Masturbation in middle and late adulthood: its relationship to orgasm

Masturbation parameters: their relation to sexual arousal in young people who engage in same-sex relationships

Background

Interest in masturbation in sexual orientation and gender diversity research are rather limited. Extending this research field to include this type of population by considering different masturbation parameters is necessary. In this respect, various masturbation parameters (i.e., negative attitudes toward masturbation, solitary sexual desire, current masturbation frequency, subjective orgasm experience) were validated in a laboratory study with different measures of sexual arousal in persons who engage in same-sex relationships.

Aim

Our main aim was to provide evidence to support the validity of the different masturbation parameters in young people who engage in same-sex relationships. The association between masturbation parameters and various sexual arousal measures (genital response, rating of sexual arousal and rating of genital sensations) was analyzed.

Methods

During a lab task, 72 young adults who engaged in same-sex relationships (36 women, 36 men; age range: 18-32 years) watched content-neutral and sexually explicit films. They included scenes of self-exploration and solitary masturbation behaviors performed by individuals of the same sex as the participants. Negative attitudes toward masturbation, solitary sexual desire, current masturbation frequency, dimensions of subjective orgasm experience in the solitary masturbation context (i.e., affective, sensory, intimacy, rewards), propensity for sexual excitation, genital response (i.e., penile circumference and vaginal pulse amplitude), rating of sexual arousal and rating of genital sensations were assessed. Regression models were conducted to explain the arousal measures with masturbation parameters.

Results

In women, the intimacy dimension of the subjective orgasm experience in masturbation (β = 0.42, p = 0.007) and solitary sexual desire (β = 0.32, p = 0.040) predicted the rating of sexual arousal by explaining 24.1% of its variance. Conversely for men, the rewards dimension of the subjective orgasm experience in masturbation (β = 0.40, p = 0.016) significantly predicted genital response and explained 13.4% of its variance.

Conclusion

Our findings validate some examined masturbation parameters (specifically solitary sexual desire and subjective orgasm experience) in young adults who engage in same-sex relationships. Gender differences in the masturbation parameters were observed for the relevance of these masturbation parameters for explaining sexual arousal. These findings support the relation between masturbation and sexual function.

Cisgender men and women report different patterns of sexual arousal and orgasm during masturbation and sexual relationships

Studies comparing sexual function between the contexts of masturbation and sexual relationships are scarce. This investigation analyzed the effects of sex (male vs. female), sexual context (solitary masturbation vs. sexual relationships), and the interaction effect between both variables on sexual arousal and orgasm. From October 2023 to May 2024, the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) was used to evaluate the sexual arousal and orgasm of one thousand heterosexual cisgender Spanish adults (433 men and 567 women), aged 18-77 years, in both contexts. A multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) were conducted. Men reported better sexual function as measured by the ASEX questions than women did (p values between < 0.001 and 0.021). With respect to sexual context, men's arousal and ability to reach orgasm varied, with greater arousal in sexual relationships (p < 0.042) and a greater ability to reach orgasm during masturbation (p < 0.022). Finally, the sex x sexual context interaction was significant (p < 0.001), so men and women presented different patterns in arousal, penile erection/vaginal lubrication, ability to reach orgasm and satisfaction with orgasm (p values between < 0.001 and 0.034) when the contexts of solitary masturbation and sexual relationships were compared. This study highlights the importance of attending to sex and sexual context when assessing sexual function in both clinical and research settings.

(Dis)Similarities in Attitudes Between Partners About Women's Solo Masturbation: A Dyadic Approach to Solo Masturbation and Its Associations with Sexual Satisfaction

Attitudes among couples about women's solo masturbation are not well understood. The primary aim of this study was to assess (dis)similarities in attitudes between partners about women's solo masturbation and associations of each partner's attitudes with women's and their partners' sexual satisfaction. One hundred and four mixed-sex couples (M = 27.43 years), recruited through social networking websites and Prolific (an online research participant platform), completed an online survey about demographics, their experiences of solo masturbation, and validated measures of attitudes about women's masturbation and sexual satisfaction. Dyadic data were analyzed using correlational methods and the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model. Women and their partners reported similar and positive attitudes about women's solo masturbation. For women, reports of positive attitudes toward women's solo masturbation were associated with both their own and their partner's sexual satisfaction; there were no associations for men. The role of solo masturbation within romantic relationships is complex but our results support the idea that women's masturbation is now less stigmatized than commonly thought. Normalizing and including masturbation in the sexual script for individuals in relationships may help maximize their, and their partners,' sexual satisfaction.

