Exploring Sex, Science, and Society
Dr Steven M. Platek works in the Psychology Department at Georgia Gwinnett College, where he teaches courses in cognitive neuroscience and evolutionary/comparative psychology. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles and several books. In his research, he applies various cognitive neuroscientific methodologies, such as fMRI, which measures brain activity through changes in blood flow, to test hypotheses derived from the evolutionary framework. Earlier this year, Professor Platek published a study titled “Female Ejaculation Improves Reproductive Success.”
Female ejaculation remains a great mystery to scientists. Recent findings show that, in addition to urine, female ejaculate also contains prostate-specific antigen (PSA), produced by the Skene’s glands, often called the “female prostate.” We asked if the role of the Skene’s glands is underestimated, considering they were discovered in 1880; Professor Platek thinks that for most of human research history, women have been either ignored or simply assumed to be the same as men. “That’s changing rapidly. I am hoping that our work on the Skene’s gland will drive more medical research into its role in overall and sexual health of women.”
As noted in the study, in men, PSA thins sperm and allows sperm to move faster, thereby increasing the likelihood of fertilization. When it comes to female orgasm, however, studies show that almost all women can experience orgasm through masturbation, while about half of women reach orgasm during vaginal intercourse. This makes it even more difficult to determine how often female ejaculation occurs; so scientists hypothesize that increased PSA, along with various substances in female ejaculate, may further enhance sperm motility and, therefore, the chance of conception. On the question of how they came up with this idea, and what he would like this hypothesis to trigger, Professor Platek said that they developed this idea by investigating the chemical agents in PSA and female ejaculate.
“We reviewed the literature and found that the chemicals in female ejaculate can, and have been shown to, in vitro (in a lab/petri dish), enhance sperm survival and viability. This suggests that female ejaculation may have evolved as an additional mate selection technique. That is, women ought to ejaculate with those men who would produce the best offspring (not always her monogamous partner). In an ideal world, any hypothesis is generated to produce empirical questions and further our understanding of the nature of the world. In this case, I think it would be challenging to study in a lab, but one could assess whether couples for which female ejaculation occurs produce more, or more consistent successful conceptions, relative to those that do not. That would be very telling. Is it because PSA and other substances in the ejaculate solely account for increased reproductive success, or is that effect modulated or mediated by things like better mood, lowered stress, etc? It would be a very interesting study, but would require a very large sample size.”
“For decades, people believed that female ejaculate was simply urine released during orgasm due to a loss of muscular control around the bladder”
On one hand, we have female ejaculation, and on the other, males with multiple orgasms. Neither is sufficiently researched, so I am interested in what, in your view, is most important to investigate to gain a broader understanding. What are the biggest challenges?
Professor Platek: Personally, and scientifically, I think the biggest challenges with these topics involve overcoming cultural ideas about them. Multiple male ejaculations are actually quite rare because of a well-known effect, the Coolidge Effect, wherein males (of many different species) are incapable of regaining penile erection after ejaculation with the same female. However, if a novel female is introduced, he can be “back in the game” and able to regain an erection. I’ve become very curious about that phenomenon. That being said, some men can ejaculate or orgasm multiple times, and this topic is highly understudied. I would suggest that’s because those males do not see that as a problem. Most funded research is designed to solve a problem. In the U.S., we have a saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” which I think applies here.
Regarding female ejaculation, the pornographic industry has made this a highlight. As such, the behavior has gained a somewhat underground definition that isn’t always positive. For decades, people believed that female ejaculate was simply urine released during orgasm due to a loss of muscular control around the bladder. Another challenge is conducting laboratory research; it’s hard to get research participants to come to the lab and engage in that behavior.
To follow up on the previous question about multiorgasmicity, is the bigger issue related to women or men in this case? And does multiorgasmicity affect conception, for example, through increased blood flow, hormone release, or a better sex life, or could it, conversely, be a source of stress if there is a lack of sexual compatibility and understanding?
Professor Platek: This is a big question. The short answer is we don’t know. The possibilities you lay out are good ones and may be in play. For example, a multiorgasmic woman might be less stressed, happier in the relationship, and, since female orgasm is a means to move sperm in closer proximity to the egg, may increase reproductive success. For men, multiple orgasms could only impact reproductive outcomes if each subsequent orgasm was coupled with:
1) A large amount of sperm bearing ejaculate and
2) Each subsequent ejaculate could overcome the inherent spermicidal agents in the prior ejaculate (which seems likely if it’s his own).
It’s an empirical question, and one that has not been thought about at length. I do think that most people would agree: more orgasms equate to better sex, unless there is a feeling that one person must have multiple orgasms in each encounter. That could produce stress, particularly in instances when they do not reach multiple orgasms.
Does a woman’s hormonal state impact the likelihood of experiencing female ejaculation?
