The elusive female orgasm. One study showed that only 25 percent of females consistently experience an orgasm during vaginal intercourse. Even with what we do know, there’s still a lot to be discovered when it comes to the female orgasm.
Besides feeling amazing, a daily orgasm might just be the next piece to add to your self-care habits. Orgasms can lead to lowered blood pressure and reduced risk for hypertension in older women. They may also just put you in a better mood and even clear up your skin.
We can think about female orgasms as an intricately woven spider web. The amygdala, nucleus accumbens, ventral tegmental area (VTA), cerebellum, and the pituitary gland are all areas of the brain affected by sexual arousal.
Are male and female orgasm sensations the same?
Yes and no. While both males and females experience a “closedown” of the lateral orbitofrontal cortex part of the brain region during a climax, there are still some variations between a male and female orgasm. The major difference is related to women’s flight or fight response and the need to feel safe and secure to experience an orgasm. Studies show that in females, the periaqueductal gray (PAG) part of the brain is activated — which isn’t the case for a male orgasm. Also, female orgasms are usually longer and extra intense. Males may also be able to experience many of the orgasm types described here.
There’s no need to fake it til you make it
We often want to please our partner(s), so when we know we’re not headed for O-town, we might feel internal pressure to fake it. The good news is that the more you experience real ones, the more you’ll see why holding out for the real deal is worth it.
Every person with a vulva is different, and here are 7 types of orgasms females may experience.
Keep in mind these are merely suggestions.
- Clitoral Orgasm
Designed purely for pleasure, the clitoral orgasm is the most popular of all the Os. There are 8,000 nerves (twice as many as a penis) on the tip of the clitoris alone. The literal tip of the iceberg; it’s the top organ for reaching orgasms — roughly 80% of women need direct clitoral stimulation. - G-Spot Orgasm
Also, a commonly heard about orgasm, but perhaps not well-understood — The G-spot climax can lead to female ejaculation. This kind of female ejaculation stems from the Skene’s glands — sometimes called “squirting.” We need more research before we can say that all females can experience this type of orgasm. Even if there’s no orgasm, G-spot stimulation can feel intensely delightful. Some say that the G-spot orgasm may be the best kind to experience an emotional release. To navigate to the G-spot, slide two fingers a few inches inside the vagina and gently press the front wall of the vagina. It should feel like a small, spongy area. Once you get the hang of it, experiment with simultaneous clitoral and G-spot stimulation. - Vagina Opening Orgasm
The entrance of the vagina also contains many nerve-endings. The vaginal entrance orgasm provides a combined stimulus orgasm that radiates from the clitoris to the vaginal opening — a combo that offers a powerful OMG. To try this, stay deeply present and have your partner enter the vagina with a finger while taking a deep exhale when they enter. Taking your time, once their finger is inside, stay still and enjoy the profound pleasure. - Cervical Climax
This type of climax can feel mind-altering and rooted from deep within. Locating the female cervical pleasure zone can be a challenge, but with some patience, the cervical climax may produce full-body bliss. Worth the effort? We think so! Achieving a cervical orgasm may take practice while enjoying deep breaths during long penetration. Keep in mind that the cervix tissue is especially tender and the pressure may feel too intense — so take it slow! - Anal Orgasm
Achieving an anal climax may be difficult, but also relaxing, and perhaps a little wild. There are many myths around anal sex, so it may be helpful to keep an open mind. The anus lining seems small and tight, but it’s actually able to stretch enough to accommodate fingers, sex toys, and a penis. When done slowly and with proper lubrication, anal sex can be safe to explore. It also allows for clitoral and vaginal stimulation at the same time which can lead the way to powerful multi-directional orgasms. - Nipple Orgasm
Nipples are one of the most erogenous zones on the body, and males can experience this one too! Breasts can even enlarge up to 25% their normal size when aroused, which can lead to both enjoyment and discomfort from being so sensitive. Stimulating the nipples turns on the same areas of the brain as clitoral, vaginal, and cervical stimulation. - Body and Soul Orgasm
Talk about literally blowing your mind. This one can be experienced by everyone, not just females. The body and soul orgasm brings full body, mind, and spirit delight without stimulating the body. This type of orgasm can feel deep and revitalizing — much like a great meditation or yoga practice. The same pleasure centers are animated in the brain during a mind and soul orgasm as in physical orgasms. Females may experience these orgasms of the mind and soul while being still in a yoga pose, meditating, while doing yoni egg exercises, or even while practicing self-hypnosis. Hypnotherapists say there are endless positive satisfaction responses inside our minds. To turn them on, we just need to tap into our subconscious mind. Practicing and experimenting with mind control orgasms can also help control the mind which drives greater body control.
Remember, fantastic sex doesn’t automatically go hand-in-hand with orgasmic sex. Even if you reach O-town, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the sex was mind-blowing and delightful.
There’s an endless list of components that go into stimulating our sensual sides. And while these types of female orgasms can help bring on a variety of orgasms, this list is just a suggestion. Great sex is continually evolving for ourselves and our partner(s).
If you enjoyed this article all about the female orgasm, you might find delight in these ones too:
- 8 Little-Known Facts About the Male Orgasm
- Tap Into the Power of the Microcosmic Orbit to Take You to Higher Consciousness
- Period Sex: 5 Reasons To Love It
- For Great Sex, Build Your Toolbox of Desire
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Sexology International, like all of our work, is for people of all sexual preferences and all forms of gender expression, including people whose identity is something other than male or female. As such, we like to use gender-neutral pronouns. More recently accepted alternatives include words like “ze” and “hir” or the universal pronoun “they.” Throughout our work, we will be doing our best to use alternative pronouns, such as “they,” whenever gender or plurality is unimportant. In doing so we hope it helps everyone to feel included in the discussion and that it inspires you to think outside of traditional sex and gender binaries.
