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Physiological Pleasure: The Physiology of Female Orgasm What exactly is the physiology of the female orgasm? What happens to the body when it is climaxing? Essentially, the heartbeat quickens causing a rush of blood to the surface of the skin, more specifically to the genital area, and a series of muscle contractions makes up that pleasurable orgasm! Stage 1 The first stage is excitement. It occurs when the body undergoes changes similar to those caused by stress (stress in this case being a positive thing!). The heart and respiration rates quicken and blood pressure goes up. The clitoris swells, and the vagina begins to lubricate itself. The body also experiences vasoconstriction (narrowing of the blood vessels) which, when coupled with an increasing heart rate, causes the skin to flush. Breasts may swell and the nipples can become hard and erect. The entire excitement process can happen within a matter of seconds from the onset of sexual stimulation. Stage 2 The second stage is called the plateau. As the body continues to experience the aforementioned changes, further stimulation will cause the inner lips of the vagina (the labia minora) to darken due to the increased blood flow to the genital area. By the end of this stage, the pulse and respiration rates will have peaked, pushing the body into the third stage. Stage 3 The third stage is the actual orgasm when the clitoris retracts under the clitoral hood, and the vagina tightens and lengthens. Vaginal and anal muscles spasm rhythmically, causing “wavelike contractions that move from the top of the uterus to the cervix” . Other changes related to the female orgasm include muscle contractions throughout the body, more notably in the neck, pelvis, arms and legs. Stage 4 The fourth and final stage of the physiology of orgasm is often referred to as the resolution stage. The excess blood will drain from the genital area and the clitoris becomes once again its normal size. The body returns to its previous, non-stimulated state. Types of Female Orgasms The male orgasm is pretty straightforward – stimulation, arousal, and orgasm. In any position. But as usual, the woman is a little more difficult to figure out. Women have a wide array of erogenous zones, the two most popular being the vagina and the clitoris. Here’s a little introduction to each of these pleasure zones: CLITORIS: · Areas above, to the sides, and below the clitoris are highly sensitive · Its only physical function is to provide sexual pleasure · Most women claim that the clitoral orgasm is the most intense · In his book Sexual Behavior on the Human Female (1953), Charles Kinsey found that out of 2700 American women, half received orgasm through clitoral stimulation VAGINAL: · Outer third of the vagina is the most sensitive · Many women claim that it is more difficult to achieve a vaginal orgasm than a clitoral one. · Freud labeled this type of orgasm as the “mature” type, whereas the clitoral orgasm was an “immature” type of sexual experience (A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis, 1916) It is important to note, however, that one type of orgasm is not better than the other – they are simply two different ways of experiencing pleasure. Every woman has her own preference over which orgasm provides the best pleasure. Men who are striving to please their girlfriends or wives in bed should communicate with their partners to discover: a) which is easiest for her to achieve b) which one she prefers in terms of physical pleasure The man’s goal should be to aim at helping her achieve her well-deserved seconds of complete and utter pleasure. Sexual Response Cycle The best place to begin when discussing female orgasm is with the sexual response cycle. As men know, orgasm doesn’t just “happen”, it must be achieved. Sex therapists, William H. Masters and Virginia E. Johnson identified four phases within the sexual response cycle. These phases are part of a continuous process - there is no beginning and no end to this cyclical pattern. Here is a detailed explanation of each phase: 1. Excitement · Begins with physical and/or psychological stimulation (from kissing to fantasizing) · Blood rushes to the genitals and other parts of the body, causing enlarged breasts, swollen labia, expanded clitoris, elevated uterus, and lubricated vagina · Heart rate and blood pressure increase · Muscles are tense 2. Plateau · Occurs with increased stimulation · Blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and muscle tension continue to rise · Upper two-thirds of vagina expands · Uterus elevates to allow easier passage of sperm into fallopian tubes · Bartholin’s glands secrete a small amount of fluid in the vaginal opening 3. Orgasmic · Experience powerful contractions of the uterine, vaginal, anal, and lower abdominal muscles (about 5 to 12 synchronized contractions occur one second