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Men's and Women's Reports of Pretending Orgasm
The Journal of Sex Research
Abstract
Research shows that many women pretend or "fake" orgasm, but little is known about whether men pretend orgasm. The purpose of this study was to investigate (a) whether, how, and why men pretend orgasm and (b) what men's and women's reports of pretending orgasm reveal about their sexual scripts and the functions of orgasms within these scripts. Participants were 180 male and 101 female college students; 85% of the men and 68% of the women had experienced penile-vaginal intercourse (PVI). Participants completed a qualitative questionnaire anonymously. Both men (25%) and women (50%) reported pretending orgasm (28% and 67%, respectively, for PVI-experienced participants). Most pretended during PVI, but some pretended during oral sex, manual stimulation, and phone sex. Frequently reported reasons were that orgasm was unlikely, they wanted sex to end, and they wanted to avoid negative consequences (e.g., hurting their partner's feelings) and to obtain positive consequences (e.g., pleasing their partner). Results suggest a sexual script in which women should orgasm before men, and men are responsible for women's orgasms.
... Orgasms occur more frequently in committed relationships than in casual sexual encounters (Armstrong et al. 2012), suggesting that relational factors shape female orgasmic experiences. Qualitative research highlights factors that enhance women's ability to achieve orgasm, including strong interpersonal connections, participation in non-penetrative sexual activities, and positive body image (Fahs, 2014;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010). ...
... Early research emphasized the relational and interpersonal dynamics underlying women's motivations for fake orgasms, highlighting how this behavior reflects broader relationship enhancement strategies (Darling & Davidson, 1986 frameworks such as evolutionary psychology, sociocultural paradigms, and interpersonal relationship dynamics Hevesi et al., 2022;L� ang et al., 2020;McCoy et al., 2015). Faking orgasm occurs in various sexual contexts, including vaginal intercourse, oral sex, and other partnered sexual activities, and sexual motivations may differ across these contexts (Harris et al., 2016;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010). In line with Cooper's (2014) use of the term 'sexual intercourse' we refer to this behavior more precisely as 'vaginal intercourse' throughout this study. ...
... Orgasm difficulties refer to persistent challenges in reaching orgasm, while faking orgasm is a deliberate act serving psychological or relational functions independent of physiological capacity (Herbenick et al., 2019). This behavior, reported by a significant proportion of women, is associated with psychological and relational factors such as partner expectations and emotional regulation strategies (Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010). ...
... Generally, feminine gender norms are associated with characteristics like friendliness, deference, and caring for others (Eagly & Wood, 2012;Hochschild, 1983). In the context of sexuality, this translates to the traditional female sexual script, which includes notions of passivity, submissiveness, not wanting to be rude or demanding, prioritizing being desirable rather than having desire, and aiming to please the sexual partner (Bowleg et al., 2015;Carter et al., 2019;Klein et al., 2019;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010;Rubin et al., 2019;Willis et al., 2018). Therefore, women have often been assigned the role of "pleasure givers," where their own sexual satisfaction takes a backseat to fulfilling their partner's desires (Elliott & Umberson, 2008;Fahs & Swank, 2011;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010). ...
... In the context of sexuality, this translates to the traditional female sexual script, which includes notions of passivity, submissiveness, not wanting to be rude or demanding, prioritizing being desirable rather than having desire, and aiming to please the sexual partner (Bowleg et al., 2015;Carter et al., 2019;Klein et al., 2019;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010;Rubin et al., 2019;Willis et al., 2018). Therefore, women have often been assigned the role of "pleasure givers," where their own sexual satisfaction takes a backseat to fulfilling their partner's desires (Elliott & Umberson, 2008;Fahs & Swank, 2011;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010). By adhering to these gender norms and expectations, women may experience certain advantages including social acceptance and approval, increased relationship functioning, and decreased cognitive dissonance Sanchez et al., 2005). ...
... Faking orgasms has been subject to numerous studies and may compose one of the most obvious manifestations of sexual emotional labor. Research has consistently found that women are far more likely to fake orgasms as compared to men (Garcia et al., 2014), with prevalence rates of women faking orgasms exceeding 50% across many studies (Darling & Davidson, 1986;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010;Opperman et al., 2014). Some women even engage in consistent faking of orgasms (Fahs & Swank, 2011) and this behavior is observed across different cultural contexts (Ford et al., 2022). ...
Emotional labor, the act of suppressing or altering one’s feelings to enhance another person’s well-being, is predominantly performed by women, especially within intimate relationships. Despite its impact on well-being, research on its role in sexuality remains limited. We developed the Women’s Sexual Emotional Labor Assessment (WOSELA), a 12-item scale based on themes identified by past qualitative studies. To ensure its reliability and validity, we conducted three studies with women partnered with men, as well as heterosexual single women from the UK and the USA (N = 831). Drawing on exploratory factor analysis in Study 1, four subscales were identified: faking orgasm, performing desire, tolerating discomfort or pain, and partner-referenced sexual satisfaction. Confirmatory factor analyses in Study 2 (pre-registered) provided support for the WOSELA in its current form. In Study 3 (pre-registered), we demonstrated the validity of the WOSELA by establishing significant negative correlations with sexual agency, sexual communication, and sexual pleasure. Our results further show that the WOSELA was not significantly related to positive-partner-oriented sexual responsiveness. The WOSELA offers a unique tool to explore the role of emotional labor in sustaining the pleasure gap, as well as in broader power dynamics within intimate relationships and its impact on women’s well-being.
... Contrary to urban myth framing the act of faking orgasms as a predominantly female behavior, literature has shown that both men and women fake orgasms for several reasons and across different contexts (Barnett et al., 2019;Biermann et al., 2021;Ford et al., 2023;Herbenick et al., 2019;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010). Generally, it is estimated that roughly 21-85% of people have ever faked an orgasm with a sexual partner. ...
... Generally, it is estimated that roughly 21-85% of people have ever faked an orgasm with a sexual partner. Among women, research showed that 45-85% of women have ever faked orgasms during sexual activities with a sexual partner (Darling & Davdon, 1986;Fahs, 2014;Ford et al., 2023;Kaighobadi et al., 2012;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010;Wiederman, 1997;Younis et al., 2018). Conversely, among men, the prevalence rates were typically lower, ranging from 21-71% (Ford et al., 2023, Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010Séguin & Milhausen, 2016). ...
... Among women, research showed that 45-85% of women have ever faked orgasms during sexual activities with a sexual partner (Darling & Davdon, 1986;Fahs, 2014;Ford et al., 2023;Kaighobadi et al., 2012;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010;Wiederman, 1997;Younis et al., 2018). Conversely, among men, the prevalence rates were typically lower, ranging from 21-71% (Ford et al., 2023, Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010Séguin & Milhausen, 2016). While research in this area has focused mostly on women, some research found that rates of faking orgasms in both men and women varied by type of behavior (e.g., during penile-vaginal intercourse versus anal intercourse), time frame (e.g., ever, in the last year, in the last relationship) and interpersonal context (e.g., with a romantic partner versus a casual sexual partner). ...
The current study investigated the phenomenon of faking orgasms, including the reasons why people stop faking orgasms, sociodemographic predictors of faking orgasms, its association with sex toy use, and its association with sexual, relationship, and life satisfaction. A cross-country convenience sample of 11,541 respondents from six European countries (Denmark, Finland, France, Norway, Sweden, and the UK) was collected in May and June 2022 through respondent panels by Cint, a market research software platform. Participants completed an online self-report survey. The study's main findings showed that around 51% of men and women in the study had never faked orgasms, around 28% had faked orgasms but stopped faking and around 13% currently faked orgasms. Further, the reasons for men and women to stop faking orgasms included becoming more comfortable with not having an orgasm, improving sexual communication with their sexual partner, and the partner paying more attention to the respondents' desires and preferences. Finally, it was shown that faking orgasms was associated with lower sexual, relationship, and life satisfaction. The current study represents one of the few research projects focusing on the phenomenon of stopping faking orgasms and reasons for it, with the added strength of including a large male sample.
... Generally, feminine gender norms are associated with characteristics like friendliness, deference, and caring for others (Eagly & Wood, 2012;Hochschild, 1983). In the context of sexuality, this translates to the traditional female sexual script, which includes notions of passivity, submissiveness, not wanting to be rude or demanding, prioritizing being desirable rather than having desire, and aiming to please the sexual partner (Bowleg et al., 2015;Carter et al., 2019;Klein et al., 2019;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010;Rubin et al., 2019;Willis et al., 2018). Therefore, women have often been assigned the role of "pleasure givers," where their own sexual satisfaction takes a backseat to fulfilling their partner's desires (Elliott & Umberson, 2008;Fahs & Swank, 2011;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010). ...
... In the context of sexuality, this translates to the traditional female sexual script, which includes notions of passivity, submissiveness, not wanting to be rude or demanding, prioritizing being desirable rather than having desire, and aiming to please the sexual partner (Bowleg et al., 2015;Carter et al., 2019;Klein et al., 2019;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010;Rubin et al., 2019;Willis et al., 2018). Therefore, women have often been assigned the role of "pleasure givers," where their own sexual satisfaction takes a backseat to fulfilling their partner's desires (Elliott & Umberson, 2008;Fahs & Swank, 2011;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010). By adhering to these gender norms and expectations, women may experience certain advantages including social acceptance and approval, increased relationship functioning, and decreased cognitive dissonance Sanchez et al., 2005). ...
... Faking orgasms has been subject to numerous studies and may compose one of the most obvious manifestations of sexual emotional labor. Research has consistently found that women are far more likely to fake orgasms as compared to men (Garcia et al., 2014), with prevalence rates of women faking orgasms exceeding 50% across many studies (Darling & Davidson, 1986;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010;Opperman et al., 2014). Some women even engage in consistent faking of orgasms (Fahs & Swank, 2011), and this behavior is observed across different cultural contexts (Ford et al., 2022). ...
Emotional labor, the act of suppressing or altering one’s feelings to enhance another person’s well-being, is predominantly performed by women, especially within intimate relationships. Despite its impact on well-being, research on its role in sexuality remains limited. We developed the Women’s Sexual Emotional Labor Assessment (WOSELA), a comprehensive 12-item scale based on themes identified by past qualitative studies. To ensure its reliability and validity, we conducted three studies with women partnered with men, as well as heterosexual single women from the UK and the US (N = 831). Drawing on exploratory factor analysis in Study 1, four subscales were identified: faking orgasm, performing desire, tolerating discomfort or pain, and partner-referenced sexual satisfaction. Confirmatory factor analyses in Study 2 (pre-registered) provided support for the WOSELA in its current form. In Study 3 (pre-registered), we demonstrated the validity of the WOSELA by establishing significant negative correlations with sexual agency, sexual communication, and sexual pleasure. Our results further show that the WOSELA is unrelated to positive-partner oriented sexual responsiveness. The WOSELA offers a unique tool to explore the role of emotional labor in sustaining the pleasure gap, as well as in broader power dynamics within intimate relationships and its impacts on women’s well-being.
