5 Factors That Contribute To The Inability To Orgasm In Women

For many women, the ultimate goal of a sexual encounter is to have an orgasm. But when you aren’t able to climax, it can leave you feeling frustrated and upset with yourself.

The truth about orgasms is they are complicated. Some women can reach it faster than others. For others, reaching it might take the right combination of techniques, settings, or mood.

Oftentimes, there is no singular answer to why a woman cannot orgasm. Instead, there can be several factors that are contributing to it. Knowing some of the most common reasons why an orgasm is not reached can help you troubleshoot, so to speak, and tweak things from there.

5 Common Reasons Why Women Can’t Orgasm

1. Lack of Stimulation

What stimulates each individual woman can vary. For some, it might be getting right down to business. For others, they may need stimulation in the form of foreplay or toys beforehand. On average, it can take up to 20 minutes for a woman to climax. How to get there, however, is an entirely different story.

Experimenting to determine what works best for you is fine. Just remember not to give up because the climax doesn’t come quickly.

2. Performance Anxiety

Having performance anxiety is something that is most commonly associated with men. However, women are just as prone to experience anxiety when it comes to being intimate with a partner.

Some of the most common reasons why a woman might have performance anxiety are:

• Fearing that you aren’t enough for your partner.

• Comparing yourself to models, celebrities, or pornographic materials.

• Worrying about reaching an orgasm before and during a sexual encounter.

Regardless of what is causing you to have performance anxiety, your focus is shifting away from being in that moment. In the end, it makes reaching the climax more challenging. Performance anxiety won’t magically go away instantly, but you can take small steps to help combat some of its effects.

Meditation or yoga on a regular basis can help you become more attuned to how your body and mind feel when you are anxious.

3. Physical Health Problems

Physical health issues can contribute to an inability to reach orgasm. When men and women have chronic pain issues, it increases the chance of there being issues with sexual intimacy, as well. Conditions that can contribute to not being able to orgasm can include:

• Endometriosis

• Pelvic floor dysfunction

• Painful bladder syndrome

• Infections such as yeast, bacteria, or STDs

• Vulvodynia (chronic pain at the opening of the vagina.)

• Vaginismus (tightly contracted muscles in the vagina, making penetration impossible.)

4. Mental Health Issues

Our mental health is just as important as physical health. Sometimes, if you are struggling with depression or anxiety, it can cause your thoughts to shift away from the positives that come with sex.

Women who have gone through something traumatic, such as sexual abuse, may find it harder to reach orgasm.

5. Relationship Issues

Sexual intimacy isn’t the only type of intimacy that’s important in a relationship. Emotional intimacy often sets the groundwork for a healthy and happy sex life with your partner. If you are facing issues in your relationship, such as arguing, it might also impact your connection in the bedroom.

Even though physical intimacy can be enjoyable, if you aren’t emotionally connected with your partner, tension can arise during those moments, preventing orgasms. Feeling satisfied with your partner, both physically and emotionally, can have a tremendous effect on the ability to orgasm.

If you are struggling to have an orgasm, we invite you to reach out to learn more about sex therapy for women.