The Orgasm

A major feature of the female orgasm is a series of rhythmic contractions of the outer third of the vaginal barrel and the engorged tissues surrounding it. These rhythmic contractions are muscular contractions.

The first few contractions occur at intervals of four-fifths of a second. Thereafter the intervals tend to become longer, and the intensity of the contractions tends to taper off.

A mild orgasm may be accompanied by only three to five contractions, an intense orgasm by eight to twelve. In an extreme case, actually recorded on an automatic recording drum in the laboratory, twenty-five rhythmically recurring contractions of the orgasmic platform followed one by another over a period of forty-three seconds.

The onset of orgasm as experienced subjectively occurs simultaneously with an initial spasm of the orgasmic platform preceding the rhythmic train of contractions by a few seconds.

Along with this series of contractions of the orgasmic platform, the uterus also contracts rhythmically. Each contraction begins at the upper end of the uterus and moves like a wave through the raid-zone and down to the lower or cervical end.

The more intense the female orgasm, the more intense are these contractions of the uterus. Labour contractions prior to childbirth move similarly downward along the uterus in a wavelike progression, but are much stronger. Other muscles, such as the anal sphincter muscle, may also undergo rhythmic contractions.

The male orgasm is rather similar in several respects. The central occurrence is a series of rhythmic contractions timed, as in the female, at intervals of four-fifths of a second. Following the first few contractions, in the man as in the woman, the intervals between contractions tend to become longer and the intensity of the contractions tapers off.

As in the case of women, men may subjectively identify the onset of orgasm a few seconds before the occurrence of the first observable contraction.

The ejaculation of semen, which occurs during the male orgasm, is a complex process. Prior to orgasm, fluid containing millions of sperm cells from the testes has collected in the sacs known as seminal vesicles and in a pair of flask-like containers known as ampullae. These organs contract rhythmically, expelling their contents into the urethra.

At the same time the prostate gland contracts rhythmically and expels prostatic fluid into the urethra. A bulb in the urethra near the base of the penis doubles or triples in size to receive the fluids. These changes constitute the first stage of ejaculation. The subjective feeling of orgasm occurs during this first stage.

During the second stage, a series of rhythmic contractions of the urethral bulb and of the penis itself projects the semen outward under great pressure, so that if it is not contained, the semen may shoot as much as two feet beyond the tip of the penis. In older men, the contractions may be somewhat less vigorous, and the pressure of expulsion somewhat lessened.

The urethra may undergo a series of minor contractions for several seconds after the contractions of the penis as a whole are no longer perceptible.

For men who have delayed ejaculation, there will be neither the achievement of orgasm nor the ejaculation of semen. The condition is of uncertain origin, though it can be treated with application of sensate focus techniques, and it usually responds to an improvement in a couple’s relationship, which suggests that the origin of the condition is primarily emotional.

Men with premature ejaculation have an abbreviated arousal phase, and are thereby deprived of considerable sexual pleasure. Fortunately, premature ejaculation is an easier condition to treat than delayed ejaculation, and many suitable training programs are available which can assist a man in discovering how to last longer in bed.

Whole body orgasms, maybe with ejaculation, during which the entire body is subsumed with sexual energy, may last for much longer. The spasms of bodily muscles during this kind of orgasm may be alarming if you don’t know what they represent, but they are very pleasurable for the person who is experiencing them.

One way in which men can enjoy a whole body orgasm is to continue thrusting after ejaculation. Although the glans may be initially very sensitive, this sensitivity soon diminishes, and it is possible for a man to stimulate himself to a second orgasm, just as a woman may have a second orgasm with ejaculation if there is continued stimulation of her clitoris.

The best sex positions to achieve this are the man on top position, which allows for deep, straight thrusts, and rear entry, with the man reaching around his partner to play with her clitoris.)

In both men and women, the events occurring in the genital organs during orgasm are accompanied by changes in the rest of the body. Pulse rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate reach a peak. The sex flush is most pronounced. And muscles throughout the body respond in various ways.

The face, for example, may be contorted into a grimace through the tightening of muscle groups. The muscles of the neck and long muscles of the arms and legs usually contract in a spasm. The muscles of the abdomen and buttocks are also often contracted. Of special interest are the reactions of the hands and feet.

Often a man or woman grasps his partner firmly during orgasm; the hand muscles then clench vigorously. If the hands are not being used in grasping, a spastic contraction of both hands and feet known as “carpopedal spasm” can be observed.

Men and women are usually quite unaware of these extreme muscular exertions during orgasm; but it is not unusual for them to experience muscle aches in the back, thighs, or elsewhere the next day as a result.