What Is an Orgasm? 10 Types of Female Orgasms

While it's common knowledge that orgasms are a part of sex, you may wonder what an orgasm really is. Simply put, an orgasm is the pleasurable feeling of climax that often happens during sexual activity. It is a physical response to genital stimulation and erotic or romantic thoughts.

Everyone's bodies, preferences, and physical responses during sex are unique. However, generally, orgasms are a desired part of a healthy sex life.

People with a vulva may experience multiple types of orgasms that feel different in terms of intensity and duration.

What Is an Orgasm?

An orgasm is a physical reflex that occurs when the pelvic floor muscles tighten and relax in a series of rhythmic contractions. Besides providing a physical release, orgasms also have emotional effects. During an orgasm, or climax, your body also releases feel-good chemicals like oxytocin. The oxytocin released during an orgasm and the skin-to-skin contact during sex also helps you bond emotionally with your partner.

There are multiple ways to trigger this sensation. What an orgasm feels like (and how to have one) varies from person to person. However, it's often described as an intense flush of heat and sensation centered in or radiating from the genital area.

Clitoral Orgasm

The clitoris is a sex organ that looks like a small erect tissue on the exterior of the vulva, but it also extends internally a few inches into your vagina. It is made up of millions of nerve endings, which make it particularly sensitive to stimulation. Stimulating the clitoris directly, or touching the labia surrounding the clitoris, prompts an increase in blood flow to the area, making the clitoris engorged and in desire of orgasmic release.

G-Spot Orgasm

Though research is a bit inconclusive, the general consensus about the G-spot is that it is located in the front wall of your vagina, about halfway between your vaginal opening and cervix. Some researchers argue it's a sex organ, while others believe it's part of the clitoris' vast network of nerve endings. Some people report a G-spot orgasm feels deeply intense compared to other types of orgasms.

Vaginal Orgasm

An orgasm from penetrative vaginal sex—that doesn't intentionally or directly stimulate the clitoris and G-spot—is considered a vaginal orgasm. Besides the clitoris, the vagina has additional erogenous zones.

The A-spot, or anterior fornix, is located on the high front (or anterior) wall of the vagina just beneath the cervix. This area can trigger a deep vaginal orgasm when touched the right way. Some people may also orgasm from touching the cervix itself. This is because these areas contain ligaments with nerves that can be highly sensitive.

Anal Orgasm

Anal sex or anal play can also cause people with a vagina to reach climax by indirectly stimulating nearby erogenous regions. This is because the anus and rectum are so close to the vagina and clitoris—and are connected by a thin stretch of tissue called the perineum. Plus, your anus is connected to your pelvic floor muscles, which also support your vagina.

Anal sex stimulates the nerves and muscles of the highly sensitive pelvic floor muscles, which may lead to an orgasm. 

Nipple Orgasm

Your breasts and nipples are major erogenous zones, so it's possible to have an orgasm by stimulating those areas. The nipples especially react to touch since they contain many nerve endings.

There's no clear consensus on how many people with female reproductive organs can orgasm without contact with their genitals. Researchers also aren't exactly sure why nipple orgasms happen. However, research has found nipple stimulation activates the part of your brain that controls genital stimulation.

Blended Orgasm

A blended orgasm is a climax that happens when more than one erogenous zone is being stimulated at the same time. Any combination of erogenous zones, like the clitoris, G-spot, nipples, or anus could lead to a blended orgasm.

Multiple Orgasms

Unlike people who have penises, people with a vagina can experience multiple orgasms because they don't require as much downtime between an orgasm and arousal.

Squirting Orgasm

During an orgasm, some people release a gush of clear fluid—also known as squirting. Squirting is a urine-like substance released from the urethra and may indicate a bladder control problem.

Squirting is also sometimes called female ejaculation, but some researchers don't consider it the same thing. Female ejaculation is typically defined as a whitish substance released from the Skene's gland, which is also commonly called the female prostate. Researchers estimate anywhere from 10-54% of people with a vagina have, at one time or another, experienced female ejaculation.

Exercise Orgasm/Coregasm

Reaching climax during an intense workout may sound unlikely, but workout-induced orgasms, or "coregasms," are real. A study from Indiana University found that 370 of 530 women surveyed had experienced orgasm or sexual pleasure while working out, usually from core-based exercises.

Sleep Orgasm

Similar to the "wet dreams" people with penises may experience, it is possible for people with a vagina to orgasm during their sleep. Sleep orgasms, or nocturnal orgasms, likely start with an erotic dream. This can lead to increased blood flow to the genitals and lubrication, making your body orgasm while you're asleep. 

Research on sleep orgasms is extremely lacking and outdated, but we know people have them. The most cited study is from the 1950s, but it reported that 37% of the female participants had a sleep orgasm by the time they were 45.

A 2012 study found people who slept on their stomachs were more likely to have erotic dreams and sexual sensations. This may be because sleeping on your stomach can be more constricting and physically stimulating (think bedsheets, pajamas, etc., pressing on your body). Still, the exact reasons for sleep orgasms aren't totally proven or understood.  

A Quick Review

If you have a vagina, a clitoral orgasm is often the most attainable orgasm but there are many different ways the female body may climax. However, what makes you orgasm can be highly individualistic. There are a variety of orgasm types that you may experience depending on the area of the body that is stimulated and personal preferences.

Consult with a medical provider if you have any questions or concerns about orgasms or the different types of orgasms a person with a vagina may experience.