Study shows that lifelong orgasm gap is influenced by age, gender and sexual orientation

Scientists at Indiana University, USA, have investigated age-related differences in the rate of orgasm during intercourse by gender and sexual orientation. The study was published in the journal Sexual medicine.

Study: The Lifetime Orgasm Gap: Examining the Effects of Age on Orgasm Rate. Image Credit: Aloha Hawaii / Shutterstock

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Orgasm is a psychophysiological response to sexual stimulation characterized by muscle contractions, hormonal changes, and tension release. It contributes significantly to sexual satisfaction and well-being. The absence of orgasm can lead to stress and relationship problems.

Differences in orgasm rates have been observed between genders and sexual orientations, with heterosexual women having comparatively lower orgasm rates than men and homosexual women. Such differences may be related to biological, psychological and sociocultural factors that influence sexual pleasure.

In this study, scientists determined differences in orgasm rates among adults of different ages, genders, and sexual orientations.

Understanding these differences is critical to addressing developmental influences on sexual health and designing interventions to improve sexual functioning throughout life.

Study design

The researchers analyzed data from eight cross-sectional surveys conducted in the United States between 2015 and 2023. The final analysis sample included a total of 24,752 participants aged 18 to 100.

Participants’ responses regarding their average orgasm rate during intercourse were on a scale of 0% to 100%. Information on participants’ age, gender, income, sexual orientation, and race or ethnicity was also collected from the survey data.

The scientists categorized the participants into five age groups: adolescents, young adults, young adults, young adults and older adults. They determined the influence of gender and sexual orientation on the orgasm rate within each age group.

Important observations

The average orgasm rate in the entire population studied was 65%. The analysis showed a negligible association between age and orgasm rate with minimal effect size.

A moderating effect of age on the relationship between orgasm rate, gender, and sexual orientation was observed. In particular, age was found to be positively associated with orgasm rate in bisexual men, homosexual women, and homosexual men. However, the effect sizes were small.

In heterosexual participants, a nonlinear relationship between age and orgasm frequency was observed. However, the effect size was minimal.

When looking at the early middle, late middle, and older age groups, higher orgasm rates were observed in heterosexual participants than in homosexual and bisexual participants. However, no such associations were observed in adolescents and young adults.

Regarding gender, higher orgasm rates were observed in heterosexual men in late middle age than in non-heterosexual men. No such differences were observed in the early middle and older age groups.

Across all five age groups, higher orgasm rates were observed among non-heterosexual women than among heterosexual women in the early middle age group. However, no such differences were observed in the late middle and older age groups.

In the late middle-aged group, higher orgasm rates were observed in bisexual participants than in homosexual participants. In the early middle-aged group, orgasm rates were higher in homosexual women than in bisexual women.

Looking at all five age groups, higher orgasm rates were observed in men than in women. While orgasm rates in men ranged from 70% to 85%, they ranged from 46% to 58% in women. Overall, orgasm rates in men were 22% to 30% higher than in women.

Significance of the study

The study finds that there are persistent differences in orgasm frequency throughout adult life, from early adulthood (18 – 24 years) to older adulthood (65 years and older).

The study also concludes that men orgasm significantly more often than women, which is consistent with the available literature.

The existence of such differences in orgasm frequency, also called the orgasm gap, could be due to sociocultural norms and inadequate sex education.

Among study participants, older gay and bisexual men and gay women reported higher orgasm rates than their younger peers, suggesting that a person’s understanding of sexual needs and preferences improves with age.

The persistent orgasm gap between men and women observed across all age groups suggests that the underlying factors associated with orgasm differences are not exclusively influenced by age.

As the scientists point out, the study findings have significant clinical implications for healthcare providers, therapists, and sex educators. The persistence of the orgasm gap highlights the need for a more comprehensive approach in clinical practice and education to focus on discussions related to sexual health, address specific challenges faced by sexual minorities and aging populations, and emphasize mutual satisfaction to promote sexual well-being.

In order to more clearly determine orgasm rates over the course of a lifetime and to develop interventions to reduce orgasm differences, future longitudinal studies with participants of different identities are needed.