By Yetunde Arebi

Various research works on human sex and sexuality rate the female as more superior than the male in sex, both in terms of quality and quantity. By using scientific models, researchers have been able to prove that women derive more pleasure from sex and can last longer and stay stronger during sex than men. Wait for the icing; and because of the afore mentioned, they are able to have more number of orgasms than men!

Unfortunately, this is hardly the case in reality and biologists have been trying with little success to figure out the whole concept of the elusiveness of the female orgasm or why they orgasm at all since it is not part of their reproductive requirement like the male.

Several major research works on human sexuality have over the decades, recorded that only about 25 percent of women climax (orgasm) or experience intense sexual pleasures during sex with their partner, while this is pretty easy for the men.

The rest, either hit-or-miss, depending on the night, or never experience a female orgasm during intercourse at all. While for the men, an orgasm is the sign that the game is over and 90-98 percent achieve this during sex.

Many factors account for why women are not able to achieve their full sexual potentials as ordained by nature and biological composition. These can be categorised as physical, psychological and medical and for some others, tradition and culture also play major roles in women’s sexual problems.

For some women also, not being able to climax can be caused by everything from unrealistic expectations, to awful sex, discomfort with their partners or discomfort with sex itself. Medical and psychological issues may result in loss of sexual desires. In a study carried out by Dr. Edward Laumann of the Medical Centre, University of Chicago which is published in the New England Journal of Medicine, 47 percent of women suffer sexual dysfunction compared to 31 percent of men.

Also, 43 percent women reported low libido, 34 percent were unable to reach orgasm and 39 percent had vagina dryness problems. Some of the reasons listed for these include medical conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disease, anaemia, hormonal disorder, pregnancy and childbirth, menopause, hysterectomy, Vaginal disorder such as Vaginismus or Biathlon’s cysts, lack of sensation due to decrease muscle tone in the vagina, aging, obesity, or medical problems that affect the sex hormones, (estrogen and testosterone) among others.

Emotional, physical or psychological issues such as low self esteem, bad body image, stressful lifestyle, depression, anxiety and sexual abuse, childhood revulsion, religion, rape, cultural and traditional influence, lifestyle pressure and inadequate communication among others. Female sexual dysfunction according to Cindy Meston, a Psychology Professor from the University of Texas, is characterised by a lack of desire, libido and orgasm and it affects about one-third of women at some point in their lives. Still wondering why some women don’ t enjoy sex?

Unlike the male, the female sexuality is very complex and most women have symptoms of a sexual problem at one point or another in their lifetime, while for some, it is an unending battle. While, there is no normal level of sexual pleasure or response since it is different for every woman, you may also find that what is normal at one stage of life may change at another.

Though it is a fact that nature has equipped humans with organs and desires, it has not bestowed on us, the knowledge of how to perform pleasurable and satisfying sex acts. It must be learned, acquired and perfected. And this, biologists have discovered! You can, too!!