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What Are the Different Types of Orgasms?

Valerie Goldberg
Valerie Goldberg

An orgasm is a pleasurable and positive response to sexual stimulation. Both men and women can achieve orgasms, but not all orgasms are the same. There are several types of orgasms, including the male orgasm, multiple orgasms and the female orgasm, which has many subtypes. Some subtypes of the female orgasm include the clitoral orgasm and the vaginal orgasm.

The standard male orgasm is one of the many types of orgasms. Men will typically achieve orgasm through sexual intercourse, oral sex, masturbation or stimulation of the prostate. It is common for men to achieve orgasm almost every time they have sex, whereas many women may have sex without achieving an orgasm. A male orgasm is typically accompanied by ejaculation. When a man has an orgasm and doesn't ejaculate, it is known as a dry orgasm and — if it is an ongoing problem — can interfere with his ability to have children.

The female orgasm is more complex than the male orgasm due to the design of the female sexual anatomy.
The female orgasm is more complex than the male orgasm due to the design of the female sexual anatomy.

Like men, women can orgasm from oral sex, masturbation alone or with a partner, or sexual intercourse in various positions. The female orgasm, however, is a little bit more complex than the male orgasm. The design of the female sexual anatomy ensures this. The part of a woman that makes her most likely to orgasm will determine the easiest way for her to achieve that orgasm.

Oral sex can stimulate a woman's clitoris, and thus is one way women can reach orgasm.
Oral sex can stimulate a woman's clitoris, and thus is one way women can reach orgasm.

One of the many types of orgasms for women is the clitoral orgasm. The clitoris is above the vaginal opening. There is no known purpose for the clitoris other than to cause pleasure sensations in a woman. The clitoris is easier to locate than some more internal parts of the female sexual system, and many women can achieve an orgasm from proper clitoral stimulation, whether during intercourse, masturbation or oral sex.

Sexual arousal can cause the clitoris to become enlarged.
Sexual arousal can cause the clitoris to become enlarged.

Another common female orgasm is the Gräfenberg Spot (G-Spot), or vaginal, orgasm. A woman's G-spot is somewhere in the area between her vaginal opening and urethra, though the exact location can be hard to pinpoint. Some women have difficulty achieving orgasm through vaginal intercourse because their partners are unable to hit the G-spot this way. Women in this situation may choose to have their partners perform oral sex on them or use their hands to help them achieve an orgasm.

Men will typically achieve orgasm through sexual intercourse.
Men will typically achieve orgasm through sexual intercourse.

There are other types of orgasms that can be experienced, including a multiple orgasm, which can be achieved by a woman or man. This occurs when a person climaxes several times in a row. Multiple orgasms can come naturally to some people while others may have to work at it.

Some women's breasts are so sensitive that sexual foreplay involving the breasts also can cause an orgasm. Breast orgasms are not very common but can be very pleasurable for women who have bodies that respond well to arousal in that area. Men also may find that stimulation of their nipples can increase their arousal and lead to orgasm.

Discussion Comments

mrwormy

Some people say that male and female orgasms are essentially the same, but women are better at staying "in the moment", as it were. Men tend to reach a level of pleasure, ejaculate and then become too sensitive for a repeat performance. Women who can have multiple orgasms probably don't have the same problem with sensitivity or over-stimulation as men.

Ruggercat68

I don't know if I believe it, but I've heard that the biological function of a female orgasm is to draw the ejaculated semen deeper into the uterus for fertilization. I've always heard the purpose was to make sexual intercourse so pleasurable that people would do it more often and keep the planet populated.

I have my doubts about this theory, because I know that many women do not experience orgasms from sexual intercourse alone, and I would think the forceful nature of male ejaculation would be sufficient to reach the right areas for fertilization.

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    • The female orgasm is more complex than the male orgasm due to the design of the female sexual anatomy.
      By: Piotr Marcinski
      The female orgasm is more complex than the male orgasm due to the design of the female sexual anatomy.
    • Oral sex can stimulate a woman's clitoris, and thus is one way women can reach orgasm.
      By: Imagery Majestic
      Oral sex can stimulate a woman's clitoris, and thus is one way women can reach orgasm.
    • Sexual arousal can cause the clitoris to become enlarged.
      By: isyste
      Sexual arousal can cause the clitoris to become enlarged.
    • Men will typically achieve orgasm through sexual intercourse.
      By: marinasvetlova
      Men will typically achieve orgasm through sexual intercourse.