Women’s orgasm – PubMed

Review

. 2004;15:173-257.

Cindy M Meston 
¹
, Roy J Levin, Marca L Sipski, Elaine M Hull, Julia R Heiman

Affiliations

Affiliation

• ¹ Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, 78712, USA. [email protected]

• PMID:

  16913280

Review

Cindy M Meston et al.

Annu Rev Sex Res.

2004.

. 2004;15:173-257.

Authors

Cindy M Meston 
¹
, Roy J Levin, Marca L Sipski, Elaine M Hull, Julia R Heiman

Affiliation

• ¹ Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, 78712, USA. [email protected]

• PMID:

  16913280

Abstract

An orgasm in the human female is a variable, transient peak sensation of intense pleasure, creating an altered state of consciousness, usually with an initiation accompanied by involuntary, rhythmic contractions of the pelvic striated circumvaginal musculature, often with concomitant uterine and anal contractions, and myotonia that resolves the sexually induced vasocongestion and myotonia, generally with an induction of well-being and contentment. Women’s orgasms can be induced by erotic stimulation of a variety of genital and nongenital sites. As of yet, no definitive explanations for what triggers orgasm have emerged. Studies of brain imaging indicate increased activation at orgasm, compared to pre-orgasm, in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, periaqueductal gray of the midbrain, hippocampus, and the cerebellum. Psychosocial factors commonly discussed in relation to female orgasmic ability include age, education, social class, religion, personality, and relationship issues. Findings from surveys and clinical reports suggest that orgasm problems are the second most frequently reported sexual problems in women. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for anorgasmia focuses on promoting changes in attitudes and sexually relevant thoughts, decreasing anxiety, and increasing orgasmic ability and satisfaction. To date there are no pharmacological agents proven to be beneficial beyond placebo in enhancing orgasmic function in women.

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Everything you need to know

A female orgasm can be a highly pleasurable experience during masturbation or sexual activity. Male-dominated norms mean much about the female orgasm remains misunderstood, and harmful myths persist.

In this article, we look at why female orgasms occur and what happens during an orgasm. We also debunk some common misconceptions.

Share on PinterestAn orgasm can cause intense pleasure, which may have its own benefits.

The benefits of the male orgasm are clear. Men must ejaculate to deposit sperm in the vagina, possibly leading to pregnancy. The male orgasm, therefore, serves a clear evolutionary purpose.

The purpose of the female orgasm is less clear. Researchers have suggested numerous potential benefits, but few have been rigorously tested, and no theory has conclusive scientific support.

Not everything the body does has a clear purpose, however. Scientists have not discovered the evolutionary benefits of some traits that have persisted in humans.

A 2016 study argues that the female orgasm may have no obvious evolutionary benefit and that it may be a relic of a time when the hormones associated with orgasm were necessary for a woman to ovulate.

Since there was no evolutionary need to eliminate the female orgasm, it persisted even when it was no longer necessary for fertility.

Orgasm may serve important purposes, however. The pleasure it can cause can encourage females to have sex. This may also promote bonding with a sexual partner, which does have significant evolutionary benefits.

During arousal, blood flow to the genitals increases, causing them to become more sensitive.

As arousal increases, a person’s heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate may also increase. As orgasm approaches, the muscles may twitch or spasm. Many women experience rhythmic muscle spasms in the vagina during an orgasm.

Several researchers have proposed that sexual response follows specific stages, though their theories about these stages differ.

Still, most theories include the following stages:

• excitement, during which arousal builds
• plateau, during which arousal increases and levels off
• orgasm, which causes intense feelings of pleasure
• resolution, during which arousal diminishes

Many females are able to have another orgasm after resolution, whereas males usually require a period of rest before having another orgasm.

While the internet is filled with articles promising that orgasms improve skin, hair, and overall health, there is little scientific evidence that orgasms offer any specific health benefits.

Scientists have not identified any evolutionary benefits of female orgasms or found that orgasms improve health.

But orgasms are pleasurable, and pleasure can be its own benefit. Pleasurable sex may improve a person’s mood, relieve stress, boost immunity, and foster better relationships.

