The role of oxytocin in relation to female sexual arousal

Gynecol Obstet Invest. 1999;47(2):125-6. doi: 10.1159/000010075.

Abstract

Oxytocin is clearly involved in human reproduction and serves an important role in sexual arousal. Oxytocin serum levels were measured before and after sexual stimulation in 12 healthy women. Values of oxytocin 1 min after orgasm were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than baseline levels. This finding supports the hypothesis that oxytocin plays a major part in human sexual response both in neuroendocrine function and postcoital behavior.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kinetics
  • Orgasm / physiology*
  • Oxytocin / physiology*
  • Reference Values

Substances

  • Oxytocin