orgasm is
usually defined strictly by the muscular contractions involved during sexual
activity, along with the characteristic patterns of change in heart rate, blood
pressure, and often respiration rate and depth. This is categorized as the
sudden discharge of accumulated sexual tension during the sexual response cycle, resulting in
rhythmic muscular contractions in the pelvic region.
In general
Orgasms may be achieved by a variety of activities. In men, sufficient penile stimulation can be achieved during vaginal or anal intercourse, oral sex (fellatio) or masturbation/non-penetrative sex. In women, sufficient sexual stimulation can be achieved during vaginal intercourse, oral sex (cunnilingus) or masturbation/non-penetrative sex. Orgasm may also be achieved by the use of a sex toy, such as a sensual vibrator or an erotic electrostimulation. It can additionally be achieved by stimulation of the nipples, uterus, or other erogenous zones, though this is rarer. In addition to physical stimulation, orgasm can be achieved from psychological arousal alone, such as during dreaming (nocturnal emission for males or females) or by orgasm control. Orgasm by psychological stimulation alone was first reported among people who had spinal cord injury (SCI). Although SCI very often leads to loss of certain sensations and altered self-perception, a person with this disturbance is not deprived of sexual feelings such as sexual arousal and erotic desires.
Scientific literature focuses on the psychology of female orgasm significantly more than it does on the psychology of male orgasm, which "appears to reflect the assumption that female orgasm is psychologically more complex than male orgasm,".
Orgasms may be achieved by a variety of activities. In men, sufficient penile stimulation can be achieved during vaginal or anal intercourse, oral sex (fellatio) or masturbation/non-penetrative sex. In women, sufficient sexual stimulation can be achieved during vaginal intercourse, oral sex (cunnilingus) or masturbation/non-penetrative sex. Orgasm may also be achieved by the use of a sex toy, such as a sensual vibrator or an erotic electrostimulation. It can additionally be achieved by stimulation of the nipples, uterus, or other erogenous zones, though this is rarer. In addition to physical stimulation, orgasm can be achieved from psychological arousal alone, such as during dreaming (nocturnal emission for males or females) or by orgasm control. Orgasm by psychological stimulation alone was first reported among people who had spinal cord injury (SCI). Although SCI very often leads to loss of certain sensations and altered self-perception, a person with this disturbance is not deprived of sexual feelings such as sexual arousal and erotic desires.
Scientific literature focuses on the psychology of female orgasm significantly more than it does on the psychology of male orgasm, which "appears to reflect the assumption that female orgasm is psychologically more complex than male orgasm,".
female orgasm
The majority of women, 70–80 percent for general statistics, require direct clitoral stimulation (consistent manual, oral or other concentrated friction against the external parts of the clitoris) to achieve orgasm, though indirect clitoral stimulation (for example, via vaginal penetration) may also be sufficient. The Mayo Clinic stated, "Orgasms vary in intensity, and women vary in the frequency of their orgasms and the amount of stimulation necessary to trigger an orgasm." Clitoral orgasms are easier to achieve because the glans of the clitoris, or clitoris as a whole, has more than 8,000 sensory nerve endings, as much as or more than the human penis, as well as more than any other part of the human body. As the clitoris is homologous to the penis, it is the equivalent in its capacity to receive sexual stimulation. It surrounds the vagina somewhat like a horseshoe, with "legs" that extend along the vaginal lips back to the anus.
The majority of women, 70–80 percent for general statistics, require direct clitoral stimulation (consistent manual, oral or other concentrated friction against the external parts of the clitoris) to achieve orgasm, though indirect clitoral stimulation (for example, via vaginal penetration) may also be sufficient. The Mayo Clinic stated, "Orgasms vary in intensity, and women vary in the frequency of their orgasms and the amount of stimulation necessary to trigger an orgasm." Clitoral orgasms are easier to achieve because the glans of the clitoris, or clitoris as a whole, has more than 8,000 sensory nerve endings, as much as or more than the human penis, as well as more than any other part of the human body. As the clitoris is homologous to the penis, it is the equivalent in its capacity to receive sexual stimulation. It surrounds the vagina somewhat like a horseshoe, with "legs" that extend along the vaginal lips back to the anus.
One
misconception, especially in some research publications, is that the vagina is
completely insensitive. However, there are areas in the anterior vaginal wall
and between the top junction of the labia minora
and the urethra
that are especially sensitive. With regard to specific density of nerve
endings, while the area commonly described as the G-Spot can
produce an orgasm, and the urethral
sponge, an area in which the G-Spot may be found, runs along the
"roof" of the vagina and can create pleasurable sensations when
stimulated, intense sexual pleasure and orgasm from vaginal stimulation is
occasional because the vagina has significantly fewer nerve endings than the
clitoris. Go Ask Alice! reports that although vaginal
intercourse may promote a satisfying feeling of fullness or closeness with a
sexual partner, the vaginal walls "contain relatively few nerve endings,
making intense sexual stimulation, pleasure, and orgasm from vaginal-only
penetration unlikely" and that "it's generally only the lower third
of the vagina [the anterior wall/area near the entrance] that has enough nerve
endings to feel any stimulation at all from a penis, finger, toy, or other
penetrative object".
Sex educator
Rebecca Chalker states that only one part of the clitoris, the urethral sponge,
is in contact with the penis, fingers, or a dildo in the vagina. Hite
and Chalker note that the tip of the clitoris and the inner lips, which are
also very sensitive, are not receiving direct stimulation during intercourse.
Because of this, some couples may engage in the woman on top position or the coital alignment technique to maximize
clitoral stimulation. For some women, the clitoris is very sensitive after
climax, making additional stimulation initially painful.
Masters and Johnson asserted that all women are
potentially multiply orgasmic, but that multiply orgasmic men are rare, and
stated that "the female is capable of rapid return to orgasm immediately
following an orgasmic experience, if restimulated before tensions have dropped
below plateau phase response levels". Though generally reported that women
do not experience a refractory period and thus can experience
an additional orgasm, or multiple orgasms, soon after the first, some sources
state that both men and women experience a refractory period because women may
also experience a period after orgasm in which further sexual stimulation does
not produce excitement. After the initial orgasm, subsequent orgasms for women
may also be stronger or more pleasurable as the stimulation accumulates.