Orgasm gap: Why do women have sex even when it is unpleasant?

Orgasm Gap: Why Do Women Have Sex Even When It Is Unpleasant?
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In a recent Durex survey involving 400 young adults in Singapore and their knowledge of sex revealed that one in two women have had sex even when it was not enjoyable, thereby confirming the theory of the orgasm gap.

An intimacy specialist believes that this may indicate that pressure to engage in sexual activity is common among women in this country. Dr. Angela Tan, an intimacy expert, cautioned that viewing sex as a compromise might cause anger in a committed partnership. She added that women could mistakenly believe over time that their spouse just wants sex.

Durex, on the other hand, noted that rather than viewing sex as a favour to their spouse, women can benefit from viewing it as an opportunity to express their preferences and dislikes and try out new approaches.

Before we examine the other poll results, let’s quickly define the orgasm gap.

What is orgasm gap?

The difference in couples’ orgasm rates is known as the “orgasm gap.” Studies have utilised it to gauge sexual pleasure across various racial and socioeconomic groups, also known as orgasm inequality. The quantity of orgasms someone has alone does not always indicate that their sex life is pleasant and healthy. According to research, men and women in heterosexual relationships have orgasms at significantly different rates.

Click here to read more : Orgasm Gap explained in simple words: What is it, why it happens and how can we bridge the gap?

Durex Survey Findings

The survey by Durex was conducted on 400 young adults in Singapore aged between 18 and 29.

The survey found that sexually active respondents were more than three times as likely to be mistaken about the likelihood of pregnancy in various sexual positions, with more than 20% of respondents stating that standing up during sex would prevent a woman from becoming pregnant because “gravity will prevent the sperm travelling upwards.”

Both the men and the women who took part in the poll had these alarming assumptions, but the sexually active males were 39% more likely to be mistaken than the women.

Furthermore, although 57% of respondents believed that condoms provide good protection against STIs, many were ignorant of how they functioned, and 43% thought a tight condom provided superior protection. Nearly a third of respondents agreed that using two condoms is preferable.

Both statements are false. 

The chief medical officer of DTAP Clinic, Dr. Jonathan Ti, stated that such a lack of sexual health education “can both lead to increased rates of STIs and unwanted pregnancy in people who do not appreciate the risks, as well as some on the other end of the spectrum who become hyperanxious and paranoid about STIs even from very low risk exposures.”

“Neither of these scenarios is healthy and most can be avoided with proper sex education,” Dr Ti said. 

He urged parents to take charge, stating that a child’s sexual education and behaviour should start at home.

“Contrary to popular culture, there is no ‘big talk’ where everything about sex gets taught in one go. Information about sexuality should be layered into everyday conversations, with important concepts such as consent, attraction and biological functions being introduced in different stages,” said Dr Ti.

Why sex education is the need of the hour?

As we advance from childhood to adulthood, too many of us get inconsistent information about relationships and sex. This cause us to want more trustworthy information that will help to live secure, fruitful, and meaningful lives. When properly imparted sex education gives us the knowledge and skills we need to navigate a society where gender-based violence, gender inequity, early and unplanned pregnancy, HIV, and other STIs continue to pose severe threats to our health and wellbeing. In addition, a lack of high-quality, developmentally and age-appropriate sexuality education may expose us to risky sexual practices and sexual exploitation that we can avoid in future.

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