Many studies have shown there is a strong association between relationship satisfaction and sexual satisfaction. Couples who communicate well and maintain a close connection with one another also tend to be more satisfied with their sex life, whereas couples who experience discord in their relationship may feel less satisfied with their sex life.

Orgasm is an important, though not essential part of a satisfying sex life. That is to say, sex that does not end in an orgasm can still be enjoyable sex, and fixation on reaching orgasm as the goal of sex may even negatively impact one’s sexual performance and satisfaction. Nevertheless, consistent orgasms can certainly contribute to a person’s overall sexual satisfaction.

An estimated 40% of women do not consistently reach orgasm. For some women, this is bothersome, but for others it is not. With information like this in mind, experts hypothesize that orgasm consistency may play a role in a person’s sexual and relational satisfaction. 

Therefore, investigators from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah designed a study to examine the relationship among orgasm consistency, relationship satisfaction, and sexual satisfaction. They did so within the context of the sexual wholeness model which includes the physical, emotional, and meaning elements of sexuality.

A total of 1,645 sexually active individuals (1,032 women) who had been in a relationship for at least two years participated in this study. The online survey used to gather the participants’ information consisted of the following components: a 5-point Likert scale to indicate orgasm consistency (1 = 0%-20% of the time, 5 = 81%-100% of the time), the Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction as a measure of sexual satisfaction, and the Couples Satisfaction Index along with a 6-point Likert scale to measure relationship satisfaction.

Other variables that were measured were the participants’ sexual behaviors, sexual mindfulness, attachment security, sexual communal strength, approach/avoidance goals with regard to sex, sexual communication, sexual passion, and sexual sanctification. These variables address the physical, emotional, and meaning components of the sexual wholeness model.

Upon analyzing the collected data, the authors of this study found five distinct groups of women and three groups of men with regard to their orgasm consistency, relational satisfaction, and sexual satisfaction. Whenever all three of these elements were high or low, the authors referred to it as the “trifecta.”

For women, the five groups included: high orgasm/low satisfaction (6%), low trifecta (8%), low orgasm/high satisfaction (16%), moderate orgasm/high satisfaction (15%), and high trifecta (55%). Men, on the other hand, were grouped as follows: lower orgasm/high satisfaction (12%), moderate trifecta (14%), and high trifecta (74%).

Interestingly, the authors found that high orgasm consistency for women did not always guarantee high relational and sexual satisfaction. Additionally, lower orgasm consistency for men or women did not mean that they always experienced low relational and sexual satisfaction.

Sexual wholeness (in terms of physical, emotional, and meaning fulfillment from one’s sexuality) appeared to contribute to sexual well-being even when orgasm consistency was lower.

References:

• Leavitt, C. E., Leonhardt, N. D., Eldredge, J. G., Busby, D. M., & Clarke, R. W. (2023). A trifecta: patterns in orgasm consistency, relational satisfaction, and sexual satisfaction. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 20(4), 525-535. https://doi.org/10.1093/jsxmed/qdad001