Women do not need to orgasm to get pregnant. However, a limited body of evidence suggests that orgasms may boost fertility.

One very small study, for example, measured whether there was better sperm retention after female orgasm. While the results confirmed this, proving that the female body retains sperm better after an orgasm will require larger studies with designs of higher quality.

People hold many misconceptions about female orgasms. Some myths include:

Women who cannot orgasm have psychological problems.

While trauma, relationship issues, and poor mental health can make it more difficult to orgasm, many people with healthy sexual attitudes and good relationships still have difficulties.

An orgasm is both a physical and psychological response, and numerous health problems can make it more difficult to enjoy sex in this way.

Some people struggle to orgasm due to inadequate lubrication. This may happen while taking hormonal birth control, or during or after pregnancy, or due to menopause.

Also, women can experience vulvodynia, which refers to unexplained pain in the vagina or around the vulva. Treating this and other medical conditions may improve sexual pleasure.

Orgasms from penetrative sex are common or the healthiest form of sexual expression.

Self-appointed experts, mostly men, have long told women that they must orgasm from heterosexual intercourse. However, many women can only orgasm from clitoral stimulation.

Sigmund Freud argued that the vaginal orgasm was the superior and more mature orgasm. No evidence supports this claim.

Women cannot have vaginal orgasms.

While vaginal orgasms are less common than those from clitoral stimulation, some women have them — with or without other stimulation.

The female orgasm can result from many types of stimulation, including vaginal, clitoral, and nipple contact.

Not everyone orgasms from the same type of stimulation.

Women need to be in love to orgasm.

Orgasm is a complex psychological and biological experience — reaching and experiencing orgasm is not the same for every woman. Some women may need to feel love to orgasm, while others may not.

A person’s relationship with their partner may or may not influence their ability to orgasm during sex.

A 2018 study found that 86% of lesbian women said they usually or always orgasm during sex, compared to just 66% of bisexual women and 65% of heterosexual women.

Participants were more likely to orgasm frequently if they:

• received more oral sex
• had longer-lasting sex
• reported higher relationship satisfaction
• asked for what they wanted in bed
• engaged in sexual emails or calls
• expressed love during sex
• acted out sexual fantasies
• tried new sexual positions

A partner can tell if a woman has had an orgasm.

There is no way to tell if a woman has had an orgasm without asking her. Some people make noises during an orgasm, while others are silent. Some flush or sweat after an orgasm, but others do not.

A person who wants to know if their partner has had an orgasm can ask without being confrontational.

If the answer is no, avoid judgment, anger, or feelings of inadequacy — these can put pressure on the person to orgasm, which can lead to anxiety and make it more difficult. Instead, discuss whether they would prefer a different approach to sex.

Being unable to orgasm is a common issue, and it can occur for a variety of reasons. Some people may not receive the right kind of stimulation during sex, while others may have experienced trauma linked to sex. Others may simply be uninterested.

A 2018 analysis of 135 prior studies identified several factors that increase the risk of sexual dysfunction, including:

• relationship problems
• stress
• mental health issues
• poor physical health
• genitourinary issues, such as pelvic pain
• a history of abortion
• a history of female genital mutilation
• sexual abuse
• being religious, perhaps due to sexual shame and stigma

The same study identified several modifiable risk factors that improve sexual experience, including:

• exercise
• daily affection from a partner
• a positive body image
• sex education
• intimate communication with a partner

Masturbation can help a person find what feels good to them. Some other strategies that might help include:

• using sexual lubricants to make sex more comfortable
• asking a partner to stimulate the clitoris during sex
• masturbating during sex
• discussing fantasies with a partner
• telling a partner if something does not feel good

The aforementioned 2018 study that compared orgasm frequency among people of various sexual orientations in the United States found that the following behaviors during sex increase the likelihood of women having an orgasm:

• deep kissing
• genital stimulation during vaginal intercourse
• oral sex

If self-help strategies do not work, a doctor who specializes in sexual dysfunction may be able to identify a problem, if there is one.

