ORGASMS 101: UNDERSTANDING CLIMAX

What are orgasms and what is their role in your sexual experience? How many types of orgasms are there and how do you know if you’re on the verge of an orgasm? There is a lot of science behind orgasms that most people do not know of and below, we answer the frequently asked questions on orgasms.

Orgasms are described as the height of any sexual experience caused by a snowball of tension in the nerve cells. In essence, orgasms occur when the nerve cells cannot hold in tension anymore and therefore end up "exploding" (Safron 2016). The orgasm topic is marred by a ton of baseless myths and misconceptions that need to be unpacked so that people get the real definition of this sexual experience.

Defining Orgasms

Most people who have experienced orgasms describe the feeling as surreal depending on which body part is receiving stimulation. Several sex therapists agree that the intensity, quality, and length of an orgasm can vary. For example, clitoral orgasms and nipple orgasms are different in quality and intensity because the clitoris is filled with tons of nerve endings that when stimulated bring about exquisite orgasms.

Types Of orgasms

Clitoral Orgasms

According to Greaves (2000), the clitoris, also known as the clit and located three inches into the vagina, is a nerve-filled structure whose main function is to provide sexual pleasure. If you have never experienced orgasms before, the best place to start should be at the clitoris because clitoral stimulations birth perfect-like orgasms. To start your clitoral orgasmic journey, you should figure out what type of stimulation works for you, either indirect or direct stimulation. Direct stimulation involves touching the clitoris while indirect means touching the clitoris through the clitoral hood or the labia.

Blended Orgasms

Blended orgasms are those that arise by coupling clitoral stimulation and another erogenous zone like the nipple or the anus. A blended orgasm is perfect for people who are amateurs in the orgasmic field. There are a lot of spots in the body that you can stimulate simultaneously with the clitoris with the most common combination being the G-spot and the clitoris. However, you can combine any other sport that you are sure will give you mind-blowing orgasms.

Vaginal Orgasms

According to Vieira-Baptista et al. (2021), vaginal orgasms depend on the type of position during sex because it is a result of clitoral and G-spot stimulation. However, not all positions will have you experiencing vaginal orgasms. Sex positions like doggy style and the woman on top are the most effective because due to the angle of the penis and the exposure of the vagina. Also, these positions are perfect for increased intimacy during sex.

Anal Orgasms

Anal orgasms can be experienced by men and women. However, for men, anal orgasms are mind-blowing because that is where their P-spot is located. For women, there is a slight possibility that anal stimulation can also stimulate the clitoris. To get the most of out anal stimulation, push up the penis or the sex toy up towards the belly button; same as how you would if you would be having penetration sex in the vagina.

Erogenous orgasms

The body is packed with a ton of erogenous zones that may result in orgasmic experiences when stimulated. Erogenous zones include the nipples, neck, ears, etc. Stimulating these erogenous zones causes contractions in the vaginal and uterine walls, birthing an orgasm.

Convulsing Orgasms

Convulsing orgasms are a result of the pelvic floor muscles convulsing time and again over a short period. This type of orgasm happens after a long build-up of tension in the pelvic floor. If you want to get the feel of convulsing orgasms, you can try edging which involves holding yourself back from an orgasm.

The Feeling Of An Orgasm

Before an orgasm, the body goes through a series of changes so that it can accommodate the extreme sensations that come with an orgasmic experience. Even though people have different pre-orgasmic experiences, there is one experience that cuts across everyone across all genders, the pleasurable wave of emotions that rush through the body. This rush of emotions causes an increase in breathing and heart rate levels. When men experience orgasms, their penis pushes out squirts of semen equivalent to 1-2 tablespoons, this process is known as ejaculation. Note that it is possible to orgasm without ejaculation and vice versa. However, often, these two processes occur simultaneously.

In women, the vagina tends to get extremely wet, before and during an orgasm. There is also the possibility that the vulva will produce fluid during or after an orgasm – this process is known as female ejaculation. After an orgasm, the head of the penis (glans) and the clitoris may feel sensitive to touch. You may also experience a sudden rush of endorphins, also known as the feel-good hormone.

Things That Happen To Your Body During An Orgasm

Unfortunately, there isn't enough research on what happens to our bodies and brain during an orgasm. However, Moir & Jessel (1997) concluded that the male and female brain responds almost the same way during this pleasurable moment. Below is what happens to your body and brain during an orgasm;

• The orbitofrontal cortex shuts down - The part of the brain responsible for reasoning. When activated, the orbitofrontal cortex can interrupt sex drive and issues like performance anxiety.
• Remote parts of the brain are activated - Parts of the brain like the thalamus and the hypothalamus are located deep in the brain and they work together to make your orgasm session blissful.
• During an orgasm your brain releases tons of dopamine; a neurotransmitter in the brain that gives us feelings of pleasure or the “reward feeling”.
• Oxytocin is released.
• After an orgasm, your body releases hormones that bring about feelings of exhaustion and happiness.

The Bottom Line

An orgasm, also referred to as a climax or coming, can be described as the height of intense pleasure during any sexual activity. However, orgasms mean different things to different people because the intensity of orgasms varies from one person to the next. This is why it is best to explore different erogenous spots in your body to find out what part gives you mind-blowing orgasms. It is vital to note that not all sexual activities require to have to end with an orgasm, and an orgasm does not mean that the sex is great. Our bodies are different and the levels of pleasure are also different.

References

Greaves, K. M. (2000). The social construction of sexual interaction in heterosexual relationships: A qualitative analysis. Oregon State University.

Moir, A., & Jessel, D. (1997). Brain sex. Random House (UK).

Safron, A. (2016). What is orgasm? A model of sexual trance and climax via rhythmic entrainment. Socioaffective Neuroscience & Psychology, 6(1), 31763.

Vieira-Baptista, P., Lima-Silva, J., Preti, M., Xavier, J., Vendeira, P., & Stockdale, C. K. (2021). G-spot: fact or fiction?: a systematic review. Sexual Medicine, 9(5), 100435.