It is often seen as a taboo subject.
But a new study is finally lifting the lid on the female orgasm — and exactly what it takes to achieve it.
Researchers from the University of Essex surveyed 360 women about their sexual experiences.
The results showed that women who climax more often have higher levels of a feeling known as ‘interoception’.
This is the ability to perceive and interpret signals from your own body, such as your heart rate, breathing, hunger and pain.
“Women need to get out of their heads and into their bodies to have more frequent and satisfying orgasms,” says Dr. Megan Klabunde, who led the study.
‘Orgasms are more common and satisfying when a woman can focus on how her body feels.
‘This study is important because most research on orgasms in women has focused on their dysfunction.’
It is often seen as a taboo subject. But a new study finally lifts the lid on the female orgasm – and exactly what it takes to achieve it (stock image)
Women who climax more often have higher levels of a feeling known as ‘interoception’. This is the ability to sense and interpret signals from your own body, such as your heart rate, breathing, hunger and pain (stock image)
Despite being widely considered the pinnacle of pleasure, previous research has shown that women are missing something when it comes to orgasms.
Last year, Durex surveyed 2,000 Brits about their sexual experiences and discovered that on average men have four times as many orgasms as women.
However, previous research on this so-called “orgasm gap” has often focused on orgasmic dysfunction in women.
“Focusing solely on orgasmic dysfunction in women is a problem because there is very little research demonstrating the normal process of orgasm in women, let alone demonstrating ways in which women can enrich their orgasms,” said Dr. Klabunde.
In their new study, the researchers wanted to understand why some women can reach orgasm more often than others.
The team enlisted 360 women, who filled out questionnaires about their sexual experiences (both solo and together) and their interoception levels.
The results showed that women achieved orgasm independently about 20 percent more often.
Additionally, high levels of interoception were linked to how satisfying orgasms were.
The team enlisted 360 women, who filled out questionnaires about their sexual experiences (both solo and together) and their interoception levels. The results showed that women achieved orgasm independently about 20 percent more often
‘Women’s ability to focus their attention on their internal bodily sensations and trust these sensations was also associated with greater orgasm satisfaction,’ said Dr Klabunde.
‘That is why it is important that women and their partners rely on the woman’s internal bodily experiences during sexual encounters.
‘This is critical for promoting orgasmic satisfaction for both solo and especially partnered sexual contexts.’
The researchers hope that the findings will increase sexual satisfaction for both women themselves and their partners.
‘A better understanding of the process to orgasm for women could lead to greater well-being and relationship satisfaction for women and their partners,’ added Dr Klabunde.