What Is an Orgasm?
1 of 8 in Series: The Essentials of Sexual Orgasms
Some women wonder if they’ve ever experienced an orgasm. This is not a ridiculous question, as many women have not ever reached climax, and others experience what is called a missed orgasm. So whether they’ve just missed a passing orgasm or have never even come close, millions of women (and a few men) don’t even know what an orgasm is.
An orgasm is an intense feeling of physical pleasure that we human beings experience as the culmination of sexual stimulation. When you experience an orgasm, your breathing becomes fast and heavy, your pulse races, the deep muscles in the genital area contract, and your toes may even curl. In men, orgasm is almost always accompanied by ejaculation, the forceful ejection of semen from the penis, necessary for procreation. Women also feel orgasms, although their orgasms aren’t needed for procreation.
As with every other bodily process, what’s going on inside your body during an orgasm is a lot more technical than what you’re feeling.
In a man, first the prostate, seminal vesicles, and upper portion of the vas deferens, called the ampulla, contract, which forces out the secretions that form the ejaculate; then the muscles that surround the penis do their part to actually eject the ejaculate in what is called the Expulsion Phase. The first two or three of these contractions are quite strong, and they’re followed by some diminishing spurts.
For women, the uterus and the first third of the vagina, controlled by the underlying muscles, called the pubococcygeus (PC) muscles, incur the most contractions during orgasm.
But your main sex organ is located not “down there” but “up here” — in your brain. Men whose spinal cords have been broken can have erections and ejaculations but can’t feel any of the sensations. So the real importance of all that heavy breathing, those strong contractions, and those ejaculating spurts is the pleasure that you register from the overall feeling.
Sex GlossaryThe termination of a pregnancy by the loss or destruction of the fetus before it has reached viability.
Sex GlossaryThe period of life, usually around ages 11–16, wherein the brain triggers hormonal changes leading to adulthood (both physically and psychologically).
Sex GlossaryThe inability to have an orgasm.
Sex GlossaryWhen the fear or expectation of a possible failure causes an actual failure; a common cause of short-term impotence.
Sex GlossarySexually transmitted disease; extremely deadly; not curable.
Sex GlossaryNatural family planning method of birth control that uses the woman’s daily body temperature to determine when a woman is ovulating and therefore fertile.
Sex GlossaryA medical condition in which a man’s prostate gland becomes enlarged, which causes frequent urination; this condition is common with age, is not dangerous, and may be treated with medication or surgery.
Sex GlossaryA state of interest in sex with members of both sexes in order to determine one’s sexual orientation.
Sex GlossaryWhen men or women are sexually attracted only to members of both sexes.
Sex GlossaryNatural family planning method of birth control that relies on abstinence during the time of month when the woman is fertile and likely to become pregnant.
Sex GlossaryFungal infection that is sometimes spread to the genitals through sexual contact (usually oral sex).
Sex GlossaryBarrier method of birth control using a small cap that fits tightly over the cervix, blocking sperm from entrance.
Sex GlossaryNatural family planning method of birth control that uses the consistency of the woman’s cervical mucus to determine when a woman is ovulating and therefore fertile.
Sex GlossaryThe entrance to the uterus in a female’s anatomy.
Sex GlossaryMost common sexually transmitted disease in the United States; hard to diagnose but treatable.
Sex GlossaryThe surgical removal of the penis foreskin.
Sex GlossaryPeriod of change when a woman goes through menopause, usually lasting one to two years.
Sex GlossaryPart of the female genitalia, found within the vulva and the principal organ of female sexual pleasure.
Sex GlossaryBarrier method of birth control using a sheath that fits over the penis; the best method of protection against sexually transmitted diseases.
Sex GlossaryThe effort to avoid unintended pregnancy via a variety of methods; does not necessarily protect against sexually transmitted disease.
Sex GlossaryTwo spongelike cylindrical tubes that contain the central arteries and lie on the top half of the penis.
Sex GlossaryA spongelike structure under the two corpus cavernosa that surrounds the urethra and is the pipeline for both urine and sperm.
Sex GlossaryThe penis that is under the skin and not exposed; the proportion of crus to exposed penis is what results in curvature in an erect penis.
Sex GlossaryOral-vaginal sex.
Sex GlossaryHormonal method of birth control taken via injection.
Sex GlossaryAfter a man ejaculates or if his arousal fades, detumescence occurs, in which the brain sends a signal to allow the blood to leave the erect penis, and it returns to its flaccid state.
