A study from the University of Essex has uncovered a crucial link between women’s ability to experience sexual pleasure and their connection to internal bodily sensations, potentially offering new insights into enhancing female sexual satisfaction.
_Published in [Brain Sciences](https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/14/12/1236) | Estimated reading time: 5 minutes_
In a comprehensive study of 318 women, researchers discovered that individuals who are more attuned to their internal bodily signals – a trait known as interoception – experience more frequent and satisfying orgasms. This finding marks a significant shift from previous research, which has primarily focused on sexual dysfunction rather than understanding and enhancing normal sexual experiences.
“Our study empirically demonstrates that women need to get out of their heads and into their bodies in order to have more frequent and satisfying orgasms,” explains Dr. Megan Klabunde, lead researcher from the University of Essex’s Department of Psychology.
The research revealed several key factors contributing to orgasmic experience. Women who scored higher in “noticing” – the ability to detect and distinguish internal bodily sensations – reported more frequent orgasms in both solo and partnered encounters. Additionally, those with better “attention regulation” – the ability to maintain focus on bodily sensations – experienced more satisfying experiences during solo activities.
Perhaps most notably, the study found that women achieved orgasm approximately 20% more frequently during solo encounters compared to partnered experiences. This finding aligns with previous research on the “orgasm gap” between men and women in heterosexual relationships.
The research team discovered that “body trusting” – feeling safe and at home in one’s body – was particularly crucial for orgasm satisfaction in both solo and partnered contexts. This suggests that developing a stronger sense of bodily trust could enhance sexual experiences across different situations.
Glossary
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* **Interoception:** The sense of the internal condition of the body, including awareness of physiological sensations
* **Orgasm Gap:** The documented disparity in orgasm frequency between men and women in heterosexual relationships
* **Body Trusting:** The experience of feeling safe and secure in one’s own body, including trusting bodily sensations
What is interoception?
Interoception is the sense of the internal condition of the body, including awareness of physiological sensations and bodily states.
According to the study, which type of sexual experience resulted in more frequent orgasms?
The study found that women achieved orgasm more frequently during solitary sexual experiences compared to partnered encounters.
What role does “body trusting” play in orgasm satisfaction?
Body trusting was found to be a significant predictor of orgasm satisfaction in both solo and partnered contexts, with stronger effects in partnered situations.
How might these findings impact sexual therapy approaches?
The findings suggest that therapies focusing on enhancing interoceptive awareness, particularly noticing, attention regulation, and body trusting, could be beneficial for improving sexual satisfaction in women.