It has long been known that women do not experience orgasm as often as men do. A new study of 2,272 cisgender heterosexual Swiss and EU subjects (mostly female, well-educated, and under 30) delves into the subject and reveals some surprises. 56.3 % of the women and 94.2% of the men reported “frequent” orgasm when having partnered sex, for a gap of 37.9%. However, there was little difference in their ability to attain orgasm through masturbation. Contrary to reports that women do not consider orgasm important, about a quarter reported dissatisfaction with their ability to achieve orgasm in partnered sex. Less than 10% reported that penile penetration was sufficient to induce orgasm; rates of orgasm were higher among those who received manual stimulation of the clitoris or oral sex. 60% of women in committed relationships reported frequent orgasm during partnered sex, compared to 40% of sexually active single women. The rate of frequent orgasm was also higher as women aged and for those who reported high sex drive.
One of the most surprising results is that women who frequently watch pornography, whom one might consider to be more sexually liberated, report less frequent orgasm than women who do not. The study authors do not speculate why, but one might wonder whether most of those who do see pornography are doing so in the company of male partners who are more absorbed in the pornography than in paying attention to their female partner’s pleasure. Women who frequently saw pornography scored twice as high on the sexual distress scale, suggesting that the pornography was not something they chose to see on their own initiative.
