Abstract
Previous research revealed a gap in orgasm frequency between men and women, with women orgasming less frequently than men. Because female orgasms are rooted partially in psychological origins, this gap may be partly explained by sociocultural factors. Utilizing sexual satisfaction as an outcome measure and orgasm frequency as a mediator, we surveyed 1043 women about a multitude of factors to determine the relationship between sociocultural factors, orgasm frequency and sexual satisfaction. Because women may orgasm in different frequencies depending on context, we measured four different orgasm variables: orgasm with self (masturbation), orgasm with a familiar partner, orgasm with a new partner, and multiple orgasm frequency. Factors such as sexual orientation, sexual shame, sexual pride, sexual assertiveness, sexual attitudes (related to permissiveness, birth control and communion), endorsement of traditional gender roles, and endorsement of the sexual double standard were correlated with female orgasm frequency within different contexts. The only orgasm variable that predicted sexual satisfaction was orgasm with a familiar partner, indicating that not all orgasms can predict sexual satisfaction. Overall, sexual assertiveness was the variable that positively correlated with and predicted orgasm frequency in almost all contexts as well as sexual satisfaction. This indicates that socializing women to be more sexually assertive could potentially lead to more frequent orgasms and greater sexual satisfaction. The findings of this study can be used to bridge the orgasm gap between men and women, and in general help women in curating better and more positive sexual encounters.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Dr. Michael Marks, Dr. Wendy Pollock, Dr. Amy Houlihan and Brook Bennett for their feedback on earlier drafts.
Funding
The research was supported by the McNair Scholars Program at Texas A&M University—Corpus Christi.
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Dr. Yuliana Zaikman declares that she has no conflict of interest. Anna Maree Lentz declares that she has no conflict of interest.
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Appendix A
Appendix A
Frequency of Orgasm in Females
Orgasm with Self
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(1)
What percent of the time do you experience orgasm by self-stimulation/masturbation (with no partner present)?
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(2)
How difficult is it for you to reach orgasm by self-stimulation/masturbation (no partner present)?
Orgasm with Partner
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(1)
Please read the following questions and remark what percent of the time you have experienced orgasm with a partner. (“Never,” “25% of the time,” “50% of the time,” “75% of the time.” “100% of the time”)
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(a)
How often do you experience orgasm with a sexual partner?
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(b)
What percent of the time do you experience orgasm within a committed relationship?
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(c)
What percent of the time do you experience orgasm with a familiar partner (who you have had sex with before)?
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(d)
What percent of the time do you NOT experience orgasm within a single session of sexual activity with a partner (in general)?
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(e)
How often do you fake having an orgasm with a sexual partner?
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(a)
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(2)
How difficult is it for you to reach orgasm with a sexual partner?
Orgasm with New Partner
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(1)
Please read the following questions and remark what percent of the time you have experienced orgasm with a partner. (“Never,” “25% of the time,” “50% of the time,” “75% of the time.” “100% of the time”)
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(a)
What percent of the time do you experience orgasm in casual sex/one-night-stand encounters?
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(b)
What percent of the time do you experience orgasm having sex with a NEW partner for the FIRST time?
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(a)
Multiple Orgasms
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(1)
Please read the following questions and remark what percent of the time you have experienced orgasm with a partner. (“Never,” “25% of the time,” “50% of the time,” “75% of the time.” “100% of the time”)
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(a)
What percent of the time do you experience multiple orgasms with a partner (in general)?
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(b)
What percent of the time do you experience multiple orgasms by self-stimulation/masturbation (with no partner present)?
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(a)
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(2)
How many orgasms do you usually experience within a single session of sexual activity with a partner?
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(3)
How many orgasms do you usually experience within a single session of self-stimulation/masturbation (no partner present)?
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Lentz, A.M., Zaikman, Y. The Big “O”: Sociocultural Influences on Orgasm Frequency and Sexual Satisfaction in Women. Sexuality & Culture 25, 1096–1123 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-020-09811-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-020-09811-8