Orgasm and sexual satisfaction in men
Authors:
Veronika Jacečko Milerová 1; Petr Weiss 1,2
Authors‘ workplace:
Katedra psychologie FF UK v Praze, ČR
1; Katedra psychológie FF UK v Bratislave, Slovensko
2
Published in:
Čes. a slov. Psychiat., 122, 2026, No. 5, pp. 183-190.
Category:
Review
doi:
https://doi.org/10.48095/cccsp202612
Overview
The male orgasm represents a complex phenomenon that cannot be understood solely as a physiological response but rather as an experience integrating biological, psychological, and social aspects of sexuality. This review article summarizes current findings on the significance of the male orgasm in the context of sexual and relationship satisfaction, adopting a biopsychosocial perspective. Research shows that achieving orgasm alone does not guarantee sexual or relationship satisfaction. The quality of the experience, emotional intimacy, partner responsiveness, and communication play a more decisive role. Orgasm may be perceived as an expression of closeness and connection, or as a symbol of performance and control, depending on the individual and cultural framework of meaning. While biological mechanisms provide the basis for pleasure, psychological and relational factors shape subjective satisfaction. Cultural and media norms further influence expectations of what constitutes a “successful” sexual experience. Within this context, orgasm can be seen as an indicator of relationship quality rather than its automatic outcome. Male orgasm should be regarded as a multidimensional experience reflecting bodily, emotional, and social aspects of sexuality. Understanding its complexity may foster a more sensitive approach within psychological, sexological, and counselling practice and enhance comprehension of the factors underlying men’s sexual satisfaction.
Keywords:
biopsychosocial model – orgasm – sexual satisfaction – sexuality – intimacy – men – partner satisfaction
Sources
1. Weiss P. Sexuální zdraví. Sexuológia 2017; 17 (2): 12–18.
2. Alwaal A, Breyer BN, Lue TF. Normal male sexual function: emphasis on orgasm and ejaculation. Fertil Steril 2015; 104 (5): 1051–1060. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.08.033.
3. Mah K, Binik YM. Are orgasms in the mind or the body? Psychosocial versus physiological correlates of orgasmic pleasure and satisfaction. J Sex Marital Ther 2005; 31 (3): 187–200. doi: 10.1080/00926230590513401.
4. Muñoz-García MI, Fernández-Fernández A, Sierra JC. Evaluating the subjective orgasm experience through sexual context, gender, and sexual orientation. Arch Sex Behav 2023; 52 (4): 1479–1491. doi: 10.1007/s10508-022-02493-3.
5. Costa RM, Brody S. Sexual satisfaction, relationship satisfaction, and health are associated with greater frequency of penile – vaginal intercourse. Arch Sex Behav 2012; 41 : 9–10. doi: 10.1007/s10508-011-9847-9.
6. Savoury MC, Mahar EA, Mintz LB. Feelings of masculinity and accomplishment in response to penetrative versus non-penetrative orgasms. Arch Sex Behav 2022; 51 : 611–620. doi: 10.1007/s10508-021-02070-0.
7. Rácová B, Weiss P. Mužská sexuální spokojenost a orgasmická empatie v heterosexuálních vztazích. Sexuológia 2022; 22 (2): 12–19.
8. Cabo RM, Kaufman M, Johnsen L. Impact of sexual function domains on sexual satisfaction and quality of life: Importance across the age spectrum. Andrology 2024; 12 (8): 1615–1621. doi: 10.1111/andr.13594.
9. Pascoal PM, Cardoso D, Henriques R. Sexual satisfaction and distress in sexual functioning in a sample of the BDSM community: a comparison study between BDSM and non-BDSM contexts. J Sex Med 2015; 12 (4): 1052–1061. doi: 10.1111/jsm.12835.
10. MacNeil S, Byers ES. Dyadic assessment of sexual self-disclosure and sexual satisfaction in heterosexual dating couples. J Soc Pers Relat 2005; 22 (2): 169–181.
11. Santos-Iglesias P, Byers ES. Sexual satisfaction of older adults: testing the Interpersonal Exchange Model of Sexual Satisfaction in the ageing population. Ageing Society 2023; 43 (2): 180–202.
12. Cupach, WR, Metts, S. Sexuality and communication in close relationships. In: McKinney K, Sprecher S (eds.). Sexuality in close relationships. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum 1991 : 93–110.
