Oxytocin Intense Orgasm in Boca Raton, FL

The Magic of Oxytocin

Oxytocin has been best known for its roles in female reproduction. It is released in large amounts during labor, and after stimulation of the nipples. It is a facilitator for childbirth and breastfeeding. However, recent studies have begun to investigate oxytocin’s role in various behaviors, including orgasm, social recognition and bonding. This small nine amino acid peptide is now believed to be involved in a wide variety of physiological and pathological functions such as sexual activity, penile erection, ejaculation, and probably many more. 

The scientific tale of love begins innocently enough with voles. The prairie vole is a sociable rodent, found in the woodlands of Europe and Asia, one of the only 3% of mammal species that appear to form monogamous relationships. Mating between prairie voles is a tremendous effort which takes almost 24 hours, following which they bond for life. They prefer to spend time with each other, groom each other for hours and afterward, nest together. They avoid meeting other potential mates.

However, another vole, a close relative called the montane vole, has no interest in partnership beyond one-night-stand sex. What is intriguing is that this major difference in behavior in two vole species, which are more than 99% genetically alike, is just because of a handful of genes, which affect their endocrine function.

Vole Story

The details of the vole story are fascinating. When prairie voles have sex, two posterior pituitary hormones, oxytocin and vasopressin, are released. If the release of these hormones is blocked, prairie-voles’ sex becomes a fleeting affair, similar to that normally enjoyed by their montane cousins. Conversely, if prairie voles are given an injection of the hormones, but prevented from having sex, they will still form a preference for their chosen partner.

Does this mean that an injection of oxytocin can make prairie voles fall in love? Or that it encourages monogamy? A clue to what is happening, and how these results might bear on human behavior, was found when oxytocin was administered to the montane vole. It was found to make no difference. It turned out that the monogamous prairie vole has receptors for oxytocin and vasopressin in brain regions associated with reward and reinforcement, whereas the philandering montane vole does not.

Endocrine Contribution

So, what have reproductive endocrinologists contributed to the demystification and understanding of love and lust? They found that the oxytocin: the hormone of labor is also the hormone of love. 

It took no time for oxytocin to acquire fancy names such as “the bonding hormone,” “the cuddle hormone” and even “the love hormone.”

For information about how oxytocin can add depth and meaning to your love life, give us a call.