Many medical issues can make having an orgasm difficult, including:

• a lack of lubrication
• hormonal imbalances
• pelvic pain
• muscle dysfunction
• a history of trauma

When trauma or relationship problems make having an orgasm difficult, or when a person feels ashamed of sex or their desires, individual or couples counseling can help.

Serious scientific research into the female orgasm is relatively recent. Even some doctors may still believe myths about the female orgasm or think that it is unimportant to the female sexual experience.

This means that many people may have trouble accessing reliable information about orgasms.

A competent, compassionate medical professional can help a person understand the process of orgasm and identify potential barriers to sexual satisfaction.

There is no right way to orgasm and no correct way to feel about sex. People should pursue what feels good to them.

Signs of a female orgasm. How to Recognize a Simulator

Not every sexual intercourse for a woman ends with an orgasm. However, sometimes it happens that representatives of the weaker sex simulate it so skillfully that men do not even know about it … In order to understand this issue, American scientists recently conducted an interesting study in which they tried to shed light on the problem of the causes and signs of simulation orgasm.

What are the reasons for this behaviour? According to the data obtained, imitation of orgasm during sex in women is observed in one case out of ten . Sexologists and psychologists who have analyzed this phenomenon indicate several reasons .

Firstly, in order to end the sex as soon as possible. This reason is the most common. It’s no secret that women’s sexuality is more vulnerable than men’s: women’s libido is strongly influenced by psychological factors associated with problems at work, illness of children, and others. In such a situation, she can simulate an orgasm, because this is the easiest way to quickly complete sexual intercourse, which requires strength and does not bring pleasure at all.

Secondly, for the sake of a man. It often happens that a woman feigns pleasure because she is afraid to offend a man by admitting that she does not feel anything during sex. Or the other side: a woman does this as a reward for all the efforts of her partner. Psychologists believe that such behavior does not bring benefits, but can only lead to relationship problems. After all, someday the deception will be revealed. In addition, for the woman herself, the need to constantly hide the true state of things can turn into psychological stress or even stress.

Thirdly, in order not to appear frigid. This common cause, according to experts, is overwhelmingly more of a psychological problem, often without physiological roots – frigid women in their pure form are extremely rare. This happens in cases where in the past a woman was made a remark about her coldness, which entailed a feeling of guilt for her own “inferiority” and, instead of looking for means and ways that would help “shake up” her sensuality, imitates orgasm with the goal that her partner does not know about it.

What criteria can be used to understand that a woman is faking an orgasm?

Orgiastic sensations in women are of an unusually varied nature, the palette of these sensations is much richer and more sophisticated than in men. Each woman is individual and experiences her own unique feelings during orgasm. However, scientists were able to identify signs by which it is possible to suspect a simulation of an orgasm.

Intonation and voice . If a woman is strong, strong-willed and has a strong character, then during an orgasm, her soundtrack will resemble the cries of a wild cat rather than melodious melodious moans. This is due to the fact that at the moment of climax, the range of her voice is able to involuntarily expand fantastically.

Breathing . During the female orgasm, the following changes occur: the heart beats faster and breathing becomes similar to that after a hundred-meter run in a very short period of time. If the breathing is even and calm, as during sleep, the orgasm is not all right.

Movements . A woman experiencing an orgasm, at the peak of arousal, often closes her eyes, throws her head back significantly, arching her neck. She has reddening of the face or a slight blush appears. The mouth may be twisted, as if in pain, the pupils are constricted at this time. In addition, the female orgasm can be felt by the contraction of the muscles of the vagina, even though it does not last long. If the orgasm is strong enough, the woman experiences convulsive twitching of her arms and legs, and a pulsation in the lower abdomen is possible. Without these signs, a woman most likely does not feel anything special.

Poses . The fact is that 70% of the fairer sex is not able to experience an orgasm only during vaginal sex in all positions without exception and without additional stimulation, purely because of anatomical features.

Behavior after orgasm . A woman who has actually experienced an orgasm will not jump out of bed immediately after the climax, since it takes 5-10 minutes physiologically for her to recover in the literal sense of the word.

