In general, women reach orgasm more quickly during masturbation than during partnered sex, according to a recent Journal of Sexual Medicine study.

In addition, a woman’s average time to orgasm is “substantially longer” than a man’s, the authors reported.

Orgasm latency – the amount of time it takes to climax – has been the focus of many studies of men in the context of premature ejaculation. But little was known about women and whether their experiences were different with or without a partner.

The current study investigated women’s orgasm latency during partnered or solo sex. It also considered latency for women who typically had orgasm difficulties.

• Researchers recruited 2,304 women (average age 29 years) to take part in a survey. The women answered questions about their medical and sexual histories, lifestyles, sexual arousal, orgasms, and any related distress.
• The authors identified women with orgasm difficulties as the “OD group.” (Those who did not have difficulties were called the “non-OD group.”) Women in the OD category were less likely to have a sexual partner and more likely to suffer from anxiety or depression.
• Overall, 18% of the women said they had no current sexual partner and about 5% said they had never had a partner. Eight percent said they never masturbated.
• The average orgasm latency time for partnered sex was 14 minutes. Women climaxed more quickly – 8 minutes, on average – during masturbation.

Why did partnered orgasms tend to take longer?

• Anatomy might provide some clues. Many women need clitoral stimulation to reach orgasm, and such stimulation might be less intense during partnered sex.
• Also, many women focus more on intimacy and trust when they are with a partner and more on pleasure during masturbation. They might delay their own orgasm as well.

During partnered sex, women in the OD group needed more time (17 minutes) to climax than women in the non-OD group (12 minutes). But orgasm latency during masturbation was not that different: 9 minutes and 7 minutes, respectively.

Almost 60% of the women said that orgasms during partnered sex were more satisfying, with 7% preferring masturbation and 8% saying both were equally satisfying. About a quarter said that their satisfaction depended on the situation.

However, when orgasm difficulties were taken into account, the two groups differed. Almost three quarters of the non-OD group said partnered sex was more satisfying, but only 44% of the OD group did. Similarly, 2% of the non-OD group preferred masturbation, but for the OD group, the rate was 14%.

Age and relationship satisfaction were associated with shorter partnered orgasm latency, perhaps because women gained more sexual experience over time and felt happier in their relationships.

Longer time to climax was linked to poor arousal and distress over orgasm difficulties.

The study did not consider types of sexual activities and the impact they might have on orgasm. A future study with this angle is planned, the authors said. They also recommended further research that includes women in different age brackets and varying economic circumstances.

More information on the topic:

• Is there such a thing as female premature orgasm?
• How long does it take a woman to reach orgasm?
• Do women reach orgasm more quickly during masturbation or partnered sex?

Resources

• The Journal of Sexual Medicine - “Orgasmic Latency and Related Parameters in Women During Partnered and Masturbatory Sex”
  Rowland, David L., PhD, et al.
  (Full-text. Published online: September 5, 2018)
  https://www.jsm.jsexmed.org/article/S1743-6095(18)31108-1/fulltext