... Nevertheless, this literature has also shown that sexual communication can be difficult for some individuals, such as women who are in relationships with men. Specifically, for women who are in a relationship with a man, conversations about sexual pleasure may often be difficult to initiate (Harvey et al., 2023;Kaighobadi et al., 2012;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010). Women in mixed-sex relationships are likely to pretend orgasm rather than communicate their sexual preferences, perhaps for the sexual gratification of their male partner (Chadwick & van Anders, 2017;Harris et al., 2019). ...
... As mentioned previously, women are less likely to communicate about their sexual likes and dislikes with men (Harris et al., 2019;Kaighobadi et al., 2012;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010) than men are with women. Relatedly, they are more likely to report sexual compliance (Darden et al., 2019;Impett & Peplau, 2003) and they are more likely than men to fake orgasms (Mahar et al., 2020;Piemonte et al., 2019). ...
... The strengths of our sample are worth highlighting. As mentioned previously, women are likely to experience challenges with sexual communication in relationships that are with men (Harris et al., 2019;Kaighobadi et al., 2012;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010). Although we did not focus on recruiting only women, most participants in both samples identified as a woman, which is important given that the implications of sexual communication research may be relevant for women. ...
Sexual communication can be challenging to initiate. Nevertheless, people with a responsive romantic partner may feel more comfortable with sexual communication. Thus, we examined whether there is an association between partner responsiveness and greater sexual communication, and whether greater sexual communication may potentially mediate associations between responsiveness and positive relationship outcomes (i.e., intimacy types, sexual satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction). We recruited participants from Amazon Mechanical Turk (N = 119) and a sample of undergraduate students (N = 89) to complete online measures. As hypothesized, partner responsiveness was associated with greater sexual communication. Results from structural equation modeling showed that sexual communication mediated associations between responsiveness and intimacy types, and the association between responsiveness and sexual satisfaction in both samples. Interestingly, sexual communication only mediated the association between responsiveness and relationship satisfaction in the sample of undergraduate students. Other notable differences between the samples are discussed, such as differences in age, relationship length, and sexual satisfaction. These results show the importance of sexual communication for romantic relationships, and that even non-sexual partner characteristics may impact a sexual relationship.
... Because of perceptions of their partner's precarious manhood beliefs, women may censor communication with their sexual partners to avoid the risk of threatening their partner's masculinity (Jordan et al., 2022). Indeed, women report a desire to protect their male partner's ego as one main reason for faking orgasms (Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010), and women who perceived their partner to endorse higher precarious manhood beliefs were more likely to fake orgasms (Jordan et al., 2022). Women have also reported a hesitance to ask for clitoral stimulation or to stimulate their own clitoris during intercourse because they believe it will hurt their male partner's self-esteem (Salisbury & Fisher, 2014). ...
... Perceptions of men's precarious manhood beliefs were associated with greater sexual rejection sensitivity for women in Study 1, but not Study 2. Previous research has found that women withhold honest sexual communication when they perceive their partner's masculinity to be precarious, including faking orgasm (Jordan et al., 2022;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010). However, previous work has not associated precarious manhood beliefs with the construct of sexual rejection sensitivity. ...
... These findings add to a large body of research on the ways women shape their sexual behaviors in response to perceptions of their partner's masculinity. For example, women report faking orgasms and hesitating to ask for clitoral stimulation because of concerns about protecting their partner's masculinity and ego (Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010;Salisbury & Fisher, 2014). Women also report lower sexual satisfaction when they perceive their partner to have less of a sexual growth mindset, due to an increase in sexual rejection sensitivity (Cultice et al., 2022). ...
Previous research has linked the masculine gender role with negative attitudes towards condoms and a lower likelihood of condom use. Expanding the construct of sexual rejection sensitivity, we propose that men’s greater precarious manhood beliefs will lead to greater condom rejection sensitivity, or anxiety about interpersonal rejection when negotiating condom use. Across two studies utilizing an undergraduate (Study 1; N = 382) and an online adult sample (Study 2; N = 347), cisgender men and women reported their precarious manhood beliefs (for women, their perception of their male partner’s precarious manhood beliefs), condom rejection sensitivity, sexual rejection sensitivity, condom use, and sexual satisfaction in their most recent mixed-gender sexual encounter. We examined the associations between these variables using path analyses separated by gender. Across both studies, we found that, for women, greater perceived precarious manhood beliefs about their partner significantly predicted greater condom rejection sensitivity, which predicted a lower likelihood of condom use. For men, greater endorsement of precarious manhood beliefs significantly predicted greater sexual rejection sensitivity, which predicted lower sexual satisfaction. For men, greater condom rejection sensitivity also predicted a lower likelihood of condom use. These findings add to the literature on the role of masculine gender role ideology in men’s and women’s sexual, romantic, and health outcomes, with particular importance for women’s condom negotiation and sexual health.
... Other ways women perform sexual labour is through their belief that they are the ones responsible for learning about and instructing men on how to interact with female bodies (Frith, 2015), as well as bolstering their male partner's perceived sexual skill, despite its absence (Braun et al., 2003). For example, several studies have found that the majority of women have faked an orgasm (Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010), and one primary reason women gave for faking was to maintain relational peace, including saving a man's "ego," that is, protecting his confidence in his sexual skill and his masculinity (Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010;Opperman et al., 2014). Thus, male satisfaction appears to be the "job" of women without reciprocal labour. ...
... Other ways women perform sexual labour is through their belief that they are the ones responsible for learning about and instructing men on how to interact with female bodies (Frith, 2015), as well as bolstering their male partner's perceived sexual skill, despite its absence (Braun et al., 2003). For example, several studies have found that the majority of women have faked an orgasm (Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010), and one primary reason women gave for faking was to maintain relational peace, including saving a man's "ego," that is, protecting his confidence in his sexual skill and his masculinity (Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010;Opperman et al., 2014). Thus, male satisfaction appears to be the "job" of women without reciprocal labour. ...
... Page 0 AuQ: Please provide full reference details for Muehlenhard et al., 2010. ...
Watching mainstream porn today is a main source for men and women to learn how to behave sexually, including how to erotically stimulate one another. To date, research into the content analysis of pornography has been limited to the measurement of the frequency or prevalence of sexual behaviours or themes. In contrast, little is known regarding porn presentation of the specific location and duration of touch, vital for orgasm, pleasure, and sexual satisfaction for both women and men. Eighty “most-viewed” video clips were selected from two popular porn sites and coded for the gender of toucher/receiver, location, and duration in seconds of erotic touch. Results showed that women received significantly less genital stimulation than men overall, with this difference drastically increasing with non-penetrative erotic touch. The men in these videos received stimulation to their main sexual organ (penis) 10 times more than women received on their most sensitive sexual organ (clitoris), and the women were found to do the majority of non-reciprocal genital touch. While accurate information is widely available regarding competent erotic touch necessary for pleasure and orgasm, unbalanced and inadequate touching is still strongly represented in popular heterosexual pornography. This study elucidates how popular, freely accessible pornography is normalizing beliefs that men’s sexual touch and pleasure are primary and that clitoral stimulation is not a priority for women’s pleasure. Implications for how these normative aspects of sexual stimulation that may be leading to difficulties in sexual pleasure, orgasm, and satisfaction are discussed.
... Sexual scripts provide sexual cues and socially available messages for how one should act or feel in a particular sexual scenario (Gagnon & Simon, 1987;Wiederman, 2005). Sexual norms such as "men's orgasm signals the end of sex" (Braun et al., 2003;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010;Opperman et al., 2014) and "men are the source of (or responsible for) female orgasm" (Fahs, 2011;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010;Salisbury & Fisher, 2014) are some of the sexual beliefs that might influence ideas about what are "acceptable" sexual behaviors in mixed-sex relationships. However, established sociocultural sexual scripts often overvalue penile-vaginal intercourse (PVI) and male pleasure (over women's pleasure) (Klein & Conley, 2022;Laan et al., 2021;Mahar et al., 2020;Mintz, 2017), and only include these sexual behaviors: kissing, partner touching, oral genital contact, PVI, women's orgasm (real or "faked"), and men's orgasm (real) which indicates sex is over (Braun et al., 2003;Gagnon & Simon, 1987;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010). ...
... Sexual scripts provide sexual cues and socially available messages for how one should act or feel in a particular sexual scenario (Gagnon & Simon, 1987;Wiederman, 2005). Sexual norms such as "men's orgasm signals the end of sex" (Braun et al., 2003;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010;Opperman et al., 2014) and "men are the source of (or responsible for) female orgasm" (Fahs, 2011;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010;Salisbury & Fisher, 2014) are some of the sexual beliefs that might influence ideas about what are "acceptable" sexual behaviors in mixed-sex relationships. However, established sociocultural sexual scripts often overvalue penile-vaginal intercourse (PVI) and male pleasure (over women's pleasure) (Klein & Conley, 2022;Laan et al., 2021;Mahar et al., 2020;Mintz, 2017), and only include these sexual behaviors: kissing, partner touching, oral genital contact, PVI, women's orgasm (real or "faked"), and men's orgasm (real) which indicates sex is over (Braun et al., 2003;Gagnon & Simon, 1987;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010). ...
... Sexual norms such as "men's orgasm signals the end of sex" (Braun et al., 2003;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010;Opperman et al., 2014) and "men are the source of (or responsible for) female orgasm" (Fahs, 2011;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010;Salisbury & Fisher, 2014) are some of the sexual beliefs that might influence ideas about what are "acceptable" sexual behaviors in mixed-sex relationships. However, established sociocultural sexual scripts often overvalue penile-vaginal intercourse (PVI) and male pleasure (over women's pleasure) (Klein & Conley, 2022;Laan et al., 2021;Mahar et al., 2020;Mintz, 2017), and only include these sexual behaviors: kissing, partner touching, oral genital contact, PVI, women's orgasm (real or "faked"), and men's orgasm (real) which indicates sex is over (Braun et al., 2003;Gagnon & Simon, 1987;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010). ...
Objectives
We explored mutual masturbation among women and men and investigated associations with sexual satisfaction and sexual self-esteem.
Methods
117 women and 151 men (Mage = 29.7 years), mostly heterosexual, all in current relationships, completed an online survey covering experiences of solo and partnered sexual activities, feelings about mutual masturbation, sexual self-esteem, and sexual satisfaction.
Results
Mutual masturbation was common among both genders. Men reported significantly higher positive feelings about mutual masturbation than women. Recent mutual masturbation was positively associated with sexual satisfaction but not with sexual self-esteem.
Conclusions
These findings have implications for sex and couple therapy and research.
