Girlfriends Guide: Explaining The Orgasm Gap (And Why It Matters)

The orgasm gap. Have you heard of it? If you haven’t heard of it, I can almost guarantee that you have experienced it. You have experienced it a lot. So much so that it has become your normal. But it shouldn’t be.

The orgasm gap is a legitimate phenomenon, referring to the fact that men basically orgasm every time they have sex. Women…not so much. It’s scientifically proven that men are more likely to orgasm (nearly two times more likely) during sex than women. There are studies to prove it. And brands created to help women overcome it. Pun intended.

And it’s not just during sex with their partner. It’s solo as well. One study found that women orgasm 39% of the time when they masturbate, compared to 6% during sex. Oy vey. That’s one of the lowest numbers I have seen reported. We all know how many times men orgasm during masturbation. I don’t need a clinical study to tell me it’s probably close to 100% of the time.

When men can’t get an erection and orgasm, they take a pill. What about women? What about when they can’t get aroused? Does an herbal Viagra for women exist?

How often do you truly orgasm with your partner? When you are alone? And when you don’t, is it a function of communication, arousal, hormones? It’s probably a function of all of them in some way or another. Sexual health is a majorly overlooked part of your wellbeing (please refer to my Girlfriend's Guide to Sexual Health, Part 1). It is seen as taboo.

Low sex drive can suffer as a result of many things. Many women suffer from decreased libido after having a baby. The Sex and Good Mojo Mama Yummy Gummy is made just for that! Created because so many women were writing in and discussing this.

But back to the orgasm gap, because it impacts every woman. Kids or no kids, partner or no partner, and at almost any age. Orgasms themselves are legitimately good for your health. It’s not just about the pleasure of an orgasm. Orgasms release oxytocin in your brain. This decreases stress, boosts collagen, and helps your immune system. While you are taking EVOLUTION_18 Collagen Powder, you should most definitely be sure you are getting a good dose of orgasms in your life as well. But looking at the stats above, orgasms are often elusive to most women.

And that orgasm gap is likely here to stay unless we do something about it. We often prioritize the male orgasm in every possible way. Not only the acts of sex itself, but in the solutions we offer.

The sexual health and wellness offerings for women are growing rapidly. (Thank goodness!). Gorgeous vibrators are now becoming the norm. And women are becoming more and more open about talking about sex. Blatant plug for my brand Sex and Good coming up...

If you are a regular reader of Charlotte’s Book, you will know I am a big supporter of high quality supplements. From taking the right collagen supplements (hello EVOLUTION_18 Collagen Powder) to understanding magnesium. But if you could take an herbal supplement to help increase the chances of your orgasm – would you? I asked myself the same question.

By the way: did you know that Viagra is prescribed to women off-label, even though it was made for men?

The ‘omg’ formula is made with a blend of Maca and Horny Goat Weed. Maca, an herbal supplement that is proven to increase sexual desire. This 2002 clinical study was performed on men, not women. But it’s still promising. For women, a 2008 study showed it decreased sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women.

Jennifer Hanway, a Board-Certified Holistic Nutritionist, celebrity health coach, regular Charlotte’s Book contributor, has this to say about maca: “In regards to Maca powder, we are lacking in clinical studies, especially in women to be able to say definitively if it improves libido. However, we do know that it boosts circulation, stamina and energy, which has applications for boosting libido, and it can help adrenal function, which in turn lowers cortisol production, which means we have more ’building blocks’ to produce oxytocin. Personally, I take it every day in my breakfast smoothie for these reasons, and it boosts my libido too, great!”

Samantha Blakeney of the prestigious VLS pharmacy in New York notes the powder of herbs like Horny Goat Weed, “There’s a reason Horny Goat Weed has been used as an aphrodisiac for thousands of years: it works! Plus, when taken in combination with Maca, a well-studied Peruvian root, women, particularly post-menopausal women, tend to experience increased sex drive and intensification of orgasms.”

Sex and Good supplements are often recommended by the head pharmacist at VLS and in addition to being sold on the Sex and Good website, are now available on the shelves and regularly recommended by their head pharmacist. Samantha adds, “The feedback we have had from pharmacy clients on the ‘omg’ formula is resoundingly positive and we see repeat purchases.”

What do you want to see in the next Girlfriend’s Guide? More sexual health? More anti-aging? More post-divorce dating advice? Let the editor’s at JustBobbi know!

Robin Levine Shobin is the founder of Charlotte’s Book and Sex and Good.