Relationship Between Masturbation and Partnered Sex in Women: Does the Former Facilitate, Inhibit, or Not Affect the Latter?

Abstract

Introduction The relationship between masturbation activities and their effect on partnered sex is understudied. Aim The aim of this study was to assess the alignment of activities between masturbation and partnered sex, and to determine whether different levels of alignment affect orgasmic parameters during partnered sex. Methods 2,215 women completed an online survey about activities during masturbation and reasons for orgasmic difficulty during masturbation, and these were compared with activities and reasons for orgasmic difficulty during partnered sex. Main Outcome Measure Degree of alignment between masturbation activities and partnered sex activities was used to predict sexual arousal difficulty, orgasmic probability, orgasmic pleasure, orgasmic latency, and orgasmic difficulty during partnered sex. Results Women showed only moderate alignment regarding masturbation and partnered sex activities, as well as reasons for masturbation orgasmic difficulty and reasons for partnered sex orgasmic difficulty. However, those that showed greater alignment of activities showed better orgasmic response during partnered sex and were more likely to prefer partnered sex over masturbation. Clinical Implications Women tend to use less conventional techniques for arousal during masturbation compared with partnered sex. Increasing alignment between masturbation and partnered sexual activities may lead to better arousal and orgasmic response, and lower orgasmic difficulty. Strength & Limitations The study was well-powered and drew from a multinational population, providing perspective on a long-standing unanswered question. Major limitations were the younger age and self-selection of the sample. Conclusion Women that align masturbation stimulation activities with partnered sex activities are more likely to experience orgasm and enhanced orgasmic pleasure, with sexual relationship satisfaction playing an important role in this process.

Effects of Pornography Use and Demographic Parameters on Sexual Response during Masturbation and Partnered Sex in Women

“…In these respects, our results highlight the potential positive effects that pornography use might have for women's enjoyment of sex. Furthermore, to the extent that pornography use might represent greater openness to using less conventional strategies for enhancing their sexual experience, it may reflect one of a number of techniques that differentiate women who use pornography from women who do not [38,60].…”

“…Specifically, the majority of women are able to masturbate to orgasm, but a significant portion (as high as 30%-40%) report orgasmic difficulty (OD) during partnered sex, especially when penile-vaginal intercourse constitutes the primary form of stimulation [34][35][36][37]. Furthermore, masturbatory activity per se has minimal enhancing effects on sexual pleasure and orgasmic response during partnered sex, unless the stimulatory activities during masturbation are transferred to activities during partnered sex [38]. One common type of stimulatory activity used primarily during masturbation, though much less frequently during partnered sex, is that of erotic/pornographic media.…”

Global perspectives on the three criteria for premature ejaculation: An observational study of ejaculatory latency, ejaculatory control and bother/distress

“…2%–20% vs. >75% in the USA) (Kerwin, Foley, Thornton, Basinga, & Chinkhumba, 2011). As such, a (female) partner's orgasmic response and pleasure may rely more heavily on penile–vaginal stimulation, a situation typically requiring prolonged intercourse for the woman and thus greater ejaculatory control by the man (Rowland, Hevesi, Conway, & Kolba, 2020; Rowland & Kolba, 2019; Rowland, Sullivan, Hevesi, & Hevesi, 2018).…”

Body Image, Orgasmic Response, and Sexual Relationship Satisfaction: Understanding Relationships and Establishing Typologies Based on Body Image Satisfaction

“…All analyses were performed with Mplus 8.0 statistical software. 56 To address the 5 aims of the study, both variable-(aims 1e4) and person-(aim 5) centered analyses were performed.…”

“…Previous analyses have shown that frequency and preference for masturbation among women are often tied to partner issues (ie, women who perceive the partner as uninterested or who feel less satisfied with partnered sex because of a lower incidence of orgasm) and therefore to lower sexual and overall relationship satisfaction. 11,50,56 Typologies of Women With Varying Levels of Body Image Satisfaction moderately high, and very high body image satisfaction. Such typologies help give context to the pervasive role that body image has-through impairment or enhancement-on sexual and relationship functioning, functions sometimes considered among the important defining aspects of people's lives.…”