In medieval times, it was believed that both partners had to orgasm to conceive because sex was considered an act of procreation rather than pleasure. This belief stemmed from the idea that semen contained the male's vital essence and without this, a woman could not become pregnant. As such, any deviation from this formula would result in infertility. However, there were exceptions to this rule, such as when a man ejaculated prematurely or didn't have enough semen to fertilize an egg. Additionally, some people believed that certain positions and practices like intercourse during menstruation, anal sex, or masturbation could lead to sterility. These views shaped attitudes towards sex and influenced marital bonds, which emphasized the importance of fertility and childbearing. It wasn't until modern science revealed that conception occurs through sperm meeting egg rather than both partners experiencing orgasm that these ideas were challenged.
The ancient Greeks believed that the female body was passive and needed to be "opened" for penetration while the male actively injected his seed into her womb. Aristotle described women as having colder temperatures than men, making them less likely to absorb semen without additional stimulation. Hippocrates also wrote about semen as being essential to conception, with little mention of the female role. Roman physician Galen agreed with this view, saying that women should relax their vagina and let out a yelp upon climax to help draw in semen. The Church further contributed to these beliefs by encouraging couples to avoid non-procreative sex acts and promoting celibacy outside of marriage. This led to a culture where sex was seen as a means to procreate rather than enjoyment, reinforced by laws forbidding contraception and abortion.
In medieval literature, stories often depicted sexual encounters as mechanical and emotionless, focusing on achieving pregnancy over pleasure. Chaucer's Canterbury Tales featured tales of married couples engaging in intercourse solely to conceive, with no mention of passion or intimacy. Other authors like Boccaccio portrayed sex as something required but undesirable, emphasizing its necessity over desire. These attitudes persisted well into the Renaissance, when some doctors still advised women to remain motionless during sex to ensure conception. It wasn't until later centuries that science began to challenge these views, leading to changes in our understanding of fertility and reproduction.