Clearing Up the Myths About the Female Orgasm
Despite being a natural and important part of sexual activity, female orgasms remain an enigma for many people. There are so many myths and misconceptions surrounding this topic that it can be challenging to understand exactly what goes into the female orgasm. Experts say that these myths stem from a male-centric society and a lack of research on female sexuality.
Dr. Lauren Streicher, a clinical professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and creator of ‘Dr. Streicher’s Inside Information’ podcast, says that the male orgasm is is a lot easier to understand than the female orgasm, and this lends itself to all sorts of myths. Meanwhile, sex therapist Debra Laino notes that the female orgasm has been understudied and has been compared to the male orgasm for many years.
Thankfully, it’s not impossible to understand female orgasms. Here are some important things to keep in mind:
1. Not everyone has an orgasm from penetrative sex: According to a 2017 study in the US, only 18.4% of women reported being able to achieve an orgasm from intercourse alone, while nearly 37% of women reported reaching orgasm during intercourse when clitoral stimulation was involved. A further 36% said they had better orgasms when their clitoris was stimulated during intercourse.
2. Women can still enjoy sex without having an orgasm: In many movies and porn, orgasm is presented as the peak experience of sexual encounters. However, there are many other ways to enjoy sex without having an orgasm. Many women love the heightened arousal from sex and find sexual experiences to be satisfying even without having an orgasm.
3. It usually takes women longer to orgasm than men: On average, it takes men 5 to 7 minutes to orgasm and ejaculate, while it takes an average of 14 minutes for partnered women to orgasm during sex, if they orgasm at all.
4. Women can orgasm without penetrative sex: The clitoris is situated outside of the vaginal opening, and so women do not need to have penetrative sex to orgasm. External stimulation such as buzzing, rubbing, kissing, sucking, and caressing are more likely to lead to an orgasm.
5. Women can have multiple orgasms: Although studies are inconclusive on the exact number, many women can achieve multiple orgasms. These orgasms can take many different forms, including a series of less intense orgasms followed by a big bang or alternating between different types of stimulation.
In conclusion, it’s essential to understand the female orgasm if you want to have a satisfying sexual experience. By getting rid of myths and misconceptions, we can create an environment of understanding and exploration, which can lead to greater sexual pleasure and intimacy with a partner.
