Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionVaginal OrgasmHow Vaginal Orgasms OccurFrequencyHaving More OrgasmsAbsence of OrgasmsHow to Orgasm
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Vaginal Orgasm
How Vaginal Orgasms Occur
Frequency
Having More Orgasms
Absence of Orgasms
How to Orgasm
Vaginal orgasms are a real thing. However, not everyone has this type of orgasm—and that’s completely normal, too. In fact, research continues to find evidence that different types of female orgasm (like vaginal and clitoral) are actually related, and there are other types, too.
Getty Images
What Is an Orgasm?
A sexual encounter can involve multiple orgasms or none at all. Making orgasm your goal can distract you from enjoyment and make climax difficult.
What Is a Vaginal Orgasm?
A vaginal orgasm is a type of orgasm that occurs during vaginal penetration. Vaginal orgasms can be stimulated during intercourse or using fingers or sex toys during foreplay.
Vaginal orgasms are typically felt deeper in the body than a clitoral orgasm. During a vaginal orgasm, the walls of the vaginal canal pulsate. Fluid released can be either ejaculation (small amounts of whitish fluid released from theSkene’s glands)orsquirting(small amounts of diluted urine).
Not everyone experiences a vaginal orgasm. Other types of female orgasm can include:
Different people can have one type of orgasm or another.
Vaginal orgasms come from stimulation of the vaginal walls—in particular, an area known as theG-spot. The G-spot is a difficult-to-define location of sensitivity. Some scientists theorize the G-spot is the root of the clitoris muscle felt on the inside.
The exact location of the G-spot is different with each individual. It is generally found roughly 2 inches inside the front wall of the vagina. When stimulated, it responds differently than other vaginal tissue.
In addition to rubbing the G-spot, clitoral and/or nipple stimulation are also often needed to reach a vaginal orgasm. Some people can orgasm from vaginal stimulation alone, but it is less common.
Finding the G-SpotTo find the G-spot, you or your partner can insert a finger a few inches into the vagina. With the palm up, make a “come here” gesture with the finger a few times. The G-spot is not always found front and center. You may need to try stimulating areas to the right or left. It could also be higher up or lower. You can also use a sex toy that’s meant to stimulate that area.
Finding the G-Spot
To find the G-spot, you or your partner can insert a finger a few inches into the vagina. With the palm up, make a “come here” gesture with the finger a few times. The G-spot is not always found front and center. You may need to try stimulating areas to the right or left. It could also be higher up or lower. You can also use a sex toy that’s meant to stimulate that area.
How Common Are Vaginal Orgasms?
Research on female orgasm is limited, though some experts note that results can differ based on how the questions are asked and what people think orgasm means. Results of a 2017 study of 1,400 people include:
Research shows outside factors can make achieving orgasm more difficult. This includes:
Other common concerns include body image, low sexual self-esteem, and too many other demands on their time and attention. Only 20% of women blamed their difficulty achieving orgasm on their partner. Some women reported that sex—and orgasms—are not an important part of their relationship.
Orgasm during vaginal penetration is more likely with clitoral stimulation. Research on having more orgasms and making vaginal penetration more pleasurable offers strategies that include:
Communication is also essential. Some people find intense clitoral stimulation to be uncomfortable or even painful. For them, it is not the right way to achieve more orgasms.
What if You Can’t Orgasm?
“Anorgasmia” is a medical term for the inability to achieve an orgasm. A study of healthcare providers treating female sexual dysfunction reported it was the chief complaint in 5% of people seeking help.
This may not reflect all cases, which can affect people at different times and for varied reasons. Sometimes, there may be anatomical or structural causes. Research suggests a smaller clitoris size, farther from the vaginal opening, occurs in some people who don’t have orgasms. This also may affect transgender females.
Other causes can include:
If you experience anorgasmia or other forms of sexual dysfunction, it may be helpful to talk to a professional, such as agynecologist, mental health professional, or sex therapist.
A healthcare provider will be able to determine if there is a medical reason why you are having trouble achieving orgasm. A therapist may be able to offer helpful suggestions.
Becoming more comfortable with your own body can be helpful if you want to achieve orgasm. It will help you understand how you respond to a partner’s touch, the kinds of touch you enjoy, and what kind you don’t. You can try:
This is a process that can take time. When combined with safe experiences of touch, erotic thoughts may help you experience orgasm.
Summary
Many people with vaginas report that they need clitoral stimulation to have an orgasm. In some cases, researchers suggest that vaginal and clitoral orgasm may be a part of the same process. People also experience other types of orgasm, or they have healthy, happy sexual lives without wanting or having orgasms (or evenany sex at all).
Clitoral stimulation has been shown to improve chances of female orgasm during vaginal penetration. Learning to orgasm is possible if you have never had one, and treatment for an underlying cause that prevents orgasm may help.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Vieira-Baptista P, Lima-Silva J, Preti M, Xavier J, Vendeira P, Stockdale CK.G-spot: fact or fiction? : a systematic review.Sexual Medicine. 2021;9(5):1-1. doi:10.1016/j.esxm.2021.100435
Arias-Castillo L, García L, García-Perdomo HA.The complexity of female orgasm and ejaculation.Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2023 Aug;308(2):427-434. doi:10.1007/s00404-022-06810-y
Marchand GJ, Meassick KS.Advanced Sexual Counseling and How to Ask Patients About “Intimate Disclosure”.Int J Womens Health. 2020 Nov 20;12:1105-1108. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S256250
Indiana University Kinsey Institute.How Often Do Women Orgasm During Sex?
Kontula O, Miettinen A.Determinants of female sexual orgasms.Socioaffect Neurosci Psychol. 2016;6:31624. doi:10.3402/snp.v6.31624
Hensel DJ, von Hippel CD, Lapage CC, Perkins RH.Women’s techniques for making vaginal penetration more pleasurable: Results from a nationally representative study of adult women in the United States.PLoS One. 2021 Apr 14;16(4):e0249242. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0249242
Vedovo F, Pavan N, Bertolotto M, Giangreco M, Chiapparrone G, Ongaro L,et al.Neoclitoral location may affect sexual function in transgender women: a preliminary pelvic MRI study.Int J Impot Res. 2024 Aug;36(5):526-530. doi:10.1038/s41443-023-00716-2
Perrotta G, Eleuteri S.Secondary Female Anorgasmia in Patients with Obsessive Traits: A Study.Behav Sci (Basel). 2024 Oct 16;14(10):953. doi:10.3390/bs14100953.
Kingsberg SA, Althof S, Simon JA, et al.Female sexual dysfunction-medical and psychological treatments, Committee 14.J Sex Med. 2017;14(12):1463-1491. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.05.018Weijenborg PTM, Kluivers KB, Dessens AB, Kate-Booij MJ, Both S.Sexual functioning, sexual esteem, genital self-image and psychological and relational functioning in women with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome: a case-control study.Hum Reprod. 2019;34(9):1661-1673. doi:10.1093/humrep/dez130
Kingsberg SA, Althof S, Simon JA, et al.Female sexual dysfunction-medical and psychological treatments, Committee 14.J Sex Med. 2017;14(12):1463-1491. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.05.018
Weijenborg PTM, Kluivers KB, Dessens AB, Kate-Booij MJ, Both S.Sexual functioning, sexual esteem, genital self-image and psychological and relational functioning in women with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome: a case-control study.Hum Reprod. 2019;34(9):1661-1673. doi:10.1093/humrep/dez130
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