apart) · Blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rates reach peak · Loss of voluntary muscle tone 4. Resolution · Blood in genitals begins to drain · Uterus returns to normal position · Breasts decrease in size · Heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure decrease So, it starts with a simple kiss and ends in a few seconds of unspeakable pleasure… Climax Tidbits In learning all there is to know about the female orgasm, one must be made aware of the large, important facts as well as the tiny, random ones. Here are some of the most interesting facts about female sexuality… · “Clitoris” derives from the Greek word meaning “little hill”. · The clitoris extends nine centimetres back into the body and high into the groin. · The clitoris is the only sexual organ without a known reproductive function. · Human females are the only species to have a forward-tilting uterus that facilitates face-to-face intercourse. · About 26% of women have consistent difficulties in reaching orgasm, compared to only 2.5% of men. · 46% of anorgasmic women blame the condition on their own negative self-image. · According to a sample of 15, 000 women, only 9% said that they are assured to reach orgasm every time they have sex. · Women who climax between one minute before and 45 minutes after their partner's ejaculation retain 70 to 80% of his sperm. Women who orgasm more than one minute before their partner retain less than 50% of his sperm. · Both men and women are most likely to experience their first orgasm during masturbation. · A female orgasm is a powerful painkiller because it releases endorphins, therefore a headache is not an excuse for not having sex! · Sociologist Michel Bozon concluded that vaginal orgasms are more difficult to obtain at the beginning of a relationship, easier after five to ten years, and again more difficult in couples that last over 15 years. · The opportunity for orgasm is enhanced if the woman makes love on the 14th day of her menstrual cycle – this is when the female sex drive is at its highest. History of the Female Orgasm The female orgasm has had a love/hate relationship with society over the past centuries… Female sexuality has been a taboo subject throughout history, and in many parts of the world it still is. And like everything else, the female orgasm has a story… It’s a tale of denial, hatred, and passion… So, sit down, relax, and learn a little more about the evolution of the female orgasm. · Long ago, in the 4th century B.C., the great Hippocrates believed that the fetus was a result of female pleasure. Therefore, in order to procreate a woman must always be kept sexually satisfied. · In the same century however, the nemesis of the female orgasm, Aristotle, disagreed with Hippocrates. He suggested that only the man’s semen was fertile, and that a woman had no role in the procreative process. So, female sexual pleasure was quickly looked down upon. · This mentality continued well into the Middle Ages. Throughout these centuries the Church advocated the repression of female sexuality. It promoted chastity, abstinence, female isolation. · By the 18th century the female condition was no better, but it was believed that the female orgasm was necessary for reproduction. Yet, women were still encouraged to repress their sexual desires, and simply fulfill the needs of their husbands. · One horrible day in the 19th century, female pleasure was banned, and the husband was forewarned never to waken his wife’s sexual desires. · During this time, manuals on the subject were written for young brides experiencing sex for the first time. Such manuals instructed that a young lady should “lie perfectly still and never under any circumstances grunt or groan while the act is in progress” (From “The Madison Institute Newsletter”, Fall 1894). · Then one day, in the years following the Second World War (1945), something happened – female sexuality was slowly starting to make its way back into society… · The Sexual Revolution of the 1960’s rode in like a knight in shining armor! Female sexual freedom was finally being recognized with the advent of the Birth Control Pill, contraception, and abortion. · Today, women in Western civilization have reclaimed their bodies! They are learning to love and appreciate their sexuality, and men are also taking interest in learning how to pleasure their female partners. And they all lived happily ever after… ABC’s of the G-Spot The G-Spot confuses many people. Just like an urban legend, nobody knows whether to believe in it or not. The thought that women have this “magical button” that provides sensational amounts of pleasure sounds a little too good to be true – especially from a man’s perspective. Well, men, be forewarned that the G-Spot is no myth! This legend is for real… The G-Spot is a term named after the German doctor who discovered the erogenous zone, Ernst Grafenberg.

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