Relationship between Solitary Masturbation and Sexual Satisfaction: A Systematic Review

Masturbation is a healthy sexual behavior associated with different sexual functioning dimensions, which highlights sexual satisfaction as an important manifestation of sexual wellbeing. This review aims to systematically examine studies that have associated masturbation with sexual satisfaction, both in individuals with and without a partner. Following the PRISMA statement, searches were made in the APA PsycInfo, Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The search yielded 851 records, and twenty-two articles that examined the relation between solitary masturbation and sexual satisfaction were selected. In men, a negative relation between masturbation and sexual satisfaction was observed in 71.4% of the studies, 21.4% found no such relation, and 7.2% observed a positive association. In women, 40% reported no relation, 33.3% a negative relation, and 26.7% a positive one. The negative association between solitary masturbation and sexual satisfaction is consistent with the previously proposed compensatory role of masturbation, especially for men. In women, compared to men, the complementary role of masturbation in relation to sexual relationships is observed to a greater extent and is associated more closely with sexual health. The importance of including different parameters beyond the masturbation frequency in future studies to explore its relation with sexual satisfaction is emphasized. This systematic review is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023416688).

Not Who You Are, But Who You Are With: Re-examining Women's Less Satisfying Sexual Debuts

Gender differences in appraisals of first intercourse are among the largest in sexuality research, with women indicating less satisfying "sexual debuts" than men. Dispositional or "actor-level" explanations for this gender gap are pervasive, yet research has largely examined heterosexual debuts in which actor gender and partner gender are confounded. We assessed whether women's less satisfying sexual debuts are better explained by actor gender or partner gender, comparing experiences of women who debuted with men (WDM) with those of men and women who debuted with women (MDW, WDW). Retrospective accounts of sexual debut were collected from 3033 adults. At first intercourse, we found that WDW had equal physical and emotional satisfaction to MDW, and more satisfaction than WDM, suggesting satisfaction gaps owing to partner gender, not actor gender. This pattern did not extend to a comparison event (first masturbation), where WDW and WDM had similar satisfaction, but less satisfaction than MDW, suggesting an actor gender gap. To identify sources of satisfaction gaps, we probed for corresponding differences in the circumstances of sexual debut. Sexual circumstances were more strongly implicated than nonsexual ones, with relative deprivation of glans stimulation explaining relative dissatisfaction at first intercourse, but not first masturbation, and orgasm explaining it at both. Findings challenge the view that the satisfaction gap at first intercourse reflects an inherent difference between genders. Indeed, they demonstrate similarities when partner gender does not differ and suggest strategies for ensuring equal sexual satisfaction-and equal sexual rights realization-at (hetero) sexual debut.

Evaluating the Subjective Orgasm Experience Through Sexual Context, Gender, and Sexual Orientation

The subjective orgasm experience (SOE) is the psychological perception of orgasm sensations and closely related to sexual health. Here, SOE was studied through the context in which it is experienced (sexual relationships and solitary masturbation), gender, and sexual orientation. For this purpose, data were collected from 4255 people (1927 men and 2328 women) of different sexual orientations (heterosexual = 1545; bisexual = 1202; and gay = 1508) who completed two versions of the Orgasm Rating Scale (ORS) for both contexts (i.e., sexual relationships and solitary masturbation) along with a socio-demographic questionnaire. Results showed that the ORS in the context of solitary masturbation is an instrument invariant by gender and sexual orientation. Significant differences in SOE were found by context: it was more intense in the context of sexual relationships (vs. solitary masturbation); by gender: women (vs. men) reported greater intensity; and by sexual orientation, with heterosexual people (vs. gay and bisexual people) having a more intense experience.

Solitary Sexual Desire: Its Relation to Subjective Orgasm Experience and Sexual Arousal in the Masturbation Context within a Spanish Population

The tridimensional sexual desire proposal (i.e., dyadic to partner, dyadic to attractive other and solitary) has been empirically supported. However, solitary sexual desire and its relationship to other dimensions of sexual functioning has received less attention. Hence, we examined the capacity of solitary sexual desire to explain the subjective orgasm experience (Study 1) and sexual arousal (Study 2) in the context of solitary masturbation. Study 1, composed of 2406 heterosexual adults (M age = 39.72, SD = 11.81), assessed for solitary sexual desire, dyadic sexual desire, and the intensity of the subjective orgasm experience obtained through solitary masturbation, along with other associated parameters. Study 2, consisting of 41 heterosexual young people (M age = 22.49, SD = 3.17), evaluated the genital response (penile circumference/vaginal pulse amplitude) and subjective arousal to sexually explicit films related to solitary masturbation. In both men and women, solitary sexual desire accounted for a significant percentage of the subjective orgasm experience obtained through solitary masturbation. In addition, in women, the propensity for sexual arousal was explained by solitary sexual desire. It is concluded that solitary sexual desire -as opposed to dyadic- is important to explain sexual arousal and orgasm in the solitary masturbation context. These results highlight the importance of addressing sexual desire in the solitary context, given its implications with other dimensions of sexual functioning.

