Do Men Fake Orgasms?

While women are better known for faking that “big moment,” studies show that, actually, one in four men have faked an orgasm at some point as well.

Why? For both men and women, faking seems to be tied to relationship troubleshooting — namely how one is perceived during and after sex.

Why Men Bluff

There could be quite a few reasons that mean aren’t honest about their climax, including:

They just want to get it over with. Occasionally, men have sex with their partner for the partner’s sake — but since they aren’t really into it, they end up faking an orgasm. Or, it’s taking longer to orgasm than the man thinks it should, so they decide it’s better just to end it.

They’re covering up premature ejaculation. Some men pretend to have an orgasm as a front for premature ejaculation, says urologist Craig Niederberger, MD, FACS, head of the department of urology at the University of Illinois in Chicago.

They’re preserving their pride. For men who lose an erection during sex or sense they won’t be able to have an orgasm, it might be easier to fake the orgasm than to talk about why it didn’t occur.

They’re trying to be kind to their partner. A man faking an orgasm might be worried that his partner is uncomfortable due to the length of intercourse. He might also be concerned that his partner will feel hurt if they stop sex before the orgasm.

They think all sex must end with an orgasm. Some couples have a certain idea about how sexual intercourse will play out. Researchers theorize that some men can’t think of another way for sex to end other than an earth-shattering orgasm, so they end up faking it if it doesn’t happen naturally.

Faking an orgasm every once in a while might not be a big deal, but if it’s happening on a regular basis, it may be time to get some help. Here are some ideas:

Talk to your doctor.There are a number of medical conditions that can cause delayed orgasm, premature ejaculation, or difficulty maintaining an erection. But according to Dr. Niederberger, delayed orgasm is something of a subjective measure. “Is it 10 minutes? Or 20 minutes? It’s really up to the man and, of course, his partner,” he says. Bottom line: If it is taking you longer to reach orgasm than you or your partner would like, it’s okay to ask for help.

Talk to a therapist. Occasionally, faking orgasms is rooted in emotional issues. You might need a couples therapist or sex therapist to help you understand why you are having difficulty experiencing an authentic orgasm with your partner.

Masturbate. Self-stimulation is recommended to help you discover what stimulates you. Next, share this information with your partner.

Cut back on alcohol or illicit drugs. Men are more likely to fake an orgasm when under the influence, likely due to the fact that substance abuse affects sexual performance.

There’s no need to fake it. Instead, get to the root of the problem — it will lead to a more satisfying sex life for both you and your partner.