. I also recommend that further research look to include larger, less homogeneous, and younger populations including those without tantric teachings. Even though it has been discussed that the population did not seem to need or even have Tantric teachings before having their first mental orgasm, it may change their views and reports of the experience. I would as well suggest research to help quantify and support the reports of mental orgasms feeling different than physically induced orgasms, though also being able to exist while receiving physical stimulation which is not the impetus of the orgasm. Lastly, I suggest a broader research to investigate how many people can already mental orgasm and how is best to teach those who do not mental orgasm.
Researcher’s Experience
I am aware and have taken precautions throughout the process to ensure that my bias has not affected the process. I do have mental orgasms; teach mental orgasms, though I am different from the participants. I am younger, have not had Tantric teachings, have not had a major change in my sexuality, sex life, or sexual self esteem. I kept a researcher’s journal and reviewed my thoughts and expectations to ensure my own beliefs and bias would not influence the study. I also used open ended questions in the interviews to allow each person’s experience to be compiled without my own beliefs and bias interfering. I also held back validating the participants responses to diminish their trying to respond in accordance to my validation.
I was also able to use the researcher’s journal to reflect on the process. It was easy to see that I was excited, eager, and enlightened by each interview. I did find that I did not enjoy transcribing the interviews and felt that it took too much time and did not help me connect to the data. With that, I changed the protocols with IRB approval and had the transcripts completed by a professional transcriber. I did find that checking the transcripts and coding them was encompassing and did get me very close to the research. I also found a lot of value listening to the interviews from time to time throughout the coding process to add context with voice fluctuations. I was enthusiastic and enthralled during the coding and analyzing of the data. I enjoyed thinking about the data and trying to perceive other perspectives, connections, and themes. The results support my personal experience and beliefs of mental orgasms. This changes my belief by simply feeling less alone in the experience.
Conclusion
Mental orgasms have been described as another type of orgasm originating from mental stimulation, not physical stimulation. These orgasms are brought on by allowing them to occur or using fantasy anytime, any place with control over physical expression. The women studied strongly agreed on benefits from mental orgasms including aiding mental and physical health, reducing mental and physical pain, increasing their sense of fulfillment, increasing their sexual esteem, easing sexual tension, enhancing partnered sex, and increasing overall happiness. The women then strongly suggest that the benefits of mental orgasms be disseminated to those who can benefit from these effects. They hope that mental orgasms will be acknowledged and used more by others as well as themselves. This is an opportunity for all health professionals to utilize mental orgasms in their practice and for communities to be more open and accepting of this under recognized phenomenon. Mental orgasms are uniquely personal experiences though do not take away from the women desiring a partner to share in their life completely.
References
Alcántara, A. G., Nieto, J. (1998). Spontaneous orgasms during risperidone treatment in a schizophrenic patient: A case report. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical & Experimental, 13(2), 135-136. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1099-1077(199803)13:2<135::aid-hup966>3.0.CO;2-K
Avis, N.E., Stellato, R., Crawford, S. L, Johannes, C. (2000). Is there an association between menopause status and sexual functioning? Menopause, 7(5), 297-309.
Barbach, L., & Levine, L. (1980). Shared intimacies: Women’s sexual experiences. New York, NY: Anchor Press/Doubleday.
Berrios, R., & Lucca, N. (2006). Qualitative methodology in counseling research: Recent
contributions and challenges for a new century. Journal of Counseling &
Development, 84(2), 174-186. doi: 10.1177/00343552070500020801
Bartoi, M.G.; Kinder, B.N.; and Tomianovic, D. (2000) Interaction effects of emotional
status and sexual abuse on adult sexuality. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy,
26, 1-23.
Blumberg, E. S. (2003). The Lives and Voices of Highly Sexual Women. Journal of Sex
Research, 40(2), 146-158.
Bonheim, J. (1997). Aphrodite's daughters: Women 's sexual stories and the journey of
the soul. New York: Fireside.
