What is the Pleasure Gap and How do we bridge it?

Happy International Women’s Day! Every 8th March, we celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and remind ourselves of the responsibility to continue accelerating gender equality. Indeed, there are more women representation in boardrooms today and the average income gap between male and female has reduced. However if we look closer to our personal lives, women are still less satisfied in bed (Yes we’re talking about sex!) compared to our male counterparts . This difference in satisfaction is known as the orgasm gap. (If you would like to find out more about what an orgasm is, head over here.)

What is the Pleasure Gap?

The Pleasure Gap, most commonly known as the Orgasm Gap refers to the disparity in orgasms between couples. Many surveys have been done on this subject and the results all share a similar story. Women reach orgasm much less than men. According to a survey done by Durex, almost 75% of women in the Netherlands and Belgium do not reach orgasm during sex, whereas only 28% of men say they don’t always climax. A study by The American Association of University Women found that 39% of women mentioned that they achieve orgasm when they masturbate, compared to a mere 6% achieved during sex. So this pleasure gap is real, but why does it exist?

Reasons for the Pleasure Gap

While the pleasure gap is also influenced by the societal differences between gender (Gender norms), there are some fundamental physical and emotional differences between women and men that also brings about orgasm gap. Here we want to focus on these differences as we believe that you will be able to bridge these differences.

With many different types of orgasms possible, women are generally less familiar with their sexual parts and many do not know the right buttons to ‘press’ to reach their climax. If this sounds familiar, start by embarking on your journey of self exploration. Learn more about the various types of orgasms and how to unleash your true pleasure!
On the other hand, it is said that women tend to be able to achieve orgasms via clitoral stimulation rather than vaginal stimulation. If you and your partner engage in little foreplay or you do not receive much stimulation to your clitoris, you might not have the opportunity to have experience an orgasm.
When engaging in sexual intercourse, males perceive orgasms as an important aspect while a females treasure the emotional and physical intimacy with their partners and orgasms are less important for them. In the same survey conducted by Durex, only 25% of Dutch women say they need an orgasm to enjoy sex while men are at 50%. While you may enjoy sex the way it is today, why not experience what it is like to have an orgasm with your partner today?

Closing the Pleasure Gap

Inspired by this year’s International Women’s Day theme #ChooseToChallenge, we challenge you to bridge the Orgasm Gap and embark on your journey of true pleasures. Here are 3 simple tips to get you started:

Incorporate a sex toy into your sex life. These special pleasure devices come in various forms (dildo, vibrator, clitoral massager, etc) and are designed to help users discover their pleasure spots and achieve orgasms. Try them out with your partner if you are afraid to embark on this journey yourself. You may find that these toys can even improve the intimate relationship with your partner!
Communication is key. All our bodies come in different shapes and sizes and so do our sexual organs. Have an intimate chat with your partner and share what brings your pleasures in bed. It is better to have an open conversation with him/her about your lack of sexual satisfaction rather than hide it under the blanket!
Many times, our bodies refuse to allow us to reach orgasm due to stress, anxiety, nervousness. Discuss with your partner and try out different ways to set up the mood for your next intimate session! Check out our for tips on getting into the mood for sex with your partner.

As we continue to strive and achieve gender equality in our society, let’s not forget about equality when it comes to our sexual wellbeing. Once again, Happy International Women’s Day and let’s bridge this gap together! #ChooseToChallenge