(072) ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN MASTURBATORY ORGASM FUNCTION AND PARTNERED SEXUAL SATISFACTION IN CISGENDER WOMEN
Authors: Stelmar J , Zaliznyak M , Isaacson D , Duralde E , Gaither T , Topp K , Garcia M 
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Masturbation has been associated with a number of health and quality of life benefits, including improved self-esteem, sexual agency, and stress relief. While prior studies have asserted an association between solo masturbation and satisfaction with partnered sex, there is a paucity of literature that assesses specific parameters of masturbatory orgasm function and their potential association with sexual satisfaction.

Objective

This study aims to explore the association between satisfaction with partnered sex and six parameters of masturbatory orgasm function/satisfaction.

Methods

Respondents were recruited via Qualtrics and completed an anonymous, online questionnaire that assessed sexual satisfaction, based on the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale (NSSS)–a validated, 20-item survey. NSSS scores were calculated by summing the possible 5-point Likert scale ratings across all 20 questions, with a higher NSSS score indicating greater satisfaction with partnered sex. Respondents also completed questions that queried frequency of masturbation and partnered-sexual activity, as well as six parameters of orgasm function measured under the condition of solo-masturbation: lead time to orgasm, duration of orgasm, refractory period between orgasms, location of orgasm experience, experience of orgasm, and satisfaction with orgasm. Statistical analyses were completed using Qualtrics Stats iQ software to assess for an association between NSSS score and the aforementioned variables.

Results

A sample of n=178 sexually active cisgender women (mean age = 43.6±14.9 years) completed the study survey. Cisgender women who reported higher NSSS scores were significantly more likely to endorse engaging in partnered sexual activities on a more frequent basis (p&lt;0.05), but there was no statistically significant relationship between NSSS score and frequency of solo-masturbation (p=0.2). A statistically significant relationship existed between NSSS score and 2/6 of the masturbatory orgasm parameters assessed (Figure 1). Cisgender women with higher partnered sexual satisfaction scores reported significantly longer duration of masturbatory orgasm and higher satisfaction with orgasm during masturbation (both p&lt;0.01). There were otherwise no significant associations between NSSS score and lead-time to orgasm, refractory period between orgasms, experience of orgasm as single vs. multiple peaks, or bodily location of orgasm experience under the condition of masturbation.

Conclusions

Cisgender women who reported more frequent partnered sexual activity, as well as a longer duration of masturbatory orgasm time and higher satisfaction with orgasm from masturbation, reported significantly greater partnered sexual satisfaction. This association between satisfaction with solo masturbation and satisfaction with partnered sexual activity supports leading theories of masturbation improving body knowledge, self-confidence, and sexual agency. Findings also highlight how variability in orgasm function does not always result in differences in sexual satisfaction, which is more so associated with self-perceived orgasm satisfaction.

Disclosure

No.