The female orgasm: let’s take stock!

Explosion de plaisir liée à l'orgasme féminin

December 21 is World Orgasm Day ! The opportunity to talk about sexual pleasure , and more specifically female enjoyment . The idealized supreme issue of modern sexuality , an apotheosis shrouded in mystery, the female orgasm is an erotic subject which conveys many questions and fantasies . What exactly are we talking about? What are the erogenous zones to stimulate? More clitoral or vaginal ? The G spot , myth or reality? How to reach the 7th heaven for sure? Together, let’s take stock of this highly hot topic!

What is the female orgasm?

Female orgasm is the highest level of sexual arousal in women. The term "orgasm" comes from the ancient Greek "orgasmós", derived from the verb "orgáô" which literally means "to swell", "to swell", and more graphically "to be filled with amorous desire". Orgasm is also called the “little death”, in comparison with the phenomena of fainting and nervous shivering that this expression designated in the 16th century.

Woman's face full of sexual pleasure

What causes women to orgasm?

Orgasm results from sexual stimulation. Most of the time, it is physical stimulation of the clitoris that allows women to orgasm. But it's not the only part of the female anatomy that can cause arousal and pleasure. The main erogenous zones in women are the vulva, vagina, anal region, breasts, buttocks, mouth, ears, neck, back and even the navel. This is a non-exhaustive list, which depends a lot on each person! Moreover, enjoyment does not only have a physical dimension. The psychological aspect plays a major role in achieving this ultimate state of well-being. Using the mind and the senses other than touch allows you to vary the stimuli and therefore increase the chances of achieving orgasm.

When does orgasm occur?

Orgasm is the third stage of the human sexual response process as described by American sexologists William Masters and Virginia Johnson in the 1960s. Indeed, according to this model, a complete sexual cycle in humans is broken down into four phases. :

  • arousal, corresponding to the rise of desire following sexual stimulation;
  • the plateau, the longest phase during which reactions intensify if stimulation is maintained;
  • orgasm, peak of pleasure and very brief moment when all sexual tension is suddenly released;
  • resolution, the final stage during which excitement subsides and the body relaxes.

How does the female orgasm manifest?

Although the sensations experienced during sexual intercourse vary from one individual to another, the female body has typical physical and cerebral reactions. Just at the moment of orgasm:

  • the vaginal muscles contract quickly and involuntarily (between 3 and 15 vaginal contractions spaced approximately 0.8 seconds apart);
  • contractions are also felt in the muscles of the perineum, uterus, anus and lower abdomen;
  • lubrication of the vagina is maximum;
  • the heart rate races (which can reach up to 180 beats per minute);
  • the pupils are very dilated;
  • the face is often seized with spasms;
  • certain fluids can be expelled (either a liquid secreted by the paraurethral glands corresponding to female ejaculation, or a sometimes impressive jet coming from the bladder and evacuated through the urethra in squirting women);
  • the brain releases endorphins and oxytocin, the so-called pleasure and attachment hormones, responsible for a feeling of ecstasy and euphoria spreading throughout the body.

Clitoral or vaginal?

The clitoris is the organ dedicated to pleasure in women. At present, no other function is known. It has long been restricted to its visible part, the glans, a “button” the size of a pea located at the front of the vulva. It was thanks to studies carried out at the beginning of this century that we were able to discover its complete anatomy. The clitoral glans is approximately 5 mm; the entire clitoris measures on average between 10 and 13 cm. Most of the clitoris is actually internal and therefore invisible. It includes the body of the clitoris, the pillars and the bulbs of the vestibule, the latter enclosing the urethra and the vagina.
Diagram of the anatomy of the clitoris
Diagram of the anatomy of the clitoris

For a long time, we have opposed clitoral orgasm and vaginal orgasm, the second being very often associated with the stimulation of the famous G-spot. The latter would correspond to a specific location inside the vagina, located on its front side about two phalanges deep. , recognizable by its slightly different texture from the rest of the vaginal wall. But since its first mention in the 1950s, its existence has still been debated. To date, there has been no scientific evidence that the G-spot exists . In addition, recent discoveries on the clitoris have brought to light the most widely shared theory today: the G spot is in reality more of a G zone, a combination of the clitoris, the urethra and the vaginal wall, then called " complex clitoro-urethro-vaginal (CUV) ”. There would therefore not be two different orgasms, one clitoral and one vaginal, but a single global orgasm linked to the stimulation, external or internal, of one or more parts of this complex.

How to achieve female orgasm?

No miracle recipe unfortunately! The CUV complex being the site of the triggering of orgasm in women, it seems logical to seek to adopt sexual positions which allow it to be aroused. From a purely mechanical point of view, a study has shown that the most effective position for increasing blood flow to the clitoris in penetrative heterosexual intercourse is missionary with a pillow. But in this area, there is no universal rule: each person is different. Simple missionary, amazon, 69, doggy style, finger masturbation or with sex toy , the important thing is not so much the position as the situation. Knowing your body, having good self-esteem, feeling confident with your partner, testing different practices, allowing yourself to let go: so many small elements that put together allow you to achieve full sexual satisfaction. . And finally, would the best way to achieve female orgasm be not to seek it at all costs?!

To prolong the pleasure:

Written by CD

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