Female Orgasm And Masturbation: Types And Techniques
What types of female orgasms are there? Learn some female masturbation techniques.
09/03/2019 12:00h | Updated at 2019-03-21 09:54h
The female orgasm is the highest phase of arousal in women's sexual response cycle. Although there are many debates about the existence of many types, the most common types (and the ones we are going to talk about) are vaginal and clitoral orgasms. There are different explanations on why some can't have them, called anorgasmia.
In the following article, we are going to explain what the female orgasm and masturbation are and what types of orgasms exist. Also, we will talk about anorgasmia, and to finish, we will describe some masturbation techniques that can help to achieve orgasm.
Female orgasm: what it is
The orgasm is defined as the culmination of the sexual response cycle. It is also known as "climax." After having accumulated a high level of sexual tension, the orgasm is the most top moment of arousal. Both men and women can have orgasms. The first is known as male orgasms and the latter as female orgasms.
At a physiologic level, it is characterized by causing muscular contractions in the pelvic zone and the genital area, and sometimes it even extends to other parts of the body (for instance, arms or legs). These muscular spasms are regulated by the autonomous nervous system, which is in charge of controlling involuntary movements. They come together with an intense feeling of pleasure, related to the discharge of several neurotransmitters associated with the sexual response (such as endorphins, oxytocin, and prolactin).
The climax in women: myths and truths
Throughout history, the female orgasm has been subjected to several controversies, mainly because it has been explained through an evolutive model of sexual response. While male orgasm was related to the species reproduction (because it is related to ejaculation -the discharge of sperms-); the reproductive function of the female orgasm could not be explained so easily. The release of ovules and their fecundation do not depend on sexual pleasure, nor the opposite way.
For the same reason, over the years several characteristics of the sexual organs were left out of the physiological study; for instance, the clitoris and the female prostate; and with this, both the aspects of the female orgasm and female ejaculation (García Dauder & Pérez Sedeño, 2017). Not only this, due to different theories about human sexuality, generated especially during the XXth century, it was believed for a long time that the vagina was the organ in charge of the female orgasm (climax).
In part because it was the organ related to the possibility of procreating, and as we said, the explanation about the sexual pleasure was focused on this. So, penetration or intercourse was positioned as the orgasmic technique par excellence. As the years went by, new research questioned these ideas. Among other things, they discovered that it was the organ in charge of sexual pleasure was the clitoris (and not the vagina).
Types of female orgasms
As the study of human sexual response progressed, it was found that the number of nerve endings that make up the clitoris is much greater than the number of nerve endings inside the vagina. Moreover, it was proven that the function of such nerve endings located in the clitoris was just to generate pleasure.
Soon, this led to the idea that there's not only one type of orgasm but two: vaginal and clitoral. However, this contradicted idea was turned down by most of the scientific community, that alleges that there is only one type of orgasm independently of the way it is achieved. In the following lines, we are going to talk about the research that has been done to describe these types, as well as some questions about the existence of one or more female orgasms. We will also explain how female ejaculation, sometimes known as "squirt" or "squirting," actually occurs.
1. Vaginal orgasm
Towards the end of the 1960s and the beginning of the 70s, a gynecologist called William Masters, and a sexologist called Virginia Johnson retook the research made by another sexologist: Alfred Kinsey. They discovered that there was a very different reality regarding the vaginal orgasm: most of the women had never had one. But they had had some through clitoris stimulation or the stimulation of the urethral glands (which we will explain further on).
On the other hand, the vaginal orgasm was also questioned by the liberal feminist movement in the United States in the 1970s. One of the most well-known books of this context is "The Myth of the Vaginal Orgasm," written by the Danish American radical feminist, Anne Koedt. In this book, Koedt criticizes the diagnosis of frigidity in women, arguing that they have been pathologized through the male misconception that orgasm is produced by mere intercourse or penetration, omitting clitoral stimulation.
Female ejaculation (squirt)
Years before Kinsey, Master and Johnson's research (even from 1600), the involvement of the urethra and its glands in sexual pleasure had already been documented in women. At first, this region had been called prostate, just like in men, since it had also been found to produce the secretion of ejaculatory fluid. But from 1950 and during later decades, it stopped being called "prostate" to be called Skene's glands (name of the man that studied them). It is an area located in the anterior wall of the vagina (with a coarse texture) following the course of the urethra, which can lead to a vaginal orgasm.
Sometimes, the stimulation of this area, together with the clitoris stimulation causes the secretion of a fluid that is different than the one that is discharged during the increase of sexual stimulation. It is known as ejaculatory fluid, and its consistency is less thick than the liquid that lubricated the vulva and the vagina. The functioning is different for each person: sometimes, it can be discharged together with urine -but it has a different composition-, or it can be released towards the urethra (being expelled later on when urinating). Sometimes it can come out when reaching the orgasm, although sometimes it is discharged during other phases of the sexual response cycle.
2. Clit (or clitoral) orgasm
Since Masters and Johnson studied the clitoris as the organ in charge of giving sexual response, its internal and external structures began to be investigated. Among other things, they concluded that these structures extend along the lips, and also towards the inside of them. They explained that the stimulation of the clitoris includes not only its inside part (the lump inside the hood), but it is also the stimulation of other parts.
Moreover, they concluded that the clitoris is the base of the vaginal orgasm and obviously, the clitoral orgasm, so it is indispensable to reach the orgasm. Thus, the orgasm felt during intercourse was explained by the practice of different sexual positions that stimulated the clitoris. It should be noted that the same authors argued that, unlike men, who are not aroused by genital stimulation at the time of orgasm (a phase called "refractory"); in women the latter is possible.
