What are orgasms?

Most of us understand orgasms to be the finale to sex or foreplay, however an orgasm is so much more than you probably think.

Let’s have some fun exploring this more deeply. So the word orgasm in Greek means, “excitement, swelling.” It is the sudden release of accumulated energy during a sexual experience, which results in muscular contractions in the pelvic region. With orgasms you typically experience a sense of euphoria, a variety of body movements and sounds (1).

An orgasm does not have to end as a single moment. Individuals have the ability to stay in a state of orgasm that can last many minutes, usually experienced as a rising and falling of pleasurable energy (2). For example, some individuals can have multiple orgasms or “aftershocks” which I sometimes refer to as the pleasure shivers.

An orgasm can be experienced in many different parts of the body or chakras (energy centers). They are not only reserved for the genitals (2). Remember an orgasm is a release of energy, a series of muscle contractions, bodily movement and noise in various combinations.

Even within the genital region you can experience orgasms in different places, such as, just in the clitoral region, perineum or entire vulva. Not sure what a vulva is, make sure to check out my previous blog on, “where is my vagina” for the answer.

Do people experience the same type of orgasms? Is there more than one kind of orgasm?

I came across a great list in a book called, Women’s Anatomy of Arousal. Here are some different types of orgasms.

Little sneeze like orgasms

Big, Bigger, Biggest orgasms

Full-body orgasms

Projectile, squirting orgasms

Surprise orgasms

Small orgasms with aftershocks

Love-gasms

Laugh-gasms

Sob-ogasms

Mutually timed orgasms

Clutching orgasms

Flowing wave orgasms

Energy orgasms

This list is not exhaustive. There is so much variety in the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual experience of orgasms.

Do not limit your orgasms. Open yourself up to new possibilities. You can begin to explore alone or with your partner. Just be safe and respectful with yourself and/or with your partner.

So what is your next orgasm going to look like?

The Pelvic Health Lady

References: 

1. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orgasm

2. Winston, Sheri. Women's Anatomy of Arousal: Secret Maps to Buried Pleasure. 2010. Mango Garden Press: New York.