Summing up, psychologists say that in order to achieve harmony in sexual life, the relationship of partners should be built on complete trust. If a man has the slightest suspicion that a woman is faking an orgasm, this should definitely be discussed. Surely we can find a solution to this problem together. The main thing is to want

Source: “Signs of a female orgasm”, medical social network “New Medicine” http://novmed.net

everything you need to know is the blog of the medical center ON Clinic

Orgasm is considered the peak of sexual arousal, during which there is a surge of accumulated sexual tension. There is a lot of talk about orgasm, but is it all true?

Definitely not, because not much is known about this amazing process in our body. Everything you need to know about him, today the doctors of the ON Clinic network of medical centers will tell you.

What is orgasm

It would seem a simple, but at the same time extremely complex question. Ask it to any person, and everyone will answer it differently – the way they feel. Specialists also define orgasms in completely different ways, using different criteria.

There is still no comprehensive concept of orgasm, but the American Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as “the rapid and pleasant release of neuromuscular tension at the peak of sexual arousal, which is usually accompanied by ejaculation of semen in men and vaginal contractions in women.” However, doctors consider this process in terms of physiological changes, psychologists are guided by emotional and changes. And each of them is right.

Types of orgasms for men and women

Orgasm usually occurs as a result of stimulation of the erogenous zones. Depending on the stimulation of which zone led to the onset of the peak of excitation, the following types of orgasms in women are distinguished:

combined – occurs when several erogenous zones are stimulated. For example, vaginal-clitoral orgasms are common in women.

A small part of women, except for the listed types, can achieve orgasm from touching and kissing other erogenous zones, such as earlobes, neck, chest, elbows, and so on.

There is also the concept of myotonic orgasm, which is relevant only for women. We are talking about the so-called “accidental” orgasm, which comes from a strong compression of the hips and muscle tension inside the vagina. However, doctors are still arguing about the possibility of such a process, because it has not been fully studied.

Andrey Lisov, urologist at the ON Clinic Nikolaev Medical Center, will tell you more about the types of orgasm in men:

“Despite the common opinion about the monotony of male orgasms, in fact they are divided into two types: classic and dry. The first is accompanied by ejaculation, and during the second, at the peak of arousal, ejaculation does not occur. A rare “dry orgasm” is considered the norm, but with a long absence of ejaculation, a man should consult a doctor, as it can be caused by the development of pathology.

How a male orgasm happens

As already mentioned, it is almost impossible to give a clear definition of orgasm. However, to describe the mechanics of this process in the male body, doctors use the four-level model of Masters and Johnson. According to it, four stages are distinguished:

1. Excitation. When a man is stimulated physically or psychologically, he gets an erection. Blood rushes to the spongy tissue that runs the entire length of the penis, causing the organ to enlarge and become hard. The scrotum contracts and the testicles are pulled closer to the body.
2. Plateau. As the blood vessels in and around the penis fill with blood, the glans and testicles increase in size. The muscles of the thighs and buttocks contract, blood pressure rises, the pulse quickens, and the respiratory rate increases.
3. Orgasm. Contractions of the muscles of the pelvic floor and the prostate gland cause the semen to be forced out into the urethra and then out of the penis outward (ejaculation occurs). The average male orgasm lasts 10-30 seconds.
4. Relaxation. A man enters a phase of temporary relaxation, when further orgasms are impossible. This is the so-called refractory period. Its duration varies from several minutes to several days and depends on the physiological characteristics of a particular man.

How a female orgasm happens

Orgasm in women goes through the same stages as in men, but has its own physiological characteristics: With physical or psychological stimulation, the blood vessels in the female genitalia begin to dilate. This causes swelling of the clitoris, labia minora, and vulva. A liquid begins to penetrate through the walls of the vagina – a vaginal secret. Breathing and heart rate increase.

Plateau. The blood flow to the lower part of the vagina increases, as a result of which it becomes more solid and forms a kind of dome. At the same time, the breasts swell (it can increase in size by 25%), the sensitivity of the nipples and areolas increases.

