A Deep Dive Into the Different Types of Female Orgasm

When it comes to orgasms, there are more than a few things that are important to know.

A lot happens in both the body and mind when we reach a climax: contractions in the pelvis, elevated pulse and blood pressure, and a whole host of feel-good hormones exploding into the brain.

Orgasms are rife with health benefits, but it's important to be aware that there's no need to panic if you rarely reach orgasm (or, indeed, if you've never experienced one). Orgasms are too often touted as the "Holy Grail" of sex, but there's a lot more to pleasure than orgasms alone.

'Each woman's body is different, as is their preference for the intensity of the stimulation they receive.'

Since we're talking about orgasms, though, it's worth noting a couple of things. First, they have the potential to enhance your sexual experience. Second, they're still often shrouded in misconceptions.

Nowhere are these myths and misconceptions more apparent than with the female orgasm.

What types of orgasms can women have?

The short answer? A lot.

"Women can have several types of orgasms, including clitoral orgasms, vaginal orgasms and multiple orgasms," said Betsy A. Greenleaf, D.O., director of Femversity.com, CEO of The Pelvic Floor Store and host of The Happy Vagina Rally in Howell, New Jersey.

Most of these orgasms can be achieved with or without a partner.

"Clitoral orgasms are the most common type of orgasm for women and are typically achieved through direct or indirect stimulation of the clitoris," she said "Vaginal orgasms are less common and are typically achieved through deep vaginal stimulation. Multiple orgasms are orgasms that occur in succession or rapid succession."

According to Susan Milstein, a human sexuality health educator in Brooklyn, New York, and a medical review board member at Women's Health Interactive, the different types of female orgasm include:

• Anal orgasm. Results from stimulation of the anus and surrounding area
• Nipple orgasm. Achieved through stimulation of the nipples
• Coregasm. Achieved through physical exercise

"Direct abdominal pressure creates direct fascial pressure to the clitoral structures," said Aleece Fosnight, M.S.P.A.S., a board-certified physician assistant and a medical advisor at Aeroflow Urology in Asheville, North Carolina.

Female ejaculation isn't always a sign of an orgasm, though, Fosnight said.

"There is still so much mystery with this type of release," Fosnight said. "However, just because someone is not able to release fluid does not diminish their ability to orgasm. There is no correlation between the amount of fluid, the ability to release fluid and the ability to reach orgasm."

Greenleaf, Milstein and Fosnight all described a mental orgasm, too.

"Because our brain is the most important sex organ, any mental stimulation can trigger an orgasm," Greenleaf said. "Orgasm can be achieved just by thinking sexy thoughts."

Just because there are myriad types of female orgasms, though, doesn't mean any of them is easy to reach.

What can make female orgasm difficult?

Plenty. One in 10 women has never had an orgasm, according to Fosnight.

"Not all women are able to have orgasms or may experience difficulty reaching orgasm," Greenleaf said. "This is normal and should not be a source of shame or frustration."

For starters, there's the orgasm gap. Take a 2014 study by Indiana University Bloomington, for example, which found that women reported experiencing orgasm 62.9 percent of the time, while men reported reaching orgasm 85.1 percent of the time. Heterosexual women reported an orgasm rate of 61.6 percent, while lesbian women reported a rate of 74.7 percent.

"Most sex education comes from porn and Hollywood, which are both unrealistic ideas for what a sexual relationship should look like," Fosnight said. "Most women need a warm-up period to get turned on enough for orgasm to happen. This time frame does not equate with the same timeframe (for most men) with penis-vagina intercourse."

Those same unrealistic ideas can lead to undue pressure for women to reach orgasm, and where there's pressure, overthinking naturally follows.

"While we focus a lot on orgasm when we talk about sex, that focus can make it harder for women to reach orgasm," Milstein said. "It can make it harder for [a woman] to be in the moment and enjoy what's going on."

It's vital, too, that women know their bodies.

"If you cannot identify the clitoris or know the power the clitoris possesses, reaching orgasm is going to be very difficult," Fosnight said.

"The more a woman knows her body, the better the chances that she will have an enjoyable sexual experience," Milstein said.

Greenleaf said there can be other factors.

"Medical conditions, medications and past sexual experiences may also contribute to difficulties reaching orgasm," Greenleaf said. "It may be helpful to speak with a healthcare provider or sex therapist to address any underlying issues."

How can women make their orgasms more intense?

Let's start with edging. For those who aren't yet familiar, it's a method of delaying orgasm.

"This includes getting close to orgasm and, rather than letting yourself reach [the] threshold, you back off slightly through location and sensation, and after a short timeframe, try getting close to orgasm again," Fosnight said. "You can do this a few times before letting yourself reach orgasm."

Then there are blended orgasms—otherwise known as more of a full-body experience.

"If a woman enjoys both clitoral and G-spot stimulation, she might combine those to reach orgasm," Milstein said. "Rabbit vibrators can be great for this, but sex toys are not required, of course. Your own hands, or a combination of your hands and your partner's hands or body, can be used to stimulate multiple erogenous zones at once."

Orgasm intensity can vary based on mental stimulation and muscle strength, Greenleaf said.

"We often forget about exercising our pelvic floor, but if we don't use it, we lose it," she said. "Pelvic muscle strength is needed to aid in the strength and longevity of orgasm."

Stimulating the brain can have an effect, too.

"Some visual people may need to look at sexy images or movies, while some more auditory people may find listening to the sounds of themselves or their partner a big turn-on," Greenleaf said.

Which erotic zones work best to help women reach orgasm?

In short, more than you'd think.

"The G-spot, located on the front wall of the vagina, is one of the most commonly known erogenous zones for women," Greenleaf said. "However, other body areas, such as the nipples, neck and ears, can also be sensitive and responsive to stimulation. Even areas that may be overlooked, such as the underarms, small of the back or arch of the foot, can lead to orgasm."

Greenleaf recommends getting adventurous, as did Fosnight, who said that "the buttocks have been shown to enhance women's ability to orgasm."

"However, don't get hyper-focused on those areas alone—everyone has their own unique erogenous zones," Fosnight said. "These erogenous zones will also change with time—aging, menopause, medications, surgeries, pregnancy and postpartum."

"Each woman's body is different, as is their preference for the intensity of the stimulation they receive," Milstein said. "one might prefer intense and direct stimulation of the clitoris, while another prefers a lighter touch."

Sex positions shouldn't be left out of the mix.

"Heterosexual women who need clitoral stimulation to reach orgasm, for instance, may find it easier to achieve while being on top of their male partner (and facing him)," Milstein said. "This position enables them to grind their clitoris against their partner's body during penetration."

"Positions that allow for deep penetration, such as the missionary position, can also provide the necessary stimulation for some women to reach orgasm," Greenleaf said. "Positions in which the woman is in control, such as being on top, allows the woman to adjust for needed stimulation."

There are a considerable number of routes by which women can reach orgasm (once everyone involved has managed to block out the subliminal messaging that dictates when and how women should get there).