Quillette Cetera Why Do Women Orgasm? With Evolutionary Psychologist Robert King
Oct 31, 2025
Robert King, psychology lecturer at University College Cork and author of Naturally Selective, studies human sexual behaviour through evolutionary lenses. He discusses the evolution and anatomy of female orgasm. He explores oxytocin, uterine contractions, female ejaculation and the clitoris. He also covers cultural variation, female–female competition, and why evolutionary ideas provoke resistance.
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From Teacher To Evolutionary Researcher
- Robert King describes his background discovering Elizabeth Lloyd's book and shifting from teaching to evolutionary research.
- He credits mentors like Jay Belsky and self-study for developing his ideas on female orgasm.
Orgasm As Adaptive Fertility Mechanism
- Robert King argues female orgasm evolved to maximise fertility with selected partners via physiological mechanisms like uterine peristalsis.
- He says this makes female orgasm an active sexual strategy, not a mere byproduct of male anatomy.
Oxytocin Drives Uterine Pumping
- Oxytocin directly produces uterine peristalsis and related internal pulsing during female sexual response.
- Those oxytocin-mediated contractions plausibly transport semen toward the fallopian tubes, affecting retention.