... Despite the paucity of research on cisgender men, faking orgasm is not a rare phenomenon according to a few studies with heterosexual men or men who have sex with women (MSW). Between 17% and 41% of men had faked an orgasm (Ford et al., 2022;Goodman et al., 2017;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010;Séguin & Milhausen, 2016;Séguin et al., 2015). Of those who faked, they did it in about one-fourth of their sexual encounters (Séguin & Milhausen, 2016). ...
... Of those who faked, they did it in about one-fourth of their sexual encounters (Séguin & Milhausen, 2016). Indeed, men may be particularly motivated to fake given the general expectation that men must orgasm for sex to be complete (Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010;Opperman et al., 2014;Sakaluk et al., 2014;Séguin et al., 2015). In studies with MSW, one of the most common themes is difficulty reaching orgasm and not knowing how to end sex otherwise. ...
... In studies with MSW, one of the most common themes is difficulty reaching orgasm and not knowing how to end sex otherwise. Men also report faking due to intoxication, insecurity (e.g., fear of rejection and perceived inadequacy), pressures around masculinity (i.e., obligation to act on traditional gender roles), desire to end unwanted sex, regretting their choice of partner, and avoiding negative reactions or awkward conversations, while others cite good intentions such as enhancing sexual experience and pleasing their partner (Ford et al., 2022;Goodman et al., 2017;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010;Séguin & Milhausen, 2016;Séguin et al., 2015). ...
Existing literature on "faking" orgasm focuses almost exclusively on women. Limited research exists among men, and none focuses on sexual minority (e.g., gay, bisexual, queer) men. Additionally, faking satisfaction (pretending to be sexually satisfied) remains an unknown concept. This study examined the occurrence, frequency, and correlates of faking orgasm and satisfaction in sexual minority men. Participants (N = 211, age = 18-53, 59% identified as gay) responded to an online survey assessing frequencies of faking orgasm and satisfaction as well as potential correlates of faking (age, relationship status, sexual frequency, orgasm frequency, internalized sexual stigma). Results showed that faking orgasm and faking satisfaction were highly prevalent among sexual minority men in this sample (83% had faked orgasm and 88% had faked satisfaction in the past two years). The frequency of faking was also high; 62% and 68% faked orgasm and satisfaction at least "sometimes." Higher internalized sexual stigma and lower orgasm frequency were associated with higher frequencies of faking orgasm and satisfaction. For faking orgasm, however, the relationship between internalized sexual stigma and faking only existed in gay men. The findings suggest that faking pleasure in sexual minority men is common and deserves more empirical attention.
... Despite societal pressure that links orgasm with femininity and normalcy (Ejder Apay et al., 2013;Nicolson and Burr, 2003), which could arise from both internal and various external influences (Chadwick et al., 2019), including magazines, novels, and pornography (Cabrera and Ménard, 2013;Lavie-Ajayi and Joffe, 2009;Séguin et al., 2018), a substantial proportion of women (50-70%) choose to fake orgasms (Csányi et al., 2022;Csányi et al., 2024;Muehlenhard and Shippee, 2010). Faking the climax of sexual activity can be defined as "acting or pretending as if you have had orgasm when you have not, through vocal confirmation and/or muscular contraction, regardless of the reason" (Cooper et al., 2014, p. 426). ...
... As orgasm faking is a relational phenomenon, since faking has no meaning without the presence of another person, it is associated with various relational processes such as relationship and sexual satisfaction, love, commitment, and mate retention (Bode et al., 2024;Józefacka et al., 2023;Mostova et al., 2022). While 90% of men in relationships care if their female partner experiences orgasm (McKibbin et al., 2010), nearly 70% of participating women in study Muehlenhard and Shippee's (2010) reported faking orgasm to avoid hurting their partner's feelings, masculinity, and ego, or to please them. Frith (2015) suggests that faking orgasm can interpreted as a rational response to gender disparities inherent in heteronormative sexual culture. ...
Introduction
The Faking Orgasm Scale for Women (FOS) was developed to explore the motivations behind women’s self-reported instances of faking orgasm during oral sex and sexual intercourse. In a recent study, a Hungarian version of the FOS was developed, confirming the same factor structure as the original American version, consisting of four factors across two subscales.
Methods
The current study aimed to develop and validate a brief Hungarian FOS. Factor analysis was conducted with data from 2220 women (mean age = 24.4, SD = 7.48 years). The Item Response Theory (IRT) analysis indicated that retaining four-four scales, each comprising of three items was the optimal solution for the revised shorter version. Validation involved 768 women (mean age = 22.6, SD = 4.54 years) completing a questionnaire package, including the Hungarian Short Form of Reasons for Having Sex Questionnaire (YSEX?-HSF) and Women’s Sexual Working Models Scale (WSWMS).
Results
The results suggest that the Hungarian 24-item FOS, with its four scales within each of the two sub-scales, provides a reliable and valid measurement of motives for faking orgasm in women. The different reasons behind faking orgasm are associated with different sexual working patterns and sexual motivations. Furthermore, women who reported faking orgasms reported significantly higher levels of sexual distancing and perceived lower care from their partners compared to women who reported not faking orgasms. Women who reported faking orgasm were also more likely to engage in sexual activities to attain personal goals and cope with emotional stress.
Discussion
The FOS-24 offers both practitioners and researchers a concise and useful instrument for the assessment of faking orgasms.
... Sexual scripts refer to expected sequences of sexual behaviors; however, specific behaviors within these scripts differ between men and women, e.g., sexual intercourse ends with men's orgasm, but women's orgasm is not always experienced (Braun et al., 2003;Gagnon & Simon, 1987;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010). Although masturbation is not included in the traditional sexual script (Fahs & Frank, 2014;Kirschbaum & Peterson, 2018), a traditional sexual belief that "only single people masturbate" or "you shouldn't masturbate if you are in a relationship" seems to persist for both women and men (Kaestle & Allen, 2011;Kılıç Onar et al., 2020;Kirschbaum & Peterson, 2018;Thorpe et al., 2022). ...
... Due to the sexual belief that men are responsible for women's sexual pleasure during sexual intercourse, some young heterosexual women feel pressured to experience (real or fake) sexual pleasure with a male partner because of concerns about their partner's feelings or to feel "normal" (Braun et al., 2003;Fahs, 2011;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010;Salisbury & Fisher, 2014). On the other hand, confirming sexual beliefs that men give sexual pleasure to women and women receive it from men, coupled with the view that a partner's sexual pleasure demonstrates men's masculinity, some men might feel pressured to prioritize their female partner's pleasure (Braun et al., 2003;Chadwick & van Anders, 2017;Fahs, 2011;Salisbury & Fisher, 2014). ...
Attitudes among couples about women's solo masturbation are not well understood. The primary aim of this study was to assess (dis)similarities in attitudes between partners about women's solo masturbation and associations of each partner's attitudes with women's and their partners' sexual satisfaction. One hundred and four mixed-sex couples (M = 27.43 years), recruited through social networking websites and Prolific (an online research participant platform), completed an online survey about demographics, their experiences of solo masturbation, and validated measures of attitudes about women's masturbation and sexual satisfaction. Dyadic data were analyzed using correlational methods and the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model. Women and their partners reported similar and positive attitudes about women's solo masturbation. For women, reports of positive attitudes toward women's solo masturbation were associated with both their own and their partner's sexual satisfaction; there were no associations for men. The role of solo masturbation within romantic relationships is complex but our results support the idea that women's masturbation is now less stigmatized than commonly thought. Normalizing and including masturbation in the sexual script for individuals in relationships may help maximize their, and their partners,' sexual satisfaction.
... Similarly, orgasm is often perceived as something men "give" to their partners and the ability of men to do so is seen as an indication of their sexual competency (Gilfoyle et al., 1992). Correspondingly, women report sometimes faking orgasm (Harris et al., 2019;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010) to avoid hurting their partner's feelings and/or to enhance their male partner's ego (Opperman et al., 2014), as well as to protect, what they perceive to be, their partner's fragile sense of masculinity (Jordan et al., 2022). Collectively, these findings suggest that for men, as well as those whose masculinity is not "on the line" (i.e., women), female orgasm is important to perceptions of men's sexual adequacy, and subsequently provides proof of their masculinity (Chadwick & van Anders, 2017). ...
... It is also important to point out that there were no gender differences in either experiment. Therefore, in terms of generalizability of the results, women appear to be as cognizant as men of the sexual outcomes that impact masculinity (and sexual esteem) in men, which may explain why some women report faking orgasms to keep their male partners happy (Roberts et al., 1995), avoid upsetting them (Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010), and protect their sense of masculinity (Jordan et al., 2022). In addition to their beliefs about the role of female orgasm, males and females hold similar beliefs about how the use of sexual medicines, such as Viagra and testosterone, as well associated underlying biological conditions shape masculinity and sexuality. ...
Sexual behaviors play a role in the social construction of masculinity. Moreover, this stereotype has been capitalized upon by pharmaceutical companies, as well as those that sell products not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, for purposes of marketing sexual medicines. Stereotypical notions of masculinity, however, also emphasize the importance of self-reliance, which may cause some to look unfavorably upon the use of sexual medicine. Consistent with this notion, a male target was viewed as more masculine when his female partner consistently reached orgasm, unless he had no history of erectile dysfunction (ED), but was taking Viagra anyway (Experiment 1; N = 522). In addition, when his partner consistently reached orgasm, ratings of his sexual esteem were also lower if he used Viagra than if he did not, but only if he had no history of ED. In Experiment 2 (N = 711), although there was no effect of a male target’s use of testosterone, social perception of his masculinity and sexual esteem increased as his “natural” levels of testosterone increased. In addition, exploratory analysis revealed that if the male target had low (but not normal or high) “natural” levels of testosterone, ratings of his masculinity were higher if his female partner consistently had an orgasm, which suggests that female orgasm served to “rescue” masculinity. Because expectations about drugs drive their use, it is important to address preconceived notions about the use of sexual medicines for purposes of enhancing masculinity and sexual esteem, as the social perception of their use is much more complex.
... Many women with orgasm difficulties have reported feeling inadequate and abnormal (Fahs, 2014;Séguin & Milhausen, 2016;Séquin & Blais, 2019). Consequently, faking orgasm is relatively common and a valid alternative in cases of orgasmic absence (Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010;Séguin et al., 2015). This sexual difficulty could negatively affect women's quality of life, particularly personal distress and tension in their relationship (IsHak et al., 2010;Shindel et al., 2011). ...
... First introduced almost half a century ago, Directed Masturbation (LoPiccolo & Lobitz, 1972) remains the sole scientifically proven therapy for FOD (Heiman & Meston, 1997). Psychological effects of FOD include women feeling abnormal and inadequate (Fahs, 2014;Séguin & Milhausen, 2016;Séquin & Blais, 2019), faking orgasm (Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010;Séguin et al., 2015), and creating personal distress in women's relationships (IsHak et al., 2010;Shindel et al., 2011). ...