Although it does not happen to all women, or at least not always, it is known that if women continue with genital stimulation after reaching the orgasm, they can have another one. And most likely this other one will be experienced more intensely, by the accumulation of sexual tension. For the same reason, there is the feminine capacity to have "multiple orgasms."
Can orgasm be reached without genital stimulation?
More recently it has been said that different women (although few have reported it), can experience orgasms without the need to stimulate their genitals. For example, some come by breast stimulation, anal stimulation and others by oral sex, both men and women. Also, it is important to note that orgasm is a part of the human sexual response, and although it is characterized by a very intense pleasure, other responses to sexual stimulation can also be very pleasant.
Female anorgasmia
Female anorgasmia is the incapacity of a woman to reach orgasm. Such inability can be temporary or permanent, and it is characterized by having gone through periods of maximum stimulation, which ultimately do not end in an orgasm. It can occur in both men and women, although in women the prevalence is considerably higher. There are multiple causes for female anorgasmia: it can be caused by some medication side effects, organic lesions, neurological trauma, and even by modesty and ignorance of the body itself.
It has been thought that anorgasmia can be related to the production of low levels of testosterone. However, the ability to have an orgasm is something that lasts longer in a woman's life, and this could contradict the hormonal hypothesis, at least as a general rule of explanation. What is more or less clear is that a big part of our culture has denied women much pleasure. For the same reason, there is a general lack of knowledge about female anatomy, and consequently, we don't always know how to stimulate it, or we don't dare to explore it.
How to reach orgasm
There are many ways of experiencing sexual pleasure and reaching female orgasm. It is paradoxical because a large percentage of adult women report not having felt any in their entire lives. Perhaps the most thoughtful way to reach orgasm is to having sex, either with a man or a woman. In these cases, it is essential to properly stimulate the clitoral area and dare to try new techniques or positions.
It is also important to create a climate of trust and security where it is possible to get rid of prejudices, pressures or fears. On the other hand, there are many ways to self-stimulate that can help reach orgasm. In this case, it is also important to start by getting rid of the gender mandates on purity, cleanliness, modesty and discretion of female sexuality (García Dauder and Pérez Sedeño, 2017), as well as the idea of an extreme fragility of the erogenous zone, since they have been important limitations to feel pleasure. Having said this, we can now explain some female masturbation techniques. They can all be done in an intimate moment alone or with a partner.
How to masturbate: Female masturbation techniques
To keep answering the question: how to reach orgasm, in the following lines we will list some of the most pleasant female masturbation techniques. They can be carried out with a partner or by oneself, always taking into account that the appropriate hygiene conditions are maintained. The latter is to avoid later infections or uncomfortable sensations during masturbation.
1. Touching the clitoris and the vagina freely from top to bottom
It is advisable to start with a slow pace and increase the speed progressively, according to the comfort and pleasure that each one feels. Some people find it pleasurable to play from the clitoris to the anus. In any case, it's important to make sure your hands are clean, and some may find it helpful to use a special lube.
2. Try making circular movements with the fingers
Another of the most pleasurable masturbation techniques is to perform movements in different directions.; for instance, making circular movements around the clitoris, using the index and middle fingers.
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3. Making side-to-side movements
Also using two fingers (the index and the middle finger), and even three (ring finger), right-to-left movements can be made over the upper and middle clitoris. Just like the previous techniques, in this case, it is important to gradually increase the rhythm according to the sensation of each person.
4. Using sex toys and lubes
All the previous movements can be done with your own fingers (or your partner's ones), or with different sex toys. There are many different options. There are clitoral vibrators of any size, shape, with different speed and movement. There are also any size, color and shape dildoes, which are introduced in the vagina. There are even some dual devices (both for penetration and stimulation of the clitoris), which can be very pleasant for many women. The important thing is to try according to the worries and the sensations of each one so that we find what we like most.
5. Rubbing with a towel
Another very pleasant female masturbation technique is to rub all the clitoral area (including the opening of the vagina), for which different objects can be used. Some use a towel placed between their legs, while others use specific toys for this.
6. Trying different sexual positions (face up and face down)
It is also important to try not only different movements with the fingers but different positions with all the body. For some, it can be more pleasant for some to masturbate when they are face up, and others may feel it more intensely when they are face down.
- This article about "The Female Orgasm and Masturbation" was originally published in Spanish in Viviendo La Salud
References
Fahs, B. (2013). Coming to power: women’s fake orgasms and best orgasm experiences illuminate the failures of (hetero) sex and the pleasures of connection, Culture, Health & Sexuality, 16(8): 974-988.
García Dauder, (S) y Pérez Sedeño, E. (2017). Las ‘mentiras’ científicas sobre las mujeres. Cátedra Editorial: Madrid
Jackson, S. & Scott, S. (2008). Embodying Orgasm. Gender Power Relations and Sexual Pleasure. Journal of Women & Therapy, 24(1-2): 99-110
Lavie-Ajay, M. & Hélène, J. (2009). Social Representations of Female Orgasm, 14(1): doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105308097950
Lloyd, E. A. (2005). The case of the female orgasm. Bias in the Science of Evolution. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts: London, England
Tuana, N. (2009). Coming to Understand: Orgasm and the Epistemology of Ignorance. Hypatia. A Journal of Feminist Philosophy. 19(1): 194-232.