'Fake It Till You…?' Study Reveals Surprising Trends in Female Sexuality

A new European study finds that while a significant number of women have admitted to simulating orgasm, many eventually abandon the practice as they foster more open communication with their partners and develop a greater sense of sexual self-acceptance.

The research, published in the Journal of Sex Research, analyzed responses from 11,541 participants across six European countries. The data showed that 13% of respondents currently fake orgasms, while 28% reported having done so in the past before stopping. About 51% stated they had never engaged in the practice.

Women were more than twice as likely as men to currently fake orgasms, with 18.11% of women reporting current pretense compared to 8.59% of men. The study found that 34.41% of women had previously faked orgasms but stopped, versus 18.74% of men.

"We found that being a woman, being homosexual, having more lifetime sexual partners, and having children was associated with higher odds of faking orgasms," the researchers wrote.

Silvia Pavan, lead researcher and doctoral student at the University of Copenhagen, told Medical Xpress, "We found that faking orgasms was associated with lower sexual, relationship, and life satisfaction. Combined with the results that about 40% of the sample has faked at some point in their lives, this suggests that orgasm faking merits research attention for its potential implications for people's happiness and well-being."

The research identified relationship status also played a role, with individuals in open relationships more likely to fake orgasms than those in long-term partnerships. Those who frequently used sex toys showed a higher likelihood of engaging in orgasm pretense.

The study highlighted gender differences in why people stopped faking orgasms. Men were more likely to report either resolving the underlying issue or ceasing sexual activity altogether. Women, by contrast, often indicated they had become more accepting of not reaching orgasm and no longer felt compelled to pretend.

Speaking to PsyPost, Pavan emphasized the importance of open dialogue between partners. "When looking at reasons why people stopped faking orgasms, the main reason for stopping was being more comfortable with not having one, indicating a shift in perspective about the expectations one has from sex and the experience of pleasure," she said.

"We believe that when it comes to experiencing pleasure with a partner, having transparent communication with them is key," Pavan told PsyPost.  

"Also, telling their partner what their desires and preferences are and having a partner that is responsive to those desires and preferences were mentioned as reasons for stopping, indicating transparent and active communication between two individuals was pivotal," Pavan said.

The findings suggest that female orgasms remain what researchers term "biologically elusive," which may explain why some women and their partners eventually abandon the pursuit of this goal. The study indicates that about 40% of all respondents had faked orgasms at some point in their lives.

Among those who never faked orgasms, men represented a significant majority at 65.79%, while women accounted for 36.41% of this group. The researchers emphasized that these patterns merit further study due to their potential impact on individual well-being and relationship satisfaction.

The study's conclusions underscore the role of transparent communication and partner responsiveness in creating more authentic sexual experiences. Researchers noted that participants who stopped faking orgasms often cited their partner's increased attention to their preferences and desires as a key factor in their decision.