Happy National Orgasm Day from your friends at ONE® Condoms! In honor of this most orgasmic of holidays, we dove deep into when, how, and why Americans are experiencing orgasms. While the “Orgasm Gap” persists, the “State of the O” is strong.
ONE® conducted an independent, nationally representative survey with OnePoll that included 1,001 U.S. adults. According to the survey, Americans are climaxing with confidence – and emotional intimacy, communication, lubrication, and well-fitting condoms are all part of the fun.
Two-thirds (68%) say they reach orgasm as often as they’d like, and more than eight in ten (84%) say they usually leave the bedroom feeling fully satisfied. Overall orgasm quality is on an upward curve, with 60% reporting more intense climaxes over the past year.
These days people have more access to information about sex and sexuality – which may be inspiring more self-exploration, communication among sexual partners, and choosing to have sex with people who genuinely care about experiencing mutual pleasure. Key word: mutual. That means listening to each other’s desires, and communicating our own desires and boundaries as well.
Communication tends to get easier as we get to know someone - helping build trust and intimacy. In fact, 82% of people in the survey said that they have better orgasms with a repeat partner than with a first-time fling, and 82% said their orgasms are typically accompanied by a strong sense of emotional closeness with their partner.
While the State of the O is strong, the “Orgasm Gap” does persist. Three‑quarters of men (75%) report they orgasm whenever they desire, but that drops to 63% for women, a gap also mirrored in post‑orgasm satisfaction (87% vs. 81%).
A candid 48% of women also report that they sometimes fake or exaggerate an orgasm to please their partner or to spare a partner’s feelings. This is compared to 35% of men. Pleasure shouldn’t be performative. It’s time to reshape what "good sex" really means: mutual, intentional, and pressure-free.
“On National Orgasm Day, we hope to shift the conversation around sexual pleasure to one that helps people see each other as players on the same team. Instead of ‘what can you do for me,’ we hope people are inspired to think ‘what can we do for each other,’” said Milla Impola, Sex, Condom and Lube Expert at ONE® Condoms. “It’s important to note that while orgasms are lovely, they are not the only way to measure a satisfying sexual encounter. Great sex starts with intimacy, connection, and feeling safe to explore your desires.”
In fact, communication is the lubricant that turns great orgasms into unforgettable ones. Overall, 72% of people said they can easily voice their pleasure needs, and 80% believe their partner feels equally comfortable sharing them. When broken down by gender, however, 82% of men believe their partner is comfortable expressing their orgasmic needs – whereas only 65% of women self-report that they are. On National Orgasm Day and every day after, it’s time to stop assuming and start communicating.
Survey findings also confirm – once again – that foreplay reigns supreme. More than 73% call it essential to climax and 76% actually prioritize it most times they have sex. The majority of both men and women reported that foreplay was essential to reach orgasm, 72% and 73% respectively.
Condoms have their role in orgasm frequency and quality as well. While 57% said condoms make orgasms harder to reach, the data also shows that the right condom flips the script. Sixty-two percent (62%) say a condom that fits right makes orgasm more likely. In addition, 63% of participants feel less anxious about STI risk when using condoms – helping them reach orgasm more easily. A calm that often converts to better, more pleasurable sex.
Texture is trending too. Half of respondents (49%) swear that ribbed or dotted designs crank up pleasure.
Lubricant will glide you there. When using additional lubricant during sex, the odds of climax jump again; 63% of men and 53% of women said using personal lubricant during sex makes them more likely to orgasm.
Try lots of condoms! Be the explorer of your own pleasure adventure. Overall, 49% of people state that they've tried a variety of condom styles and brands to find a condom that helps them orgasm better. Here at ONE Condoms, our goal is to get that number way higher. Condoms come in a variety of styles, materials, lubrication levels, and brands. Just like finding the perfect pair of pants, you have to try on a few pairs before you find something you love.
“At ONE®, we’ve always believed pleasure and protection belong in the same bed,” said Impola. “This research shows that when people find a condom that genuinely fits right and feels amazing, they relax, feel confident and are measurably more likely to reach orgasm. Don’t forget the lube, too!”
Ready for a Sex Upgrade? Find your fit with MyONE® Custom Fit®, which has 52 custom fit condom sizes, easy-to-use measuring tools, and sample kits to try. Plus, measuring together is a fun way to celebrate Orgasm Day. ONE® has amazing lubricants to enhance your glide, and studded condoms like Super Studs™ to max your pleasure.
HAPPY NATIONAL ORGASM DAY!
Methodology:
Online survey of 1,001 U.S. adults ages 18–65 conducted by independent research firm, One Poll, in June 2025. Margin of error ±3 percentage points.