What comes together wires together – Gender Differences in Sexual Function and Satisfaction depending on when People believe Sexual Intercourse ends and Orgasm Latency in a Chilean Sample

Abstract

Sexual intercourse (SI) is a prevalent sexual behavior with significant implications for sexual health, function, and satisfaction. While extensive research has focused on the duration of SI, particularly intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT), the nuances of when SI ends remain underexplored. This study aimed to elucidate how different interpretations of SI ending cues (SEC) and orgasm latency (OL) time influence sexual function (SF) and sexual satisfaction (SS) among Chilean adults. A cross-sectional design was employed with sexually active men (n = 650; Mage = 33.7, SD = 12.0) and women (n = 1905; Mage = 32.1, SD = 10.0). SF was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) for men and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) for women. Participants indicated their preferred SEC from four options: “it's uncertain”, “when my partner reaches an orgasm”, “when I reach an orgasm”, or “when both reach an orgasm, even if at different times”. Results indicated a typical OL of 10–20 minutes, with a preference for mutual orgasm as the SEC. Gender differences emerged, with women more likely to focus on their partner's orgasm and men on their own. Variations in SF and SS were more pronounced among women, particularly in dimensions of desire, arousal, and satisfaction. OL also influenced women's orgasm function and men's erectile and orgasm functions. This study provides insights into the gender-specific impacts of SEC and OL on SF and SS, highlighting the importance of considering these factors in sexual health research and interventions.