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Salient. Official Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 44 No. 9. May 4 1981

What is an Orgasm ?

What is an Orgasm ?

Basically, an orgasm is a physical experience, enhanced by psychological and emotional states. An orgasm may be mild or ecstatic. It can be brief, lasting only a few seconds, or as long as or longer than 30 seconds. The response cycle during orgasm can be divided into four parts but there is no discernible demarcation point between phases.

Drawing of flowers

First, there is an excitement phase when the body responds to some sort of stimulation, phsyical or psychological. Blood rushes into the clitoris or the penis (producing an erection). Nipples become erect, body muscles tighten. The vagina becomes moist, lubricated by fluid 'sweated' from the vaginal walls. Sometimes a sexual flush or rash may appear on the body.

This phase is followed by a 'plateau' phase. There is an increase in the rate of breathing and a corresponding rise in heart beat and blood pressure. The inner lips of the vagina change from pink to red as it swells, distended by blood. The clitoris elevates and there is increased involuntary muscle tension. The testes may also elevate and the colouration in the surrounding area deepen.

These changes build up to a climax of heightened feeling and body tension which suddenly releases and spills over into an orgasm - a series of genital muscular contractions that release the built-up tension. In the male this is usually accompanied by ejaculation, where the seminal fluid is forced into and through the urethra with contractions of varying force. The number of contractions vary wirh the intensity of the orgasm. The vagina goes into rythmic muscular contractions (which may be barely discernible) and the rectal sphincter muscles usually contract two or three times during orgasm.

Graph of male and female orgasms

The fourth phase is a period of resolution. In men there is a rapid reversal of the tissue and organ changes that occurred during the first three phases. In women, the resolution is much more gradual as the body relaxes. During the resolution phase, women may again become aroused and ready to orgasm. It is this ability that is called multiorgasmic. The whole genital area can be very sensitive after orgasm.

There is no wrong or right way to orgasm. Although the phsyiological process is the same, different people experience orgasms differently. Even : the same person will experience different orgasms at different times. The differences may be the result of many things: outside pressures, fatigue, whether you feel comfortable with your partner, length of stimulation and type of stimulation, are only some of these. Learning what your body responds to is one of the most important factors in exploring your orgasmic potential.

Probably the most common problem resulting from overemphasis on orgasm is impotence - most of the time this is unnecessary resulting from unrealistic expectations. Men can get just as much enjoyment from a sexual experience that does not result in orgasm as one that does. Men, however, often place too much emphasis on penile sensations and miss out on a lot of sexual experience.

Although some women orgasm through intercourse alone, trying to orgasm solely through penile thrusting in the vagina is for many women, analagous to trying to produce an orgasm in a male by stroking his testicles. It may feel good but will not generally produce an orgasm.

Your ability to orgasm is your own. It is not dependent upon anybody else's ability 'to give' you an orgasm. Orgasm is only one part of human sexual experience. It is by no means the central part. Explore your potential to orgasm and discover the range of experience that is unique to you. If you choose to share your sexuality with someone else, the most important aspect is communication, without communication the chances of learning each other's sexual response or of conveying your own needs and preference are slight. Do not expect to know everything, you can continue to learn as you explore, both alone and together.

Drawing of a tree

Thanks go to Denese, Veronica, Ian and Victoria WRAC Sexuality Week Supplement1980 Dunedin Sexuality Group Sexuality Booklet1976 Mike Capper and Diana Mansfield VUW Student Counselling Service