The Science of Male Orgasm
Research reveals that men are making positive strides in the realm of pleasure and orgasm. Unfortunately, when gauging success via partner orgasms, they still struggle to keep up. This is mainly due to a culture that values male pleasure over female pleasure. Let's take a look at current orgasm statistics among men and how recent innovations in tech (e.g. virtual reality porn, smart sex toys) and perspectives on intimacy have altered the landscape.
Statistics show that the median age of a man's first orgasm is 14 years old; it takes men an average of 5.4 minutes to climax through penetration. 91% of men reported orgasming during their most recent sexual encounter, while 8% have struggled with delayed or absent orgasm. Furthermore, 55% of men have experienced orgasm with a sex toy, compared to 37% of men, 65.7% of non-binary individuals and 52.9% of women. When it comes to tech-enabled sexual activities, VR porn and smart sex toys have been found to be successful in inducing orgasm in only 5% of participants.Our sex doll torso is also a must-have adult toy for achieving male orgasm.
General Sex Differences
It's critical to note that social and biological factors can influence orgasm disparity between genders. Pornography, which is typically designed by and for men, focuses heavily on male pleasure. Additionally, in many films, male characters are more frequently linked to sexual activity and climax than female characters (check out these female orgasm stats). Consequently, these images can lead to an emphasis on male satisfaction in sexual relationships.
Research suggests that men may experience more frequent orgasms due to having a single external genital organ (i.e. the penis). In contrast, women boast a more complex network of internal genital anatomy - i.e. the clitoris, vagina, and G-spot - that may require longer periods of stimulation to experience orgasm. If male pleasure is prioritized, female self-exploration may be discouraged. Also, while women can often achieve multiple orgasms, research has found that only 10% of men in their 20s, and 7% after age 30, could do the same. Additionally, 25% of men have reported faking orgasms, a rate higher than that of women (59%).
Orgasms without a Partner
Studies suggest that men experience their first orgasm at a younger age than women. According to a Journal of Sex Research paper, the median age of first orgasm for boys is 14, while for girls it is 18. This might stem from greater acceptance of sexual fantasies and masturbation among men, as well as socialized feelings of shame and embarrassment among women about their bodies and sexual desires.
Orgasms with a partner
Studies demonstrate that during partnered sexual activity, men tend to experience more frequent orgasms than women, a phenomenon known as the orgasm gap. For example, one study found that 91% of men reached orgasm during their last sexual encounter, as compared to 64% of women. Another study analyzing different sexual orientations found that heterosexual men reported the highest rate of orgasming in their sex life (95%), followed by gay men (89%), bisexual men (88%), lesbian women (86%), bisexual women (66%), and heterosexual women (65%). Differing sexual orientations notwithstanding, men typically orgasm more often than women, with the most noteworthy variation between heterosexual men and women. Additionally, an estimated 20-30% of men in sexually active age groups experience Premature Ejaculation (PE).
Research suggests that men on average reach orgasm faster than women during both masturbation and intercourse. It is estimated that men take around 5.4 minutes during penetration and their orgasms persist between a few seconds to a few minutes. This gender difference in orgasm could explain why the orgasm gap is narrower in queer relationships since both are on a more equivalent timeline.
Men and Sex Toys
Feminism and the push for sexual liberation have led to wider acceptance of sex toys among women, which can be used to prioritize their sexual satisfaction. Vibrators, dildos and other pleasure aids have become emblems of female empowerment and unashamed pleasure. Conversely, cultural taboos and the traditional notion of masculinity can discourage men from adopting the same attitude towards sex toys. According to Dr. Nazanin Moali, "Men's sexual function is often characterized as seamless and available, thus the use of sex toys may be seen as a sign of inadequacy. Men's sexual happiness is closely linked to their identity, and any hint that they may require assistance can add to the stigma." To gain a better understanding of how technology is changing men's pleasure, I conducted a survey of 20 people who follow my Sex Education Instagram. Results showed that 55% had experienced orgasm using a sex toy, a lower figure than the 93% of women who had achieved orgasm with a toy.
When asked about their experience, one respondent said they'd never used a toy, asserting "...it “implies” I’m single and alone.” Another, more open-minded individual, who had used one before, exclaimed “I was amazingly surprised at how awesome (the sex toy) felt. I’ve even climaxed while my partner was using a vibrator. The vibes go right through them and into me.”Respondents reported having used a wide range of toys, including a prostate plug, inflatable sex dolls, "vibe on weiner," a blowjob simulator, a Fleshlight, a Sleeve, and “do worn panties count?”A study of 1435 Canadians revealed that 65% of women and nearly half of men own at least one sex toy. Results showed that, 65.7% of non-binary folk, 52.9% of women, and 37% of men had used them.
