Women Share How They Approach Sexual Pleasure and Orgasm

Research shows that heterosexual women report orgasming less frequently than women in other demographic groups, including lesbians.

Women increasingly discuss sexual pleasure openly, including the role of individual preferences and clitoral stimulation in achieving orgasm.

One possible explanation is that women's pleasure has historically received less attention in heterosexual relationships, Brittany Wong reported for HuffPost.

The so-called orgasm gap might be reduced if women's pleasure were given greater emphasis and partners were more interested in understanding what helps their partners reach orgasm.

According to a recent Indiana University study conducted in partnership with OMGYes, 36% of women said clitoral stimulation was necessary for orgasm.

The article asked women to share what helps them reliably experience orgasm, either alone or with a partner. One participant, identified as Corinne, said she generally finds manual stimulation most reliable and also incorporates self-stimulation during partnered sex.

Jessica Mehta, author of The Wrong Kind of Indian, said she requires direct clitoral stimulation to reach orgasm, whether through oral sex, partnered sex combined with manual or toy stimulation, or masturbation.

She said she often prefers a vibrator when masturbating and can experience multiple orgasms when clitoral stimulation is involved.

Sociologist and intimacy coach Jennifer Gunsaullus said her preferred position and type of stimulation also affect her ability to reach orgasm, and that she prefers a particular type of vibration when using a vibrator.