What is an Orgasm? The Science Behind Orgasms

Let’s talk about orgasms. Most of us want to have them or more of them—but not as many of us know how we can help make that happen, or what’s actually going on in our body during one. While orgasms can definitely be affected by factors like your mood, medical conditions, and connection with your partner, an orgasm is still a biological function. There’s a real science to it. So what is an orgasm exactly?

What is an orgasm?

Physiologically, orgasm—like almost any biological function—can be broken down into stages based off bodily reactions. 

The initial phase is excitement, during which you’ll see, among other symptoms, skin flushing and an accelerated heart rate. Blood flows to the genitalia, which causes an erection in men and the swelling of the labia and clitoris in women.

Next is the plateau stage, which extends all the way to very edge of orgasm. During this stage, the symptoms from initial excitement intensify. For women, clitoris may actually be painful to the touch due to swelling, retracting under the clitoral hood, whereas men experience a tightening of the testicles. People of all genders may exhibit muscle spasms, usually centered around the hands, feet, and face.

Stage three is it—orgasm. Muscle tension releases, there’s a release of sexual tension, and women will feel vaginal contractions. Uterine contractions also occur for women, although this may not be as readily apparent; this in contrast to male ejaculation.

Finally, you experience resolution. Body parts return to their typical size (and color), whereas people often feel tired, but contented and perhaps more intimate with each other. While men usually require a refractory period, some women may be able to have multiple orgasms during one session with further stimulation.

Why do we orgasm?

So you know what an orgasm is —but why does it happen? Some scientists have argued that the orgasm exists because, when we evolved to produce fewer offspring per birth, it became necessary for people to have sex (and conceive) more often. The pleasure of the orgasm could be considered an incentive to have sex. Others have proposed that orgasms make it easier for couples to bond with each other, creating long-lasting relationships.

Of course, the desire to achieve orgasm extends far beyond the desire to reproduce or bond. Plenty of us don’t want to reproduce at all when having sex. Furthermore, some couples can’t biologically reproduce—and that certainly doesn’t stop them from pursuing orgasms! Ultimately, whatever the biological purpose of why we orgasm, we pursue it now, most often, because it feels good. When achieved between couples, it can also serve as part of a bonding experience.

Why does an orgasm feel good?

An orgasm can be a great stress reliever, and you experience a very literal hormonal release when it happens. Dopamine, neuropeptide, oxytocin, and prolactin are all in that immediate hormone hit that floods the body during orgasm. You might have heard of these being referred to as “happy hormones”, and that’s actually pretty true. They’re what fuel that sense of well-being we talked about in the resolution phase.

Everyone’s orgasm is an individual experience emotionally, but we can pin down these physiological consistencies, at least. In other words, whatever you feel, you’re not on your own.

What causes people to orgasm?

So we’re all in agreement that orgasms are great, right? Right! But what leads people to that point?

Obviously, everyone has individual preferences—from the types of partners you gravitate to, to the types of stimuli that work for you. Where one person may respond strongly to kink, another might prefer sex without it. Certain psychological or medical conditions (or for that matter, medications) can also make it more difficult to achieve orgasm. But generally, you’ll find certain basic commonalities that trigger orgasms, though they can vary between male and female bodies (much like the experience of orgasm itself).

What contributes to the male orgasm?

While physical stimulation of the penis (using hands, mouth or during intercourse, etc.) and visual stimuli are certainly not the only contributors to the male orgasm, scientific evidence suggests that they can matter significantly. Although the degree to which men “need” an interpersonal connection in order to orgasm varies, studies have also indicated that as an individual grows older, the male orgasm becomes more dependent on factors like long-term bonds, the intensity of relationships, and the emotional state of the individual.

What contributes to the female orgasm?

Just like men, women respond to physical stimuli—though it’s important to note that while women may feel an expectation to orgasm from vaginal penetration, many women primarily experience orgasms based off clitoral stimulation. Stimulation of the vagina, mons, breasts, and nipples can also help lead to orgasm. The female orgasmic response may additionally be heavily linked to mental imagery and fantasy.

Keep in mind—if you’re experiencing decreased sexual desire, no matter what your gender, the issue is complex and there are societal messages that can be a factor. An American study of 31,581 women indicated that 43% of women reported sexual problems, the root often being a lack of desire. Due in part to societal and personal pressures (as well as the misconception that orgasm during intercourse is “the norm”), women may even feel expected to fake orgasm.

The science behind orgasms can seem a bit complicated, however, there are ways to get support when obstacles stand in the way. Physical obstacles can be addressed by seeing a sexual medicine specialist and/or pelvic floor physical therapist. Emotional and mental impediments can also be treated through sex therapy.

Keep in mind, it’s completely normal for you to want to have an orgasm (or more orgasms), and it’s okay for you to have complex feelings if an orgasm is difficult to achieve. Overall, you deserve to have pleasure - with or without having an orgasm - and there are ways to help you remove barriers and reach your goals.

Citations:

Lodé, Thierry (2019). A brief natural history of the orgasm. All Life, 13(1), 34-44. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21553769.2019.1664642

Safron, A. (2016). What is orgasm? A model of sexual trance and climax via rhythmic entrainment. Socioaffect Neurosci Psychol, 6(10). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5087698/

Shaeer, O., Skakke, D., Giraldi, A.,Shaeer, E., Shaeer, K. (2019). Female Orgasm and Overall Sexual Habits: A Descriptive Study of a Cohort of U.S. Women. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 17(6), 1133-1143. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1743609520300680