Title: The Case of the Female Orgasm: Bias in the Science of Evolution Author: Elisabeth A. Lloyd Publisher: Harvard University Press Publish Date: 2005 Pages: 311 Genres:: Non-Fiction, Sociology, Women's Studies Reviewer: SexHerald Staff

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For many, the mystery that is the female orgasm has been taken a step deeper into perplexity in the book The Case of the Female Orgasm: Bias in the Science of Evolution, written by Elisabeth A. Lloyd.

Lloyd, a professor of science of history and philosophy at Indiana University, takes arguments by 21 scientists centering around the evolution of the female orgasm as it is applied in the evolution of the human body and shows the reader how 20 of those arguments are flawed. She reveals how biased the evidence is in coming to the conclusion that it is an adaptive trait, as she comes to her own conclusion on why females have orgasms.

The arguments presented are of interest and allow for a great deal of evolutionary debate to be read; however, the textbook-like wording keeps The Case of the Female Orgasm: Bias in the Science of Evolution from being a classic page turner that could be found in many homes across America, helping both males and females further understand the physiology of woman. Rather, making it through a chapter in Lloyd's book on the wonderful subject is a study in diligence, effort and concentration which may or may not be an applied reflection on the fact—pointed out in the book—that a female orgasm, as realized through intercourse, is not an easy accomplishment for many, achieved by only 25% of women, and that is through the assistance of clitoris stimulation.

But, why? Why do females have orgasms? It’s the question that’s brought forth in the book and answered by many, but according to Lloyd, incorrectly. The arguments listed for females having an orgasm include: it helps strengthen the emotional tie needed to form a family unit or pair bonding; the contractions during the female orgasm help the male orgasm more quickly; and, in days past, the inducing of an orgasm could produce an abortion of an unwanted baby, similar to the practice carried out by rats when a strange male enters into the den.

Those and the notion that orgasms encouraged females to have sex, which encourages reproduction, and a female's orgasm causes a "sperm upsuck" are all dispelled by Lloyd because of a clear lack of facts, and even a disregard to data of the contrary. All are theories that the female orgasm exists as result of adaptation.

Adaptation, Lloyd states, is not out of the question as the reason for the female orgasm; there is just no concrete proof that it is and that is the fault she finds in the theories offered in favor of adaptation; it is not supported by objective evidence and therefore are products of bad science produced by good scientists.

The only theory of the 21 that she does accept for there being a reason for the female orgasm is the byproduct theory put forth by anthropologist Donald Symons that Lloyd refers to as the "Fantastic Bonus.” In the book, Lloyd states Symons's is the only theory supported by evidence, and she uses Symons's comparison of the female orgasm to the male nipple as a byproduct of the human embryo being asexual in the womb during the first two months to illustrate her point.

In Chapter 7, titled “Bias,” Lloyd attempts to sum up what has been learned through the arguments and make it clear to the reader what she feels is the answer to the question. However, some of her arguments against those who push for adaptation seem to be forced. She criticizes Niles Newton for his pair bond theory by stating it is foolish to assume that a female orgasms during intercourse, as she states he claims, yet in the chapter on pair bonding she has Newton quoted as saying "females who form satisfying mating relationships with men usually accompany coital behavior with an urge to care for the man in various ways.” This is followed by Lloyd's criticism of Newton's tight link between the female gender role and the orgasm itself. But, as many women and some men who do not achieve orgasm during intercourse will attest, there is satisfaction, as Newton claims, in mating relationships, even if orgasm is not achieved.

The reader would expect facts about the female orgasm to be readily available throughout the book and Lloyd does not disappoint. She cites facts from noted sexual experts and studies such as Masters and Johnson, Alfred Kinsey and Shere Hite and others to illustrate facts such as the most efficient position for women to climax during intercourse; the rate in which women orgasm during unassisted intercourse; and, other information on sexual activities that may induce an orgasm.

These sex behavior experts’ findings are often used to counter the findings of the evolution experts as they try to prove their theory behind the evolution of the female orgasm. In the end, the reader is left with a greater awareness of the science and biology of the act that The Case of the Female Orgasm: Bias in the Science of Evolution notes in one description as being the "combination of waves of pleasurable sensation and mounting of tensions, culminating in a fantastic sensation and release of tension,” and if biology, orgasms and the evolution of the human body are interests, Lloyd's book is fascinating as it pieces together facts and arguments with an appropriate amount of information enabling the reader to clearly understand and develop perspective on the issue. But, if you find it hard to be turned on, or understand, lines like "as the penis moves back and forth, it pulls the labia minora, which are attached to the skin covering the clitoris (the hood), back and forth with it, so indirectly moving the skin around over the clitoris glands" it may leave you teary-eyed by the dry and scientific approach to one of natures biggest and best wonders.