13. Park HG, Leonhardt ND, Johnson MD et al. Sexual satisfaction predicts future changes in relationship satisfaction and sexual frequency: new insights from within-person associations over time. Personality Science 2023; 4 (1): 1–28.
14. Klapilová K, Brody S, Krejčová L et al. Sexual satisfaction, sexual compatibility, and relationship adjustment in couples: The role of sexual behaviors, orgasm, and men’s discernment of women’s intercourse orgasm. J Sex Med 2015; 12 : 667–675. doi: 10.1111/jsm.12766.
15. Garcia JR, Lloyd EA, Wallen K et al. Variation in orgasm occurrence by sexual orientation in a sample of U.S. singles. J Sex Med 2014; 11 (11): 2645–2652. doi: 10.1111/jsm.12669.
16. Gesselman AN, Bennett-brown M, Dubé S et al. The lifelong orgasm gap: exploring age’s impact on orgasm rates. J Sex Med 2024; 12 (3): qfae042. doi: 10.1093/sexmed/qfae042
17. Cervilla O, Álvarez-Muelas A, Jimeno Fernández L et al. Relation between desire and sexual satisfaction in different typologies of adherence to the sexual double standard. Sexuality & Culture 2024; 28 : 1626–1642.
18. Holstege G, Georgiadis JR, Paans AM et al. Brain activation during human male ejaculation. J Neurosci 2003; 23 (27): 9185–9193. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.23-27-09185.2003.
19. Exton MS, Truong TC, Haake P et al. Endocrine response to masturbation-induced orgasm in healthy men following a 3-week sexual abstinence. World J Urol 2001; 19 (5): 377–382. doi: 10.1007/s003450100222
20. Dzialach L, Sobolewska J, Zak Z et al. Prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas: male-specific differences in pathogenesis, clinical presentation and treatment. Front Endocrinol 2024; 15 : 1338345. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1338345.
21. Krüger THC, Haake P, Chereath D et al. Specificity of the neuroendocrine response to orgasm during sexual arousal in men. J Endocrinol 2003; 177 (1): 57–64. doi: 10.1677/joe.0.1770057.
22. Walker LM, Lutmer SP. Caring, chemistry, and orgasms: components of great sexual experiences. Sexuality & Culture 2023; 27 : 1735–1756.
23. Birnbaum GE, Reis HT, Mizrahi M et al. Intimately connected: the importance of partner responsiveness for experiencing sexual desire. J Pers Soc Psychol 2016; 111 (4): 530–546. doi: 10.1037/pspi0000069.
24. Brotto LA, Smith KB. Sexual desire and pleasure. In: Tolman DL, Diamond LM (eds.). APA handbook of sexuality and psychology: Vol. 1. Person-based approaches. American Psychological Association 2014 : 205–244.
25. Rowland DL, Padilla S, Kövi Z et al. Self-reported reasons for having difficulty reaching orgasm in men with diverse etiologies. Sex Med 2023; 11 (3): qfad030. doi: 10.1093/sexmed/qfad030.
26. Mark KP, Murray SH. Gender differences in desire discrepancy as a predictor of sexual and relationship satisfaction in a college sample of heterosexual romantic relationship. J Sex Marital Ther 2012; 38 (2): 198–215. doi: 10.1080/0092623X.2011.606877.
27. Pascoal PM, Sanchez DT, Raposo CF et al. Initial validation of the sexual pleasure scale in clinical and non-clinical samples of partnered heterosexual people. J Sex Med 2016; 13 (9): 1408–1413. doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2016.06.010.
28. Štulhofer A, Ferreira LC, Landripet I. Emotional intimacy, sexual desire, and sexual satisfaction among partnered heterosexual men. Sexual and relationship therapy 2014; 29 (2): 229–244.
29. Stárová E, Weiss P. Důležitost orgasmu ženy pro jejich mužské partnery. Sexuológia 2022; 22 (2): 32–34.
30. Pérez M, Hoppe J, Landau AM et al. Development and validation of the Male Post-coital Affect Scale for heterosexual men. Acta Neuropsychiatr 2023; 35 (4): 241–246. doi: 10.1017/neu.2023.12.
Labels
Addictology Paediatric psychiatry PsychiatryArticle was published in
Czech and Slovak Psychiatry
2026 Issue 5
Most read in this issue
- Zneužitelná psychiatrie
- K sedemdesiatinám profesora Jána Pečeňáka
- 34. evropský psychiatrický kongres Praha 28.–31. března 2026
- Can we prolong the lives of patients suffering from schizophrenia with currently available treatment options?