
Many women do not. Studies suggest that most women need other forms of sexual stimulation, with or without vaginal intercourse, to reach orgasm.
This does not mean that women don’t enjoy vaginal intercourse or the physical closeness they experience with a partner during that time. But most women don’t orgasm through vaginal intercourse alone.

For many women, clitoral stimulation is an essential part of orgasm.
With thousands of nerve endings, the clitoris is a woman’s most sensitive sexual organ. Only a small portion of it – the glans – is visible. Clitorises vary in size and location, so they are sometimes a challenge to target.

The clitoris gets minimal stimulation during penile penetration alone, leaving some women sexually unsatisfied. For female orgasm to occur, couples may need to adjust their routine. Consider the following tips:
- Masturbate. During solo sex, you can discover for yourself where your clitoris is and how you like to be touched.
- Talk to your partner. Don’t be shy about what you like or need. Take your partner’s hand and show them what brings you pleasure.
- Remember that sex isn’t just penetration. Talk with your partner about sexual activities you can add to vaginal intercourse, like using sex toys or having oral sex.
- Try different positions. You might find that a different position, such as spooning, allows you or your partner to stimulate your clitoris during penetration.
- Use a vibrator. Some women find it helpful to apply a vibrator to their clitoris while their partner is inside them.

All women are different. What is pleasurable for one woman might not appeal to another. And there is no one-size-fits-all approach to women’s orgasms.
Ability to reach orgasm can also depend on other factors, such as stress, anxiety, and relationship satisfaction.
Women with orgasm difficulties might consider seeing a sex therapist, either alone or with their partner.
Learn more about women’s orgasm:
Do women reach orgasm more quickly during masturbation or partnered sex?
Why might intensity of orgasm decline?
Can women reach orgasm without direct sexual stimulation?
What are multiple orgasms? How common are they?
Are there differences between vaginally-stimulated and clitorally-stimulated orgasms?
Resources
Health.com
MacMillan, Amanda
“3 Things We Can Learn From Women Who Orgasm Every Time”
(March 6, 2017)
https://www.health.com/sex/straight-women-fewest-orgasms
International Society for Sexual Medicine
“Does clitoral size affect sexual functioning and pleasure?”
https://www.issm.info/sexual-health-qa/does-clitoral-size-affect-sexual-functioning-and-pleasure/
“How do shape, size, and location of the clitoris affect sexual pleasure?”
Medical News Today
Cohut, Maria, PhD
“The clitoris: What is there to know about this mystery organ?”
(June 22, 2018)
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322235#1.-More-than-just-a-little-hill
Reader’s Digest Best Health
“Why You Can’t Orgasm During Intercourse”
https://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-you/relationships/is-it-normal-not-to-orgasm-from-intercourse/