Sex GlossaryBarrier method of birth control using a shallow, dome-shaped cup that blocks the whole rear part of the vagina, including the cervix, from sperm.
Sex GlossaryA phallic (penis-shaped) object that you insert into your vagina to simulate the feelings that you would get from a real penis.
Sex GlossaryWhen a man emits sperm from his penis as a result of orgasm.
Sex GlossaryA lumpy section that lies on top of the testicle.
Sex GlossaryAn infection of the epididymis gland; easily diagnosed by a doctor and treated with antibiotics.
Sex GlossaryStiff and hard, generally referring to a penis during a state of arousal.
Sex GlossaryPhysical or psychological condition when a man is unable to have an erection (varying degrees of severity).
Sex GlossaryA penis that is in a state of arousal, becoming stiff and hard.
Sex GlossaryA female hormone; plays a key role in triggering the process needed to create a baby; no longer produced after menopause.
Sex GlossaryOral-penile sex.
Sex GlossaryCommon sexual position, wherein the woman lies on top and the man lies on bottom.
Sex GlossaryA sheath of skin that surrounds the glans at birth and opens at the top; may be surgically removed in a process known as circumcision.
Sex GlossaryThe strip of skin connecting the glans to the shaft on the underside of the penis.
Sex GlossaryThe practice of two men rubbing their bodies against each other, usually until climax; considered a safe form of homosexual activity.
Sex GlossaryForm of female sterilization involving major surgery; see tubal ligation.
Sex GlossarySexually transmitted disease; sometimes linked with cervical cancer; not curable but a vaccine exists.
Sex GlossaryThe head of the penis.
Sex GlossarySexually transmitted disease; curable with medication.
Sex GlossaryMutual masturbation in a group, wherein each person uses masturbation methods to sexually pleasure a different person.
Sex GlossarySexually transmitted disease; not curable but a vaccine exists.
Sex GlossarySexually transmitted disease; extremely contagious and can be spread through intimate contact (kissing, etc.) as well as sexual intercourse; not curable.
Sex GlossaryWhen men or women are sexually attracted only to others of the opposite sex from themselves.
Sex GlossaryWhen men or women are sexually attracted only to others of the same sex as themselves.
Sex GlossaryMedical treatment for menopause in which estrogen (which is no longer produced by the body) is prescribed to alleviate symptoms; studies vary on safety of HRT.
Sex GlossaryA sudden feeling of heat that takes over the entire body, common during menopause and perimenopause.
Sex GlossarySexually transmitted virus that is linked to autoimmune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Sex GlossaryThe surgical removal of the uterus; results in sterilization but usually done to correct a medical problem.
Sex GlossaryHormonal method of birth control that uses a small rod that is implanted into a woman’s arm, effective for three years.
Sex GlossaryPhysical or psychological condition when a man can’t have an erection when he wants one.
Sex GlossaryMethod of birth control that implants a small device into the uterus, using either hormones or copper to prevent pregnancy.
Sex GlossaryCommon form of female sterilization done using a small instrument inserted through a small incision; see tubal ligation.
Sex GlossaryThe desire to have sex.
Sex GlossarySexually pleasuring oneself without the aid of another person.
Sex GlossaryThe opening of the glans.
Sex GlossaryA girl’s first menstrual period.
Sex GlossaryThe period of time when a woman goes through the changes associated with the end of her egg supply (including the end of menstruation and of producing female hormones); also known as “the change of life.”
Sex GlossaryThe monthly process of releasing eggs in preparation for possible pregnancy in a female’s body.
Sex GlossaryCommon form of female sterilization done using a small instrument inserted through a small incision within 48 hours of giving birth; see tubal ligation.
Sex GlossaryWhen the body goes through all the physical manifestations of an orgasm but the woman doesn’t really feel it.
Sex GlossaryMost common sexual position, wherein the woman lies on bottom and the man lies on top while facing her.
Sex GlossarySexually transmitted virus; treatable.
Sex GlossaryA layer of fatty tissue that lies above the female’s pubic bone.
Sex GlossaryUsing masturbation methods on a sexual partner, usually to climax; often done in lieu of sexual intercourse.
Sex GlossaryBirth control method that relies on timed abstinence without other contraceptives.
Sex GlossaryErection during REM or “dream” sleep; common in a healthy man’s sleep patterns and not necessarily related to erotic dreams.
Sex GlossaryHormonal method of birth control that uses a small, flexible ring inserted into the woman’s vagina.
