Why do women fake orgasms? Study suggests surprising answer

By: Ryan Jaslow
Topics: News ,; Women ,; Sex and Relationships ,; Research

(Credit: istockphoto)

(CBS) Do women fake orgasms to protect fragile men's egos?

A provocative new study suggests another reason women fake it: to keep a man faithful.

"One particular reason that emerges from a lot of studies is 'to keep my partner interested in this relationship,' or 'to prevent him from defecting [from] the relationship or leaving the relationship for another woman,'" study lead author Dr. Farnaz Kaighobadi, a postdoctoral research fellow at Columbia University in New York City, told Live Science.

For the study - published in the Nov. issue of Archives of Sexual Behavior - researchers surveyed 453 heterosexual women in the Southeastern U.S. who were in long-term relationships. The researchers found that 54 percent of the women admitted to faking an orgasm. A closer look showed women who thought their partner might stray were more likely to report faking. What's more, these women were more likely to engage in other "mate-retention" behaviors, like dressing to please or keeping tabs on their partners when they're apart.

"Pretending orgasm may be part of a broader strategy of mate retention available to women to maintain their intimate relationship," Kaighobadi told CBS News.

Kaighobadi suggests that faking an orgasm to keep a mate from straying may be an evolutionary adaptation. Previous research suggests when a woman has an orgasm, it may cause her body to retain sperm for child-bearing. The evolutionary theory suggests faking an orgasm unconsciously might help a woman retain the sperm of a man with "good genes," giving her the best chance to have a healthy child.

Essentially, women may use faked orgasms to signal to their partner that "I am selecting you," thus manipulating his commitment.

"Commitment manipulation is a mate retention strategy used more often when the risk of partner infidelity is higher," Kaighobadi told CBS News in an email.

What do you think?

27 Comments +

Add a Comment

See all 27 Comments


by Herbal Ed March 21, 2012 3:20 PM EDT: Why do women fake orgasms? Because their man fakes lovemaking.; Reply to this comment


by dcjon March 8, 2012 5:51 PM EST: A woman may not need to fake an orgasm period...if we as men pay more attention to what satisfies them rather than our own selfish needs..I have learned....to give her pleasure, takes her to that special place, where I am more turned on...think about guys.; Reply to this comment


by Jhihmoac December 1, 2011 11:38 AM EST: Q: "How do you know she's faking it?" A: Look for the cue card holder by the foot of the bed..."; Reply to this comment

by jani0848 December 1, 2011 12:11 AM EST

All woman fake orgasms 100%...Men don't take the time or really understand a woman's body. Most woman only orgasm's with direct clitoral stimulation and I bet it is more like "all" woman.It is always all about the man...most men would rather get a blow job or jerk off to porn.

Reply to this comment


by erasmus111 December 2, 2011 3:32 AM EST: "All woman fake orgasms 100%"

This statement is false. You really shouldn't speak for ALL women. There is no way that I would fake an orgasm, just to make a man feel better.

"Men don't take the time or really understand a woman's body."

And this should be "MOST men don't take the time.....". There are some men that do.


by wlhoppers November 30, 2011 4:58 PM EST: My tax dollars are being spent on a stupid study like this????

Why do women fake orgasms? Because they look at what's in bed next to them and realize it's the best option; Reply to this comment

by Zann-Zel November 30, 2011 3:54 PM EST

Maybe the question should be "Why do men pretend to be fooled by a fake orgasm?"

Reply to this comment


by wlhoppers November 30, 2011 4:56 PM EST: Good one ! LMAO!


by foxsmart10 November 30, 2011 3:11 PM EST: What a dumbAs*s UNworthy news about orgasm. Do you idiots think a women decides ahead of time to "fake" an orgasm, how stupid are men?Why would a female want to fake if she is feeling aroused? Do men decide to Fake an orgasm when they can have one? We women fake because we are not the leat bit turned on by the guy getting himself off. Orgasm is VERY DIFFICULT to have for a women, If we are not turned on (aroused) it's a process, in the deep way fully focused, relaxed, being sexually attracted to our man, it aint gonna happen,(NEVER) so to speed up the process and get it over, as it become unpleasant, annoying, and even hurts us without not even enjoying it. Women who are not aroused just become a "service" provider and this not enjoyable. We have orgasms using a vibrator within minutes. If a women is not attracted to her partner, is angry with him, thinking of a million things to do in her mind, can not be receptive,will not be turned on no matter how much annoying pumping a man is doing. Men don't understand female sexuality one iota. It is what it is, and not like fake porn has you men to believe women behave. It takes time to build a orgasm for a women, and only if she is deeply sexually attracted to her man.; Reply to this comment


by brasileira2 November 30, 2011 2:57 PM EST: I think that women fake Os with men it's because: 1) Either they are tired of their husbands, boyfriend, etc, 2) He doesn't know what the hey he is doing, or 3) She is ready for a new man but she's too lazy to get up and go get one.
And as far as retaining sperm, please, there are plenty of sperm banks all over the place, she doesn't have to put herself in the situation for sperm...; Reply to this comment


by OrangPuteh November 30, 2011 2:19 PM EST: There are likely a number of reasons ladies fake orgasm.
One may be that it excites a man and helps him achieve orgasm.

In any case, Ladies, !!THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO!!; Reply to this comment


by bobnjersey November 30, 2011 1:29 PM EST: [Why do women fake orgasms?]
-------------------------------
according to seinfeld ... it's because she's tired and just wants it to be over already.; Reply to this comment