Revisiting Reich's orgasmic theories

In his book La fonction de l’orgasme selon Wilhem Reich, Joël Bernat, a psychoanalyst and author, revisits the conclusions of Wilhem Reich, a student of Freud, and analyzes them. He focuses on the factors Reich identified as preventing full orgasmic satisfaction.

The emotional plague

Bernat lists 10 main causes of orgasmic blockage, which he calls the "emotional plague." The absence of tenderness, respect, and listening to the other is highlighted as a significant factor. Exchange and communication are noted as sexual stimulants, with richer and more fluid conversations increasing desire.

Factors influencing orgasm

Feeling well with someone is one of the factors that favor orgasm. Education, traumatic sexual experiences, complexes, anxieties, or violent fantasies are mentioned as potential hindrances to orgasmic satisfaction. Moral judgments and/or psychological disturbances may interfere with one's ability to achieve orgasm.

Cultural and personal beliefs

If one believes that hair is dirty or that sex smells bad, it may be difficult to achieve full pleasure. Similarly, a lack of sexual education, fears, or traumatic sexual experiences can negatively affect one's relationship with sexuality. Understanding and resolving these blockages is essential before reaching full sexual satisfaction.

Self-esteem and respect

A lack of self-esteem or respect for the other also influences one's pleasure. Feelings or resentments toward oneself or the other can significantly impact sexual satisfaction. For example, depression, low self-esteem, or fatigue may hinder the ability to reach orgasm.

Performance pressure

The pursuit of performance is another factor that can block orgasm. Any pressure of this type will inevitably hinder orgasm. One must make love for the sake of love, not to reach a specific goal. The path of pleasure should be followed to reach orgasm, not the reverse.

Control and spectator effect

Too much control and the "spectator effect" are also mentioned as inhibitors. This is the logical consequence of the previous advice. To enjoy, one must be able to let go. Willpower should not be involved in love; letting go is required.

Spectator phenomenon

This concept is referred to by William Masters and Virginia Johnson, American sexologists who conducted the first studies on orgasm, as the "spectator" phenomenon: remaining in control and judging the situation is an excellent inhibitor of orgasm. However, if one feels respected and cared for by the other, it is easier to give in to pleasure.

Preliminaries and balance

The absence or presence of too many preliminaries is also discussed. The complete absence of preparatory acts during a sexual relationship risks preventing orgasm, as these allow the mind to "get into the water" and pleasure to rise. However, interminable preliminaries can exhaust the resources of excitement and disperse pleasure.

Physical harmony

Rough, hurried, and/or disharmonious movements with those of the partner are discouraged. Mechanical love is considered worse than any other approach. Sensuality passes through gentle, soft, deep caresses in symbiosis with those of one's partner.

Stimulation and focus

Partial excitement and not the eroticization of the whole person is another factor. Focusing on a single erogenous zone is not necessary, as multiple stimulation greatly favors orgasm. Psychologically, this offers a cocktail of pleasure hormones, which are good for morale and pleasure.

Completion and aftermath

A restrained or thwarted orgasm is also discussed. If one stops in the middle of intercourse or in the middle of orgasm, frustration will be great, which Reich (and Freud) call a "stasis," a small remainder. A final feeling of bitterness is also mentioned, which is the aftereffect of the "little death" that causes a state of sadness, a kind of coitus blues.

Cultural impact

According to Reich, this phenomenon is cultural: "Omne animal post coitum triste est." Accumulating these small frustrations can generate various types of compensatory behaviors such as hypersexuality, nymphomania, exhibitionist problems, sadomasochistic problems, or even resistances causing what Reich calls a "character armor."

Path to full satisfaction

To avoid this, it is appropriate to enjoy, but to enjoy well. According to Reich, the secret to achieving this sexual fullness is above all to have an exchange relationship between alter egos. In short: play on equal terms, with someone understanding and respectful.