In 2005, an analysis of 32 studies on sex over 74 years shows that up to 10 percent of women had never had orgasms under any circumstances. This was reported by Elisabeth Lloyd, PhD, a biology professor at Indiana University, in her book, The Case of the Female Orgasm: Bias in the Science of Evolution. She also revealed that only 25 percent of women climaxed during “unassisted” intercourse (or intercourse that did not involve clitoral stimulation). Not climaxing simultaneously with their partner leaves many women disappointed, frustrated and insecure--some even blame themselves for what they mistakenly perceive as a disorder.

There are many factors that contribute to a woman's failure to climax. Some women have unrealistic expectations because of their exposure to sex scenes in movies and TV. Some women feel guilty because their religion or conservative upbringing chastise sexual pleasure as something taboo. A woman's insecurity can also inhibit her from permitting herself to feel pleasure. All of these obstacles need not be permanent blockages to sexual pleasure. Read the tips in the slide show below to learn what you can do to get better, more frequent orgasms.

For related articles, check out these links on FN:

• Waiting for The Big O: What You Need to Know about Orgasms
• 5 Tips for a More Sizzling Sex Life
• Sex Busters: Top 10 Things That Lower Your Sex Drive
• 5 Assumptions Women Should Never Make about Sex
• UK teens told: "An orgasm a day keeps the doctor away"

(First published in Marie Claire Magazine, Features section as "In Pursuit of the Big O" in February 2008; adapted for use in Female Network. Photo by djking via Flickr Creative Commons; all images used for illustrative purposes only.)