Professor Platek: My lab/research students are currently researching this question indirectly. We are investigating the role of hormonal birth control – exogenous sex steroids – on female sexual pleasure, including female ejaculation. I do think that proper circulating levels of sex steroids are implicated in orgasm, as we see in men. Men with low testosterone experience less intense orgasms, if they can even achieve an erection. We would expect to see something similar in women. Whether that would be changes/variation in estrogen and progesterone (unlikely) or testosterone (likely) is the real question.
“Recent studies show that young people are having less human-human sex than ever, and the rate of virtual sex is going through the roof! In this case, the technologically assisted sexual self-pleasure is a whole area of research on its own.”
It is a fact that numerous devices and sex toys are on the market, which people worldwide use for self-pleasure. How does the tendency of people to choose to be alone and use toys or devices influence scientific research? Does technology, in this case, help or hinder research, and to what extent?
Professor Platek: Yes, it is a fact. Recent studies show that young people are having less human-human sex than ever, and the rate of virtual sex is going through the roof! In this case, the technologically assisted sexual self-pleasure is a whole area of research on its own. The questions are: Is it healthy? Does it lead to disorders? Does it impact human connectedness? Because this tech is so new and evolving so quickly, the research is just starting. One thing we know is that, as a consequence of the overuse of pornography in young males, many often find themselves unable to function sexually without it; that is, they can no longer obtain or maintain an erection without pornographic stimulation. I would assume similar issues could arise with virtual sex toys, android sex dolls, and similar technologies.
Penile shrinkage is related to age, medication, or lifestyle habits. Given how things stand today, many factors are on the rise. I will not ask how that affects sexual intercourse, as it is expected that it can pose a problem for men. However, I am interested in how much it can influence, for example, their hormones and stress levels, and consequently their brain function. Can such worry, if unresolved, become a form of chronic stress, thereby leading to poorer food absorption and weakened immunity? How pronounced can such a so-called domino effect be?
Professor Platek: I believe this is the case. I think that there are two things at play here: 1) the actual physiological effects of altered hormones due to environmental plastics, etc. 2) the stress that comes with the inability to perform sexually. As far as the domino effect is concerned, only time will tell.
“STIs have been on the rise everywhere. However, positive views on monogamy have dropped precipitously.”
According to data, “In 2023, nearly 100,000 confirmed cases of gonorrhoea were reported in EU/EEA countries, showing a 31% increase compared to 2022 and a striking increase of more than 300% compared to 2014.” It is also known that Europe is experiencing a significant aging trend. This is not only a question of sexual education; so how, and to what extent, linking these data might lead to conclusions about where we actually stand—not only regarding sexual relations and protection, but also regarding attitudes toward monogamy and the desire to start a family?
Professor Platek: STIs have been on the rise everywhere. However, positive views on monogamy have dropped precipitously. From a strictly biological perspective, the presence of STIs and sexual behavior are not directly linked. For example, one could warn young people not to have sex or risk contracting a sexually transmitted disease, which in some cases might be fatal, but people still engage in unprotected sex. The idea of condoms is so novel that our brains have likely not been able to cope. We call this a biological mismatch.
I’m personally concerned with the movement toward antinatalism (increased wanting to not have children). I think a lot of that has to do with cultural ideas, not so much biology. For example, I have several students who tell me they could never think of bringing kids into this world because of climate change. They literally think that if they have a child, they are sentencing that child to a burning inferno of a life on earth. Others will cite political positions, conservative or liberal. These are modern-day cultural issues the likes of which have never been seen historically.
“Politics and science are very different in that way; dissent and disagreement are a fundamental part of science. Not politics.”
We often hear politicians talk about demography and birth rates, and we know that a significant number of people experience stress related to political events. Do you think politicians generally take into account how their decisions, behavior actually cause stress in the nation?
Professor Platek: In my opinion, politicians are either unaware that their actions could cause stress or simply don’t care. I think they, generally speaking, have a one-track mind about their agenda, and I believe they think they are doing the “good work” to help. Often, politicians ignore or fire people who dissent. Politics and science are very different in that way; dissent and disagreement are a fundamental part of science. Not politics.
Which of your studies would you say did not receive the deserved attention?
Professor Platek: Up until now, I would say our theoretical work on female ejaculation. Our work on sex and sleepiness has received a great deal of media and scientific attention, as has our work on semen’s anti-depressant properties. My work on the self and child mistreatment by dads has also received a bit of attention, and of course, my research on contagious yawning was featured everywhere. I think the work on female ejaculation and our upcoming work on the effects of hormones on female sexual response needs attention.
Reflecting on the period when he began his research compared to today, Professor Platek emphasizes that discussions about gender differences now often require precision and context. He adds that work in this field should be conducted with understanding and respect, while taking care of scientific progress. With the rise of sexually transmitted infections, changing attitudes toward monogamy and parenthood, and growing environmental concerns, this area of study is often overlooked. Even when based on hypotheses, such research clearly demonstrates how a deeper understanding, including phenomena like female ejaculation, is crucial for advancing scientific knowledge.
Image: Professor Steven M Platek/Research Gate