Introduction
Up to 41% of women experience female orgasm disorder/difficulty (FOD), a statistic unchanged for 50 years. Despite this, there is a paucity of validated treatments. Research has suggested cannabis as a treatment for female sexual disorders for more than 50 years. Yet a literature review revealed no studies evaluating cannabis as a treatment specifically for FOD and no studies comparing women with and without FOD. This study is the first to evaluate cannabis as a treatment for FOD specifically in women with and without FOD.
Objective
Evaluate the effect of cannabis use before partnered sex on women with and without FOD.
Methods
This IRB-approved observational study conducted between March 24, 2022, and November 18, 2022, evaluated baseline demographics, sexual behavior, mental health, cannabis use, and the orgasm subscale questions of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), evaluating orgasm frequency, orgasm satisfaction, and orgasm ease, with and without cannabis before partnered sex.
Results
Of 1,037 survey responses, the researchers received 410 valid, completed surveys; failure to meet the study’s criteria required excluding 23 (5.6%) surveys. Among the 387 valid survey participants, the majority of women, 52% (n = 202) reported orgasm difficulty, were between the ages of 25–34 (45%, n = 91), reported their race as white (75%, n = 152), and were married or in a relationship (82%, n = 165). Among respondents reporting orgasm difficulty (n = 202), cannabis use before partnered sex increased orgasm frequency (72.8%, n = 147/202, p < .001), improved orgasm satisfaction (67%, n = 136/202, p < .001) or made orgasm easier (71%, n = 143/202, p < .001). Frequency of cannabis use before partnered sex correlated with increased orgasm frequency for women with FOD (n = 202, p< .001). Orgasm response to cannabis depended on the reasons for use (n = 202, p = .022). Women with FOD reported 24% more mental health issues, 52.6% more PTSD, 29% more depressive disorders, 13% more anxiety disorders, and 22% more prescription drug use than women without FOD. Women with FOD were more likely to report sexual abuse history than women without FOD (38.6%, n=74/202).
Conclusions
Fifty years of sexuality research support use of cannabis for sexual difficulties. This is the first study to look at FOD specifically, demonstrating significant benefit. Randomized controlled studies are needed to evaluate cannabis’ efficacy on FOD sub-types, mental health and physical health conditions and other clinical implications; evaluating dosage, strain, timing, and method of intake. References Laumann et al., 2005 Kontula & Miettinen, 2016 Keiman & Meston, 1997 Dawley et al., 1979 Gorzalka et al., 2010 Klein et al., 2012 Lewis, 1970 Moser et al., 2023.
Disclosure
Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: inhaleMD.
... Many women with orgasm difficulties have reported feeling inadequate and abnormal (Fahs, 2014;Séguin & Milhausen, 2016;Séquin & Blais, 2019). Consequently, faking orgasm is relatively common and a valid alternative in cases of orgasmic absence (Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010;Séguin et al., 2015). This sexual difficulty could negatively affect women's quality of life, particularly personal distress and tension in their relationship (IsHak et al., 2010;Shindel et al., 2011). ...
... First introduced almost half a century ago, Directed Masturbation (LoPiccolo & Lobitz, 1972) remains the sole scientifically proven therapy for FOD (Heiman & Meston, 1997). Psychological effects of FOD include women feeling abnormal and inadequate (Fahs, 2014;Séguin & Milhausen, 2016;Séquin & Blais, 2019), faking orgasm (Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010;Séguin et al., 2015), and creating personal distress in women's relationships (IsHak et al., 2010;Shindel et al., 2011). ...
This mixed-methods observational study, conducted between March 24, 2022, and February 28, 2023, is the first to evaluate cannabis use and female orgasmic disorder (FOD). Up to 41% of women experience FOD, a statistic unchanged for 50 years. A paucity of validated treatments exists. Researchers have suggested cannabis as a treatment for FOD for decades. This study’s statistically significant results align with and expand upon 50 years of cannabis research, revealing that cannabis helps women orgasm and increases orgasm frequency, satisfaction, and ease for women with and without FOD.
A survey collected data on demographics, sexual behavior, mental health, cannabis use, and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) orgasm subscale questions with and without cannabis before partnered sex. The interviews evaluated cannabis-assisted orgasm, dosage, preferred strains, and timing of cannabis use before partnered sex.
Of the 1,037 survey responses, 387 were suitable for analysis. Among respondents reporting orgasm difficulty, 45% were between the ages of 25-34, 75% reported their race as white, and 82% were married or in a relationship. Cannabis use before partnered sex increased orgasm frequency (72%), improved orgasm satisfaction (67%), or made orgasm easier (71%). Frequency of cannabis use before partnered sex correlated with increased orgasm frequency. The reasons for cannabis use by women with FOD before partnered sex that created the most positive orgasm response was to manage pain or enhance sexual pleasure.
Not all women found cannabis helpful in orgasm. Moreover, the study’s findings may not be generalizable to women who rarely or do not use cannabis before sex or who have never experienced an orgasm. The researcher did not assess the cultivar of cannabis for effectiveness, nor were study participants asked about their cannabis chemotype of choice or the amount of cannabis used.
The study suggests that treatment for women with orgasm difficulty should incorporate cannabis and that U.S. states and countries with medical marijuana programs should make it a condition for use. At the same time, the researcher emphasizes the need for prioritizing further randomized controlled studies to assess cannabis dosage, timing, and other clinical implications for women experiencing orgasm difficulty.
... These heterosexual women often reported that they did not need to orgasm to feel sexually satisfied, though they felt it was important to orgasm or fake an orgasm to please their partner. This is consistent with Muehlenhard and Shippee's (2010) research that found in their sample that women (67%) were more likely than men (28%) to fake an orgasm during heterosexual sex. Further, women in this study most frequently reported faking an orgasm to avoid hurting their partner's feelings or having to endure their partner's worsened mood from not ensuring they orgasmed. ...
... For example, research has found that, particularly for heterosexual women, individuals may face pressure from their partner to experience orgasm during a sexual encounter (e.g., Chadwick et al., 2019;Chadwick & van Anders, 2022). This is perhaps related to the fact that orgasm is often considered to be a necessary component of heterosexual sexual activity (i.e., penile-vaginal intercourse) and women are more likely than men to fake orgasms to make their partner feel more comfortable with their sexual performance (Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010;Salisbury & Fisher, 2014). Less is known about orgasm coercion among same-gender/sex couples, however. ...
Orgasm is commonly considered an important aspect of sexual activity. The current study sought to replicate and extend prior work by examining gender/sex differences in the association between orgasm and satisfaction in a sample of same-gender/sex couples. We also examined how desire for an orgasm moderated this association. Although prior research found a curvilinear association between orgasm and satisfaction for heterosexual women (but not men), we found that orgasm curvilinearly predicted relationship and sexual satisfaction across genders/sexes, indicating more frequent orgasm was associated with higher satisfaction only to an extent for all individuals in our sample. We also found that when desire for orgasm was high, orgasm was associated with higher relationship and sexual satisfaction than when desire was low, suggesting that desire for orgasm may differentially affect how orgasm is related to satisfaction. We discuss our findings in terms of sexual scripting theory, contextualizing our results by considering the socially constructed nature of sexuality and how sexual scripts may vary across individuals with different sexual and gender identities.
... Excessive performances of climax in pornography have thus become a parody, inauthentic simulations of the real thing. Studies further show that more than 50% of women report that they have, at one time or another, faked an orgasm in everyday sexual encounters (Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010;Séguin et al., 2015;Wiederman, 2005). It is therefore not surprising that exaggerated performances in pornographic videos may lead viewers to suspect that female performers are faking their orgasms. ...
Research has found a substantial gender gap in orgasm, with men reporting reaching an orgasm at significantly higher rates than women. This orgasm gap is mirrored in the visual pornography industry, where women are much less likely than men to be shown reaching orgasm. Some scholars have argued that the male orgasm (the “money shot”) is prioritized by producers, directors, and viewers alike, taking precedence over all other elements of the pornographic video. We examine this claim and the relative importance of both the female and male orgasms to viewers using a large and diverse sample of more than 300 men and women who regularly watch pornography. Our findings show that both male and female viewers believe that depictions of female orgasms are the most important feature of pornographic videos, while male orgasms are not as important.
... Partners may sometimes use strategic sexual communication to achieve specific goals. For instance, both women and men report using inauthentic expressions of sexual pleasure, such as simulating orgasms, to make their partners feel good or nonverbally signal a desire to end the sexual interaction (Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2009). While strategic sexual communication skills can be used benevolently, they can also be harmful, especially when they lead to emotional estrangement or exploitation (e.g., feigning sexual and romantic commitment to manipulate a partner). ...
Dyadic sexual communication skills include the nonverbal and verbal skills to exchange meaningful and relevant sexual information with intimate partners before (e.g., "sweet talk"), during (e.g., "dirty talk"), and after (e.g., "pillow talk") sexual encounters. This encyclopedia entry provides a definition and description of dyadic sexual communication skills, presents related theories, measures, correlates/effects and interventions
... Traditional sexual scripts are characterized by a gendered power inequality which promotes male dominance and female submission (Sanchez et al., 2012). Those scripts accordingly tend to (a) prioritize men's sexual pleasure over women's sexual pleasure (Mahar et al., 2020), and (b) depict women in submissive or passive roles, which undermines their sexual agency (Fetterolf & Sanchez, 2015;Klein et al., 2019;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010;Rubin et al., 2019;Sanchez et al., 2012). As a result, research consistently indicates a so-called pleasure or orgasm gap in heterosexual encounters, where women experience significantly fewer orgasms and less sexual pleasure compared to men (Frederick et al., 2018;Herbenick et al., 2023). ...
Media representations of sexuality can play a relevant role in the development of gender stereotypes and sexual learning processes. In the current pre-registered study, we examined the representation of sexuality in content on Netflix, a dominant force in global mass media consumption. We coded 271 mixed-gender sexual scenes across seven highly popular Netflix series for orgasm portrayal, depiction of sexual behaviors, including clitoral stimulation, and gendered sexual scripts (i.e., initiation, control, and expression of desires). Our results revealed a nuanced picture of women’s sexual pleasure representation. Women’s orgasms were depicted less frequently than men’s, although orgasm portrayal was generally rare. Sexual behaviors were mostly limited to penile-vaginal intercourse, though cunnilingus was depicted more frequently than fellatio. Regarding gendered sexual scripts, women were portrayed as equally sexually agentic as men, initiating sexual encounters, taking control, and expressing their needs and desires. Our findings indicate that this content simultaneously reinforces and challenges gender stereotypes related to sexual experiences, highlighting the need for sexual educators to critically address the realism of mainstream media portrayals to foster a nuanced understanding of sexuality and pleasure.
... Sexual inhibition due to the threat of performance failure is considered a negative predictor of sexual satisfaction and different dimensions of sexual functioning in women [28,29,31,43,[61][62][63][64]. In the heterosexual relationship context, vaginal intercourse is the most highly valued sexual activity [65], thus, women might experience more pressure to experience orgasm through penetration alone [66,67]. In this line, concerns related to the sexual act could also reinforce the processes of sexual inhibition due to the threat of performance failure and may affect their levels of sexual satisfaction in the relationship. ...
