Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is It?PhasesAssociated ConditionsTreatmentAchieving Orgasm
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is It?
Phases
Associated Conditions
Treatment
Achieving Orgasm
The female orgasm (female climax) is an intense physical and psychological experience that happens during sexual stimulation. During the female orgasm, muscles in the pelvis contract; some areas of the brain slow down, while others have greater activity.
Unlike the male orgasm, female orgasm isn’t necessary for pregnancy or procreation. It’s an important part of most people’s sex lives, so it’s often important to figure out how to have one.
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A Note on Sex and Gender TerminologyVerywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
A Note on Sex and Gender Terminology
Verywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
What Happens During a Female Orgasm?
Most people know that orgasm is a feeling of sudden, intense pleasure. However, not everyone realizes that changes in the body and brain accompany female orgasm.
Here’s what happens during a female climax:
Scientists are not sure why females have evolved to have orgasms, which are not needed for reproduction. Some animals need an orgasm to induceovulation, and there’s a theory that’s why human female orgasms may have evolved.Other theories claim that female orgasm can increase bonding with sexual partners.
Myths About the Female OrgasmThere are many myths about the female orgasm, including that it’s “not real” or that it’s not necessary during sex. While research on the female orgasm lags behind research on themale orgasmbecause of patriarchal biases, science has proven that the female orgasm is real.
Myths About the Female Orgasm
There are many myths about the female orgasm, including that it’s “not real” or that it’s not necessary during sex. While research on the female orgasm lags behind research on themale orgasmbecause of patriarchal biases, science has proven that the female orgasm is real.
Phases of Female Orgasm
Males and females experience the same sexual response cycle in the lead-up to and aftermath of an orgasm. However, the time spent at each stage can vary widely. On average, it takes women 14 minutes of stimulation to reach orgasm.Female orgasm generally takes longer to reach than male orgasm, but the time to orgasm is highly individualized.
The phases of female orgasms are:
Conditions and Associated Female Orgasm Problems
It’s common for women to have trouble reaching orgasm. Surveys suggest that half of women aren’t satisfied with how often they reach orgasm.
While many medical conditions make reaching orgasm difficult, not reaching orgasm doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a medical condition. In general, it takes women longer to reach orgasm than it does for men.
In addition, most women need clitoral stimulation, not just penetration, to reach orgasm (though some females can havevaginal orgasms). It’s important that you and your partner take time to discover what sort of stimulation brings you to orgasm and recognize that in heterosexual sex, the male can often orgasm easier than the female.
That said, some women have conditions that can prevent female climax. About 10% to 15% of women have never had an orgasm, a condition known asanorgasmia.
Causes of Orgasm Problems
Figuring out the cause of orgasm problems is tricky since the orgasm is a complex process involving the mind and body, and often another person. These are some of the things that can contribute to orgasm problems in women:
Treatment for Female Orgasm Disorders
Treatment forfemale orgasm dysfunctionshould include building a healthy attitude toward sex, addressing shame, and creating clear communication with your partner. Some lifestyle changes can help, including:
Many people find that a sex therapist or couple’s counselor can help as well.
Medical Treatments
While men can useViagra(sildenafil) to make it easier to achieve an erection and orgasm, addressing female orgasm problems is more complicated. However, some medications can help, including:
All of these options have benefits but potential side effects as well. Talk with a healthcare provider about what might work for you and how they can be incorporated into your lifestyle changes.
How to Achieve Female Orgasm
Other tips that may help include:
9 Proven Ways Orgasms Boost Your Health and Happiness
Summary
The female orgasm is a biological process that leads to muscle contraction, increased heart rate, brain changes, and the release of hormones. But it’s also a deeply personal experience and an important part of pleasure for many individuals and couples.
The female orgasm is real, and you (or your partner) deserve to have them regularly. If you have trouble reaching orgasm, talk with a healthcare provider or a sex therapist to figure out what might be contributing to your challenges and how to overcome them.
10 SourcesVerywell 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.Oregon State University.Physiology of arousal and orgasm.Xue-rui, Tana; Ying, Lvb; Da-zhong, Yangc; Xiao-jun, Chena.Changes of blood pressure and heart rate during sexual activity in healthy adults.Blood Pressure Monitoring. 2008. doi:10.1097/MBP.0b013e3283057a71Yale.Female orgasm is evolution’s happy gift.Wallen K, Lloyd EA.Female sexual arousal: Genital anatomy and orgasm in intercourse.Horm Behav. 2011;59(5):780-92. doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2010.12.004International Society for Sexual Medicine.How long does it take a woman to reach orgasm?Valparaiso University.Phases of the sexual response cycle.Harvard Health Publishing.Oxytocin: The love hormone.MedlinePlus.Orgasmic dysfunction in women.Mayo Clinic.Female sexual dysfunction.The Ohio State University.Breathing yourself to pleasure.
10 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.Oregon State University.Physiology of arousal and orgasm.Xue-rui, Tana; Ying, Lvb; Da-zhong, Yangc; Xiao-jun, Chena.Changes of blood pressure and heart rate during sexual activity in healthy adults.Blood Pressure Monitoring. 2008. doi:10.1097/MBP.0b013e3283057a71Yale.Female orgasm is evolution’s happy gift.Wallen K, Lloyd EA.Female sexual arousal: Genital anatomy and orgasm in intercourse.Horm Behav. 2011;59(5):780-92. doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2010.12.004International Society for Sexual Medicine.How long does it take a woman to reach orgasm?Valparaiso University.Phases of the sexual response cycle.Harvard Health Publishing.Oxytocin: The love hormone.MedlinePlus.Orgasmic dysfunction in women.Mayo Clinic.Female sexual dysfunction.The Ohio State University.Breathing yourself to pleasure.
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.
Oregon State University.Physiology of arousal and orgasm.Xue-rui, Tana; Ying, Lvb; Da-zhong, Yangc; Xiao-jun, Chena.Changes of blood pressure and heart rate during sexual activity in healthy adults.Blood Pressure Monitoring. 2008. doi:10.1097/MBP.0b013e3283057a71Yale.Female orgasm is evolution’s happy gift.Wallen K, Lloyd EA.Female sexual arousal: Genital anatomy and orgasm in intercourse.Horm Behav. 2011;59(5):780-92. doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2010.12.004International Society for Sexual Medicine.How long does it take a woman to reach orgasm?Valparaiso University.Phases of the sexual response cycle.Harvard Health Publishing.Oxytocin: The love hormone.MedlinePlus.Orgasmic dysfunction in women.Mayo Clinic.Female sexual dysfunction.The Ohio State University.Breathing yourself to pleasure.
Oregon State University.Physiology of arousal and orgasm.
Xue-rui, Tana; Ying, Lvb; Da-zhong, Yangc; Xiao-jun, Chena.Changes of blood pressure and heart rate during sexual activity in healthy adults.Blood Pressure Monitoring. 2008. doi:10.1097/MBP.0b013e3283057a71
Yale.Female orgasm is evolution’s happy gift.
Wallen K, Lloyd EA.Female sexual arousal: Genital anatomy and orgasm in intercourse.Horm Behav. 2011;59(5):780-92. doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2010.12.004
International Society for Sexual Medicine.How long does it take a woman to reach orgasm?
Valparaiso University.Phases of the sexual response cycle.
Harvard Health Publishing.Oxytocin: The love hormone.
MedlinePlus.Orgasmic dysfunction in women.
Mayo Clinic.Female sexual dysfunction.
The Ohio State University.Breathing yourself to pleasure.
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