Is an orgasm without sexual arousal possible? Come, find out

Sure, orgasms are fun. They’re good for your health and for your between-the-sheets sessions. But have you ever encountered an unexpected, unwanted, or spontaneous orgasm without any sexual sensory stimulation? Weird, isn’t it? Basically, it’s an involuntary orgasm that seems to come out of nowhere. You can get it anytime, anywhere, while doing anything!

It’s fascinating that spontaneous orgasm, meaning sexual climax, occurs independently of any physical stimulation. While some people who experience it may find them pleasurable, for others they’re completely unwanted and a source of distraction and distress. 

So what is spontaneous orgasm exactly?

HealthShots spoke to Shamantha K, Counselling Psychologist, Fortis Hospitals, Cunningham Road, Bengaluru, about spontaneous orgasms and why they occur.

She says, “Experiencing a series of crippling unstimulated sensory arousals or orgasms can lead to the diagnosis of Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder, also commonly known as PGAD.”

These orgasms are triggered without any sexual activity and can lead to a series of orgasms and the arousal can last up to six hours, added Shamantha. It is highly distressing as it is an unwanted feeling that is not enjoyed by the individuals who suffer from it. 

Talking about the side effects of spontaneous orgasm, Shamantha said, “This can lead to stress, physical pain, mental and emotional difficulties like anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, guilt, depression and so on, due to the powerlessness of performing activities of daily living.”

Not just that, problems in intimate relationships may also arise if their partners fail to understand the severity and helplessness experienced. Such people may even lose their idea of sexual pleasure as the orgasm gets associated with pain than with the original pleasure itself. 

Shamantha said, “PGAD is more likely to affect females of all ages than their male counterparts.”

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So let’s find out why do they occur

The exact causes are largely unknown but there have been several studies that are trying to understand it in terms of science. Shamantha said, “Some of the triggers of PGAD are stress and anxiety, masturbation or sexual stimulation. Identifying them so as to avoid symptoms is difficult for the individuals.”

Some research implications also suggest that there is a correlation between the Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder and the nervous system and chemical imbalances caused due to certain medication types. 

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In addition, physical conditions like Tarlov cysts could also lead to this condition. Tarlov cyst is an ailment where spinal fluid gets accumulated at the base of the spine affecting the relay mechanism of electrical signals from the brain to various regions like the genitals, colon, and bladder, said Shamantha. 

Is there any way to stop spontaneous orgasm?

If your orgasm is triggered by other reasons except for sexual arousal then you can follow these tips to tackle this situation, according to Shamantha:

• Alleviating the stressors can control the severity in some people making it psychological in nature to a few degrees.
• Stress management routines, relaxation techniques, yoga, meditation are some of the non-pharmacological methods to control arousal for PGAD. 
• For other spontaneous orgasms, identifying and countering triggers will be a huge relief. 
• Consult a doctor if you experience the symptoms 
• To help identify triggers, a psychologist specialising in the area of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can intervene. 
• Electroconvulsive Therapy is also said to have a positive influence in the treatment. We must also keep in mind that many people are reluctant to take help due to the stigma and embarrassment associated with it.

Keep yourself calm and don’t panic! Spontaneous orgasms aren’t due to any underlying disease.