<< Blood Pressure >>

The blood pressure of an animal may rise materially when it is sexually aroused. There are few measurements on the human female or male, but these indicate that diastolic blood pressures which have normally been as low as 65 may be raised to 160, and systolic pressures may be raised from 120 to 250 or more at the time of orgasm. There are similar findings in an excellent study on dogs. However, even these few records indicate that there is considerable variation among different individuals, and it is probable that there is variation within the history of any single individual. This is another matter on which it would be highly desirable and quite possible to secure further data.
A rise in blood pressure during sexual arousal is also mentioned in: Mendelsohn 1896:383-384 (in human). Urbach 1921:126. Bauer 1927(1):154. Hirschfeld 1928(2):242. Van de Velde 1930:245. Sadler 1944:41. Faller in Hornstein and Faller 1950:237. Ford and Beach 1951:244-245. Exact measurements are in: Pussep 1922:61 ff. (in male dogs, 215 mm. at orgasm, in female dogs, 195 mm. at moment of intromission). Scott 1930:97ft. (nearly all of 100 medical students responded to an erotic moving picture with increases in blood pressure of 5 to 15 mm., and in some cases of 45 mm.). Havelock Ellis 1936(11,1):151-152 (a rise from 65 mm. to 160 mm. in a human female during erotic arousal). Klumbies and Kleinsorge 1950a:953, 955; 1950b:61-62, 64 (in masturbation, an increase in systolic pressure from 120 to 250 mm. in the human male, and from 110 to 160 mm. (and once to 200 mm.) in the female; in diastolic pressure an increase from 80 to 120 in the male and 80 to 105 in the female).

Figures 129f-132f, 136f. Blood pressure in four male dogs during sexual activity

Graphs 1, 2 represent two different experiences for the same dog.
Graphs 1, 4 represent responses in coitus; Graphs 2, 3 represent responses in masturbation.
Data from Pussep in Weil 1922.

Figures 133f-135f. Blood pressure in three female dogs during sexual activity

The recession from the peak of response in the female bears a striking resemblance to orgasm in the males.
Data from Pussep in Weil 1922.

Figures 137f-138f. Blood pressure in human female and male during sexual activity

The female fantasied, the male masturbated to orgasm. Data from Klumbies and Kleinsorge 1950.

Hemiplegia, stroke, or death may occasionally occur, although not at all frequently, during coital and other sexual activities. The average physician may see a few such cases during a lifetime of practice. In such instances the fatality may be the consequence of this rise in blood pressure which accompanies sexual activity. The increased pressure may lead to a rupture of blood vessels, especially in older individuals who are handicapped by high pressures to begin with. There would be considerable value in having additional records on this point.
Death during sexual activity has been reported from Pliny [23-79 A.D.]: Natural History, Bk. 7, LIII, 184, to the following, for instance: Mendelsohn 1896:384. Rohleder 1907(1):372. Hirschfeld 1928(2):242. Van de Velde 1930:245. Havelock Ellis 1936(11,1):168-169. Klumbies and Kleinsorge 1950a:957-958; 1950b :63, 66.

>>