Study of Sexual Concordance in Men and Women with Different Typologies of Adherence to the Sexual Double Standard

Background/Objective

Sexual concordance (i.e., relationship between genital response and subjective sexual arousal) is higher in men than in women. Among the factors that could explain this difference would be the sexual double standard (SDS). Sexual concordance is examined by SDS typologies of adherence (egalitarian, man-favorable, and woman-favorable).

Method

During exposure to a film with sexual content, genital response (penile circumference/vaginal pulse amplitude) and self-reported sexual arousal were recorded in 104 young adults (42 men and 62 women), distributed into SDS typologies of adherence on the basis of their scores on the Sexual Double Standard Scale.

Results

Sexual concordance was obtained in men and women with egalitarian and man-favorable typology. Subjective sexual arousal explained a significant percentage of the variance in genital response in the egalitarian typology (men: R² = .32, p < .01; women: R² = .19, p < .05) and man-favorable typology (men: R² = .21, p < .05; women: R² = .23, p < .05).

Conclusions

Agreement between genital responsiveness and subjective sexual arousal depends on DES adherence typology.

Sexual Activity in Peruvian Adolescents: Relevance of Socio-Demographic Variables and Sexual Attitudes

The aim of this study was to explain the masturbation frequency and sexual relationships in adolescents based on age, religious adherence, erotophilia, attitudes toward sexual fantasies and masturbation, and the traditional sexual double standard. A sample of 1120 Peruvian adolescents aged 13–17 years responded to a socio-demographic questionnaire and different scales about sexuality. The frequency of masturbation and sexual relationships, as well as in the sexual attitudes evaluated differed by sex, with boys scoring higher. The masturbation frequency was explained by erotophilia in boys, and by positive attitudes toward sexual fantasies in both sexes. The frequency of sexual relationships was explained by age and positive attitudes toward sexual fantasies in boys and only by the latter in girls. Positive attitudes toward sexual fantasies stand out as a variable for understanding sexual activity in adolescents.

Masturbation parameters related to orgasm satisfaction in sexual relationships: Differences between men and women

OBJECTIVE

Masturbation is a behavior that can enhance sexual functioning. This study aims to analyze differences between men and women in different masturbation parameters, and to examine their relation with orgasm satisfaction in sexual relationships.

METHOD

One thousand three hundred and thirty-fifth men and women from the Spanish population aged 18-83 years (M = 36.91; SD = 11.86) participated in an online survey. A questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic. Sexual history data, negative attitude toward masturbation, solitary sexual desire and orgasm subjective experience upon masturbation were assessed. Given the differences between men and women, independent regression models are proposed to explain orgasm satisfaction in the sexual relationships context.

FINDINGS

Men, compared to women, masturbated at a younger age (p < 0.001), and reported higher current masturbation frequency (p < 0.001) and more solitary sexual desire (p < 0.001). Women reported greater intensity in the subjective orgasm experience on its Affective (p < 0.001), Sensory (p < 0.001) and Intimacy (p < 0.001) dimensions. Regarding regression models, the Affective dimension of orgasm was a common parameter in men (β = 0.36; p < 0.001) and women (β = 0.24) to explain orgasm satisfaction during sexual relationships. In men, solitary masturbation frequency (β = -0.10; p = 0.027) acquired a significant role. In women, the model also included age (β = 0.09; p = 0.038), negative attitude toward masturbation (β = -0.12; p = 0.005) and solitary sexual desire (β = -0.19; p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

When dealing with men and women's orgasm difficulties in the sexual relationships context, it is important to consider the role of masturbation. In men and women, the Affective dimension of the orgasm experience explain the orgasm satisfaction in sexual relationship. Also, in men, the solitary masturbation frequency is negatively related with orgasm satisfaction in sexual relationship, supporting the compensatory hypothesis of masturbation. In women, in addition to the Affective dimension, the orgasm satisfaction in sexual relationship is explained, negatively, by the negative attitude toward masturbation, and positively, by the solitary sexual desire, which could be associated with more sexual self-knowledge. The relevance of masturbation in understanding sexual functioning is highlighted.