Sexual satisfaction is an important dimension of sexual health. Despite there being evidence about its relations with sexual arousal, this association has not been addressed considering arousal as a trait and as a state. Therefore, the goal of this laboratory study was to examine, in young women with different levels of sexual satisfaction in their relationships, sexual arousal as a trait (i.e., propensity for sexual excitation/inhibition) and as a state (i.e., genital response and self-reported sexual arousal to a video with explicit sexual content). The sample was composed of 45 Spanish heterosexual women with a partner, from 18 to 25 years old. In the first phase, we evaluated the propensity for sexual inhibition/excitation and sexual satisfaction of the participants. In the second phase—in the context of a sexuality laboratory—the vaginal pulse amplitude, the rating of sexual arousal, and the rating of genital sensations were evaluated. The participants, distributed in three groups with different levels of sexual satisfaction (p < 0.001), were compared based on the different measures of sexual arousal. The results indicated that the group with lower sexual satisfaction, compared to the group with higher sexual satisfaction, reported more sexual inhibition due to the threat of performance failure (p = 0.011) and due to the threat of performance consequences (p = 0.038). However, no significant differences in sexual arousal status were found between the three groups. In conclusion, the negative association between sexual satisfaction and propensity for sexual inhibition in young women with a partner is supported, but not the positive association between trait/state sexual arousal and sexual satisfaction.
... Traditional heterosex sexual scripts that prioritize men's pleasure are said to be widely shared, gendered, and culturally specific guides for sexual behaviours (e.g., men initiate sex with women, women should achieve orgasm before men; Braun et al., 2003;Chadwick & van Anders, 2022;Frith & Kitzinger, 2001;Jeffrey, 2022;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010). Women who fail to abide by and/or who actively resist those scripts may be met with severe consequences, including sexual coercion, assault, and rape (e.g., Cahill, 2020;Gavey, 2019;Pugh & Becker, 2018). ...
Amid changes in the North American socio-cultural/political and dating landscape, there exist questions about whether the sexual double standard and the inequality (e.g., of pleasure) in sex still exist for young women today. In this study, we explored the discourses that shape young women’s navigation of and talk about heterosexuality, or heterosex. Young, heterosexual women of diverse demographic and relationship backgrounds aged 18–24 (N = 28) attended one of five online focus groups. Informed by feminist post-structuralism and discursive psychology, we analyzed women’s talk about doing heterosex. Many participants mobilized a discourse of expectations of compulsory heterosex practices in casual and committed contexts. Within that discourse, young women were positioned as both constrained and regulated in their sexual lives and as needing to comply with unwanted sex. Risks of non-compliance included the risk of being perceived as being defective and/or “bad.” Participants’ talk also linked coercion, assault, and other male-perpetrated violence against women with how heterosex is done in today’s context. Our findings suggest that despite #MeToo and other exposés of rape culture, young women remain constrained by heterosexual norms. However, their language, ability, and willingness to challenge the current situation concerning heterosex is more sophisticated than previously observed. These advancements are promising, as they suggest the importance of continued research and activism in this area and carry several practical implications, including for sex education programming and counselling and support services in sessions with young women.
... Expectations of orgasm reciprocity may also contribute to women's compliance with unwanted sex. For example, some women feel pressured to continue sex -even if they do not want to -until their partner orgasms because their partner provided them with an orgasm (or at least tried hard enough) (Braun et al., 2003;Chadwick & van Anders, 2022b;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010). ...
Previous research has shown that women’s orgasms function as a masculinity achievement for men. Less clear is whether men’s orgasms function as a gendered achievement for women. In the present study, we explored this question via an experimental design by randomly assigning 440 women (M age = 32.29, SD age = 11.91) to read a vignette in which they imagined that an attractive man either did or did not orgasm during a sexual encounter with them. The women then rated their feelings of achievement, failure, femininity, and masculinity in response to the scenario along with how much they would attribute the situation to themselves or to the man partner. Results showed that women experienced men’s orgasm presence as a femininity achievement and men’s orgasm absence as a femininity failure. There were lesser impacts on women’s feelings of masculinity. Feelings of achievement and failure were stronger for women who attributed the scenario more strongly to themselves. Further, greater sexual assertiveness in general predicted stronger feelings of achievement in response to men’s orgasm presence and greater feminine gender role stress predicted stronger feelings of failure in response to men’s orgasm absence. Together, findings highlight that men’s orgasm seems to function as an achievement for women; however, the connection to femininity (which is less valued and prescribed differently compared to masculinity) denotes that men’s orgasms for women are a different gendered experience with different stakes compared to women’s orgasms for men.
... Женщины могут имитировать его, чтобы защитить самооценку своих партнеров; избежать чувства тревоги, застенчивости и физиологических отклонений; быстро закончить секс или разнообразить свой собственный сексуальный опыт [16]. Основную причину имитации женщинами переживания пика сексуального удовольствия К. Мюленхард и С. Шиппи видят в избегании причинения вреда чувствам своего партнера [17] и создании иллюзорного чувства о доставлении удовольствия [18] с принятием эмоциональной заботы во имя укрепления стабильности отношений. Взаимосвязь между затруднением оргазма и удовлетворенностью отношениями двунаправленная. ...
Введение. Пандемия и инфодемия, вызванные COVID-19, оказали влияние не только на деятельность, но и на интимную жизнь людей. На фоне нехимических зависимостей, к которым, в частности, относятся зависимость от социальных сетей, информационный невроз и думскроллинг, появляется потребность преодолевать физиологические и психологические проблемы в сексуальной жизни. У женщин секс может использоваться как регулирование степени привязанности к сексуальному партнеру, сосредоточение на его потребностях больше, чем на своих, ради сохранения стабильности отношений. Цель. Поиск взаимосвязи проявлений инфодемического думскроллинга с сексуальной удовлетворенностью женщин в партнерских отношениях. Материалы и методы. В исследовании, которое проводилось в ноябре 2022 г. в режиме онлайн-опроса с помощью сервиса Yandex.Toloka, приняли участие 609 женщин (средний возраст опрошенных М=39,03; SD=10,60). Методический инструментарий состоял из двух блоков. Первый блок методик был направлен на изучение проявлений думскроллинга (DS) и страха упущенной выгоды (FOMO), второй блок – на исследование сексуальной удовлетворенности обследованных. Дополнительно определялся личностный профиль респондентов. Данные обрабатывались при помощи программы SPSS 19.0. Результаты. Результаты исследования подтвердили тесные связи степени думскроллинга и зависимости от социальных сетей с частотой и мотивацией симуляции сексуальной удовлетворенности.
Introduction. The pandemic and infodemic caused by COVID-19 have had an impact not only on the activities, but also on the intimate lives of people. Against the background of non-chemical addictions, which, in particular, include dependence on social networks, information neurosis and doomscrolling, there is a need to overcome physiological and psychological problems in sexual life. In women, sex can be used as a regulation of the degree of attachment to a sexual partner, focusing on his needs more than on their own, in order to maintain the stability of the relationship. Purpose. To find the relationship between the manifestations of infodemic doomscrolling and the sexual satisfaction of women in partnerships. Materials and methods. The study, which was conducted in November 2022 in an online survey using the Yandex.Toloka service, involved 609 women (average age of respondents M=39.03; SD=10.60). The methodological toolkit consisted of two blocks. The first block of methods was aimed at studying the manifestations of doomscrolling (DS) and fear of lost profits (FoMO), the second block was aimed at studying the sexual satisfaction of the surveyed. Additionally, the respondents’ personal profile was determined. The data was processed using the SPSS 19.0 program. Results. The results of the study confirmed the close links between the degree of doomscrolling and dependence on social networks with the frequency and motivation of sexual satisfaction simulation.
... Our findings illustrate that concealment, like disclosure, is a complex behavior individuals enact in varied ways. Moreover, extant research on difficulty orgasming suggests that women engage in different behaviors to fake their orgasms, such as varying their body movements (e.g., clenching muscles), vocal sounds (e.g., moaning, breathing), and words (e.g., "I'm coming"; Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010). This suggests that the same concealment strategy may be enacted differently, further emphasizing the need to account for the nature of concealment in DPM. ...
Individuals with concealable stigma continually decide whether, and if so, how to disclose to others. These complex decision-making processes are evident across various stigmatized sexual health contexts, including sexually transmitted diseases and infections, LGBTQ+ identities, and sexual trauma, among others. One context that has received less attention within communication scholarship is difficulty orgasming among women. Due to the stigma associated with this experience, women are often reluctant to disclose their orgasm difficulties to others, especially their sexual and/or relational partners. However, the motivations women have for, and the factors they consider prior to disclosure have yet to be identified. Building upon extant sexual health communication, concealable stigma, and disclosure research, this study used semi-structured interviews (N = 31) to examine how women disclose orgasm difficulties within their sexual and/or romantic relationships. Our findings highlight several motivations women have for (non)disclosure, and various contextual and situational factors that complicate their disclosure processes. This study contributes to our theoretical understanding of the disclosure processes model (DPM) and the disclosure of concealable (sexual health) stigma. This study also offers practical insights for improving disclosure and experiences with stigma within this context.
... Still, despite its importance, many sexual partners struggle to talk candidly and transparently about their sexual activity (Byers, 2011;Cupach & Metts, 1994;Noland, 2010). Additionally, traditional gendered stereotypes surrounding sex have often created sexual double standards that constrain women's sexual behavior, consequently limiting women's ability to communicate their desires and preferences (Fahs, 2011;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010). In a study by Allen and Goldberg (2009), cisgender men and women who engaged in period sex felt more positively about period sex if they communicated and conversed with their partners about the topic. ...
While some research has focused on menstrual sex, little work has centered the menstrual sex experiences of queer women and queer individuals assigned female at birth (AFAB) who do not identify as women. This study drew from qualitative data collected in 2019–2020 from 26 women and AFAB individuals (mean age = 30.2 years) throughout the U.S. Midwest to explore how queer women and queer AFAB individuals who do not identify as women talked about their experiences with having sex during their periods (“period sex”). Using feminist phenomenological thematic analysis, we identified six themes for how participants discussed period sex: (1) entitlement to and enjoyment about period sex; (2) period sex feels different physically; (3) efforts to minimize shame and discomfort with period sex; (4) looking for partner cues to determine feelings about period sex; (5) period sex as messy and “unsexy”; and (6) embracing vaginal sex but not cunnilingus while menstruating. Implications for understanding intrapsychic, relational, and sociocultural aspects of menstrual sex were explored, as were patterns of accommodating stigma compared to resisting stigma when reflecting on meanings of menstruation, sexuality, eroticism, queer identity, and relationships. Tensions between enacting resistance during period sex, and subscribing to heteronormative and patriarchal notions of period sex as “gross” were explored.
