Variation in Orgasm Occurrence by Sexual Orientation in a Sample of U.S. Singles

Abstract

Introduction Despite recent advances in understanding orgasm variation, little is known about ways in which sexual orientation is associated with men’s and women’s orgasm occurrence. Aim To assess orgasm occurrence during sexual activity across sexual orientation categories. Methods Data were collected by Internet questionnaire from 6,151 men and women (ages 21–65+ years) as part of a nationally representative sample of single individuals in the United States. Analyses were restricted to a subsample of 2,850 singles (1,497 men, 1,353 women) who had experienced sexual activity in the past 12 months. Main Outcome Measures Participants reported their sex/gender, self-identified sexual orientation (heterosexual, gay/lesbian, bisexual), and what percentage of the time they experience orgasm when having sex with a familiar partner. Results Mean occurrence rate for experiencing orgasm during sexual activity with a familiar partner was 62.9% among single women and 85.1% among single men, which was significantly different (F1,2848 = 370.6, P < 0.001, η2 = 0.12). For men, mean occurrence rate of orgasm did not vary by sexual orientation: heterosexual men 85.5%, gay men 84.7%, bisexual men 77.6% (F2,1494 = 2.67, P = 0.07, η2 = 0.004). For women, however, mean occurrence rate of orgasm varied significantly by sexual orientation: heterosexual women 61.6%, lesbian women 74.7%, bisexual women 58.0% (F2,1350 = 10.95, P < 0.001, η2 = 0.02). Lesbian women had a significantly higher probability of orgasm than did either heterosexual or bisexual women (P < 0.05). Conclusions Findings from this large dataset of U.S. singles suggest that women, regardless of sexual orientation, have less predictable, more varied orgasm experiences than do men and that for women, but not men, the likelihood of orgasm varies with sexual orientation. These findings demonstrate the need for further investigations into the comparative sexual experiences and sexual health outcomes of sexual minorities.

The Science of Female Orgasms: Pleasing Female Partners in Casual and Long-Term Relationships

“…1 We limit ourselves to only discussing the orgasm gap between heterosexual men and women because recent research finds that women orgasm at different rates based on their sexual orientation. Specifically, lesbian women orgasm more consistently during partnered sex than bisexual and heterosexual women do (Garcia et al 2014). …”

Current Research on Sexual Response and Sexual Functioning Among Lesbian Women

“…These physical reasons for sex are highly endorsed and relevant in both early and later stages of romantic relationships [17]. Lesbian women frequently engage in a variety of genital and non-genital sexual behaviours [28], report high rates of orgasm, more frequent orgasms when compared to bisexual and heterosexual women [13] and longer duration of partnered sexual activities than individuals in mixed-sex or men in same-sex relationships [12]. This indicates that pleasure, sexual attraction and partnered sexual activities (i.e.…”

“…However, research suggests that women in lesbian relationships place a greater emphasis on non-genital intimacy compared to women in heterosexual partnerships [11]. Additionally, lesbian women report differences in regard to the frequency and duration of sexual activity [12], as well as the number of orgasms experienced within their sexual interactions [13]. Exploring sexual response in lesbian women is essential to developing a comprehensive understanding of women's diverse sexual experiences and the ways women cope with sexual problems.…”

“…Garcia et al [13] conducted a recent study exploring this topic in a population-based cross-sectional study which over-sampled gay men and lesbian women. Though participants represented a range of age categories, the sample was limited to primarily white participants.…”

“…The study documented the frequency of orgasmic occurrence and made comparisons of orgasm frequency across demographic groups (e.g. heterosexual men and women, bisexual women, gay men) [13]. Among other sexual health and behaviour questions, all participants were asked: BWhen having sex with a familiar partner, what percentage of the time do you achieve orgasm?^Lesbian women reported a significantly higher rate of orgasm frequency (mean of 75 %, plus or minus 2.6 %) compared to heterosexual women (mean of 62 %, plus or minus 1 %) and bisexual women (mean of 58 %, plus or minus 5 %).…”