While last year's Durex Sexual Wellbeing Global Survey said four in five Malaysians were having sex on a weekly basis - this year's results reveals that only 44 per cent of Malaysians managed to achieve orgasm every time they have sex.

However, Singaporeans fare worse. Only 36 per cent usually manage to feel the earth move, according to the survey's latest report entitled 'The Big O'.

Gender-wise, 62 per cent of Malaysian males almost always reach climax during sex while women get a raw deal - only 25 per cent almost always achieving orgasm.

The survey also found that 86 per cent of Malaysians who frequently had orgasm feel sexually at ease with themselves while 60 per cent of those who regularly came to a climax also enjoyed good psychological health.

Globally, the leaders are the Italians, Spaniards, Mexicans and South Africans who are most likely to climax every time with 66 per cent usually managing to hit the spot.

Least likely to achieve an orgasm are the Chinese and people from Hong Kong (both 24 per cent), followed closely by the Japanese (27 per cent).

Reproductive and sexual health specialist, Dr Mohd Ismail Mohd Tambi, said that while orgasms are not the be all and end all of sex, regularly achieving orgasms improves emotional and overall well-being.

'If you want to have an orgasm, it is important that you surrender yourself to the good feelings you are experiencing. Relaxation is crucial.'

Dr Mohd Ismail said work worries should also be left outside the bedroom as couples needed to have protected and uninterrupted time.

Globally, eight in 10 people who frequently have orgasm felt close to their partner during sex.

The survey was conducted among 26,000 people in 26 countries of which 1,026 were Malaysians.

They were questioned on key aspects of their sex lives such as health, education, beliefs, attitudes to sex and social circumstances. -- THE STAR/ANN