Exploring the Orgasm Gap in Heterosexual Sex: A Swiss and European Online Survey

Abstract The orgasm gap refers to the phenomenon whereby cisgender women experience orgasm less frequently and less reliably than do cisgender men during heterosex. Our study reassesses the orgasm gap in a sample of 2,272 cisgender heterosexual participants from Switzerland and the EU and investigates contributing factors (i.e., social aspects, personal aspects, relationship context, sexual behaviors). In partnersex, we find a large gap of 37.9%, whereas the gap in masturbation is only 3.1%. We also identify an orgasm satisfaction gap, which indicates that women are 26.8% less satisfied than men with their orgasm frequency. While anatomical knowledge is positively associated with orgasm in masturbation, it had no effect in partnersex. Factors such as age, higher sex frequency, stronger sexual desire, committed relationships, open communication, and clitoral-focused practices increase the orgasm frequency for women during heterosex; however, only 9.6% of women report experiencing orgasm from penile-vaginal penetration alone. Our results suggest that biological differences play no relevant role in the gap between men and women. A phallocentric understanding of heterosex and frequent consumption of mainstream pornographic media reduce female orgasm frequency and are important factors to address in seeking sexual equality.