Apparently There Are 12 Female Orgasms – Here’s How To Have Them All
on 14 Oct 2024
If you'd asked me how many different types of orgasms there were when I was 19, I probably would have said “…there are different types?”. Sadly, like many young women, the only type of orgasm I knew about back then was the kind I was habitually faking.
But then I bought my first sex toy and started being more vocal about what I needed in bed. And, because of this, I’ve learnt that there are at least 12 distinct types of orgasms that women and people with vulvas can have. I’ve not had all of them yet, mind you. But to paraphrase my good friend 50 Cent, this year my plan is to get off or die trying.
If you, too, are curious about the best kind of dirty dozen, keep reading. You'll learn the 12 types of female orgasm and how to have them.
1. Clitoral orgasm
The most common and easily-achieved kind of orgasm, you can have one of these by spoiler alert stimulating your clitoris! Clitoral orgasms are usually intense but short-lasting.
If you're not sure where the clitoris is, check out your vulva in a mirror. Where the labia (or lips) meet, above the vaginal opening, you'll find a tiny button of tissue that's sensitive to touch. That's what most people mean when they refer to "the clit", although your clitoris extends inside your body too.
When you know about your anatomy, it can be a bit easier to have any kind of orgasm, since you know what you're aiming for. For a clitoral orgasm, all you need to do is stroke or rub your clit in a way that feels good for you. A dab of water-based lube might make this even more pleasurable, since it'll reduce friction.
Masturbation (both the solo kind and multi-player kind) should help you work out what turns you on and what help you have a clitoral orgasm. If you're in a relationship, check out these mutual masturbation positions to try with your partner. You can also tease a bullet vibe over your clit during sex or masturbation and see if that helps you come.
2. Vaginal or G-spot orgasm
Many women struggle to orgasm during penis-in-vagina sex, but that doesn't a mean vaginal orgasm isn't possible. It may just be more elusive — or require direct stimulation to your G-spot (Graffenberg Spot, to be precise).
The G-spot is the name given to a small, nerve-rich area inside your vagina. It's a controversial topic because some sexperts insist that the G-spot is a myth. At least, it's not possible to point to the G-spot on a diagram, because it's not a distinct part of your anatomy.
But does it really matter? If knowing about the G-spot helps you orgasm, it's certainly real for you. Stimulating the G-spot is also considered one of the best ways to learn how to squirt.
Next time you masturbate, insert two fingers (make sure they're clean, and slick with lube) and try massaging in a circular motion about one or two inches up the front vaginal wall (i.e. towards your belly, rather than your back).Or, rather than circular stokes, try a gentle "come hither" motion with your finger.
Bonus points if you get your partner to give you gentle oral whilst they get to work stimulating your G-spot with their fingers or a G-spot vibrator. Just remember, any time you insert anything into your vagina, it's best to use water-based lube. It makes everything wetter and better.
Pleasure enhancing toys to up your orgasm game
3. Blended orgasm
Blended orgasms occur when multiple areas of your body are being touched and pleasured simultaneously. For example, you might have explosive orgasms when using a rabbit vibrator that stimulates both your clit and your G-spot at the same time. Some people get them from teasing other erogenous zones like the nipples or perineum (that's the bit of flesh between your genitals and your anus).
Blended orgasms are typically very intense and can be long-lasting. They may happen in waves, either during fast-paced sex or when you're slowly building up to the main event. They're potentially one of the most satisfying ways to orgasm, because you're getting multiple erogenous zones lighting up at once.
For a beautiful, blended orgasm, we'd recommend bringing a wand vibrator into play, since you can use it to stimulate any area on the body. Ask your partner to kiss your neck and nipples while you hold the vibrator to your clitoris (or the other way around!). Or wear a vibrating butt plug during sex or masturbation to stimulate all those nerve endings in the anus while you focus on your clit or G-spot.
