Describing people’s orgasm experiences: a qualitative interview study

Despite growing quantitative attention to the subjective orgasm experience (SOE), in-depth qualitative data on how orgasm is experienced remain scarce. This study explored individuals’ SOE, aiming to identify its core themes. A sample of 14 cisgender adults (7 women) participated in semi-structured interviews about their orgasm experiences, following a pre-registered protocol. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis, with a hybrid coding approach combining inductive coding and theoretical sensitivity informed by the Multidimensional Model of SOE (MMSOE). Six themes were identified: difficulty in expression, orgasm variability, psychological sensations, sensorial aspects, mind-body integration, and intimacy. Participants emphasized the challenge of describing the experience due to limited vocabulary and difficulty isolating climax from broader sexual activity. The orgasmic experience was described as dynamic, with intensity varying between solitary and partnered contexts. Findings aligned with the MMSOE regarding sensory aspects and psychological sensations, within which the restorative value of the reward dimension emerged as a key subtheme. Mind-body integration encompassed sensations bridging physical and psychological domains, suggesting the SOE often transcends their traditional separation. Intimacy highlighted both the interpersonal and reflective nature of orgasm, fostering deep self-connection during solitary masturbation. These findings reinforce the importance of evaluating its subjective quality rather than its frequency, with clinical implications for a more nuanced, integrated definition of orgasm.