1. What does it consist of?
A reflex
After a stimulation (genital or extra genital stimulation), the brain sends a message that passes through the spine and causes a series of rhythmic contractions in the internal vaginal region, more exactly in the first quarter of the vagina, in the uterus, and in the anal area. There are three muscular groups that react: the anus lifting muscle, the bulbo-cavernosum muscles, the striated sphincter of the urethra and the vulva’s constrictor.
In what moment?
Orgasm is produced at the end of the plateau phase: when the excitation is intensified and when the sexual and muscular tension increases. The first third of the vagina swallows and decreases, making the orifice smaller, and the other two thirds from the vagina’s end become round. The clitoris is pressed by the pubic bone and the lower lips become darker and swallow. If no element of disturbance appears, the orgasm can produce at this moment.
The woman can also have orgasms during the night, which aren’t necessarily caused by erotic dreams.
Duration and intensity
The orgasm itself last for a few seconds most of the times: there are two or three muscular contractions in less than a second. All the women go through the same phases, but it is the orgasm’s intensity that varies by a concentration of these wonderful sensations, connected by a certain feeling of relinquishing. Sometimes the entire body can have contractions at every spasm. Shortly after the orgasm, reddish may appear on the chest and shoulders…for a little while, not for too long. The most obvious sign is the degree of sensibility of the genitals.
Some numbers
When did the first orgasm occur? For 23% of the women before the age of 25; for 90% before 35. One woman out of two thinks that it is important to have an orgasm during intercourse. 40 is an age when women feel most fulfilled. They can reach orgasm more easily because they have more sexual experience and they know their body better.
2. Different types of orgasms
Clitorial or vaginal?
The clitoris and the vagina are two stimulation zones that produce the pleasure of orgasm.
The clitorial orgasm is more acute. Through masturbation, the woman can reach orgasms in just a few minutes. The clitorial stimulation produces a more intense orgasm. The sensation that the woman feels is very powerful. This type of orgasm makes the pelvic and the abdominal muscles work.
The vaginal orgasm
Freud calls it an adult and superior orgasm (unlike the clitorial one which is infantile and inferior). The internal walls of the vagina contain a lot of nerve terminations, one third of the women state that they can have an orgasm in this way. The stimulation of the G spot may lead to a profound orgasm. The sensation of some waves of heat flood the entire body. In the case of some women, orgasm is achieved after their partner’s ejaculation: the vaginal contractions are caused by prostaglandin, a substance contained in the semen.
Clitorial and vaginal
It seems that there isn’t a strictly clitorial orgasm. And vaginal stimulation is not enough for producing an orgasm at most women. A woman is not only clitorial or vaginal, but she has both characteristics at the same time. In Masters and Johnson’s opinion, there is only one type of orgasm, caused by the clitorial stimulation that leads to contractions of the vagina.
It seems that other women need a clitorial orgasm first to be able to reach a vaginal one after. In fact, a prolonged stimulation of the clitoris produces some contractions of the vaginal platform. This clitorial-vaginal reflex produces a superficial orgasm. The so-called profound orgasm means some uterus regulated contractions and it gives a relaxing state afterwards. The two types of orgasm can be produced simultaneously or successively.
Multiple orgasms
If the stimulation and the sexual interest prolong through orgasm, some women (one out of ten) may have a series of successive orgasms. Women need more time to reach orgasm, so they remain more in the plateau phase and may reenter in this phase for more times. Unlike men, women don’t know the refractory period and they can prolong their pleasure. So, they are able to have 5, 10, or even 20 orgasms during the same sex act. But the multiple orgasms have nothing to do with sexual satisfaction. Orgasm should not be a purpose itself: in fact, many women consider that the genital stimulation after an orgasm is not pleasant at all, and they find it quite painful.
3. Preconceived ideas
It is not the duration of the penetration that allows a woman to reach orgasm. Besides, penetration is not the only form of sexuality…being most of the times not sufficient to cause an orgasm. Three women out of four need a direct stimulation of the clitoris through oral caresses or through masturbation to reach orgasm. Some women need their breasts to be stimulated: this increases the percentage of the oxytocin hormone, which is responsible of the contraction of the uterus muscles.
Not reaching the orgasm at every sex act doesn’t mean a failure. 40% of the women who don’t reach an orgasm at every sex act declare that they are perfectly satisfied by their sexuality.
The multiple orgasms and the simultaneous ones should not be a purpose for themselves. The control and the desire to synchronize may stop the two partners to let themselves feel the pleasure.
Women may have an orgasm without feeling pleasure
The intensity of the orgasm is not directly proportional to that of the moans and gestures that come with it.
You have to know that the orgasm makes the skin glow and it improves the body’s tonus, and it also has positive effects on the cardiovascular level.
And, last sensational news: it seems that orgasm has a more utilitarian function than that of simple pleasure. It seems that the woman feels the need to have an orgasm every time her body feels that this would improve her chances to fecundate.
Schopenhauer talked about the cunning of the species. Sexuality only means the transmission of our genetic capital. Besides, women who have an orgasm expel less spermatozoons in the first half of hour that follows the insemination. So, there are more spermatozoons that pass from the vagina in the cervical channel and in the uterus.
