Female Orgasm Scale [FOS-7]

Scale Description

The Female Orgasm Scale (FOS-7) is a psychological and sexual health assessment instrument designed to evaluate the consistency of female orgasm during partnered sexual activities and the individual’s satisfaction with orgasm frequency and quality. The scale was developed by Alexandra McIntyre-Smith and William A. Fisher at the University of Western Ontario.

The FOS-7 focuses on the assessment of orgasmic experiences within different forms of partnered sexual activity, including sexual intercourse, oral stimulation, manual stimulation, and partnered self-stimulation. It evaluates both the frequency of orgasm occurrence and the subjective satisfaction associated with orgasm experiences.

The scale consists of seven items. Five items assess orgasm frequency during different sexual contexts:

  1. Vaginal intercourse without direct clitoral stimulation.
  2. Intercourse involving vaginal penetration and direct clitoral stimulation.
  3. Manual stimulation of the clitoris and/or genitals by a partner.
  4. Self-stimulation of the clitoris and/or genitals in the presence of a partner.
  5. Oral stimulation of the genitals/clitoris by a partner.

For these five items, respondents indicate the percentage of time they experience orgasm using an 11-point scale ranging from 0% to 100% in 10% increments. The response option “Does not apply to me” is also available for situations in which the participant does not engage in the described sexual activity.

The remaining two items assess:

  • Satisfaction with the number of orgasms experienced during partnered sexual activity.
  • Satisfaction with the quality and overall experience of orgasm.

These items are rated on a 7-point satisfaction scale, ranging from Very Unsatisfied to Very Satisfied.

The FOS-7 provides a focused assessment of orgasmic functioning and satisfaction and can be used in research examining female sexual health, relationship functioning, and factors associated with sexual well-being.

Data Analysis and Applications

Data obtained from the Female Orgasm Scale (FOS-7) can be analyzed using quantitative methods to evaluate orgasmic consistency, satisfaction, and factors influencing female sexual functioning.

Descriptive Statistical Analysis

Descriptive analyses may include:

  • Mean orgasm frequency scores.
  • Standard deviations.
  • Distribution of orgasm consistency across different sexual activities.
  • Satisfaction ratings regarding orgasm frequency and quality.

These analyses provide an overview of orgasmic experiences within a specific population.

Scoring and Data Processing

For Items 1–5, responses are converted according to the percentage scale:

  • 0% = 0
  • 10% = 1
  • 20% = 2
  • …
  • 100% = 10

Items 6–7 are scored using the satisfaction scale:

  • Very Unsatisfied = 1
  • Very Satisfied = 7

Because the first five items use a 10-point response format and the satisfaction items use a 7-point format, weighting procedures are applied:

  • Items 1–5 are multiplied by 7.
  • Items 6–7 are multiplied by 10.
  • The final score is calculated using the average or total score across items.

Higher scores indicate greater orgasm consistency and higher satisfaction with orgasm experiences.

Two optional subscale scores can also be calculated:

  1. Orgasm from Clitoral Stimulation (Items 2–5).
  2. Satisfaction with Orgasm (Items 6–7).

Reliability Analysis

The psychometric reliability of the Female Orgasm Scale has demonstrated good internal consistency.

Across three validation studies:

  • Total scale reliability: Cronbach’s α = .84–.86
  • Orgasm from Clitoral Stimulation subscale: α = .81–.82
  • Satisfaction with Orgasm subscale: α = .72–.90

Corrected item-total correlations ranged from:

  • r = .41–.77 for the total scale.
  • r = .56–.81 for the subscales.

Four-week test–retest reliability was also strong:

  • Total scale: r = .82
  • Subscales: r = .62–.78

Correlation and Predictive Analysis

The FOS-7 can be used to investigate relationships between orgasmic functioning and other psychological or sexual health variables, including:

  • Female sexual functioning.
  • Relationship satisfaction.
  • Sexual communication.
  • Emotional intimacy.
  • Sexual distress.
  • Psychological well-being.

The scale demonstrated a strong relationship with the orgasm subscale of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), with a correlation of r = .71, supporting convergent validity.

The scale was also correlated with overall FSFI scores and other FSFI dimensions, with correlations ranging from r = .20–.55.

Purpose of the Scale

The primary purpose of the Female Orgasm Scale (FOS-7) is to provide a standardized assessment of:

  • The frequency of orgasm during partnered sexual activities.
  • The consistency of orgasmic experiences.
  • Satisfaction with orgasm quantity and quality.

The instrument helps researchers and clinicians understand individual differences in female orgasmic functioning and identify factors associated with sexual satisfaction and well-being.

The FOS-7 may be particularly useful in:

  • Sexual health research.
  • Couples and relationship studies.
  • Clinical assessment of sexual functioning.
  • Evaluation of interventions targeting sexual well-being.

Psychometric Evaluation and Calibration

Scale Development

The development of the FOS-7 followed an iterative psychometric process involving three studies.

An initial pool of 17 items was developed and administered to 198 female undergraduate students. Item analyses and exploratory factor analyses resulted in item refinement. Additional testing was conducted with samples of 242 and 211 participants, leading to the final seven-item version.

Item selection was based on psychometric criteria, including:

  • Item variability.
  • Inter-item correlations.
  • Corrected item-total correlations.
  • Factor loadings.
  • Conceptual relevance.

Validity Assessment

Convergent Validity

The FOS-7 demonstrated strong convergence with established measures of female sexual functioning. The correlation with the FSFI orgasm subscale (r = .71) provides evidence that the instrument measures orgasm-related functioning.

Discriminant Validity

The scale was not significantly associated with:

  • Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale.
  • Depression measures.
  • Anxiety measures.

This supports discriminant validity and suggests that responses are not primarily influenced by social desirability or general psychological distress.

Applications

The Female Orgasm Scale (FOS-7) can be applied in several research and clinical contexts:

  • Sexual medicine, for assessing orgasmic functioning.
  • Relationship research, for examining sexual satisfaction and intimacy.
  • Clinical psychology, for evaluating sexual concerns and treatment outcomes.
  • Women’s health research, for studying factors affecting sexual well-being.
  • Intervention studies, for measuring changes following sexual health interventions.

The FOS-7 provides a concise and psychometrically supported measure of female orgasm consistency and satisfaction, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of sexual health and relationship functioning.

Bibliography

Crowne, D. P., & Marlowe, D. (1964). The Approval Motive: Studies in Evaluative Dependence. New York: Wiley.

McIntyre-Smith, A., & Fisher, W. A. Female Orgasm Scale. University of Western Ontario.

Rosen, R., Brown, C., Heiman, J., Leiblum, S., Meston, C., Shabsigh, R., et al. (2000). The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): A multidimensional self-report instrument for the assessment of female sexual function. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 26, 191–208.

Streiner, D. L., & Norman, G. R. (2008). Health Measurement Scales: A Practical Guide to Their Development and Use (4th ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.