COMPONENTS OF EROTICISM IN MAN: II. THE ORGASM AND GENITAL SOMESTHESIA

Abstract

In paraplegia, genital arousal may be reflexly initiated locally by tactual receptors in the genital area and carried through to the completion of ejaculation despite the loss of cerebral and cognitional participation. In cases of extensive surgical resection of the genitals, erotic arousal may be initiated and carried to the completion of orgasm despite the loss of large zones of erotic sensory tissue, including the vulva or the penis itself. In cases of prostatic resection, it is possible for orgasm to occur without the emission of seminal fluid. In cases of postpriapism impotence, it is possible for orgasm to occur without erection. In eunuchism and hypogonadism, erotic arousal and climax may occur despite hormonal deficiency. Thus, among the coordinates of sexual function in orgasm there are three: genitopelvic anatomy, the hormones and the brain, any one of which may fail in its contribution without total destruction of orgastic function. No one of the three can be said to be indispensable more than the others, except insofar as fertility is dependent on the gonads and their hormones. Nonetheless, it is self-evident that loss of any one of these three coordinates is an immense handicap to effective sexual functioning.