4. Anal orgasm
That brings us onto our next type of orgasm; the anal orgasm. You may not have even considered it yet, but you could be someone who orgasms during anal. Lots of women can, it just isn't talked much about in popular culture.
Most of the heterosexual sex we see in mainstream films and on TV is bog standard penis-in-the-vagina sex, but less than 8% of women orgasm this way. Without crossing your personal boundaries, it's worth exploring all kinds of different ways to have sex to find out what really works for you.
The anal walls are rich in nerve endings, so why deprive yourself of an amazing orgasm? It can be helpful to start with a finger or small butt plug before anything bigger, like a dildo or penis. Make sure you use lots of lube, and go slow if you’re a beginner.
5. Multiple orgasms
Multiple orgasms can be either sequential (when you orgasm, rest, and then orgasm again) or serial (one orgasm after another with no rest in between).
Of course, it's best to focus on learning to orgasm just once if that's something you struggle with. But, if you're hungry for more, try sequential multiple orgasms first. Orgasm in a way that works for you, then take a minute to rest and enjoy the extra oxytocin flooding your brain. Then go back for round two! And three… and four…
If you're using a vibrator, you might find it tricky to orgasm again and again in a single sitting because the clitoris can get overstimulated. Instead, try switching between different sensations, like starting with a vibrator and then trying with your hands or through oral sex. Otherwise, you might like a clitoral suction toy like the Womanizer Next, which uses our patented Pleasure Air Technology to arouse you without direct contact.
Lots of Womanizer fans find clitoral suction ideal for edging, a method of masturbation which involves stopping or slowing down just before you orgasm. Edging could be a way to continuously build arousal until you're practically ready to burst with pleasure, making multiple arousals more possible.
6. Sleep-gasm
The sheer power of the brain means that women can orgasm whilst they sleep, and it makes a lot of sense.
In your sleep, you're at your most relaxed. Your mind can freely explore your sexual fantasies without feeling rushed or judged. You're not worried about what you look like or about your performance in bed, which are both common negative thoughts that become a huge barrier to satisfying sex.
Whether you plan to or not, you might have an erotic dream that turns you on so much that you end up orgasming. You might even wake yourself up with the pleasure!
There's no fool proof way to have a sleep-gasm (a.k.a snore-gasm, less sexy!) but you can certainly enjoy trying. Next time you have a night in, wear something to bed that makes you feel sexy, like a satin chemise. While you unwind for sleep, try caressing your own body to heighten your arousal without orgasming. You could massage some pleasure balm into your nipples, vulva, or perineum to heighten sensitivity. Then, fall asleep fantasising about what turns you on — or get a little inspo from some erotic stories!
7. Cervical orgasm
If you've ever had a cervical smear, there's a good chance even reading the words "cervical orgasm" made you dry up like the Sahara Desert. But there are some people who find the feeling of cervical stimulation orgasmic.
It requires very deep penetration, so if that's not something you're comfortable with, there are better ways to orgasm. Otherwise, if that does make your ears prick with excitement, read on.
The cervix is a cylindrical piece of tissue (picture a tiny doughnut) that connects the uterus to the vagina. To reach it, you'll need a sex toy with quite a lot of length, like the 9 inch Lifelike Lover dildo. Ease yourself in, with plenty of water-based lube, because this is a sensitive part of your body.
If you're with a partner, ask them to start by massaging your clitoris with a dab of lube. As you warm up, they can start massaging your G-spot, with even more lube. When you're relaxed and fully aroused, ask them to move deeper, with small circular motions. It's important that their hands are clean before you start and that they move slowly and gently.
Cervical orgasms are even more intense than G-spot or blended orgasms. You might find your moans become more guttural. You might notice a feeling of release in your belly or even head-to-toe ecstasy as you climax.
Only a few people really enjoy having their cervix touched, so don't feel bad if you don't. There are plenty of other ways for you to enjoy sex and masturbation.
