Five things to know about ‘orgasm burnout’
Nicole Kidman has shared that filming sex scenes for her forthcoming movie Babygirl were so endless that she had to pause shooting as she was experiencing a form of orgasm burnout.
Speaking to The Sun, Kidman revealed that performing sex scenes with Harris Dickinson (who plays intern Samuel) became too much to cope with at one point.
She explained: "There was an enormous amount of sharing and trust and then frustration. It’s like, ‘Don’t touch me’.
"There were times when we were shooting where I was like, ‘I don’t want to orgasm any more. Don’t come near me. I hate doing this. I don’t care if I am never touched again in my life! I’m over it.’
“It was so present all the time for me that it was almost like a burnout.”
What is orgasm burnout?
We've heard about burning out when the busyness of life gets too much, but can you really experience fatigue from orgasm-ing too much?
"Occasionally you may experience a degree of fatigue or burnout if you orgasm multiple times in a short space of time," explains Kalila Bolton, co-founder of women's sexual wellness platform SheSpot.
Barbara Santini, a psychologist and relationship adviser says orgasm burnout is not merely about physical exhaustion; it’s a multidimensional experience where both psychological and physiological factors play a role.
"While frequent orgasms lead to a surge of pleasurable neurochemicals, like dopamine and oxytocin, the body can experience a saturation point," she explains. "When this occurs, the brain's reward pathways become desensitised, meaning what once felt euphoric now feels overwhelming or even underwhelming. It’s the body’s way of signalling an overload."
What happens to your body when you have an orgasm?
A lot, actually. Sex experts previously broke down how an orgasm affects a person, minute-by-minute. Straight after achieving an orgasm, the brain is hit with a powerful wave of dopamine, creating a high similar to the euphoria of taking heroin. But just 10 minutes later, for some, the 'post-sex blues' can take effect, with sudden feelings of depression and agitation created as a result of the dopamine levels dropping.
It could follow, therefore, that if you're consistently having a number of orgasms, it could take a toll on your emotions thanks to repeated spikes in hormone levels disrupting the body's balance, potentially leading mood swings and fatigue.
"When you orgasm, a huge rush of chemicals enter the brain, including dopamine and oxytocin - and it may take some time for you to feel balanced again after a particularly intense session," adds Bolton.
You may also feel extra sensitive in intimate areas after each orgasm which could cause overstimulation and discomfort.
"If this is the case, this is a sign to take a break before going again," advises Bolton. "To support your sexual health following sex sessions always make sure to drink plenty of water after sex, pee afterwards, and also wash around the intimate area."
How to spot signs of orgasm burnout?
Santini says you can identify orgasm burnout by paying attention to both physical and emotional cues.
"Physically, you might notice increased sensitivity, soreness, or even a lack of arousal despite stimulation," she says. "Emotionally, there’s often a sense of detachment, irritability, or disinterest in sexual intimacy.
How many orgasms is too many orgasms?
Bolton says there's no set limit on a healthy number of orgasms, and if you're experiencing genuine pleasure each time she recommends you keep doing what you're doing!
In fact, orgasms have many health and sexual health benefits, with research linking the big O to a prolonged lifespan, boosted immune system, and even improved pelvic floor health.
How to cope with orgasm burnout?
According to Santini addressing orgasm burnout requires recalibrating both mind and body. "I advise slowing down sexual activity and focusing on non-orgasmic intimacy, such as cuddling or sensual touch, to reintroduce a deeper connection without the pressure of climax," she says.
"Emotional wellbeing plays a huge role, so mindfulness and open communication with your partner can be key in navigating this experience."
Can faking it lead to orgasm burnout too?
Bolton says it is worth noting that in Kidman's case it was the prolonged imitation of orgasm while filming scenes that contributed to the burnout she described.
"This is another great lesson to all of us that regularly faking orgasms can be draining, both physically and emotionally," she adds.
Read more about sexual health:
Three ways exercising can improve your sex life (Yahoo Life UK, 3-min read)
‘I couldn’t have sex because of a rare condition, now I’m having a baby at 41’ (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read)
The truth about a 'normal' sex drive, explained (Red, 9-min read)
