Occurrence, Frequency, and Correlates of Faking Orgasm and Satisfaction in Sexual Minority Men

ABSTRACT

Existing literature on “faking” orgasm focuses almost exclusively on women. Limited research exists among men, and none focuses on sexual minority (e.g., gay, bisexual, queer) men. Additionally, faking satisfaction (pretending to be sexually satisfied) remains an unknown concept. This study examined the occurrence, frequency, and correlates of faking orgasm and satisfaction in sexual minority men. Participants (N = 211, age = 18–53, 59% identified as gay) responded to an online survey assessing frequencies of faking orgasm and satisfaction as well as potential correlates of faking (age, relationship status, sexual frequency, orgasm frequency, internalized sexual stigma). Results showed that faking orgasm and faking satisfaction were highly prevalent among sexual minority men in this sample (83% had faked orgasm and 88% had faked satisfaction in the past two years). The frequency of faking was also high; 62% and 68% faked orgasm and satisfaction at least “sometimes.” Higher internalized sexual stigma and lower orgasm frequency were associated with higher frequencies of faking orgasm and satisfaction. For faking orgasm, however, the relationship between internalized sexual stigma and faking only existed in gay men. The findings suggest that faking pleasure in sexual minority men is common and deserves more empirical attention.

Acknowledgments

We thank Dr. Gregory Webster for his mentorship.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

¹ For sexual frequency: 1 = Once in 2 years, 2 = Once a year, 3 = About 3–4 times in 2 years, 4 = Less than once a month, 5 = Once a month, 6 = Once every 2 weeks, 7 = Once a week, 8 = Twice a week, 9 = About 3–4 times a week, 10 = Once a day or more.

² For orgasm frequency: 1 = Almost never or never, 2 = A few times, 3 = Sometimes, 4 = A few times, 5 = Almost always or always.

³ We also conducted a hierarchical regression analysis using the same predictors and outcomes. Findings are reported in supplemental material (https://osf.io/ehx75/). Results remained the same as those from multiple regression.

⁴ Full statistics for the exploratory analysis are provided in the supplemental material: https://osf.io/ehx75/.

Additional information

Funding

This study received no financial support.