8. U-spot orgasm
Right, disclaimer before we start, it's important to know that you must be prepared to do your research and keep yourself safe before you even think about a urethral or "U-spot" orgasm. The urethra is prone to infections, especially if you have a vulva, so it's not something we recommend beginners to play with.
But what on earth is a U-spot orgasm?! The urethra is the tiny tube that releases wee out of your body. If you have a vulva, your urethra is just above the vaginal opening and below the clitoris. People with penises might know more about urethral stimulation or "sounding", because it's possible to stimulate the prostate through the urethra (the prostate is like the male G-spot — very sensitive and even orgasmic when touched right).
That said, women can enjoy urethral stimulation too. Usually, this involves a little training, since your urethra is not prepared to accommodate toys. But never ignore pain when you're trying new things during sex or masturbation. This is your body's way of telling you that something isn't right.
9. A-spot orgasm
You might know about the G-spot, but what about the A-spot? The "anterior fornix erogenous zone" or "second G Spot" is thought to produce natural lubrication when stimulated, which can intensify the pleasure you get from vaginal penetration.
You might not orgasm from touching the A-spot alone, but combining it with G-spot or clitoral stimulation can be pretty explosive.
The A-spot is located above the cervix, in the region of the belly button. Yes, it's deep. So, it's best to try and reach the A-spot after a lot of foreplay, when you're very lubed up. Use plenty of lube and take your time trying to find this one.
Use a toy, or get your partner to touch the A-spot with the pad of their finger and pull down across the front wall for a wake-the-neighbours style orgasm!
10. Nipple orgasm
It turns out that breast and nipple play lights up the same part of the brain that responds to genital and clitoral stimulation. Having your boobs fondled, massaged, or sucked also triggers the release of oxytocin.
For some, rubbing the nipples is already very erotic. You might even be one of the lucky people who has already orgasmed from nipple play.
And, if you've never experienced a nipple-gasm before, you'll sure have fun trying. Nipple-gasm first-timers might like to try edging because the build up of anticipation is really hot (and key to very intense orgasms of any kind). First, stroke yourself along your torso to tease yourself. Don't touch your areolae or nipples until you're seriously aroused.
You could start with the tummy, ribs, or chest area around your breasts. This will encourage circulation in your chest, which also heightens sensitivity. Then, apply a firmer pressure, massaging your whole torso before circling the area around your breasts.
Once you feel like you can't wait any longer, run your fingers around your areolae and start to gently pinch your erect nipples from base to tip. If you're lucky, you'll feel multiple waves of pleasure washing over you.
By the way, for anyone who loves having their nipples sucked, we'd recommend trying some nipple suckers next time you masturbate — or to ramp up penetrative sex.
Tease your nipples
11. Coregasm
You'd probably be more motivated to workout if you knew the secret of the coregasm! This is an orgasm that occurs during physical exercise, usually when working out your abs. Apparently, it feels like a less intense version of a vaginal orgasm.
We've known about this phenomena since the 50s, when coregasms were discovered by Dr. Alfred Kinsey. But we still don't really know why coregasms happen.
It could be that core workouts activate the pelvic floor, which is quite a key muscle when it comes to orgasms. In fact, you can use kegel balls to strengthen your pelvic floor, which can lead to stronger orgasms (and more wee control, of course).
Meanwhile, treat yourself to a sexy at home pilates session if you want to try a coregasm. Turn the lights down low and get crunching.
12. Expanded sexual response
Ever had an out of body experience? What about one caused by an orgasm? If so, welcome, rare one. You might be one of the few people who has experienced an Expanded Sexual Response (ESR).
In simple terms, ESR is when someone (usually people assigned female at birth) have multiple, prolonged, and very intense orgasms, potentially lasting up to 15 minutes long. People who've experienced ESR have reporting seeing flashes of light and colour during an orgasm, having an out of body experience, or feeling like an earthquake is coming!
There isn't a great deal of research into ESR so it isn't fully understood by the scientific community. That said, it's thought to happen when a few different nerves in your pelvis are stimulated simultaneously.