Female sexual health has been analogous to reproductive issues. Most societies across time have not seen the need to understand female sexual needs beyond its functional utility of reproduction. Thus, female sexual satisfaction was culturally looked down upon and seen as unvirtuous. Sex, being a body hunger, that was seen as lowly need and a person’s superiority lay in being able to overcome or not succumb to such needs. The onus to retain this virtue was primarily thrust upon the female, and virginity and tightness of vagina became seen as a positive characteristic in female, by society at large. To speak of the female climax, therefore, was redundant and unvirtuous.
In India, little has been studied about female sexual desire from the physical and psychological angle. For one of the most populous countries, it is strange that most Indian women reported no experience or even awareness of orgasms in a study conducted in the late 1990s. Most women live in the shadows of myths regarding orgasms and a certain indignity or immorality is often attached to attaining orgasms. One must remember that orgasm and sexual contentment are not one and the same thing for women.
A female orgasm is physiologically a set of quick spasms occurring in quick succession leading to a pleasurable experience of sexual climax. The benefits of orgasm are many -such as mood enhancer, reliever of menstrual pain, headaches, increased immunity it gives a woman a sense of fulfillment and contentment thus increasing her morale and self-esteem. The correlation between fertility and orgasm has been a topic of research one that is yet to have conclusive inferences. While the role of male orgasm in intercourse is clear - that it releases sperms into the female- thus has a defined role in evolution. However, research is yet to show such a clear-cut role of the female orgasm. Thus it continues to be seen as less important.
The G-spot and female ejaculation are still mysteries in science that few want to explore. Factors affecting female orgasm are many that range from social factors, climate, age, and personal details of the person as well as relationship dynamics and previous experiences of the person.
There is a basic difference between genders when it comes to orgasms. Females can have different kinds of orgasms such as clitoral, vaginal, and even cervical -or a mix of all three. Unlike men, females can have multiple orgasms in the duration of one intercourse.
Penetrative intercourse is often cited as painful and one that gives less satisfaction to females, therefore masturbation–which is non-invasive is more pleasurable and preferred. Thus fingering, cullingus, and softer touches and rubs of the different areas such as vagina, clitoris, and labia are more likely to lead to orgasm in females than invasive sex. The psychological fears of penetration can further be seen as barriers to orgasm in females.
In recent times, orgasm in females is a topic of discussions in media, science, and psychology, leading to more awareness in females regarding their right to sexual contentment and climax.
Dr. Pragya Rashmi
Consultant Psychologist.
You can reach out to Pragya Rashmi with your queries at pragyrashmi@gmail.com