Brody, S.; Laan, E.; and Van Lunsen, R. (2003). Concordance between women’s
physiological and subjective sexual arousal is associated with consistency of
orgasm during intercourse but not other sexual behavior. Journal or Sex &
Marital Therapy, 29, 15-23. doi 10:1080/00926230390154808
Bowen, G. A. (2006). Grounded theory and sensitizing concepts. International Journal of
Qualitative Methods, 5(3), 1-9. doi: 10.1080/13645570802156196
Brotto, L.A., & Heiman, J.R. (2007). Mindfulness in sex therapy: Applications for
women with sexual difficulties following gynecologic cancer. Sexual and
Relationship Therapy, 22(1), 3-11. doi: 10:1080/14681990601153298
Brotto, L.; Krychman, M.; and Jacobson, P. (2008). Eastern approaches for enhancing
women’s sexuality: Mindfulness, acupuncture, an yoga. The Journal of Sexual
Medicine, 5(12), 2741-2748.
Burleson, M.H.; Trevathan, W.R.; and Todd, M. (2007). In the mood for love or vice
versa? Exploring the relations among sexual activity, physical affection, affect,
and stress in the daily lives of mid-aged women. Archives of Sex Behavior, 36(3), 357-368. doi: 10.1007/s10508-006-9071-1
Burck, C. A. (2005). Comparing qualitative research methodologies for systemic research: The use of grounded theory, discourse analysis and narrative analysis. Journal of Family Therapy, 27(3), 237-262.
Byers, S. (2002). Evidence of the importance of relationship satisfaction for women’s
sexual functioning. Women & Therapy, 24(1,2), 23 – 26.
doi:10.1300/J015v24n01_04
Charcot, J. M. (1877). Lectures on the diseases of the nervous system delivered at La
Salpetriere. London, United Kingdom: New Sydenham Society.
Cooper, M. L.; Shapiro, C. M.; & Powers, A. M. (1998). Motivations for sex and risky sexual behavior among adolescents and young adults: A functional perspective. Journal Personality & Social Psychology, 75, 1528-1558.
Creswell, J. W. (2003) Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Creswell, J. W. (2007) Qualitative inquiry & research design: Choosing among five approaches (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Crevenna, R., Homann, H., Feichtinger, M., Ott, E., & Körner, E. (2000). Spontaneous orgasm—An epileptic case without structural correlate. British Journal of Psychiatry, 176, 300. doi: 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2006.00648.x
Darling, C.; Davidson, J.; & Jennings, D. (1991). The female sexual response revisited: Understanding the multiorgasmic experience in women. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 20(6), 527-540.
Davidson, J. K., & Hoffman, L. E. (1986). Sexual fantasies and sexual satisfaction: An
empirical analysis of erotic thought. Journal of Sex Research, 22(2), 184–205.
Denzin, N. K. & Lincolin, Y. S. (2005). The Sage handbook of qualitative research (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Fawcett, B. & Hearn, J. (2004). Researching others: Epistemology, experience,
standpoints and participation. International Journal of Social Research
Methodology, 7(3) 201-218. doi: 10.1177/1473325006070288
Fisher, S. (1973a). The female orgasm: Psychology, physiology, fantasy. New York: Basic Books, Inc.
Fisher, S. (1973b). Understanding the female orgasm. New York: Basic Books, Inc..
Forsythe, E. & Horsewell, J. E. (2006). Sexual rehabilitation of women with a spinal cord injury. Spinal Cord, 44(4) 234-241.
Freud, S. (1938). The basic writings of Sigmund Freud. New York: The Modern Library.
Freud, S. (1947). Freud: On war, sex and neurosis. New York: Arts & Science
Press.
Freud, S. (1952). The major works of Sigmund Freud. The University of Chicago.
Freud, S. (1962). Three essays on the theory of sexuality. London: Hogarth Press and the Institute of Psychoanalysis.
Georgiadis, J.R.; Kortekaas, R.; Kuipers, R.; Nieuwenburg, A.; Pruim, J.; Reinders, A.A.;
and Holstege, G. (2006). Regional cerebral blood flow changes associated with
clitorally induced orgasm in healthy women. European Journal of Neuroscience,
24(11), 3305-16. doi: 10:111/j.1460-9568.206.05206.x
Giske, T. & Artinian, B. (2007). A personal experience of working with classical
grounded theory: From beginner to experienced grounded theorist. International
Journal of Qualitative Methods, 6(4), 67-80.
