the best magazine article I’ve read in a while
Some Facts on Female Orgasm
by Christy Brownlee (
in focus, Aug 16, 2001)
Let's face it, ladies — good things really do come to those who wait. Think about that rich, tasty dessert that wraps up a good meal. Or the explosive grand finale at the end of the fireworks show on the Fourth of July.
Well, there's another type of happy ending: the female orgasm. Also called "coming," climaxing, or having a "big O," an orgasm is often the pleasurable climax during sexual activity.
What is an orgasm? It's defined as the peak of sexual arousal when all the muscles that were tightened during sexual arousal relax, causing a very pleasurable feeling that may involve the whole body. During orgasm, many women's heart rates skyrocket, their breathing quickens, and their blood pressure rates increase; muscles throughout their bodies spasm, but mostly those in the vagina, uterus, anus, and pelvic floor.
Sound dangerous? It isn't. In fact, most women who have had an orgasm will tell you that it's quite nice.
To put it mildly, orgasms feel good. During orgasm, chemicals called endorphins are released into the bloodstream. They cause pleasant sensations to ripple through the body, but they also make many women feel happy, giddy, flushed, warm, or sleepy.
So, how do women have orgasms?
For starters, almost any type of sexual stimulation can lead to orgasm. A woman can have an orgasm through intercourse, oral sex, or anal sex; manual stimulation of the vulva by her partner; body rubbing ("dry humping"); or masturbation. Some women can even have orgasms just by touching their breasts or by fantasizing about sex!
For many women, the contact has to be much more direct — right on the genitals — and in a regular, rhythmic pattern. Stimulation of two major parts of the genitals can cause a woman to have an orgasm: the clitoris (which is a part of the vulva) and the vagina. A woman can have an orgasm through stimulation of just her clitoris, just her vagina, or both. But most women have orgasms through stimulation of the clitoris.
Although some researchers believe there is just one type of female orgasm, others believe that stimulation of these two parts of the genitals can cause different types of orgasm. During a clitoral orgasm, the vagina becomes longer; it causes a pocket to be formed beneath the uterus. During a vaginal orgasm, the uterus drops lower and shortens the vagina. Stimulation of both the vagina and clitoris can cause a blended orgasm, the third type of orgasm. All these orgasms may feel different from each other.
Here's some more information about vaginal orgasms: there is a particular place inside the vagina called the G-spot (short for the Grafenberg spot, named after the researcher who "discovered" it), a small bunch of nerves, about the size of a quarter, that's located about an inch or two inside the vagina on the side closest to the navel. It can become extremely sensitive during sex play. And the G-spot can swell, which may make it easier to find.
Sometimes during stimulation of the G-spot, a clear fluid will spurt out of the urethra. The fluid is similar to that produced by the prostate gland in men that makes up the liquid portion of semen. Yes, it's true — about 10 percent of women can actually ejaculate!
Most women will have one orgasm, and then they'll need to take a long break — stop or reduce sex play — before the next one. But some women can have several in a row — they can have multiple orgasms.
Many women — about one out of three — have trouble reaching orgasm when having sex with a partner. Most women experience orgasm through clitoral stimulation rather than through vaginal penetration. So if a woman is having difficulty reaching orgasm, she may want to try clitoral stimulation during, before, or after vaginal intercourse and oral sex to have an orgasm. Keep in mind, every woman's body responds differently to various kinds of sex play. Each woman has different preferences for the ways in which her clitoris is stimulated.
Most women who reach orgasm with a partner have also experienced an orgasm from masturbation. Women who have never had an orgasm may want to try to masturbate and learn what pleases them. It may take some time, but practice makes perfect.
So, now that you're an expert on orgasms, spread the word. The more women and their partners know about orgasms, the easier it will be to have one. Enjoy!
i'd like to tip my hood to christy brownlee
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