By Eleanor Noyce

Copyright metro

How does age influence orgasm rates? Lovehoney has crunched the data (Picture: Getty Images)

It’s no secret that there’s a hell of a lot of myth and mystery surrounding female pleasure.

For starters, there’s the Orgasm Gap that continues to position women’s sexual fulfilment as ‘less than’ men’s – and this is rooted in biological and sociological misconceptions about women’s bodies and how deserving they are of pleasure.

A 2022 study from YouGov found that women are much less likely to finish during intercourse, as just three in 10 (30%) reported orgasming every time they had partnered sex – compared to 61% of guys.

That said, orgasm isn’t always the most important part of sex – and, sometimes, enjoying the journey along the way can hold just as much weight as the final destination.

With that in mind, a 2025 study from Lovehoney quizzed 2,002 women of all sexualities on how often they orgasm when having penetrative sex, receiving oral, and masturbating. Here’s what they found out.

Breaking it down by age, 11% of women aged between 18 and 24 said that they orgasm every time during vaginal sex, while 34% said that they do occasionally or sometimes.

It’s slightly spicier when it comes to cunnilingus, as 13% of gals within this age group report reaching that O moment every time, while 19% said that they get there almost every time.

And, it comes as precisely no surprise to learn that in the world of self-love, the odds of reaching those pleasure points are higher, as almost half (41%) said that they orgasm every single time they masturbate.

Sometimes, you’re the one who knows your body best, right? Though, arguably, all sexual partners – whether long-term or casual – should give it their best shot to understand what turns you on.

As Sarah Mulindwa, sexual health nurse and expert at Lovehoney tells Metro, young women are ‘often still in the early stages of sexual exploration.’

‘Many are learning about their own bodies and how to communicate with partners. They are less likely to ask for what they need and more likely to focus on a partner’s pleasure, which can mean orgasms take longer,’ she says.

Along these lines, she advocates for ‘normalising conversations about foreplay, toys, and taking things slowly,’ which can ‘help build a foundation for pleasure.’

21% of women aged between 25 and 34 said they orgasm every time they have oral sex (Picture: Getty Images)

Now, we’re all aware of the (largely debunked) idea that once you’re 25, your frontal lobe has supposedly fully developed. But what does the beginning of this era mean in the land of pleasure?

Looking at the data on penetrative sex, we can see that the odds improve slightly when it comes to reaching orgasm, as 13% of women aged between 25 and 34 said that they get there every single time, while 31% said that, for them, it happens almost every time. Fair play.

As for oral, 21% said that this gets them going every time, while 26% said the big O happens almost every time. 30% reported that it happened occasionally.

As Sarah adds, by their late 20s and early 30s, women might feel more confident sexually, but life factors like ‘relationships, careers and motherhood can bring fatigue and stress,’ which are ‘both major libido killers.’

She says: ‘Even when women know their bodies well, mental load can delay arousal. This shows us that partnered sex isn’t just about technique, it’s also about creating space for relaxation, extended foreplay, and different types of stimulation beyond penetration.’

Sarah says that partnered sex is about ‘creating space for relaxation’ (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Sarah says that women in their late 30s and early 40s often hit a ‘sexual peak,’ something she attributes towards ‘confidence, experience, and less concern about stigma or judgement,’ which mean they’re ‘more direct about what they want.’

Along these lines, the stats show that 12% of women between 35 and 44 orgasm each time they have penetrative sex, while 30% come almost every time and 35% occasionally or sometimes.

With oral, 25% say that get there every time and 31% almost every time – and it’s clear that masturbation still reigns supreme throughout the years, as 43% said that they reach orgasm every time they get off solo.

Edging up towards the mid-40s and 50s mark, and Sarah says that we see ‘hormonal changes linked to perimenopause,’ which can impact ‘arousal, sensitivity, and lubrication.’

She says: ‘These shifts can make orgasms less predictable, but for many women, a greater sense of self-awareness means they can achieve climax more efficiently when they do.’

The numbers show us that 19% orgasm every single time they have penetrative sex, while 27% come almost every time and 35% occasionally or sometimes.

Again, the chances are higher with oral, as 29% said they climax every time, while masturbation sees more than half (52%) get there each time they have a self-love sesh.

Now, as Sarah says, by the ages of 55 to 64, menopause has often taken full effect. This brings physical changes to the body, including ‘reduced vaginal elasticity and dryness.’

‘Yet many women adapt – with lube, toys, or exploring different types of stimulation,’ she adds.

Among this age group, women tend to ‘cut straight to what feels good, making pleasure more intentional and focused.’

She says: ‘Being in your late 50s or early 60s doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy a fulfilling sex life. There’s a real stigma around older women being sexually active, but this stage can be just as exciting and satisfying as any other.’

Along these lines, 35% of this age cohort climax from penetrative sex occasionally or sometimes, while 15% said that it happens to them every single time. For oral, 22% said that they have a 100% success rate with the big O, and for masturbation, it’s 40%.

Sex in later life ‘shifts towards connection and comfort’ (Picture: Getty Images)

For women aged 65 and over, the stats show that 13% orgasm every single time from penetrative sex, 16% from oral, and 38% from masturbation.

As Sarah says, in later life, sex ‘often shifts away from performance and more towards connection and comfort.’

She explains: ‘Women at this stage may orgasm more quickly because they know exactly what they like and feel free to pursue it without inhibition.

‘While biology and hormones play their part, confidence, communication, and self-knowledge are the real drivers of orgasm. The good news is that with open conversation, sexual exploration, and the right tools, women can narrow that gap at any stage of life.’

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