My Big O is a Little o.

For most women orgasm is quite unpredictable. By some estimates, as many as one in ten of us has never achieved an orgasm, and among those of us who regularly do, it happens in only about half of our sexual encounters.

Studies reveal that 70 percent of us never achieve orgasms during heterosexual intercourse (without additional clitoral stimulation). The orgasm rate is far higher for women who self-stimulate, either on their own or with their lovers.

An under-reported finding: Women and men still like sex even if they never have orgasms, because we like sex for lots of reasons, it turns out. Orgasm is really nice for humans, but not necessary for sexual satisfaction.

Sex at midlife comes with the added benefit of easing up on the orgasm requirement. So, if you haven't been very orgasmic in your life, a decline in orgasms will likely not cause you much stress. But if you miss your orgasms, there is plenty you can do to preserve and protect them.

Dig deeper by exploring the related conditions listed at right, or choose another statement that sounds like you.