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Validation of the Portuguese version of the Orgasm Rating Scale in the context of partnered sexual relationships.

C. Nóbrega,I. Tavares,Óscar Cervilla,A. Quinta-Gomes

Published 2025 in Journal of Sexual Medicine

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND The subjective orgasm experience, defined as the psychological evaluation and perception of orgasm, has been consistently associated with sexual and relationship satisfaction. Despite studies showing that orgasm depends more on cognitive-affective factors rather than sensitive ones, and that this response is not always associated with a pleasant experience, research typically focuses on orgasm frequency. This highlights the need for instruments measuring the subjective orgasm experience. The Orgasm Rating Scale (ORS) stands out as one of the few self-reported measures designed to assess this experience, however it has not been validated to the Portuguese population. AIM The current article aims to adapt and translate the ORS to the Portuguese context (ORS-Pt) and to evaluate its psychometric properties (validity and reliability). METHODS The ORS was translated into Portuguese using back-to-back translation. Refinements to this version were made upon a pilot test with 12 participants, including experts in sexology, who provided feedback. Psychometric properties of the final ORS-Pt were assessed using a sample of 1178 participants (72.5% women, Mdnage = 39). Two weeks after filling in the baseline questionnaire, 498 participants completed the retest. OUTCOMES Participants filled in a set of questionnaires assessing the ORS-Pt, sociodemographic characteristics, subjective orgasm experience, sexual satisfaction, distress, pleasure, and functioning. RESULTS Exploratory Factor Analysis revealed a four-dimensional structure of the 24-item scale, which was supported by good fit indices of a Confirmatory Factor Analysis: Affective, Sensory, Intimacy, and Rewards. The instrument correlated positively and significantly with orgasm quality, sexual satisfaction, and pleasure. Additionally, the ORS-Pt correlated weakly and negatively with sexual distress. These results support the instrument's good validity based on relations with other variables. The ORS-Pt was able to distinguish between participants with and without orgasm difficulties based on the total scale, Affective, Intimacy, and Rewards scores. Finally, the ORS-Pt presented excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha of 0.95 for baseline and retest), supporting good internal consistency stability over time. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS The ORS-Pt is a valid and reliable tool to complement existing instruments of orgasm functioning, which can aid in diagnosing and tailoring interventions for orgasm difficulties. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS The large sample size is a strength, though convenience sampling methods may limit the generalizability of the results. Additionally, this instrument is specific to the context of partnered sexual relationships. CONCLUSION The ORS-Pt is a reliable and valid tool to assess subjective orgasm experience, appropriate for both clinical and research purposes.

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