Tatyana Yushchenko, a gynecologist at the ON Clinic Odessa medical center, will tell about the main differences between the female orgasm:

“Although the stages of male and female arousal are almost the same, it is worth noting that stimulation of erogenous zones in women does not always lead to orgasm . And this is quite normal, since it is more difficult for women to reach the peak of arousal for various reasons. The second difference is the absence of a refractory period. That is, unlike men, women can achieve multiple orgasms in a row in one sexual act.

Influence of orgasm on other processes in the body

In addition to sexual pleasure and subtle emotional “glow”, orgasm is useful for other physiological processes.

Thus, it has been proven that after an orgasm, the body has an increased production of the hormone oxytocin, which affects the level of stress, nervous tension and anxiety disorders. That is why after sexual intercourse we usually remain in a good mood.

According to the American Heart Association, regular sex and achieving orgasm has a positive effect on the functioning of the heart and circulatory system. So, in people who are satisfied with their sex life, the risk of developing arterial hypertension is reduced.

Orgasms also help us sleep better. Hormones that reduce stress and anxiety can also cause drowsiness. After the sexual peak, there is a release of oxytocin, dopamine and endorphins, which spread throughout the body. But after a short time, their activity decreases and prolactin begins to act, which relaxes, calms and “lulls”.

Orgasm also indirectly affects our skin, slowing down the aging process. The fact is that the speed of blood flow during sexual pleasure and immediately after it is much higher, due to which more oxygen-carrying blood cells reach the skin. This, in turn, stimulates the production of collagen, which increases the elasticity of the skin and prevents the appearance of fine lines.

Causes of lack of orgasm in men and women

Difficulty achieving orgasm is a fairly common problem, but women experience it much more often than men. Alena Sivash, a psychotherapist at the ON Clinic Kharkiv medical center, will tell about the reasons for this situation:

“Modern culture has put orgasm on a pedestal, making it an end in itself for sexual intercourse. However, according to various sources, only 20-25% of women experience orgasms regularly. Naturally, with such statistics and an orgasmocentric culture, the absence of a sexual climax can be perceived quite sharply by them. In fact, the situation is explained simply: for women, an important component of getting an orgasm is the psychological factor and comfort, while for a man, physical stimulation is mostly enough.

However, the reasons for the lack of orgasm can be physiological. This condition is called orgasmic dysfunction and is characterized by difficulty reaching the climax of sexual arousal.

Orgasmic dysfunction is also called anorgasmia. It’s also Coughlan’s syndrome. It develops in both men and women. Vladislav Kurguz, urologist at the ON Clinic Cherkasy medical center, will tell you more about male anorgasmia:

“According to the latest estimates, only 8% of men suffer from anorgasmia. The reasons for it can be different, but often it is caused by health problems in other areas. Thus, nerve damage caused by diabetes, hypogonadism (low testosterone) and other endocrine disorders that affect hormonal balance, and uncontrolled hypertension can lead to a lack of orgasm. If you suspect the development of anorgasmia, you should contact a urologist who will prescribe treatment and, if necessary, advise you to contact other specialists.

The physiological causes of anorgasmia in women are related to the anatomical structure of the genital organs. For example, too deep location of the G-spot inside the vagina, in which full stimulation is impossible. But in this case, anorgasmia is considered partial, because a woman can still achieve a clitoral orgasm.

Irina Smirnaya, a gynecologist at the ON Clinic Kropyvnytsky Medical Center, will tell about other causes of female anorgasmia:

“Gynecological surgeries, such as hysterectomy or female oncology surgery, can lead to the absolute absence of orgasm in women. Also, female anorgasmia can develop with age. A decrease in estrogen levels as the transition to menopause can affect sexuality, but such cases are quite rare and can be easily corrected in the initial stages by taking drugs prescribed by a gynecologist and endocrinologist. Therefore, be attentive to your health and regularly undergo preventive examinations.

As you can see, not many people actually suffer from anorgasmia. Most issues can be resolved by talking to your partner and identifying what brings you pleasure.