A Deep Dive Into the Types of Male Orgasms

Chances are, you already know a thing or two about orgasms. For instance, you may know there’s an immense amount of physiology that accompanies the process, both mental and physical.

"There are rhythmic, involuntary contractions of pelvic floor muscles including the anal sphincter," said Susie Gronski, P.T., D.P.T., a physical therapist and a medical advisor at Aeroflow Urology in Asheville, North Carolina. "Orgasm is predominantly driven by the sympathetic nervous system and includes chemical release in the brain, such as vasopressin."

You may also know orgasms are inherently good for you in more ways than pure pleasure. If you’ve ever slept blissfully following an orgasm, you know. You might even know a certain amount about the female orgasm, such as the myriad types of orgasms available to women.

If your orgasm knowledge stops short at male orgasms, though, or if you simply want to learn more about the types of male orgasms available, there’s a vast amount of information that will illuminate new ways for men to reach orgasm—and help you intensify them in ways you never imagined possible.

What are the different types of male orgasms?

Alejandra Lucatero, L.C.S.W., a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in sexual health at the Hawaii Center for Sexual and Reproductive Health in Honolulu, detailed two general types of male orgasms.

"Men can have ejaculatory or non-ejaculatory orgasms," Lucatero said. "Ejaculatory orgasms are what we typically think of when we think of male orgasms: ejaculating semen. Non-ejaculatory orgasms are sometimes called dry orgasms because they don’t involve ejaculation of semen but involve pleasure points that may or may not involve the penis, such as the nipples, prostate or other sensitive pleasure points in the body."

Male orgasms can be broken down even further, according to Justin Houman, M.D., a reproductive urologist and men's health specialist at Tower Urology in Los Angeles and the medical director for Bastion Health, an app-based telehealth platform for men. He mentioned three specifically:

• Penile orgasm. This is the most common type of orgasm for men. It is achieved through stimulation of the penis, typically through manual stimulation, oral sex or intercourse.
• Prostate orgasm. This type of orgasm is achieved by stimulating the prostate gland, either through anal stimulation or through a prostate massage.
• Anal orgasm. This type of orgasm is achieved by stimulating the anus, either through anal sex or through anal stimulation.

Why might it be difficult for men to reach orgasm?

"The biggest obstacle that men encounter when trying to reach orgasm is the pressure to perform," Gronski said. "An orgasm can’t be forced. The pressure—self-perceived or from a partner—to achieve an orgasm often leads to mental stress and anxiety, excessive physical effort, and exertion that leads to exhaustion and fatigue."

Performance anxiety is a common problem.

"As a society, we have a bad habit of oversimplifying men’s sexuality," said Lisa Lawless, Ph.D., CEO of HolisticWisdom.com, based in Bend, Oregon. "There is often too great a focus on performance rather than exploration."

Orgasms can be an explosion of pleasure, and that’s great—but they’re not the only source. Focusing on pleasure is likely to lead to a great orgasm anyway.

It doesn’t help that orgasm difficulties can be tricky to talk about.

"Men are also very reluctant to discuss erectile dysfunction (ED) issues with partners and healthcare providers," Lawless said. "This can be quite unfortunate, as ED can signify a more serious health condition that needs medical intervention."

A key way to overcome orgasm difficulties is to focus more on pleasure and exploration, Lucatero said.

"Media and pop culture have taught us that the goal of sex is to achieve orgasm," she said. "I like to help my clients move away from this narrative, as it creates pressure and encourages the pattern of harmful internalized messages when we don’t reach orgasm.

"Slow it down, ground yourself, and allow yourself to be present to physically and mentally participate in sex with your partner(s). Shift your focus away from achieving orgasm, but focus on pleasure."

Additional obstacles to orgasm can include a lack of sufficient arousal or using the wrong techniques, according to Houman.

"Solutions to these obstacles include foreplay, relaxation techniques and experimentation," he said.

How can men intensify their orgasms?

It sounds simple enough, but deep breathing can be a start.

"Focusing on deep breaths helps slow down arousal and helps achieve a longer and more intense orgasm," Lucatero said.

There’s a popular orgasm technique known as edging, too, which involves arousal right up to the point of orgasm before slowing down to avoid one.

"This pattern is continued until you finally allow yourself to orgasm, which will feel more intense as you release the build-up," Lucatero said.

Then, there’s the prostate massage.

"The prostate is a small, walnut-sized gland located just below the bladder and can be accessed through the anus. When stimulated, it can lead to intense orgasms," Houman said.

"It is [...] extraordinarily pleasurable to stimulate the prostate in most men," Lawless said. "To stimulate it externally, putting pressure into or rubbing the perineum is effective. To stimulate it internally, one can use a penis, dildo or prostate massager.

Ample lubricant is key to success here.

"To keep sexual play healthy, the lubricant should be specifically pH balanced with ideal osmolality levels for the rectum," Lawless added. "In addition, when using a sex toy such as a dildo...it should always have a flared base to keep it from traveling up the rectum and becoming irretrievable."

Which erotic zones can help men reach orgasm?

Before going into detail on the different erotic spots, let’s kick off with sex positions.

"There is no one 'best' sex position for men to reach orgasm," Houman said. "Some men may find that they are more likely to reach orgasm in traditional missionary-style intercourse, while others may prefer more adventurous positions such as doggy style."

When it comes to sex positions, it really is all about what works for you.

"Preferred sexual positions can...vary based on mobility and comfort," Lawless said. "If one has back issues, a disability, or finds certain positions uncomfortable, it can be helpful to find sexual positions that provide comfort. One can also use sexual aids such as hands-free sex toys or sex position pillows to help provide added support. These can also offer angles for deeper penetration, which is another factor in choosing which sexual positions may be most ideal."

Erotic zones will vary from person to person.

"Typically, the frenulum [tissue that connects from the underside of the glans, also known as the head of the penis, to the foreskin] is the most sensitive part of the penis, so focusing on this area with a blowjob or handjob might help him come faster," Gronski said.

"You can also try tightening the foreskin around the base of the penis to increase perceived sensation when his penis is stimulated. The skin around the anus is also an area of increased sensitivity, so anal play—that is to say massage with fingers, tongue or a sex toy—can be considerably pleasurable for some men."

Much like with female orgasms, though, the opportunities for erotic zones are seemingly endless.

"[Men] can also reach orgasm from focus on the nipples, the testicles (the organ that houses sperm) and scrotum (the pouch of skin that carries the testicles)...the neck, or anywhere in the body that feels sensitive and pleasurable to touch," Lucatero said.

It’s vital to slow everything down and focus on pleasure, first and foremost. Orgasms can be an explosion of pleasure, and that’s great—but they’re not the only source. Focusing on pleasure is likely to lead to a great orgasm anyway.

"When we are able to focus on pleasure instead of orgasm, we see that orgasms often follow," Lucatero said.