Orgasm-related laughing, crying, nosebleeds and more are normal, albeit rare

When some women orgasm, they experience unusual physical and emotional responses such as laughing, crying, headaches, tingling, foot pain, nosebleeds and more. Known as peri-orgasmic phenomena, the responses are not related to the normal physiology of an orgasm.

A new survey-based Northwestern University study is the first to break down how frequently and consistently women experience these responses, and when they’re more likely to occur (i.e. with a partner or during masturbation).

While the study found these responses are rare — only 2.3% of the sample — the findings are necessary to raise awareness and help reassure women these responses are within the realm of a normal sexual response, said lead study author Dr. Lauren Streicher, clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. The findings also warrant further study to help women address their sexual health and well-being, she said.

Of the 86 women (18 years old and up) who self-identified as experiencing peri-orgasmic phenomena, 61% reported experiencing physical symptoms, 88% reported experiencing emotional responses, more than half of respondents (52%) experienced more than one symptom and 21% experienced both physical and emotional symptoms. While most (69%) women experienced these symptoms only sometimes with orgasm, 17% experienced them consistently with orgasm. The majority of respondents (51%) experienced symptoms exclusively with partnered sexual activity, 9% during masturbation and 14% with use of a vibrator.

Breakdown of the physical symptoms among the 86 survey respondents: