A poll of 2,000 women found one in six (16 percent) admitted to suffering sexual discomfort ‘often’ or ‘all the time’. As a result, a third are not completely satisfied by their sexual experiences.
But while vaginal dryness (46 percent) and not being aroused enough (44 percent) were the top reasons for discomfort, 13 percent have struggled because a condom wasn’t lubricated enough.
Nearly a fifth (18 percent) didn’t know that vaginal dryness is a natural part of a woman’s monthly cycle, with nearly three in five wishing it was more acceptable to discuss sex and female sexual satisfaction openly.
It also emerged 72 percent think there’s a taboo around sex and female sexual satisfaction.
A spokesperson for Durex, which commissioned the research to normalize the use of lubricating products to support its Naturals Range, said: “Knowing your body and what is and isn’t normal for it is a key part of being able to enjoy sex.
“Many women are having less than satisfying sex experiences because they are unaware of why they might experience discomfort, don’t feel confident in knowing what to do about it and therefore, put up with it.
“Much of the discussions around satisfaction and pleasure can be male-centric, so it makes women feel less confident in asking important questions so they can find the solutions right for them.”
It also emerged 76 percent feel sex education at school did not teach them enough about what to expect during sex and female sexual satisfaction.