Abstract
BACKGROUND: Up to 41% of women face challenges achieving orgasm, a statistic unchanged for 50 years. AIM: To evaluate the effect of cannabis use before partnered sex on women with and without difficulty achieving orgasm. METHODS: This observational study evaluated responses from female study participants relating to their demographics, sexual activities, mental well-being, cannabis usage, and orgasm-related questions from the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). OUTCOMES: Outcomes included orgasm frequency, difficulty, and satisfaction related to cannabis use or lack of use before partnered sex, largely based on the FSFI orgasm subscale. RESULTS: Of the 1037 survey responses, 410 were valid and complete. Twenty-three surveys (5.6% returned) were excluded due to failure to meet the study's criteria. Of the valid surveys, most women (52%, n = 202) reported difficulty achieving orgasm during sexual activity with a partner. These women were primarily between 25 and 34 years of age (45%, n = 91); 75% identified their race as White (n = 152/202); 52% (n = 105) identified as LGBTQI+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, or other); and 82% (n = 165) were married or in a relationship. Among participants who experienced challenges in achieving orgasm, 72.8% (n = 147, P < .001) reported that cannabis use before partnered sex increased orgasm frequency, 67% stated that it improved orgasm satisfaction (n = 136, P < .001), and 71% indicated that cannabis use made orgasm easier (n = 143, P < .001). The frequency of cannabis use before partnered sex correlated with increased orgasm frequency for women who experienced difficulties achieving orgasm (n = 202, P < .001). The reasons for cannabis use before partnered sex resulted in a more positive orgasm response (n = 202, P = .22). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Cannabis may be a treatment for women with difficulty achieving orgasm during partnered sex. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: The researchers examined the challenge of achieving orgasm and considered the covariates reported in the literature, including the FSFI orgasm subscale. The findings may not be generalizable to women who rarely or never use cannabis before sex, women who have never experienced an orgasm, or women who do not have female genitalia. Additionally, the specific type of cannabis used, its chemical composition, the quantity used, and whether or not the partner used cannabis were not assessed in this study. CONCLUSION: Cannabis-related treatment appears to provide benefit to women who have female orgasm difficulties or dysfunction.