Sexual Desire, Orgasm, and Sexual Fantasies: A Study of 625 Danish Women Born in 1910, 1936, and 1958

Abstract

The study presented is a part of a more extended study of female sexuality in three generations: female sexual behavior, experience, knowledge, and attitudes. The participants were selected at random in Copenhagen County and interviewed by one of the authors, in conjunction with a medical examination. A standard interview schedule was used, consisting of 300 precoded questions about sexuality, social conditions, and health. At the time of interview the women in each generational group were 70, 40, and 22 years old, respectively. Of these women, 72%, 67%, and 95%, respectively, had experienced spontaneous sexual desire, and 88%, 96% and 91% had experienced orgasm. Also, 38%, 47%, and 81%, respectively, had masturbated at least once, and fantasies during masturbation were used by 50%, 48%, and 68%. Seven percent of the women born in 1910 and 44% of women born in 1958 had sexual fantasies in general, and 14% and 39% had fantasies during intercourse. Most often the fantasies were used to increase sexual desire and to facilitate orgasm. The subjects of the fantasies could be categorized into general groups but depended widely on sexual activity and on age. A close relationship to the partner was more important for “high-quality orgasm” than the sexual fantasies.