Sex GlossaryAn intense feeling of physical pleasure, experienced as the culmination of sexual stimulation.
Sex GlossaryProcess in which a woman’s ovaries release and egg, allowing for fertilization.
Sex GlossaryHormonal method of birth control applied directly to a woman’s skin via an adhesive patch.
Sex GlossaryA person who wants to have sex with children and young adults.
Sex GlossaryA genital infection in a woman that has spread into the deeper organs of her reproductive system, including the uterus, fallopian tubes, or the structures around the ovaries; not technically an STD but may be a consequence of an STD, usually either gonorrhea or chlamydia; can lead to serious consequences if not treated in time.
Sex GlossaryPeriod of life preceding menopause, experienced when a woman’s ovaries become resistant to follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and the body reacts with a spike in estrogen; usually lasts about four years but may last anywhere from a few months to 15 years.
Sex GlossaryThe area between the genital organ and the anus.
Sex GlossaryMedical condition in which the erect penis curves or bends sharply to one side such that sex may be impossible.
Sex GlossaryHormonal method of birth control taken orally, available under many names.
Sex GlossaryThe feeling that a man gets just before he reaches the point of no return before orgasm/ejaculation, also called "the moment of inevitability."
Sex GlossaryMedical condition in which a man suffers from a permanent erection.
Sex GlossaryA female hormone; plays a key role in triggering the process needed to create a baby; no longer produced after menopause.
Sex GlossaryThe prostate gland, located below the man’s bladder, produces some of the fluids that are contained in the semen, giving semen its whitish color.
Sex GlossaryAn erection caused by an external, non-immediate stimulus that trigger the brain to release hormones that cause an erection.
Sex GlossaryLice that live in the pubic area, and whose bites cause intense itching; visible to the naked eye; treatable with over-the-counter medication.
Sex GlossaryThe set of muscles in the genital area that incurs the most contractions during orgasm; found in both men and women.
Sex GlossaryMedical condition in which a man cannot make himself ejaculate.
Sex GlossaryCondition such that, during ejaculation, the semen flows backwards into the bladder instead of out of the penis.
Sex GlossaryThe sac of skin at the base of the penis that holds the testicles (once descended).
Sex GlossaryThe statement of what gender (same, opposite, or both) a person is attracted to: homosexual, heterosexual, etc.
Sex GlossaryAny disease or infection that can be transmitted via sexual intercourse.
Sex GlossaryCottage cheese-like substance that can form under an uncircumsised foreskin due to the combination of excretions and dead skin cells; if not cleaned, can lead to infection.
Sex GlossaryA picture of a fetus taken in utero and made by sound waves.
Sex GlossaryChemical that kills sperm, generally applied topically before sexual intercourse as a contraceptive.
Sex GlossaryPermanent method of preventing unintended pregnancy via surgery; either vasectomy (male) or tubal sterilization (women).
Sex GlossaryA potentially deadly STD that can be hard to diagnose because it mimics other diseases (starting with canchres); can be transmitted through any intimate contact; treatable in most stages.
Sex GlossaryPart of the male genitals.
Sex GlossaryA severe and painful medical condition in which the testicle gets twisted around inside the scrotum and blood no longer flows into it; requires immediate attention.
Sex GlossaryMost common form of surgery for an enlarged prostate; common side effects include erectile dysfunction and retrograde ejaculation.
Sex GlossaryThe practice of two women rubbing their genitals together while lying one on top of the other.
Sex GlossarySexually transmitted disease; curable with medication.
Sex GlossaryContraceptive method in which a woman undergoes sterilization via surgery of the fallopian tubes.
Sex GlossaryA medical doctor who specializes in the care of the genitourinary tract, the urinary tract in men and women, and the male genital tract.
Sex GlossaryUhe muscular, female organ where a fertilized egg develops.
Sex GlossaryPart of the female genitals; a hollow, muscular tube that extends from the external opening to the cervix.
Sex GlossaryA condition in which a woman’s vaginal muscles involuntarily tighten up to the point where penetration by the man’s penis is painful or sometimes even impossible.
Sex GlossarySexually transmitted disease; curable with medication.
Sex GlossaryPart of the male sexual organs; the tubes that carry sperm.
Sex GlossaryContraceptive method in which a man undergoes sterilization via surgery of the vas deferens.
Sex GlossarySexual device that provides clitoral stimulation for a woman.
Sex GlossaryThe part of the female genitals that one can see; lies between the mons pubis and the anus. The outer lips are called the labia majora; the inner lips are called the labia minora.
