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Female Sexual Dysfunction

Lack of ability to orgasm

One of the most frequently used sexual myths is that all women experience orgasm with penile penetration and thrusting. In fact, research has shown that only 25% of women achieve orgasm in this manner, leaving a huge 75% of women who need additional clitoral stimulation. It is estimated that 12% of women are anorgasmic (never reach a climax). Many women enjoy pleasurable sex and feel close and loving towards their partner during lovemaking without achieving orgasm. Lack of orgasm is therefore only a difficulty if the woman or her partner feels it is a problem. It is now recognised that physiological factors can prevent arousal, e.g. hormone imbalance or poor blood flow to the clitoris or vagina. The orgasmic response, however, depends on many things: sexual arousal, feeling comfortable with oneself, fixed ideas about men and women and attitudes about sex. Concern and worry can in fact become the very factors that prevent orgasm. For those who are unable to experience orgasm but would like to, there are various self-help methods available through books or pre-orgasmic groups (further information available on the back of this leaflet). Sex and relationship therapists also work with individual women, encouraging them to learn about their own bodies and how to pleasure themselves. Once a woman has learned to experience pleasure at her own touch and to feel better about her body, she can share what she has learned with her partner.