Grady, C. (2005). Payment of clinical research subjects. Journal of Clinical Investigation,
115(7), 1681-1618.
Guba, E. G. & Lincoln, Y.S. (1988). Do inquiry paradigms imply inquiry
methodologies? In D.M. Fetterman (Ed.), Qualitative approaches to evaluation in
education (89-115). New York: Praeger.
Hall, J.M.; Roman, M.W.; Thomas, S.P.; Travis, C.B.; Powell, J.; Tennison, C.R.;
Moyers, K.; Shoffner, D.H.; Bolton, K. M.; Broyles, T.; Martin, T.; and
McArthur, P.M. (2009). Thriving as becoming resolute in narratives of women
surviving childhood maltreatment. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 79(3),
375-386. doi: 10.1037/a0016531
Hatch, J. A. (2002). Doing qualitative research in education settings. Albany: State
University of New York Press.
Hayes, R. & Dennerstein, L. (2005). The impact of aging on sexual function and sexual
dysfunction in women: A review of population-based studies. Journal of
Sexual Medicine, 2(3), 317-330. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2005.20356.x
Hite, S. (1976). The Hite report: A nationwide study of female sexuality. New York:
Seven Stories Press.
Hite, S. (1987). Women and love: A cultural revolution in progress. New York: Alfred A.
Knopf, Inc.
Hurlbert, D.F.; Apt C.; Rombough, S. (1996). The female experience of sexual desire as a
function of sexual compatibility in an intimate relationship. Canadian Journal of
Human Sexuality, 5(1) 7-14.
Irwin, K. (2006). Into the dark heart of ethnography: The lived ethics and inequality of
intimate field relationships. Qualitative Sociology, 29(2), 155-175. doi:
10.1007/s11133-006-9011-3
Jacobson, N.; Gewurtz, R.; and Haydon, E. (2007). Ethical review of interpretive
research: Problems and solutions. IRB: Ethics & Human Research, 29(5) 1-8.
Joanning, H. & Keoughan, P. (2005). Enhancing Marital Sexuality. The Family Journal,
Vol. 13(3) 351-355. doi: 10.1177/1066480705276194
Johnston, L. (2006). Software and method: Reflections on teaching and using QSR
NVivo in doctoral research. International Journal of Social Research
Methodology, 9(5), 379-391.
King, M.; Holt, V.; & Nazareth, I. (2007). Women's views of their sexual difficulties: Agreement and disagreement with clinical diagnoses. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 36, 281-288.
Kinsey, A. C., Pomeroy, W. B., Martin, C. E., & Gebhard, P. H. (1953). Sexual behavior in the human female. Oxford: Saunders.
Komisaruk, B. R., Beyer-Flores, C., & Whipple, B. (2006). The science of orgasm. Johns
Hopkins University Press.
Komisaruk, B. R. & Whipple, B. (2005). Functional MRI of the brain during orgasm in
women. Annual Review of Sex Research, (16), 62-86.
Laan, E. & Both, S. (2008). What makes a woman experience desire?. Feminism
Psychology, 18(4), 505-514. doi: 10.1177/0959353508095533
Lavie, M. & Willig, C. (2005). “I don't feel like melting butter”: An interpretative
phenomenological analysis of the experience of ‘inorgasmia.’ Psychology &
Health, 20(1), 115-128. doi: 10.1177/1359105308097950
LeCompte, M.D. & Schensul, J.J. (1999). Ethnographer's Toolkit; v1: Designing and Conducting Ethnographic Research. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Levin, R. J. (2004). An orgasm is…who defines what an orgasm is? Sexual & Relationship Therapy, 19(1) 101-107. doi: 10.1080/14681990410001641663
Levin, R. J. (2006). The breast/nipple/areola complex and human sexuality. Sexual &
Relationship Therapy, 21(2), 237-249. doi: 10.1080/14681990600674674
Levin, R. J. & Wagner, G. (1987). Self-reported central sexual arousal without vaginal
arousal—duplicity or veracity revealed by objective measurement? Journal of Sex Research, 23(4), 540–545. doi: 10.1080/00224498709551390
Mah, K. & Binik, Y. M. (2002). Do all orgasms feel alike? Evaluating a two-dimensional model of the orgasm experience across gender and sexual context.
