faking orgasm is not harmless after all
Faking it happens. A lot. In fact, studies show that 60 percent of women have delivered an Oscar-worthy performance between the sheets. And while it's commonly assumed that women pretend to climax in order to boost a partner's ego or speed up a snoozy romp, new research from Temple University found that for many women, there are other factors at work—among them, a fear of being vulnerable, insecurity about their skills in bed, and the choice to use their faux O as a means to increase their own arousal. While there's little harm in the occasional bluff, here's why you should curb the counterfeit climaxing and find your true peak potential.
Fear of Vulnerability
If a woman isn't emotionally ready to open up to her partner, faking it can be a way to keep the guy at arm's length. A few reasons: She may be wary of becoming too dependent on the guy, or of becoming engulfed by his personality or world and thus losing herself. "There's a vulnerability and emotional risk that comes with climaxing in front of someone," says Yvonne K. Fulbright, Ph.D., author of Sultry Sex Talk to Seduce Any Lover. A fear of rejection or icky issues from a past relationship may also keep a woman from revealing herself. Bona fide O's require "truly surrendering to the experience and not worrying about being judged," she says. But if you resist letting go, it's nearly impossible to be swept up in the awesomely authentic sensations.
O-vercome it: Amp up the trust and intimacy you need inside the bedroom by speaking up more outside of it, says Women's Health advisor Debby Herbenick, Ph.D., author of Because It Feels Good. "Being authentic about expressing who you are is the key to better sex," she says. Start small: Confide a secret or share an embarrassing story, and when he asks where you want to eat dinner, pick a place instead of saying "Anywhere is fine," says Herbenick. "Men and women who are emotionally close will have an easier time being honest with their partner about how sex feels for them—whether it feels good enough to lead to an orgasm," she says. Improve your bond during the day and you'll be more comfortable directing him "to the left, a little softer, now faster"—and ultimately letting yourself let go—when the lights are out.
Self-Consciousness
Some women put on bed-rattling performances because they're insecure about how long it takes them to climax or what it actually takes to get them there, says Vivienne Cass, Ph.D., author of The Elusive Orgasm. "They see these highly orgasmic women in movies and think that's the norm," she says. Meanwhile, men who watch porn—i.e., most of them—are used to seeing women get off in seconds, which adds to the pressure.
Fear of Vulnerability
If a woman isn't emotionally ready to open up to her partner, faking it can be a way to keep the guy at arm's length. A few reasons: She may be wary of becoming too dependent on the guy, or of becoming engulfed by his personality or world and thus losing herself. "There's a vulnerability and emotional risk that comes with climaxing in front of someone," says Yvonne K. Fulbright, Ph.D., author of Sultry Sex Talk to Seduce Any Lover. A fear of rejection or icky issues from a past relationship may also keep a woman from revealing herself. Bona fide O's require "truly surrendering to the experience and not worrying about being judged," she says. But if you resist letting go, it's nearly impossible to be swept up in the awesomely authentic sensations.
O-vercome it: Amp up the trust and intimacy you need inside the bedroom by speaking up more outside of it, says Women's Health advisor Debby Herbenick, Ph.D., author of Because It Feels Good. "Being authentic about expressing who you are is the key to better sex," she says. Start small: Confide a secret or share an embarrassing story, and when he asks where you want to eat dinner, pick a place instead of saying "Anywhere is fine," says Herbenick. "Men and women who are emotionally close will have an easier time being honest with their partner about how sex feels for them—whether it feels good enough to lead to an orgasm," she says. Improve your bond during the day and you'll be more comfortable directing him "to the left, a little softer, now faster"—and ultimately letting yourself let go—when the lights are out.
Self-Consciousness
Some women put on bed-rattling performances because they're insecure about how long it takes them to climax or what it actually takes to get them there, says Vivienne Cass, Ph.D., author of The Elusive Orgasm. "They see these highly orgasmic women in movies and think that's the norm," she says. Meanwhile, men who watch porn—i.e., most of them—are used to seeing women get off in seconds, which adds to the pressure.
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