... On the other hand, it can cause tension and disappointment related to either partner's lack of orgasm, negatively affecting the self-image, emotionality, and relational bond between partners (Lavie-Ajayi, 2005;Lavie-Ajayi & Joffe, 2009;Lavie & Willig, 2005). Accordingly, partners may resort to faking an orgasm in order not to make their partner uncomfortable as well as to show them love and care and to build a positive self-image of their partner and meet their expectations (Roberts et al., 1995;Fahs, 2011;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010), but the reasons are also sometimes related to the desire to end a disappointing sexual act (Thomas et al., 2017). Faking an orgasm has been perceived as gender related. ...
Reciprocity is the propensity to reward generous and punish unfair acts. It is the response to the perceived kindness of others with kindness and to the perceived meanness of others with meanness, as well as an anticipation of such behavior from other people (Sobel, 2005). The basic types of reciprocity are direct (taking place between two actors) and indirect (when one gives to another but receives from someone else, and another gives back to someone else than from whom they received, creating a generalized exchange system; Molm et al., 2007). Such a system is the basis of the functioning of societies and the mechanism of solidarity.
... This may explain why nearly one quarter of our sample faked orgasm. This figure is lower than the incidence reported by other workers, for example Muehlenhard and Shippee [29] , who found that 50% of female psychology students from the University of Kansas reported pretending orgasm. Frequently reported reasons were that orgasm was unlikely, they wanted sex to end, and they wanted to avoid negative consequences (e.g. ...
Background: The study of coital frequency is important. Coital frequency may reflect how strong a marital status is, it can be used as an indicator of fertility and can be used as method of family planning. In unmarried persons it can be an indicator about the risk of having a sexually transmissible infection. Coital frequency varies in different cultures and socioeconomic standards. The current study was carried out to bridge the knowledge gap about coital frequency in a group of Egyptian married women. Factors affecting this frequency will be also looked for. Patients and Methods: The Participants of this cross-sectional study were 306 married women attending the outpatient clinic of Benha University Hospital (for reasons other than sexual councelling). A self-report questionnaire designed by the investigators was used. Results: The most common coital frequency was 2-3 times/week (64.05%). This frequency was suitable for 78.43% of participants. Husband's desire was the most important determinant of coital frequency (89.87%). The most common cause of low coital frequency was unavailability of husband (56.86%). Problems within the family (57.19%) or with the husband (82.03%) negatively affect coital frequency. Coital frequency declines with aging and long duration of marriage. Conclusion: The most common coital frequency was 2-3 times / week followed by once/ month. Advance in age and long duration of marriage were associated with a low coital frequency. Other factors affecting coital frequency were husband's unavailability , husband's ill health, husband's sexual desire, presence or absence of problems with husband or within the family.
... Why does gender affect a person's likelihood to orgasm in a sexual encounter? Research has uncovered an "orgasm gap," in which women have orgasms less frequently during sexual interactions than men (Bryan, 2001;Darling & Davidson, 1986;Fahs & Swank, 2013;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010;Opperman et al., 2014;Wiederman, 1997). Scholarship has moved from biological explanations to examining the influence that sociocultural factors such as gender norms, power dynamics, and heteronormativity have on the persistence of the orgasm gap (Fahs & Swank, 2013;Narvaja, 2016). ...
This study examined how gender shapes sexual interactions and pleasure outcomes. We highlight varying expectations people have in regard to sex by combining questions about orgasm frequency and sexual pleasure. Our analysis was driven from a sample of 907 survey responses from cis women, cis men, trans women, trans men, non-binary, and intersex millennial respondents, 324 of which had gender-diverse sexual histories. The findings built upon previous literature about the orgasm gap by including those with underrepresented gender identities and expanding our conceptualization of gender’s role in the gap beyond gender identity. Qualitative results indicated that individuals change their behavior based on their partner’s gender and follow strong gendered scripts. Participants also relied upon heteronormative scripts and cis normative roles to set their interactions for the sexual encounter. Our findings support previous research on how gender identity impacts pleasure outcomes and has implications for how we might make gender progress in the arena of sexuality.
... However, we did not measure how often men versus women choose not to set or pursue orgasm goals. We suspect that heterosexual women likely make this choice more often than heterosexual men, given women's lower rates of orgasm and higher rates of faking orgasm compared to men (Frederick et al., 2018;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010). ...
The “orgasm gap” for women who have sex with men remains a pressing gender equity issue. Recent research found that women who pursued orgasm as a goal were more likely to have one. The current research replicated this relationship between orgasm goal pursuit and orgasm frequency for heterosexual women, and found that this relationship did not exist for heterosexual men (Study 1). Then, across two experimental studies, we examined how heterosexual women vary their orgasm goal pursuit across sexual encounters. In Study 2, women who read that a hypothetical sexual encounter would be “quick” reported less intent to pursue orgasm than women who were told they could “take their time” or received no time information. In Study 3, women who read that their hypothetical sexual partner seemed selfish reported less intent to pursue orgasm than women who were given a non-selfish partner or no partner information. Importantly, these effects were mediated by women’s perceived orgasm likelihood in the scenario. These results suggest that women shift their pursuit of orgasm depending on cues which signal whether orgasm will be feasible. This research used self-regulation theory to understand women’s motivations for pursuing orgasm during sexual encounters with men, with implications for reducing the orgasm gap.
... Self-objectification also takes place within a sociocultural context that dictate scripts for sexual behavior (e.g., heterosexual sexual scripts; Liss et al., 2019;Simon & Gagnon, 1986), for instance defining "successful sex" as penetrative vaginal intercourse ending promptly with a cisgender man's orgasm. Such scripts encourage women to prioritize men's pleasure over their own (Sakaluk et al., 2014;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010). Thus, some women may feel obligated to perform pleasure and functionally service men in the form of sending nudes. ...
Women frequently send sexualized nude images to men (i.e., nudes), but women's motivations for sending nudes are unclear because there are methodological limitations in the ways that cyber sexual activity has been defined and measured. To address these gaps in the literature, we employed a mixed method triangulation design to assess young women's motivations for sending nudes to men, and how motivations compare when measured qualitatively and quantitatively. Across our qualitative and quantitative data, we found that women endorsed a plethora of motivations for sending nudes to men—far more than any one approach captured. The open-ended responses revealed positive sexual motives otherwise missing from the quantitative scales, which tended to overrepresent negative motivations. We also identified several critical discrepancies between endorsement of similar motivations in the qualitative versus quantitative responses, especially when it came to the idea of sending nudes for fun. Based on these findings, we suggest future researchers consider using more specific, and less stigmatizing language when assessing women's motivations for sending nudes.
... Why does gender affect a person's likelihood to orgasm in a sexual encounter? Research has uncovered an "orgasm gap," in which women have orgasms less frequently during sexual interactions than men (Bryan, 2001;Darling & Davidson, 1986;Fahs & Swank, 2013;Muehlenhard & Shippee, 2010;Opperman et al., 2014;Wiederman, 1997). Scholarship has moved from biological explanations to examining the influence that sociocultural factors such as gender norms, power dynamics, and heteronormativity have on the persistence of the orgasm gap (Fahs & Swank, 2013;Narvaja, 2016). ...
This manuscript aims to study the effect of having high centrality on the commitment to heterosexual norms and heterosexual scripts. Centrality is the level of importance of one's gender is to an individual's identity which has been traditionally prescribed by stereotypical gender traits. Also, this study will evaluate whether gender identity plays a role in determining an individual's choice of sexual partners’ gender. This study focuses on an individual's gender makeup (on the scale of masculine and feminine) and the participants’ own view of importance for how gender identity plays a role in the way the individual feels about themselves. Previous research has focused on sex roles and gender stereotypes as it pertains to pleasure and intimacy, but these studies have only focused on binary gender identity categories (male/female). The researchers conducted a secondary data analysis using survey data, from the 2020 and 2021 Pleasure Study, on human sexuality that was collected online. There were a total of 1183 respondents in the study of various gender identities. The data shows strong correlations between highly masculine individuals with high centrality choosing sexual partners with high femininity and not individuals with high masculinity. This study showed that cismen with nonbinary partners and ciswomen with nonbinary partners had the lowest average centrality out of all the gender partner combinations.
The study discusses the dynamics of the implementation of the policy of the Prime Minister No. 30 of 2021 on the prevention and handling of sexual violence at the College of Waterwangi district and discovered institutional patterns of prevention and handling of sexual violence at the College.The research method used is qualitatively descriptive.Data collection techniques using primary and secondary data.Technical data analysis using: 1) data codification; 2) classification; 3) drawing of conclusions.To verify the validity of data using data triangulation.The correspondence of the results of this research is: 1) the involvement of the college with the regional government in the Waterwangi district before the release of the policy number 30 of 2021 permendikbud has shown significant collaboration.Programmes related to violence against women and children have been carried out through special participation forums at district level. College is actively involved in action. 2 ) local government, although involved in previous cooperation, are limited in the authority to intervene in the implementation of this new policy.3 ) major challenges in the implementation of policy ppks in college is the limited human resources and financial.4 ) blended institution was the idea of new legal status was based on obstacles and challenge in the research offers the interaction in vertical kelembagan hierarchy which is not only with the level of policy, but requires consolidated with authority pemiliki knowledge and supervision.
Orgasm is considered by many to be an essential part of women's ideal sexual experiences. As a result, sexual liberation narratives have often advocated for the prioritization of women's orgasms - particularly during heterosex - framing them as a central indicator of "good," healthy, liberated sex. However, scholars have increasingly critiqued these narratives, arguing that they result in an orgasm imperative that has negatively impacted women's sexual lives. Perspectives that promote the prioritization of women's orgasm and those that warn against the negative repercussions strive for the same thing - to draw attention to women's sexuality in ways that will lead to more pleasurable, enjoyable, and equitable sex for women overall. Yet, together, they offer contradictory messages about the role that women's orgasms can or should play in women's sexual liberation. For example, one could argue that it perhaps makes sense to prioritize women's orgasms given that they often are highly pleasurable for women, center a unique form of embodied pleasure, and offer a supposedly clear objective for women and their men partners. On the other hand, such narratives frame women's orgasm absence as abnormal, concede to men's sexuality in problematic ways, and constrain more comprehensive possibilities for women's sexual pleasure. In this critical feminist review, I offer a summative outline of these and other contradictions, focusing on how narratives prioritizing women's orgasms can have simultaneous benefits and negative repercussions when it comes to (1) women's sexual pleasure, (2) the medicalization/pathologization of women's orgasms, and (3) heterosex norms.
Elméleti háttér
A női orgazmusszínlelés jelenségének tanulmányozására fejlesztett egyik mérőeszköz a Faking Orgasm Scale for Women (FOS; Női Színlelt Orgazmus Kérdőív), amely a nők orgazmusszínlelési szokásait vizsgálja két különböző helyzetben. Ennek köszönhetően alaposabb megértést nyerhetünk az orális szex fogadásakor és közösüléskor alkalmazott orgazmusszínlelés komplex folyamata mögött meghúzódó okokról.
