Introduction

Orgasm is a physical and emotional sensation during sexual activity, often described as an intense climax of pleasure with muscle contractions and tension release.

Orgasms can vary in intensity and duration from person to person and can occur through various types of sexual stimulation. 

They play a significant role in human sexuality and can contribute to overall sexual satisfaction and well-being.

What is an Orgasm?

An orgasm is the ultimate pleasure you get from the stimulation of genitals or erogenous zones either through sexual intercourse, masturbation, or with the help of sex toys such as vibrators.

It is characterised by ejaculation in males and a heightened stimulation in females with the release of sexual tension that is built up.

Ejaculation can also happen with females experiencing orgasm even though it is less common.

During orgasm, the muscles in your genital area and anus rhythmically contract, and your heart rate and breathing rate increase.

It is a part of the sexual response cycle which has been explained well under Master and Johnson's four-phase model.

Master and Johnson's Four-phase Model

According to this model, our sexual response cycle occurs in a sequence of four stages regardless of sex i.e. either male or female. They are:

Excitement

During the excitement stage, the body prepares for sexual activity with muscle tension, increased heart rate, and elevated blood pressure. In males, the penis becomes erect due to increased blood flow, while in females, vaginal walls moisten, the vagina widens, and the clitoris enlarges.

Plateau

In the plateau stage, breathing quickens, muscles continue to remain tense, and specific physiological changes occur, such as swelling of the penis glans and enlargement of the testes in males, and contraction of the outer vagina and retraction of the clitoris in females.

Orgasm

During orgasm, the built-up neuromuscular tension from the previous stages is swiftly released. In females, the vagina experiences a sequence of regular contractions, while in males, the penis rhythmically contracts to release semen through ejaculation.

Resolution

During the resolution stage, the body gradually returns to its normal state after sexual arousal. In males, the penis returns to its normal size, while in females, the genital structures return to their pre-arousal condition.

Additionally, men experience a refractory period lasting from several minutes to a few hours, during which further sexual arousal is not possible.

However, women can quickly become aroused again at any point during this stage.

What Are the Benefits of Orgasm?

Orgasm has many benefits for our mental and physical health.

Some of the benefits of orgasm for mental health are:

Reduces menstrual cramps: Orgasm helps relieve menstrual cramps. During orgasm, the muscles undergo a series of contractions and subsequent relaxation, which can alleviate painful cramps.

Improves sleep: Whether you achieve orgasm through masturbation or with your partner, orgasm has proven to improve sleep quality. Research studies found that masturbation or sexual activity with a partner resulting in orgasm was experienced to exert positive effects on “subjective sleep latency” and “subjective sleep quality.”

Stress relief: Orgasms offer various benefits, including the release of endorphins, which can reduce stress and boost mood.

Boosts relaxation: Orgasms also promote relaxation, improve sleep, and may even alleviate pain through the release of oxytocin and other hormones.

Reinforces intimacy: Orgasms can strengthen pelvic floor muscles and enhance intimacy in relationships.

Difference Between Male and Female Orgasms

Orgasm is experienced differently from person to person and even from time to time by the same individual. 

The level of orgasm varies depending on factors such as the level of sexual tension built up, the stress level, compatibility of the partner you are with, how comfortable you are, etc.

Sometimes you experience intense pleasure, other times mild ones, and so on.

However, there are a few differences in physical changes and responses that can be generalised between males i.e. one with the penis and females i.e one with the vagina.

Ejaculation

In males, the orgasm typically involves rhythmic contractions of the pelvic muscles, leading to ejaculation of semen.

This ejaculation is often accompanied by a feeling of intense pleasure and release.

In females, the orgasm involves rhythmic contractions of the muscles in the pelvic area, including the vagina and anus.

These contractions can vary in intensity and duration but may not always be accompanied by ejaculation.

Although ejaculation does not always happen both in males and females upon achieving orgasm, it is less common in females compared to males.

Refractory Period

Following orgasm, there is a refractory period for males during which it's difficult or impossible to achieve another orgasm.

Whereas females may not experience a refractory period, meaning they can potentially achieve multiple orgasms in a shorter period of time.

Sensitivity to Private Organs

Right after orgasm, the clitoris in females becomes extra sensitive and uncomfortable to touch and in males, the tip of the penis becomes extra sensitive and uncomfortable to touch.

However, it should be noted that there isn't much difference between male and female orgasms.

Both males and females experience intense pleasure with orgasm.

Types of Orgasm

There can be different types of orgasms based on the parts of stimulation.

We can classify them as:

Anal orgasm: It is achieved by stimulating the anus, which is why the name, anal orgasm. 

Clitoral orgasm: These orgasms are mostly felt on the surface of the body. This type of orgasm can be experienced by both men and women and is often described as deeply intense and pleasurable.

Vaginal orgasm: Unlike clitoral orgasms, vaginal orgasms are felt deeper in the body. A vaginal orgasm is often perceived as more internal than a clitoral orgasm, with pulsations felt along the walls of the vaginal canal.

