Why is it easier for men to reach the big O?

For decades, researchers have been working to explain the infamous 'orgasm gap'.

The reality is that a single cause doesn't exist. The gap reflects a combination of anatomy, psychology, and the cultural context in which people have sex. Understanding it matters, both for couples trying to bridge the gap and for anyone managing their own sexual health.

What percentage of women orgasm during sex?

Data on the female orgasm should be taken with a pinch of salt as it's difficult to draw reliable conclusions when participants have self-reported. There are many reasons why a woman might report having an orgasm when she hasn't, including pressure to please a partner or confusion about what an orgasm is. That said, studies on orgasms do lend insight into the realities of the orgasm gap.

So, what percentage of women orgasm during sex?

A large study found that around 95% of heterosexual men usually or always orgasm during sex, dropping to 86% for lesbian women. The figure drops again to 65% for heterosexual women.¹

And there are several explanations as to why.

But first, let’s get to grips with what an orgasm actually is.

What is an orgasm?

An orgasm is an intense feeling of pleasure that comes from sexual stimulation. Scientifically, it’s the release of neurohormones (oxytocin and prolactin) and endorphins in the brain. Orgasms are a natural part of sexual pleasure and can even reduce stress.²

There’s no universal way to reach orgasm, and the same can be said for the way that it feels, but the chemical reaction in the brain is triggered whether you’re male or female.

Sounds simple enough… Right?

Actually, when you get to grips with the stimulation and biology of an orgasm, men are playing a completely different ball game to women (quite literally).

One of the greatest differences: ejaculation.

When a man orgasms, he ejaculates - that’s the biology of a man’s sexual function. Male ejaculation is the release of sperm cells and seminal plasma from the testes. It’s easier said than done, and sexual dysfunctions such as premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction are extremely common. Less frequently, a man might experience retrograde ejaculation, where the sperm travels back into the bladder.³ This can sometimes be the reason for a ‘dry orgasm’.

You might have heard of female ejaculation.⁴ There’s a lot of speculation around what this actually is but the fact that it’s substantially less common and doesn’t have to coincide with an orgasm suggests that it’s not analogous with male ejaculation.

It’s clear that men and women have biological differences when it comes to sex, but the question remains…

Why do men find it easier to orgasm than women?

We still have a long way to go when it comes to understanding the orgasm gap but here are 4 potential reasons why it exists.

1. Historical attitudes

For much of recorded history, sex was framed primarily as a means of reproduction, and female sexual pleasure was either ignored or actively dismissed. Religious and cultural traditions in many societies positioned women's sexual desire as something to be controlled rather than explored.⁵

It’s pathed the way for a male-orientated approach to the pleasure of sex.

Although progress has been made when it comes to understanding female sexual pleasure, echoes of a male-dominated mentality remain. This may explain - at least in part - the orgasm gap.

2. Sexual dysfunction 

Extortionate amounts of money and time have been pumped into finding cures and treatments for common male sexual health problems. This has brought us revolutionary medications, including, but not limited, to:

Erectile dysfunction treatments

• Sildenafil

• Tadalafil

• Viagra

Premature ejaculation treatments

• Dapoxetine

Despite 40% of women experiencing some sort of sexual dysfunction, the amount of money and research that’s gone into finding treatment is minute in comparison.⁶

One of the most commonly reported sexual dysfunctions in women? Inability to reach orgasm.

With more research and treatment options on the market, the gender orgasm gap would most likely narrow.

3. Libido

Libido varies no matter what gender you are. A reduced libido in men can sometimes indicate low levels of testosterone, which can lead to erectile dysfunction. You can easily take a blood test to find out if this is the cause of your erectile dysfunction.

For women, it’s more complex. Men, on average, report higher levels of sexual desire than women.⁷ But how much of that is fixed biology versus the product of social conditioning is far from settled.

Research suggests that sociocultural factors significantly influence women's arousal: relationship quality, emotional safety, and context all play a role in whether and how readily women become aroused.⁸ Women's arousal has been found to be more context-dependent than men's, meaning the circumstances around sex matter as much as the act itself.

A more complex path for sexual stimulation means greater hurdles for women and an increased likelihood that they won’t reach destination O.

4. Anatomy

One theory is that some women are anatomically more inclined to orgasm than others. This is based on an analysis of two studies that demonstrate women who have a shorter distance between their clitoris and their urinary opening are more likely to have an orgasm during intercourse.⁹

Knowledge also matters. Studies show that women with greater familiarity with their own anatomy, specifically the structure and position of the clitoris, report higher orgasm frequency.¹⁰

So, if you're wondering how to make a woman orgasm, the key is in the clit.

Although these theories don’t give us solid answers as to why men find it easier to achieve orgasm than women, they’re all underpinned by one common fact: every woman is different. So, getting to know your partner is the best way to achieve a mutual orgasm. 

For men concerned about their own sexual function, Numan's Sexual Performance Blood Test looks at the hormonal and physiological factors that affect erectile health.

The numan take

The orgasm gap is a real disparity, but it's not fixed. Open communication between partners, greater attention to clitoral stimulation, and addressing underlying physical or psychological factors all make a difference. The best way to close the orgasm gap is to get to know what your partner needs to achieve the elusive big O.

References

^{1 Frederick DA, John HKS, Garcia JR, Lloyd EA. Differences in orgasm frequency among gay, lesbian, bisexual, and heterosexual men and women in a U.S. national sample. Arch Sex Behav. 2018;47(3):605-614.}

^{2 Komisaruk BR, Rodriguez Del Cerro MC. How does our brain generate sexual pleasure? Int J Sex Health. 2021;33(4):602–11.}

^{3 Alwaal A, Breyer BN, Lue TF. Normal male sexual function: emphasis on orgasm and ejaculation. Fertil Steril. 2015;104(5):1051–60.}

^{4 Young Historians Conference [Internet]. PDX Scholar, Portland State University. [Historical framing of sex and female sexuality. Verify full author/title and replace with stable peer-reviewed source if possible]. Available from: https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1057&context=younghistorians}

^{5 Whipple B. Ejaculation, female. In: Cockerham WC, Dingwall R, Quah SR, editors. The Wiley Blackwell Encyclopedia of Health, Illness, Behavior and Society [Internet]. Hoboken: Wiley Blackwell; 2014 [cited 2026 Jul 31]. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118896877.wbiehs125}

^{6 Allahdadi KJ, Tostes RCA, Webb RC. Female sexual dysfunction: therapeutic options and experimental challenges. Cardiovasc Hematol Agents Med Chem. 2009;7(4):260–9}

^{7 Baumeister RF, Catanese KR, Vohs KD. Is there a gender difference in strength of sex drive? Theoretical views, conceptual distinctions, and a review of relevant evidence. Pers Soc Psychol Rev. 2001;5(3):242–73.}

^{8 Baumeister RF. Gender differences in erotic plasticity: the female sex drive as socially flexible and responsive. Psychol Bull. 2000;126(3):347–74; discussion 385-9.}

^{9 Weitkamp K, Wehrli FSV. Women’s experiences of different types of orgasms-A call for pleasure literacy? Int J Sex Health. 2023;35(2):193–208.}

^{10 Wade LD, Kremer EC, Brown J. The incidental orgasm: the presence of clitoral knowledge and the absence of orgasm for women. Women Health. 2005;42(1):117–38.}