A kutatás célja
A vizsgálat célja a Faking Orgasm Scale magyar változatának elkészítése, pszichometriai ellenőrzése és validálása.
Módszer
A kutatásban használt két mintán online kérdőívcsomagokkal végeztük a felmérést. A kérdőív faktorszerkezetének elemzésekor 2220 női kitöltő (átlagéletkor = 24,4 év; SD = 7,48 év; 18–80 év között) adataival dolgoztunk. A validáláshoz az előző minta egy része, 768 nő (átlagéletkor = 22,6 év; SD = 4,54 év; 18–48 év között) töltötte ki a kérdőívcsomagot: Női Színlelt Orgazmus Kérdőív (FOS), a Nők Szexuális Működési Modelljei Kérdőív (WSWMS), és a Szexuális Motiváció Kérdőív (YSEX?-HSF).
Eredmények
A faktorelemzés megmutatta, hogy a Női Színlelt Orgazmus Kérdőív magyarra fordított változata illeszkedik az eredeti változat faktorstruktúrájára. A különböző okokból színlelt orgazmus eltérő szexuális működési modellekkel és szexuális motivációkkal mutat együtt járást. Továbbá a színlelő és nem színlelő nők között különbség mutatkozott a szexuális elhatárolódásuk mértékében és partnerük gondoskodásának megélésében. A színlelőkre jellemzőbb, hogy személyes szexuális céljaik elérése érdekében és az érzelmi nehézségekkel való megküzdésként vesznek részt szexuális tevékenységekben, mint nem színlelő társaikra.
Következtetések
Eredményeink azt mutatják, hogy a magyar mintát vizsgáló kutatók számára egy megbízható, jól hasznosítható eszköz áll rendelkezésre. Mivel a Női Színlelt Orgazmus Kérdőív magyar változata egy prediktív eszköznek tekinthető, számos szexualitással és párkapcsolattal összefüggő kutatásban alkalmazható.
The interface of sexual behavior and evolutionary psychology is a rapidly growing domain, rich in psychological theories and data as well as controversies and applications. With nearly eighty chapters by leading researchers from around the world, and combining theoretical and empirical perspectives, The Cambridge Handbook of Evolutionary Perspectives on Sexual Psychology is the most comprehensive and up-to-date reference work in the field. Providing a broad yet in-depth overview of the various evolutionary principles that influence all types of sexual behaviors, the handbook takes an inclusive approach that draws on a number of disciplines and covers nonhuman and human psychology. It is an essential resource for both established researchers and students in psychology, biology, anthropology, medicine, and criminology, among other fields. Volume 3: Female Sexual Adaptations addresses theory and research focused on sexual adaptations in human females.
The interface of sexual behavior and evolutionary psychology is a rapidly growing domain, rich in psychological theories and data as well as controversies and applications. With nearly eighty chapters by leading researchers from around the world, and combining theoretical and empirical perspectives, The Cambridge Handbook of Evolutionary Perspectives on Sexual Psychology is the most comprehensive and up-to-date reference work in the field. Providing a broad yet in-depth overview of the various evolutionary principles that influence all types of sexual behaviors, the handbook takes an inclusive approach that draws on a number of disciplines and covers nonhuman and human psychology. It is an essential resource for both established researchers and students in psychology, biology, anthropology, medicine, and criminology, among other fields. Volume 3: Female Sexual Adaptations addresses theory and research focused on sexual adaptations in human females.
This article, based on a set of 71 interviews conducted in France between 2014 and 2017, examines the basis of contemporary scripts for ‘good’ heterosex and reciprocal pleasure. It shows that, paradoxically, the male discourse on the pre-eminence of female orgasm falls within a persistently gendered order in which male desire prevails. It finds that non-penetrative genital practices continue to be stigmatized and are in general only practiced in conjunction with penile-vaginal intercourse. Interviews show that when people adopt what are still considered ‘inferior’ scripts it is usually as a result of external constraints. This article adds to our knowledge of changes in contemporary heterosexual practices over time but also what remains unchanged, while shedding light on current dynamics in gender relations.
Sexual satisfaction is important to individual well-being and relationship satisfaction, making it a research topic relevant for sex clinicians and relationship therapists. The current study adds to sexuality literature by asking participants questions about the factors involved in “great sex.” We conducted 78 interviews via email or phone with participants ranging in age from 18 to 69. The sample included a diverse range of sexual orientations and identities, and various relationship statuses. Three primary themes emerged regarding great sex: orgasm, an emotional component, and chemistry/connection. Though some participants equated an emotional aspect as love; most participants made clear the difference between love and emotional elements in sex. Many participants shared their belief that a man only invests in his female partner’s orgasm when he also invests in her emotionally. Thus, some women explained that the emotional component helped them be present enough to orgasm. Others explained the emotional component as trust and affection. Participants also elaborated to define chemistry, which they regarded as out of one’s control and impossible to manufacture. A smaller number of participants stated unequivocally the lack of necessity of an emotional aspect to great sex; they stated instead that physical connection trumped an emotional component.
This paper challenges the psychiatric practice of treating absent/low sexual interest/desire/arousal as a mental disorder. It does so by calling attention to the fact that asexuality is treated differently than other non-heterosexual orientations. The current DSM contains no psychiatric diagnosis which has, as its primary symptom, same-sex sexual desire. Yet, the same DSM offers diagnoses such as male hypoactive sexual desire disorder and female sexual interest/arousal disorder which have, as their primary symptom, absent/low sexual interest/desire/arousal. One of the unfortunate consequences of treating absent/low sexual desire as a mental disorder is that it perpetuates the false belief that those who experience their sexuality differently than the heterosexual “sexusociety” norm are less healthy and more dysfunctional. It is also concerning because of the implied gender bias: women are more likely to experience absent/low sexual interest/desire/arousal than men and more likely to be diagnosed with a sexual interest/desire/arousal disorder.
Many women report faking orgasm, at least on occasion, during heterosex (i.e., heterosexual sexual activities). The reasons for the practice include validating the skill of a male lover, a way of ending sexual encounters, and to avoid pathologization that is often associated with orgasmic absence. Constructions of heterosex, female sexuality, and sexual pleasure are influenced by multiple sources including the media. However, there is a lack of systematic research on how faking orgasm is presented in the media. This gap in research provided an opportunity to investigate women’s magazines’ portrayals of the practice. Using constructionist thematic analysis, 69 online articles, published by two popular women’s magazines, Cosmopolitan and Glamour, were analyzed. From the examined articles, two major themes emerged: faking as a common practice (especially via women’s first-hand accounts) and instructing the reader not to fake. It is our contention that together the two themes create a distinctly postfeminist portrayal of faking orgasm. On the one hand, the magazines included and highlighted women’s own experiences and reasons for faking orgasm. On the other hand, female readers were instructed to avoid faking in the name of personal responsibility and empowerment. Notably, the magazines omitted any discussion of gender power relations in their appeals for choice and sexual agency. Overall, this study expands our understanding of women magazines’ contradictory portrayals of women’s sexuality, sexual pleasure, and navigation of its absence.
Reciprocity is a basic premise of egalitarian relationships, and is typically depicted as a `good thing' within heterosexual sex and relationships. Here we examine a discourse of reciprocity - articulated as orgasm for both partners - evident in accounts of heterosex collected from 15 heterosexual women and 15 men. We argue that notions of reciprocity are not necessarily as liberatory as they might seem, as they do not occur in a social or sexual vacuum. In conjunction with other dominant sexual meanings, a discourse of reciprocity produces entitlements and obligations that can render `choice' in heterosex problematic, particularly for women.
Women’s magazines are a popular site for analysis of socio-cultural messages about gender, sex, and sexuality. We analyzed six consecutive issues of Cosmopolitan and Cleo to identify the ways in which they construct and represent male and female sexuality. Overall, male sexuality was prioritised, ‘real’ heterosex was depicted as penetrative, and orgasm was given precedence. Two main accounts of male and female sexuality were identified. Men’s need for (great) sex positioned men as easily aroused and sexually satisfied, but women as needing to develop ‘great’ sexual skills to keep their men from ‘straying.’ Accounts of pleasure, performance, and the male ego represented men as concerned about women’s pleasure, about their own sexual performance and as sensitive about suggested sexual ‘inadequacies.’ We discuss the implications of these constructions for women’s gendered (sexual) subjectivity, sexual practices, and identities.
Major depression is frequently associated with sexual dysfunction (over 70% of patients), and the antidepressant medications used to treat the illness may exacerbate pre-existing sexual dysfunction, or induce sexual dysfunction not present on diagnosis. In women, sex hormones that change across the life cycle, menstrual cycle, and diurnally have direct effects on sexual functioning, and indirect effects via modulation of neurotransmitter systems. These complex neuroendocrine effects lead to the sexual dysfunction seen with antidepressants. Strategies to manage these effects have had some success. They include switching to antidepressants with minimal sexual side effects, addition of hormones and/or antidotes, and lowering the dose of medication. Emerging data on the pathophysiology of sexual function and dysfunction, and new treatment options may lead to improved quality of life for women diagnosed with depression.
This article illustrates the construction of a new model of adolescent sexual health, one that addresses the complex relationships between gender and adolescent sexuality. A review of sexual health models highlights the absence of gender; in contrast, research illuminates the significance of gender. This article describes the process of building a model of sexual health explicitly for girls, guided by feminist research on adolescent girls' sexuality and a "web of theories". It also describes the unanticipated challenges of making a companion model for boys and the ensuing shift from a gender-specific approach to an integrated gendered model of adolescent sexual health. Gender complementarity is defined and forwarded as a way to incorporate gender into a model of adolescent sexual health.
The differences model, which argues that males and females are vastly different psychologically, dominates the popular media. Here, the author advances a very different view, the gender similarities hypothesis, which holds that males and females are similar on most, but not all, psychological variables. Results from a review of 46 meta-analyses support the gender similarities hypothesis. Gender differences can vary substantially in magnitude at different ages and depend on the context in which measurement occurs. Overinflated claims of gender differences carry substantial costs in areas such as the workplace and relationships.
Sex is often conceptualized either as wanted and consensual or as unwanted and nonconsensual, reflecting an implicit model of wanting that is unidimensional and dichotomous and that conflates wanting and consenting. This study had three objectives: developing a multidimensional model for conceptualizing the wantedness of a sexual act, using this model to compare women's experiences with rape and consensual sex, and assessing whether wantedness is related to rape acknowledgement. Participants were college women who described their experiences with rape (n = 77) or consensual sexual intercourse (n = 87). Results supported a multidimensional model of sexual wanting and a wanting-consenting distinction. Compared with acknowledged rape victims, unacknowledged rape victims reported wanting the sexual intercourse more, despite not having consented.