Journal of Sex Research, 39(2), 104-114.
Marshall, C. & Rossman, G. B. (2006). Designing qualitative research (4th ed.).
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Masters, W. H. (1985). Masters and Johnson on sex and human loving / William H. Masters, Virginia E. Johnson, Robert C. Kolodny. Boston: Little, Brown.
Masters, W. H. & Johnson, V. E. (1966). Human sexual response. London: J. & A. Churchill Ltd.
Masters, W. H., Johnson, V. E. & Kolodny, R. C. (1988). Human Sexuality. Chicago: Scott, Foresman and Company.
McCaughey, M. and French, C. (2001). Women’s sex-toy parties: Technology, orgasm,
and commodification . Sexuality & Culture, 5(3), 77-96. doi:10.1007/s12119-001
1031-2
McMullen, S. and Rosen, R. (1979). Self-administered masturbation training in the
treatment of primary orgasmic dysfunction. Journal of Consulting and Clinical
Psychology, 47(5), 912-918.
Menard, D. & Offman, A. (2009). The interrelationships between sexual self-esteem,
sexual assertiveness and sexual satisfaction. The Canadian Journal of Human
Sexuality, 18(1-2), 35-45.
Meston, C. M., Levin, R. J., Sipski, M. L., Hull, E. M., & Heiman, J. R. (2004). Women's orgasm. Annual Review of Sex Research, (15), 173-257.
Moret, L.; Glaser, B.; Page, R.C.; and Bargeron, E.F. (1998). Intimacy and sexual
satisfaction in unmarried couple relationships: A pilot study. The Family Journal,
6(1), 33-39.doi: 10.1177/1066480798061006
Morse, J. M., Barrett, M., Mayan, M. O., Olson, K., & Spiers, J. (2002). Verification
strategies for establishing reliability and validity in qualitative research.
International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 1(2), 1-19.
Moustakas, C. (1994). Phenomenological research methods. Thousand Oaks, CA, Sage
Publications.
Newcomb, M. D. & Bentler, P. M. (1983). Dimensions of subjective female orgasmic
responsiveness. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 44(4),
862-873.
Nicholas, A.; Brody, S.; De Sutter, P.; and de Carufel, F. (2008). A woman's history of
vaginal orgasm is discernible from her walk. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 5, 2119
2124. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.00942.x
Ogden, G. (1981). Perception of touch in easily orgasmic women during peak sexual
experiences. San Francisco: Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality.
Ogden, G. (2003). Spiritual dimensions of sex therapy: An integrative
approach for women. Contemporary Sexuality, 37(1). i-viii.
Ogden, G. (2006). The heart and soul of sex. Boston: Trumpeter.
Olesen, V. (2005). Early millennial feminist qualitative research: Challenges and
contours. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), The Sage handbook of
qualitative research (3rd ed.), 235-278. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Ostovich, J. & Sabini, J. (2004). How are sociosexuality, sex drive, and lifetime number
of sexual partners related? Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 30, 1255
1266. doi: 10.1177/0146167204264754
Pentz, R. D. (2004). Spreading it around: Money for researchers and research participants. Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine, 71(4), 266-270.
Ramachandran, V.S. & Blakeslee, S. (1998). Phantoms in the brain: Probing the
mysteries of the human mind. New York: William Morrow and Company, Inc.
Reich, W. (1942). The function of the orgasm. N.Y.: Oregon Institute Press.
Reinisch, J. M. & Beasley, R. M. (1990). The Kinsey Institute new report on sex: What you must know to be sexually literate. New York: St. Martin's Press.
Rhodes, J.; Kjerulff, K; Langenberg, P.; and Guzinski, G. (1999). Hystorectomy and
sexual functioning. JAMA, 282(20), 1934-1941. doi: 10.1001/jama.282.20.1934
Rolfe, G. (2006). Validity, trustworthiness and rigor: quality and the idea of qualitative
research. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 53(3), 304-310.
Ryan, F., Coughlan, M. & Cronin, P. (2007). Step-by-step guide to critiquing research.
Part 2: Qualitative research. British Journal of Nursing, 16(12), 738-44.
