10 Types Of Orgasms And How To Get One (Or More): Nᵒ16 Secrets of the Sexually Empowered
Theoretically, we all have the potential to experience orgasmic pleasure. However, how to orgasm, what makes us orgasm and how it feels can vary for each person and every solo or partnered sexual encounter.
An orgasm during sex can be as quick as a sneeze or can be moanworthly and mindblowing. It can cause sensations of tingling, shaking or pulsations that are shallow or felt deep within the body.
The basics of an orgasm
Helen Singer Kaplan, Masters and Johnson are a few of the names synonymous with the sexual response cycle. Here’s a mash-up of the basics that are helpful to know.
It starts with desire.
Then thoughts or sexual stimulation cause blood to begin to engorge the sexual anatomy (the vulva swells, the vagina lubricates, nipples become erect, the penis gets hard, testicles get closer to the body).
Next is the plateau phase. For those with a vulva/vagina it swells more, the clitoris hides under the hood of skin, the lower vagina narrows and tightens and natural lubrication continues. Those with a penis experience the testicles pulling further into the body and pre-cum is released from the urethra.
Finally the orgasm phase - muscular and rhythmic contractions occur releasing built up sexual tension and endorphins. For those with a vulva/vagina the vagina, cervix, uterus, anus and pelvic muscles contract. For those with a penis, there is usually ejaculation and the urethra, anus and pelvic muscles contract. Breathing, heart rate and blood pressure are at the highest level. It’s also when muscles seem to spasm and the reddening of the skin may be darker in color.
Resolution is when the muscles relax and the body returns to the unaroused state. Drowsiness can set in. Blood leaves the areas it engorged in earlier stages. The heart rate, blood pressure and breath go back to the norm.
Types of orgasms
Over the years, scientists, sexologists, therapists, freelance writers, magazine editors and others have come up with numerous names for orgasms. For the most part, comparing to a list of what has been predefined tends to make some people insecure rather than optimistic.
Reality is, whatever is being stimulated is likely the source. Sometimes it’s one specific spot or it can be a certain area. It can even include the power of the mind amping up sensations that are only imagined.
These can include, but are not limited to:
Clitoral Orgasm
While every person with a vulva has different clitoral sensitivity, the sole purpose of the clitoris is for pleasure. Experiment with direct and indirect clitoral stimulation during sex to reach orgasm (aka touching the clitoris itself, or the labia that surrounds it)
Clitoral orgasms can be the best orgasms for women and some of the easiest to achieve.
A Coregasm
This is a type of orgasm achieved through physical exercise such as sit ups or running. Coregasms occur as some kinds of intense exercise can indirectly stimulate the clitoris. Core exercises are the most likely to lead to orgasm - hence the name.
G-spot Orgasm
Once highly aroused the G-spot makes its appearance. Slide a finger or toy into the vagina along the belly-button side of the body. Stop when you feel a corrugated-like texture. Begin to move the inserted object in a come here type motion until climax.
During penetrative sex, try to optimize orgasm with positions like doggy style that can hit this erogenous area.
Prostate Orgasm
For those with a penis or who once had one: Stimulation of the prostate gland, which happens directly through the anus, can lead to a more intense climax. Slide a finger, toy or penis into the anus along the wall of the rectum belly-button side of the body. About 3 - 4 inches deep, you’ll likely feel a walnut sized tissue. This is where you stimulate the prostate even though it’s on the other side of this area. It can also be indirectly stimulated by pressing on the perineum.
Blended Orgasms
These orgasms are a combination of two erogenous zones like the clitoris and the G-spot. It happens when sensations are stirring at these locations and you can’t quite figure out where it all started, nor do you need to recall - simply relish in the afterglow.
Full-body orgasm
This is the type of orgasm often equated with tantric sex. However, for most people it starts with genital stimulation and the energy radiates through the entire body.
Energy Orgasm
This type of orgasm happens solely through breath work without sexual stimulation. It can involve engaging the Pubococcygeus (PC) muscle, rocking the body, using breath, sound and visualization to move energy through the chakras.
Anal Orgasms
There are shared nerve endings from the anterior wall of the rectum to the vagina. This therefore mean that stimulation of the clitoris may be possible through anal sex. Using a finger or toy, slowly complete a beckoning motion in the same way as in the vagina.
A C Spot Orgasm
Not many people know that the cervix itself has nerve endings. Females can orgasm from a build up of pleasure. Heavy thrusting with a penis is unlikely to result in a cervical orgasm and more likely to result in pain for the woman and in some cases light bleeding.
A Nipple Orgasm
Some women don't even need genital stimulation - an orgasm can be achieved purely through nipple play. Experiment with different areas of the areola, using lubricant and even different temperatures can spark different levels of sexual stimulation. This is also great foreplay.
How to orgasm
There are many ways and experiences that can lead to orgasm. The trick is to heighten pleasure, stay with the sensation that feels the most stimulating and see where it leads.
Here are some ideas of what to try during sex that make orgasm more likely to happen:
Foreplay is key, particularly for those with a vulva/vagina
Engaging the senses during a sexual encounter
Solo sex
Mutual masturbation
Positions that maximize erogenous areas like doggy style or for the person with the vulva/vagina to be on top
Doing Kegels during penetration to grip the penis or whatever is penetrating
Sharing fantasies
Using your breath to stay present and keep energy flowing in the body and feel more expansive
Oral Sex
Outercourse (fooling around without penetration like dry humping)
Moving your hips and making sounds as they arise to enhance the sexual experience.
A few facts
Most people with a vulva/vagina need clitoral stimulation to orgasm
Wetter can feel better so be sure to add lube (remember oil-based lube can cause latex condoms to deteriorate)
Orgasm and ejaculation are two separate processes that usually happen at the same time
It’s possible to have multiple orgasms however, it can take practice
Genital mutilation may impact orgasmic ability of the affected area, however orgasm is still possible from other erogenous areas like the breasts and nipples
Orgasms can relieve menstrual cramps
Every sack session has its own potential, although orgasms aren’t a given and can be impacted by many culprits.
Causes of elusive orgasms
The stats of people who have difficulty experiencing orgasm is higher than it needs to be. Often times the cause is related to not getting the stimulation that can lead to orgasm (experiencing vaginal sex alone without clitoral stimulation is a common reason). Other culprits that sabotage sexual satisfaction are stress, getting lost in thoughts, having performance anxiety, being self-conscious about body image or expecting an orgasmic outcome. Knowing what turns you on, stimulation to these spots that increase arousal, staying present in the moment by focusing on the feeling and enjoying the pleasure path all make orgasms possible whether you’re having solo or partnered sex.
Multiple o’s
How to define multiple orgasms is a bit murky. Many say it’s when orgasms are connected in rapid succession. Some say multiples can be a few minutes apart. Others have a much looser definition of more than one in a sack session.
While everyone who journeys into the sexual response cycle experiences some type of a refractory period—the time after orgasm where the body returns to a relaxed state, blood pressure and heart rate regulate—those with a vulva/vagina are typically more likely to have no or little time that they need to recover making multiples more possible on a physical level.
Those with a penis can experience multiples before ejaculation. This is usually a technique that can be learned. However, once ejaculation occurs, there is a period of time that passes (that tends to increase with age) before being able to get erect again.
On an educational level, it’s helpful to know what to generally expect as part of the sexual response cycle and to be familiar with the types of orgasmic options. However, know that whatever your orgasmic potential and experience, it’s most important to remember to enjoy the journey without getting caught up in classifying your climax.