Female orgasm: why the topic became the subject of debate on the networks
A recent wave of posts on social media has brought to light an old taboo: denial of the female orgasm. Profiles of influencers, mostly men, have accumulated millions of views by defending the thesis that the peak of women's sexual pleasure is a myth or an invention of the cultural industry.
Although it seems an absurd idea given scientific knowledge, the topic has generated debates, memes and discussions about sexuality, misinformation and gender relations. Science, on the other hand, leaves no doubt. The female orgasm is a real biological phenomenon and has been widely documented by numerous studies.
During orgasm, a series of physiological responses occur in a woman's body, which include involuntary contractions of the muscles in the pelvic region, an increase in heart rate, the release of hormones and the activation of different areas of the brain linked to pleasure.
"The female orgasm does not just happen in the genitalia. It involves the body and brain at the same time. In the body there will be an increase in heart rate, breathing, muscle tension and also the rhythmic contractions that occur in the pelvic floor muscles. In the brain there will be more activation of circuits that are linked to the reward mechanism, but brain issues related to emotion and sensory integration will also appear. I always like to say that orgasm is not an on button and turns off, it is a joint response, coordinated between the nervous system, hormones, muscular and emotional", details Michelle Sampaio, psychologist and sexologist, director of ABEMSS (Brazilian Association of Studies in Medicine and Sexual Health).
Several factors influence female orgasm
The path to female orgasm, however, tends to be different and more variable than that of men. Physical, emotional, psychological and relational factors usually have a direct influence on it. Furthermore, women can experience pleasure in different ways, which helps explain why the topic is still surrounded by myths.
Experts point out that much of the misinformation about the female orgasm is related to a long history of taboos surrounding women's sexuality.
For centuries, female pleasure was treated as a secondary issue or even ignored by society. In some historical periods, it was believed that sex existed exclusively for reproduction, reducing the importance of a woman's desire and pleasure.
"When a woman learns that her pleasure is not real or that she doesn't have to care about this pleasure, this will greatly affect the expression of her sexuality. This goes from autonomy, communication, satisfaction and often has an impact on desire. Because, if I think I don't feel pleasure, why would I want something that doesn't give me pleasure? Just so I can offer something to my partner? So, we are talking about several individual impacts, but also impacts on relationships", comments Sapaio.
Male insecurity
Another factor that may help explain the popularity of this type of denialist discourse is male insecurity. Denying or minimizing female orgasms can work for some men as a way to avoid discussions about sexual performance, intimacy, or knowledge of their partner's body.
In addition, in digital environments marked by the search for engagement, controversial opinions also tend to receive more attention, shares and comments.
"In the past, many men used women for their own pleasure, and now an idea has been created that men have to provide pleasure to women and that their sexual performance is what generates this pleasure in women. But women feel much more pleasure from connection, from looking at and from passionate kisses than from male performance juggling", adds Carolina Ambrogini, sexologist, gynecologist and coordinator of the female sexuality outpatient clinic at Unifesp.
To change this scenario and denialist discourses related to female orgasm, according to experts, it is necessary to invest in sexual education for men and women.
"Evidence-based sexuality education not only teaches anatomy, but also develops questions about language, autonomy and criteria. And this is essential for women to reduce their own guilt and correct myths that they sometimes believed in", explains Sampaio.
Female orgasm may be linked to a factor in the brain; understand
Source: CNN