Faking Orgasm: Relationship to Orgasmic Problems and Relationship Type in Heterosexual Women

Krisztina Hevesi; Zsolt Horvath; Dorottya Sal; Eszter Miklos; David L Rowland

doi:10.1016/j.esxm.2021.100419

Faking Orgasm: Relationship to Orgasmic Problems and Relationship Type in Heterosexual Women

Sex Med. 2021 Oct;9(5):100419. doi: 10.1016/j.esxm.2021.100419. Epub 2021 Aug 20.

Authors

Krisztina Hevesi¹, Zsolt Horvath², Dorottya Sal¹, Eszter Miklos¹, David L Rowland³

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
² Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary; Doctoral School of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary. Electronic address: horvath.zsolt@ppk.elte.hu.
³ Department of Psychology, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso IN USA.

Abstract

Introduction: Although faking orgasm among women appears quite common, the roles of orgasmic problems and relationship type in partnered sex and masturbation have not been fully explored.

Aim: We assessed the relationship between orgasmic problems (separately in partnered sex and masturbation) and faking orgasm across various types of relationships while also considering the role of demographic and sexual function related covariates.

Methods: In this study of 1,168 Hungarian women, we assessed orgasmic problems, sexual functioning, and the prevalence and frequency of faking orgasm in 3 relationship types: romantic relationships, one-night stands, and continuing sexual relationships of more than one night.

Main outcome measure: Differences in faking orgasm across 3 types of relationships; the association between faking orgasm in 1 type of relationship with faking orgasm in other types of relationships; and the relationship of "orgasmic problems" in partnered sex and masturbation to the presence and frequency of faking orgasm in various relationship types.

Results: A subset of women who faked orgasm in 1 relationship type were more likely to fake orgasm in other relationship types. Orgasmic problems predicted the occurrence and frequency of faking orgasm in all 3 relationship types, though to different degrees. Other factors, including orgasmic difficulty during masturbation, the frequencies of masturbation and partnered sex, and the self-rated importance of sex were also related to the frequency of faking orgasm.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that faking orgasm has both dispositional and situational elements. "Orgasmic problems" in partnered sex was a consistent and robust predictor of the occurrence and frequency of faking orgasm in different relationship types. Hevesi K, Horvath Z, Sal D, et al. Faking Orgasm: Relationship to Orgasmic Problems and Relationship Type in Heterosexual Women. Sex Med 2021;9:100419.

Keywords: Faking Orgasm; One-Night Stands; Orgasmic Difficulty; Pretending Orgasm; Relationship Types; Women.