Orgasm

Dillon McDade **Orgasm ** **Orgasm Background:** Orgasm is defined as the highest point of sexual excitement, marked by strong feelings of pleasure and marked normally by of involuntary contractions of the muscles of the genitals, ejaculation of semen by the male, and by vaginal contractions within the female. Also called //climax// (Merriam-Webster, 2011). Orgasm is the sudden discharge of accumulated sexual tension resulting in rhythmic muscular contractions in the pelvic region that produce intensely pleasurable sensations followed by rapid relaxation (Vincent, 1998). Orgasm is also in part a psychological experience of pleasure and abandon, when the mind is focused solely on the personal experience. It is sometimes called climaxing or coming. Orgasms vary from person to person and for each individual at different times. Sometimes orgasm is an explosive, amazing rush of sensations, while others are milder, subtler, and less intense. The differences in intensity of orgasms can be attributed to physical factors, such as fatigue and length of time since last orgasm, as well as to a wide range of psychosocial factors, including mood, relation to partner, activity, expectations, and feelings about the experience (Discoveryhealth.com, 2010). An orgasm is also your body’s release of neuromuscular tension and the blood that has rushed to your genitals during arousal. On average an orgasm lasts three to ten seconds, with your genitals contracting up to fifteen times during that period of time (Fulbright, 2003). **Kinds of Orgasms:** Both males and females can achieve orgasm through genital stimulation. A major difference between the female and the male orgasmic phase is that far more women than men have the physical capability to have one or more additional orgasms within a short time without dropping below the plateau of sexual arousal. Being multi-orgasmic depends on both continued stimulation and sexual interest. Because neither of these is present every time for most women, multiple orgasms do not occur with every sexual encounter. During a male orgasm, the man experiences rapid, rhythmic contractions of the sphincter, the prostate, and the penis. The sperm are transmitted up from the testicles, into the prostate gland as well as through the seminal vesicles to produce the viscous fluid commonly known as semen. The prostate produces a secretion that forms one of the components of ejaculate, which is necessary to carry the sperm in the reproduction process. Contraction of muscles force stored semen to be forced through the urethral opening. The process takes on average three to ten seconds, and produces euphoric feelings in the male (Pokras, 2007). In males an orgasm usually happens in tandem with ejaculation, after which a period of recovery is needed before a male can achieve and erection again, or be able to orgasm. Orgasms can be achieved through sexual intercourse, manual masturbation, oral sex, non-penetrative sex, a sensual vibrator, or erotic electro-stimulation. The female orgasm is somewhat more difficult to explain as it is possible for females to have two different kinds of orgasms, and they can have multiple orgasms in a row. The difference between a "clitoral" and a "vaginal" orgasm lies in which body part is stimulated to achieve orgasm, not necessarily where a female feels the orgasm emanating.The clitoris has a central role in elevating feelings of sexual tension. During sexual excitement, the clitoris swells and changes position. The blood vessels through the whole pelvic area also swell, causing engorgement and creating a feeling of fullness and sexual sensitivity. For some women, the outer third of their vagina is also very sensitive. When stimulated during intercourse or other vaginal penetration, these women can orgasm. This would be what you referred to as a vaginal orgasm without clitoral stimulation. Sigmund Freud made a pronouncement that the "mature" woman has orgasms only when her vagina, but not her clitoris, is stimulated this, of course, made the man's penis central to a woman's sexual satisfaction. In reality, orgasms is a very individualistic thing and there is no one correct pattern of sexual response for a female (Lloyd, 2005).

**Problems with Orgasm****:** An orgasm is considered the height of pleasure by most people, and is therefore one of the most desired experiences by humans in general. Orgasms by males are also necessary in the reproductive process in order to deliver the sperm to the females, and are therefore even more sought after for those people seeking to reproduce. In addition to the biological need for orgasms, there are also social stigmas associated to both men and women regarding the female orgasm. Namely if a man cannot seem to bring a woman to climax, he is sometimes deemed a poor sexual partner, or “bad in bed”. Likewise, if a woman is unable to reach orgasm through standard sexual stimulation, she could be labeled as boring sexually, or a “bad lay” due to her lack of exuberance in the bedroom. These are unfortunate stigmas due to the fact that recent research among young people aged 18 to 30 indicates that, among males, 10.2 percent presented erectile dysfunctions, and 30.1 percent presented problems of premature ejaculation. Inhibited orgasm was mentioned by 13.2 percent of young females, while painful intercourse was reported by 50.7 percent of young females. Difficulties in experiencing orgasm were reported by 11.5 percent of males and 39.8 percent of females, while 14.1 percent of males and 28.4 percent of females complained about the lack of sexual desire (Mauro, 1995). These situations in which an orgasm is not able to be reached can cause many form of stress, and distress. For many women and orgasm is not possible through standard intercourse, regardless of the position, without having additional stimulation presented to her clitoris. This can cause feelings of inadequacy in both herself, and her male partner. And of men to suffer from erectile dysfunction, or another sexual dysfunction that does not allow them to ejaculate or orgasm, it can be considered by themselves and others as a serious problem that lowers their status as men, and inhibits their confidence and ability to interact with others. As research has shown however, there are any number of causes to sexual dysfunction for both men and women, and in many cases these problems can be overcome with drugs, therapy, attempting new sexual experiences and positions, or a combination of things. It is advertised by the Viagra Company that their drug has over a 75% success rate when dealing with the symptoms of erectile dysfunction which can in most cases directly alleviate the problem for men. And in many cases for women, engaging in a longer duration of foreplay before sex, in combination with sex toys and/or fantasies usually helps bring a woman to climax.

**Refrences:** Mirriam-Webster. (2011). //Orgasm//. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orgasm Vincent. (1998, December 04). //Romacepedia//. Retrieved from http://www.romanceopedia.com/I-AllAboutIntimacy.html Discoveryhealth.com. (2010, April 21). //Orgasm//. Retrieved from http://healthguide.howstuffworks.com/orgasm-dictionary.com Fulbright, YF. (2003). //The hot guide to safer sex//. Hunter House. Pokras, S. (2007). //Male multiple orgasm : techniques that guarantee you and your lover intense sexual pleasure again and again and again//. Berkely, CA: Amorata Press. Llyod, EA. (2005). //The case of the female orgasm: bias in the science of evolution//. Cambridge,MA:Harvard University Press. Reich, W. (1973). //The function of the orgasm; sex-economic problems of biological energy.//NewYork NY: Straus & Farrar. Mauro, D. (1995). //Sexuality research in the united states: an assessment of the social and behavioral sciences//. New York, NY: Social Sciences Research Council.