Validation of a Visual Analogue Scale to measure the subjective perception of orgasmic intensity in females: The Orgasmometer-F

Abstract

The female orgasm represents one of the most complex functions in the field of human sexuality.The conjunction of the anatomical, physiological, psycho-relational and socio-cultural components contributes to make the female orgasm still partly unclear. The female orgasmic experience, its correlates and the relation with sexual desire, arousal and lubrication as predictors are highly debated in scientific community. In this context, little is known about the impact of female sexual dysfunction (SD) on sexual pleasure expressed by subjective orgasmic intensity, and there are no suitable psychometric tools suited to investigate this dimension. Thus, we validate, in female subjects, a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) that we named Orgasmometer-F, to verify if SD is accompanied by a lower perceived orgasmic intensity. A total of 526 women, recruited through a web-based platform and from sexological outpatient clinic, were enrolled in the study. They were divided into, on the basis of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) score in two groups: 1) 112women suffering from SD, (SD Group); and 2) 414 sexually healthy women (Control Group). The participants were requested to fill out the Orgasmometer-F, recording orgasmic intensity on a Likert scale from 0 (absence of orgasmic intensity) to 10 (maximum orgasmic intensity experienced). Women with SD experienced significantly lower orgasmic intensity than controls, as measured by the Orgasmometer-F (p < 0.0001). Interestingly, masturbatory frequency was positively correlated with orgasmic intensity, as were the lubrication, orgasm and sexual satisfaction domains of the FSFI. The Orgasmometer-F was well understood, had a good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.93) and a high AUC in differentiating between women with and without sexual dysfunction (AUC = 0.9; p < 0.0001). The ROC curve analysis showed that a cut-off <5 had 86.5% sensitivity (95% CI 82,8–89,6), 80.4% specificity (95% CI 71.8–87.3), 75.4% positive predictive value (PPV) and 89.5% negative predictive value (NPV). In conclusion, the Orgasmometer-F, a new psychometrically sound tool for measuring orgasmic intensity in female population, demonstrated that SD impair orgasmic intensity.

Benefits of Sexual Activity on Psychological, Relational, and Sexual Health During the COVID-19 Breakout

“…Finally, the quality and intensity of orgasm response was assessed by the female Orgasmometer, a single-item Likert scale, derived from Visual Analog Scale for Pain 23 , assessing how intense is the perception of the orgasmic experience, ranging from 1 (lowest intensity) to 10 (maximum intensity) 28 .…”

MANAGEMENT OF ENDOCRINE DISEASE: Female sexual dysfunction for the endocrinologist

“…In some cases, hormonal therapy has led to an improvement in the sexual function, strengthening the hypothesis of a close correlation between hormonal alterations and sexual disorder. The endocrinologist should discuss with patients about their personal sexual function, using in the daily clinical practice old (113,114) and new (115) well validated psychometric tools and offer them alternatives for evaluation and treatment if, as frequently occurs in female endocrine patients, an SD is present. It is also worth mentioning that sexual health is a fundamental part of QoL, and therefore, in all cases psychological and therapeutic support should be provided in order to guarantee a satisfying sexual function to all patients, no matter their age or the concomitant illnesses.…”

The Inferto-Sex Syndrome (ISS): sexual dysfunction in fertility care setting and assisted reproduction

“…The unique psychosocial set of ART treatment for infertility may directly interfere with a couple’s usual pattern of sexual behavior, resulting in SD for both partners [ 122 ]. While there is at the present date no study investigating the topic using validated tools, such as the Orgasmometer [ 123 , 124 ], it is likely that orgasmic function of infertile couples is also impaired, due to a de-eroticization of the sexual act.…”