A study of more than 2,000 female twins showed that those with greater emotional intelligence had larger numbers of orgasms Photo: GETTY
A study of more than 2,000 female twins showed that those with greater emotional intelligence had larger numbers of orgasms.
Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to monitor and manage feelings and emotions in oneself and others.
The findings suggest that low EI is a risk factor for female orgasmic disorder, one of the most common sexual problems suffered by women.
Up to 30 per cent of women find it difficult or impossible to reach a climax during sexual intercourse.
Professor Tim Spector, director of the Twin Research Department at King's College London and co-author of the study, said: "These findings show that emotional intelligence is an advantage in many aspects of your life including the bedroom. This study will help enormously in the development of behavioural and cognitive therapies to improve women's sexual lives."
A total of 2,035 female volunteers from the TwinsUK registry were recruited for the study, ranging in age from 18 to 83.
The registry consists of adult twins who have agreed to take part in studies to investigate the causes of common disorders. Using twins makes it possible to disentangle genetic and environmental risk factors.
All participants completed questionnaires giving details of their sexual behaviour and performance and also answered questions designed to test their emotional intelligence.
A significant association was found between EI and frequency of orgasm both during masturbation and sexual intercourse.
Women in the bottom 25 per cent of the emotional intelligence range had twice the normal risk of infrequent orgasm.
The results of the study appear today in The Journal of Sexual Medicine.
Lead author, psychologist Andrea Burri, also from King's College, said: "Emotional intelligence seems to have a direct impact on women's sexual functioning by influencing her ability to communicate her sexual expectations and desires to her partner."
She added that there was a possible connection with a woman's ability to fantasise during sexual intercourse.
"Emotional intelligence seems to have a direct impact on women's sexual functioning by influencing her ability to communicate her sexual expectations and desires to her partner," said Ms Burri.
The registry consists of adult twins who have agreed to take part in studies to investigate the causes of common disorders. Using twins makes it possible to disentangle genetic and environmental risk factors.
All participants completed questionnaires giving details of their sexual behaviour and performance and also answered questions designed to test their emotional intelligence.
A significant association was found between EI and frequency of orgasm both during masturbation and sexual intercourse.
Women in the bottom 25 per cent of the emotional intelligence range had twice the normal risk of infrequent orgasm.
The results of the study appear today in The Journal of Sexual Medicine.
Lead author, psychologist Andrea Burri, also from King's College, said: "Emotional intelligence seems to have a direct impact on women's sexual functioning by influencing her ability to communicate her sexual expectations and desires to her partner."
She added that there was a possible connection with a woman's ability to fantasise during sexual intercourse.
"Emotional intelligence seems to have a direct impact on women's sexual functioning by influencing her ability to communicate her sexual expectations and desires to her partner," said Ms Burri.
