Female orgasm

Shifts in research

The function or functions of the human female orgasm have been debated among researchers. Researchers have several hypotheses about the possible role of the female orgasm in the reproductive process. One argument is that female orgasm is a byproduct of shared early male ontogeny, where male orgasm is an adaptation. Research includes the sire-choice hypothesis, which proposes that female orgasm has been shaped by natural selection to function in the selection of high-quality sires (male parents) for offspring. One 1995 study indicated that female orgasm is more frequent during intercourse with a male partner with low fluctuating asymmetry. A 2012 study found a correlation between females having orgasms and the perceived masculinity and overall attractiveness of male partners. The pair bond hypothesis is a topic assessing female orgasms: a 2012 study of women who had been in both a short-term hookup and a long-term relationship reported that 67% of the women in their last sexual encounter in a long-term relationship (with a bond) had an orgasm, compared to 11% in those involved in a short-term hookup (with no bond).