Not all fakes are created equal: examining the relationships between men's motives for pretending orgasm and levels of sexual desire, and relationship and sexual satisfaction

ABSTRACT

Limited research on feigning orgasm, particularly among men, exists, and even less investigates motivations for doing so. Further, whether feigning orgasm, and motivations for feigning orgasm, is associated with sexual and relationship satisfaction and sexual desire is unknown. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to examine these relationships in a sample of 230 men (18–29 years old) having pretended orgasm with their current relationship partner at least once. Participants were recruited on Amazon Mechanical Turk. On average, participants reported feigning orgasm in approximately one-fourth of sexual encounters in their current sexual relationship, most commonly during vaginal sex. Feigning orgasm for reasons related to a poor sexual experience or to poor partner choice was the strongest predictor; associated with lower levels of desire and sexual and relationship satisfaction. Feigning orgasm to support a partner's emotional well-being was associated with higher levels of desire. Feigning orgasm because one was intoxicated, having undesired sex, or out of a desire to improve the quality of the sexual encounter was associated with higher levels of sexual satisfaction (though these variables accounted for little variance). This research indicates men do feign orgasm, and motivations for doing so are associated with sexual and relational outcomes.

KEYWORDS:

• Faking orgasm
• motivations
• men
• satisfaction
• sexual desire

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Léa J. Séguin

Léa J. Séguin is currently pursuing doctoral studies in sexology at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQÀM) under the supervision of Martin Blais. Her research focuses on sexual meanings and motives, orgasm-simulation and sexual communication, and consensual non-monogamies.

Robin R. Milhausen

Robin R. Milhausen is an associate professor in the Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition at the University of Guelph. Her research interests include sexual desire and motivations for sex, sexual and relationship satisfaction, gender and sexual scripts, and sexual health and condom use.