Since its introduction in 1998, Viagra has launched a new kind of sexual revolution. Quickly becoming one of the most sought after drugs in history, the little blue pill created a sea change within the pharmaceutical industry-from how drugs could be marketed to the types of drugs put into development-as well as the culture at large. Impotency is no longer an embarrassing male secret; now it is called "erectile dysfunction," and is simply something to "ask your doctor" about. And over 16 million men have. The Rise of Viagra is the first book to detail the history and the vast social implications of the Viagra phenomenon. Meika Loe argues that Viagra has changed what qualifies as normal sex in America. In the quick-fix, pill-for-everything culture that Viagra helped to create, erections can now be had by popping a pill, making sex on demand, regardless of age or infirmity, and, potentially, for the rest of one's life. Drawing on interviews with men who take the drug, their wives, doctors and pharmacists as well as scientists and researchers in the field, this fascinating account provides an intimate history of the drug's effect on America. Loe also examines the quest for the female Viagra, the impact of the drug around the world, the introduction of new erection drugs, like Levitra and Cialis, and the rapid growth of the multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical industry. This wide-ranging book explains how this medical breakthrough and cultural phenomenon have forever changed the meaning of sex in America.
Written as an intriguing and accessible textbook for courses on gender, sociology, and sexuality, Sexualities in Context presents a broad overview of the socio-cultural elements of sexualities. The summary of the contexts of sex and sexual behaviors/identities is both intelligent and readable. With helpful anecdotes and examples of the social construction of sex and gender roles, students are empowered to think outside their comfort zones and encouraged to explore the topic of sex in a new context. With eminently readable language and useful pedagogical features like end-of-chapter questions, suggested projects, and suggested further readings, Sexualities in Context is the ideal textbook to help students recognize sex as not only a personal issue, but a socially constructed issue as well.
This paper examines the phenomenon of faking orgasm in order to construct a critical analysis of heterosexual relations. Such an analysis, we argue, is central to the task of developing effective HIV/AIDS educational campaigns for heterosexual people. In the paper we examine the different narratives upon which heterosexual men and women rely when they are discussing their sexual and relationship experiences. We analyse these in terms of recent feminist theories of embodiment. We conclude by arguing the importance of this kind of analysis to HIV/AIDS prevention and education.
In this paper we discuss the potential for developing a feminist approach to women's sexual embodiment via an exploration of heterosexual sexuality. We contest both pre-social, biological accounts of sexuality and supra-social accounts: those that fail to locate desire and pleasure in their social context. In so doing we seek to avoid more abstract forms of social constructionism by analysing gendered, sexual bodies in interaction and bodies as located in material social relations and practices. In focusing on sexual pleasure we will contest dis-embodied, asocial formulations of desire and consider how desire and pleasure may be reflexively understood in the context of everyday/everynight sexual practices. Taking orgasm as a paradigmatic case, we will consider the relationships between the ways in which women's orgasm is conventionally represented and the social construction of “faked” and “authentic” orgasms.
In this chapter, I explore the importance—but also the danger—of studying sexually aggressive women. There are many arguments for why we should study sexually aggressive women but also many reasons why this could be a dangerous endeavor. Before addressing these arguments specifically, however, I have included a section on the nature of gender. I included this section because gender is crucial to the controversy over studying sexually aggressive women. The nature of the distinctions between men and women and the meaning of gender are at the heart of this discussion. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
The ubiquity of self-report pencil and paper surveys in sexual coercion research is matched only by the lack of attention to respondents' individual interpretations of survey items. Our purpose in this study was to examine men's interpretations of four apparently ambiguous items from a commonly used sexual coercion research instrument, the original Sexual Experiences Survey (SES; Koss & Oros, 1982). After completing the SES, college men (N = 102) were immediately interviewed about their interpretations of 4 of the SES items. Across the interviews, the men reported a variety of interpretations of each item. Ignoring SES item interpretations when forming research conclusions has significant implications for sexual coercion research. Based on the results of this investigation, we urge caution in interpreting results of studies based on self-administered measures of coercive sexual behavior.
We investigated men's experience with unwanted sexual activity-including unwanted kissing, petting, or intercourse-engaged in because of physical or psychological pressure or from societal expectations about male sexuality. We developed a questionnaire asking if respondents had ever engaged in unwanted sexual activity for any of 51 reasons. This questionnaire was administered to 507 men and 486 women. More women (97.5%) than men (93.5%) had experienced unwanted sexual activity; more men (62.7%) than women (46.3%) had experienced unwanted intercourse. Using factor analysis, we grouped the 51 questionnaire items into 13 general reasons; we then compared percentages of men and women who had engaged in unwanted sexual activity for these 13 reasons. There were seven sex differences in reasons for unwanted sexual activity: Five were more frequent for women than men; two reasons were more frequent for men than women-peer pressure and desire for popularity. There were eight sex differences in reasons for unwanted intercourse; more men than women had engaged in unwanted intercourse for all eight. The double standard for male and female sexuality and implications for therapy are discussed.
Most writing on sociological method has been concerned with how accurate facts can be obtained and how theory can thereby be more rigorously tested. In The Discovery of Grounded Theory, Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss address the equally Important enterprise of how the discovery of theory from data--systematically obtained and analyzed in social research--can be furthered. The discovery of theory from data--grounded theory--is a major task confronting sociology, for such a theory fits empirical situations, and is understandable to sociologists and laymen alike. Most important, it provides relevant predictions, explanations, interpretations, and applications. In Part I of the book, "Generation Theory by Comparative Analysis," the authors present a strategy whereby sociologists can facilitate the discovery of grounded theory, both substantive and formal. This strategy involves the systematic choice and study of several comparison groups. In Part II, The Flexible Use of Data," the generation of theory from qualitative, especially documentary, and quantitative data Is considered. In Part III, "Implications of Grounded Theory," Glaser and Strauss examine the credibility of grounded theory. The Discovery of Grounded Theory is directed toward improving social scientists' capacity for generating theory that will be relevant to their research. While aimed primarily at sociologists, it will be useful to anyone Interested In studying social phenomena--political, educational, economic, industrial-- especially If their studies are based on qualitative data.
In this paper we discuss the potential for developing a feminist approach to women's sexual embodiment via an exploration of heterosexual sexuality. We contest both pre-social, biological accounts of sexuality and supra-social accounts: those that fail to locate desire and pleasure in their social context. In so doing we seek to avoid more abstract forms of social constructionism by analysing gendered, sexual bodies in interaction and bodies as located in material social relations and practices. In focusing on sexual pleasure we will contest dis-embodied, asocial formulations of desire and consider how desire and pleasure may be reflexively understood in the context of everyday/everynight sexual practices. Taking orgasm as a paradigmatic case, we will consider the relationships between the ways in which women's orgasm is conventionally represented and the social con-struction of "faked" and "authentic" orgasms.
Thesis (Ph. D.)--California School of Professional Psychology, Berkeley, 1981.
As of 1989, the psychotropic drugs that have been reported to inhibit female orgasm include antipsychotic agents (thioridazine, trifluoperazine and fluphenazine), the combination drug perphenazine/amitriptyline, antidepressants (phenelzine, isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine, amoxapine, clomipramine, imipramine, nortriptyline and desipramine) and anxiolytic agents (diazepam, flurazepam and alprazolam). The management of psychotropic-drug-induced female anorgasmia includes discontinuation of the offending drug, reduction of the dosage level, a wait for spontaneous remission while the patient remains on the agent and substitution of another medication. The use of bethanechol chloride and cyproheptadine has been successful in resolving anorgasmia while patients continue to receive antidepressants.
As individuals become increasingly aware of their sexuality and orgasmic responsiveness, concomitantly, the phenomenon of pretending orgasm is becoming a greater part of the sexual relationship for many couples. However, few studies exist concerning this phenomenon despite the fact that nearly two-thirds of all females have reported pretending orgasm. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to profile those females who have pretended orgasm by examining the dimensions of their sexual and orgasmic behaviors, the factors that inhibit their orgasm, the dynamics of partner interaction, and any desired changes in their sexual lives. A survey research design was employed utilizing the responses of 805 professional nurses who participated in a study concerning self-perceptions of the female sexual response. The findings indicate that those females who have ever pretended orgasm became sexually active at a younger age and have been more sexually explorative than those females who have not pretended orgasm. Furthermore, the role of their sex partners was a significant dimension in their orgasmic pretense. The resultant impact on coupled relationships has many critical implications for therapists.
Although popular media have addressed the issue of women pretending orgasm during sexual intercourse, the research literature on the phenomenon is sparse. In the current study, 161 young adult women provided data regarding lifetime sexual experience, objective and subjective physical attractiveness, sexual attitudes (erotophobia-erotophilia), sexual esteem, and general tendencies toward self-monitoring of expressive behavior in social situations. Overall, more than one-half of the women reported having pretended orgasm during sexual intercourse. In univariate analyses, the "pretenders" and "non-pretenders" did not differ in experimenter-rated facial attractiveness, self-rated body attractiveness, or general self-monitoring. However, pretenders were significantly older; viewed themselves as facially more attractive, reported having had first intercourse at a younger age; reported greater numbers of lifetime intercourse, fellatio, and cunnilingus partners; and scored higher on measures of sexual esteem and erotophilia. In multivariate analyses, only sexual esteem was uniquely related to having pretended orgasm. The findings are discussed with regard to possible explanations and implications, as well as directions for future research.
Patients with depressive disorders frequently have concurrent sexual problems. The sexual dysfunction is often masked by the mood disorder, and many patients have difficulty discussing these problems openly. Thus, sexual dysfunction often is detectable only by careful inquiry. The relationship between sexual dysfunction and depressive disorders is further complicated by antidepressant therapy, which itself may cause sexual dysfunction, increasing the risk of noncompliance and relapse. This article reviews studies indicating that antidepressants may cause 30% to 40% of patients who take them to develop some degree of sexual dysfunction. Management strategies for alleviating sexual dysfunction as a complication of antidepressant treatment are discussed in terms of supporting research studies as well as practicality. Spontaneous resolution of antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunctions rarely occurs, and dose reductions may jeopardize the antidepressant effect. Antidotes, drug holidays, and timing sexual relations with respect to antidepressant dose are effective for some patients, but only a few of these strategies have been studied with double-blind paradigms. Switching to antidepressants that cause sexual dysfunction at lower rates and data comparing rates of sexual dysfunction among antidepressants are discussed.
In recent years, increased attention has been focused on antidepressant-associated sexual dysfunction, largely because of the widespread use of serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the recognition that such side effects can have a negative impact on treatment compliance. Data suggest that serotonergic antidepressants are associated with delayed ejaculation and anorgasmia, although these sexual problems are also linked to depression and to age. In this review, we discuss central mediators of normal orgasmic functioning and dysfunction, the relationship between depression and sexual dysfunction, possible mechanisms for SSRI-associated sexual dysfunction, and evolving treatment strategies.
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