The research agrees that, for many women, clitoral stimulation is important for reaching orgasm during intercourse.
The main limitation
Almost all the data are self-reported and come from online surveys or apps, with people who choose to take part.
In practice
The data indicate that needing clitoral stimulation to reach orgasm is common. It is not an oddity or a shortcoming.
What kind of studies there are
Observational 1
Descriptive or expert opinion 4
We classify each study by its design. A synthesis of many studies or a randomised trial supports firmer conclusions than a survey or an expert opinion. The design does not tell you whether a result is good or bad.
What the studies say overall
The research agrees that, for many women, clitoral stimulation is important for reaching orgasm during intercourse.
In a US sample, only a minority said that penetration alone was enough; more than a third said that clitoral stimulation was necessary, and another good third said it was not, but that their orgasms were better with it.
Studies on orgasm frequency point in the same direction. In an online sample, it was higher when intercourse included clitoral stimulation than when this was not specified or absent.
In a large sample of app users, the highest frequencies of orgasm when alone were associated with stimulating the clitoris with a vibrator or dildo, watching pornography or erotica, and stimulating the clitoris by hand. The reviews describe the clitoris as the centre of the orgasmic response.
Where they disagree
The reviews do not settle whether or not vaginal pleasure comes exclusively from clitoral stimulation.
A recent review suggests that orgasms may be more intense when clitoral stimulation, stimulation of the anterior vaginal wall and oral sex are combined in the same encounter, but this is an observation, not a trial.
Limits of the evidence
Almost all the data are self-reported and come from online surveys or apps, with people who choose to take part. They do not allow methods to be compared with each other or tell us what is best for any one person.
The studies, one by one
We have gathered 5 verified studies. Each summary is our own; the quotation in inverted commas is taken word for word from the original abstract, in English.
What they found: 36.6% of women said that clitoral stimulation was necessary to reach orgasm during intercourse, and another 36% said that, although it was not necessary, their orgasms were better with clitoral stimulation. (Herbenick et al., 2018)
Verbatim quotation from the original abstract (in English)
“While 18.4% of women reported that intercourse alone was sufficient for orgasm, 36.6% reported clitoral stimulation was necessary for orgasm during intercourse, and an additional 36% indicated that, while clitoral stimulation was not needed, their orgasms feel better if their clitoris is stimulated during intercourse.” Herbenick et al., 2018
What they found: Reported orgasm frequency was higher during intercourse with clitoral stimulation (51-60%) than when it was not specified (31-40%) or absent (21-30%). (Shirazi et al., 2018)
Population Women taking part in an online sampleJournalArch Sex Behav
Verbatim quotation from the original abstract (in English)
“Women's reports of orgasm occurrence were highest in response to assisted intercourse (51-60%), second highest in response to intercourse with clitoral stimulation unspecified (31-40%), and lowest in response to unassisted intercourse (21-30%).” Shirazi et al., 2018
What they found: The highest orgasm frequencies during solo activities were associated with clitoral stimulation with a vibrator or dildo, watching pornography or erotica, and clitoral stimulation by hand. (Hewings-Martin et al., 2026)
Population Users of the Flo app, mostly womenJournalArch Sex Behav
Verbatim quotation from the original abstract (in English)
“During solo activities, the highest orgasm frequencies were associated with clitoral stimulation using a vibrator/dildo, watching porn/erotica, and clitoral stimulation by hand.” Hewings-Martin et al., 2026
What they found: Orgasms could be more intense when clitoral stimulation, stimulation of the anterior vaginal wall and oral sex were combined in the same sexual act. (Arias-Castillo et al., 2023)
Verbatim quotation from the original abstract (in English)
“Stronger orgasms could be achieved when clitoral stimulation, anterior vaginal wall stimulation, and oral sex is involved in the same sexual act.” Arias-Castillo et al., 2023
What they found: The clitoris is the centre of the orgasmic response, although the origin of vaginal eroticism may not be due exclusively to clitoral stimulation. (Pauls et al., 2015)
Population Review of clitoral anatomy and female sexual responseJournalClin Anat
Verbatim quotation from the original abstract (in English)
“The clitoris is the center for orgasmic response and is embryologically homologous to the male penis. While the source of vaginal eroticism might or might not be exclusively clitoral stimulation, it is necessary to understand the intricate anatomy of the organ to assess the data in this regard.” Pauls et al., 2015