Schick, V.R.; Zucker, A.N.; Bay-Cheng, L.Y. (2008). Safer, better sex through feminism:
The role of feminist ideology in women's sexual well-being. Psychology of
Women Quarterly, 32(3), 225-232.
Sharpe, T. (2004). Introduction to sexuality in late life. The Family Journal, 12(2), 199
205. doi: 10.1177/0022167804264106
Shtarkshall, R.A.; Anonymous; and Feldman, B.S. (2008). A woman with a high capacity
for multi-orgasms: a non-clinical case-report study. Sexual and Relationship
Therapy, 23(3), 259 - 269 doi: 10.1080/14681990802094978
Silverstein, L. B., Auerbach, C. F., & Levant, R. F. (2006). Using qualitative research to strengthen clinical practice. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 37(4), 351-358. doi: 10.1037/0735-7028.37.4.351
Sipski, M. L., Alexander, C. J., & Rosen, R. C. (1999). Sexual response in women with
spinal cord injuries: Implications for our understanding of the able bodied.
Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 25(1), 11-22. doi:
10.1080/00926239908403974
Smith, V. (2007). In pursuit of ‘good’ sex: Self-determination and the sexual experience.
Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 24(1), 69-85. doi:
10.1177/0265407507072589
Stewart, A. J. (1994). Toward a feminist strategy for studying women’s lives. In C. E.
Franz & A. J. Stewart (Eds.), Women creating lives: Identities, resilience and
Resistance, 11-35. Boulder, CO: Westview Press.
Tepper, M. S., Whipple, B., Richards, E., & Komisaruk, B. R. (2001). Women with complete spinal cord injury: A phenomenological study of sexual experiences. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 27(5), 615-623.
Thapar-Björkert, S. & Henry, M. (2004). Reassessing the research relationship: location,
position and power in fieldwork accounts. International Journal of Social
Research Methodology, 7(5) 363-381.
Thorne, S. & Varcoe, C. (1998). The tyranny of feminist methodology in women’s
health research. Health Care for Women International, 19(6), 481-493.
Tuana, N. (2004). Coming to understand: Orgasm and the epistemology of ignorance.
Hypatia, 19(1), 194-232. doi: 10.1353/hyp.2004.0018
van Mannen, M. (1990). Researching lived experience: Human science for an action
sensitive pedagogy. London, Ontario, Canada: The University of Western
Ontario.
Van Wyk, P. H. (1982). Relationship of time spent on masturbation assignments with
orgasmic outcome in preorgasmic women's groups. Journal of Sex Research,
18(1), 33-40.
Warehime, M.N., & Bass, L.E. (2008). Breaking singles up: Sexual satisfaction among
men and women. International Journal of Sexual Health, 20(4), 247-261. doi:
10.1080/19317610802417877
Wells, B. L. (1986). Predictors of female nocturnal orgasms: A multivariate analysis.
Journal of Sex Research, 22(4), 421-437.
Whipple, B. & Komisaruk, B. R. (1985). Elevation of pain threshold by vaginal stimulation in women. Pain, 21(4), 357-367. doi: 10.1007/BF02590077
Whipple, B. & Komisaruk, B. R. (1988). Analgesia produced in women by genital self-
stimulation. Journal of Sex Research, (24), 130-140.
Whipple, B. & Komisaruk, B. (1997). Sexuality and women with complete
spinal cord injury. Spinal Cord, 35(3), 136-138.
Whipple, B., Ogden, G., & Komisaruk, B. R. (1992). Physiological correlates of imagery-
induced orgasm in women. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 21(2), 121-133.
Wolsko, P.; Ware, L.; Kutner, J.; Lin, C.; Albertson, G.; Cyran, L.; Schilling, L.; and
Anderson, R.J. (2000). Alternative/complementary medicine: Wider usage than
generally appreciated. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 6(4), 321-326. doi:10.1089/10755530050120682
Wu, H.-H. (2007). Reading romance novels and female sexuality among American
heterosexual and lesbian college students. International Journal of Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations, 6(6), 31-38.
Zaviacic, M., & Ablin, R.J. (2005). The use of prostate-specific antigen as a citerion for
condom effectiveness. American Journal of Epidemiology, 162(7), 704–705.
