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Related Experiment Videos

Are Women's Orgasms Hindered by Phallocentric Imperatives?

Malachi Willis1, Kristen N Jozkowski2,3, Wen-Juo Lo4

  • 1Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation, University of Arkansas, 308-V HPER Building, 155 Stadium Drive, Fayetteville, AR, 72701, USA.

Archives of Sexual Behavior
|February 22, 2018
PubMed
Summary

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Women who have sex with women (WSW) report more orgasms than women who have sex with men (WSM). This difference narrows when considering diverse sexual behaviors and self-focused orgasm goals, suggesting societal sexual scripts influence orgasm rates.

Area of Science:

  • Sexuality and Gender Studies
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

Background:

  • Women who have sex with women (WSW) report higher orgasm rates than women who have sex with men (WSM).
  • Phallocentric imperatives, emphasizing penile-vaginal intercourse and male pleasure, may explain this orgasm gap.
  • These scripts may limit women's sexual experiences and orgasm potential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if phallocentric imperatives partially explain the orgasm discrepancy between WSW and WSM.
  • To examine the role of sexual behavior variety and self-oriented orgasm goals in this discrepancy.

Main Methods:

  • Survey data from 1988 WSM and 308 WSW.
  • Statistical analysis comparing orgasm rates, controlling for sexual frequency, behavior variety, and orgasm goals.
Keywords:
GenderOrgasmSexual orientationSexual scriptsWomen who have sex with womenWomen’s well-being

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • WSW were 1.33 times more likely to orgasm than WSM, controlling for sexual frequency.
  • This difference reduced to 1.16 times when accounting for sexual behavior variety and self-oriented orgasm goals.

Conclusions:

  • Phallocentric sexual scripts contribute to the orgasm gap between WSW and WSM.
  • Interventions should consider diverse sexual scripts and women's self-oriented pleasure.
  • Further research into male-centered practices like masturbation is warranted.