Blended orgasm: It is achieved when the vagina and the clitoris are stimulated simultaneously. This kind of orgasm most often is filled with intense pleasure that your body trembles.

Multiple orgasms: Mostly experienced by females, due to the shorter refractory periods, multiple orgasms are orgasms you get multiple times within a short period of time with sexual stimulations.

Imagery-induced: Sometimes even without physical stimulations, orgasms can occur solely with imagination. This is because the region of the brain that is connected to orgasm is activated with mental imagery.

Erogenous orgasm: Orgasm can be achieved by stimulating erogenous zones such as nipples, feet, ears, neck, etc. This can activate the part of the brain that gets activated with genital stimulations.

Prostate orgasm: In males, the way to intense, full-body orgasm is your prostate which is a walnut-sized gland located between your penis and bladder.

Remember, however, that comfort and being in the moment are more important for a joyful healthy orgasm. Do not be so reliant on manuals that you lose interest. 

And it isn't necessary that what works for others will work for you. Just go with the flow. You can explore new ways to orgasm together with your partner or by yourself.

Orgasmic Disorders

Female Orgasmic Disorders

Anorgasmia refers to the inability to achieve orgasm despite receiving ample and adequate stimulation.

It can happen due to many causes that are physical as well as psychological.

Relationship issues with the partner can also be an important cause contributing to a lack of orgasm.

Treatment typically involves a combination of therapy, education, and sometimes medication.

Male Orgasmic Disorders

Male orgasmic disorders encompass conditions where men experience difficulty reaching orgasm or delay in achieving orgasm, even with sufficient sexual stimulation.

These disorders can include premature ejaculation, delayed ejaculation, and anorgasmia. 

Causes can include;

Psychological factors like anxiety or stress, fear of intimacy, body image issues, past trauma, emotional disconnect, or performance pressure,

Physical issues such as neurological conditions, hormonal imbalances, substance use, aging, mismatched libido, masturbation, ill health or medication side effects.

Treatment options often involve therapy and counseling, behavioral techniques, sexual education, lifestyle changes, and sometimes medication.

Conclusion

Orgasm is a wonderful experience that only those who have experienced it can tell. It is a deeply personal experience and can vary greatly from person to person. 

Not everyone orgasms during sex. Some people in fact never experience orgasms at all.

But does that mean we give up on sex? It is good to know that sex and masturbation can still be enjoyable with or without orgasms.

The inability to achieve orgasm during sex with your partner doesn't say anything about your relationship or compatibility. 

There are many factors such as being too nervous, distracted, stressed out, and anxious that can hinder you from achieving orgasm. Either way is normal.

However, if it bothers you and you are constantly struggling to attain orgasm, you can reach out for treatments and advice from experts.

FAQs

Can ejaculation happen without orgasm and vice versa?

Yes, they can occur separately. Ejaculation is the physical process of semen being released from the body, while orgasm is the intense sensation of pleasure typically associated with sexual climax. While they often happen together, ejaculation can occur without orgasm, and vice versa.

What is premature ejaculation? Is it a disorder?

Premature ejaculation is when a man ejaculates sooner than he or his partner would like during sexual activity. It's considered a common sexual issue and can happen occasionally to many men. However, if it happens frequently and causes distress, it may be classified as a disorder. Treatment options are available, including therapy and medications to help manage and improve this condition.

I cannot achieve orgasm with sex but with masturbation. Why?

There could be various reasons for this. It could be related to psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, or relationship issues. It could also be due to physical factors such as sensitivity differences between masturbation and intercourse or specific techniques used during masturbation. If this is causing distress, it might be helpful to discuss it with a healthcare professional or therapist who can provide personalised guidance and support.

References

• Cleveland Clinic. Orgasm. Available at https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22969-orgasm. (Accessed on 29/04/2024).
• PlannedParenthood. Orgasms. Available at https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/sex-pleasure-and-sexual-dysfunction/sex-and-pleasure/orgasms. (Accessed on 29/04/2024).
• 6 Types of Orgasms and How to Have One (or More!). Healthline. Available at https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sex/types-of-orgasms. (Accessed on 29/04/2024).
• Everything you need to know about orgasms. MedicalNewsToday. Available at https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/232318. (Accessed on 30/04/2024).
• MayoClinic. Anorgasmia in Women. Available at https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anorgasmia/symptoms-causes/syc-20369422. (Accessed on 29/04/2024).
• What Are the Mental Health Benefits of Orgasms? Available at https://www.verywellmind.com/psychological-benefits-of-an-orgasm-5235580. (Accessed on 29/04/2024).
• Britannica. The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Sexual response cycle". Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Mar., 2024. Available at https://www.britannica.com/topic/sexual-response-cycle. (Accessed on 01/05 2024).
• Wiley Online Library (Jan. 2023). The influence of sexual activity on sleep: A diary study. Available at https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.13814