07.29.07
What is an Orgasm?
FAQ for Women: What exactly is an orgasm? Here is Orgasm 101 for those who are interested in the basics of orgasms.
An orgasm (sexual climax) is the conclusion of the plateau phase of the sexual response cycle, and is experienced by both males and females. Orgasm is characterized by intense physical pleasure, controlled by the involuntary, or autonomic, nervous system.
Orgasm is accompanied by quick cycles of muscle contraction in the lower pelvic muscles, which surround the primary sexual organs and the anus. Orgasms are often associated with other involuntary actions, including vocalizations and muscular spasms in other areas of the body, and a general euphoric sensation.
After orgasm, humans often feel tired and a need to rest. This is attributed to the release of prolactin. Prolactin is a typical neuroendocrine response in depressed mood and irritation. Ongoing research at the University Medical Center of Groningen, the Netherlands, studies brain events that accompany orgasm in men and women. Techniques used involve Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and fMRI. Male and female brains act almost the same during orgasm. Brain scans showed that large parts of the cerebral cortex temporarily reduced their activity.
A human female orgasm lasts much longer than that of the male. It is preceded by erection of the clitoris and moistening of the vaginal opening. Some women exhibit a sex flush, a reddening of the skin over much of the body due to increased blood flow to the skin. As a woman nears orgasm, the clitoral glans moves inward under the clitoral hood, and the labia minora (inner lips) become darker. As orgasm becomes imminent, the outer third of the vagina tightens and narrows, while overall the vagina lengthens and dilates and also becomes congested from engorged soft tissue. The uterus then experiences muscular contractions.
A woman experiences full orgasm when her uterus, vagina, anus, and pelvic muscles undergo a series of rhythmic contractions. Most women find these contractions very pleasurable, but some women do not.
I’m glad I’m not one of those women who do not find orgasms to feel as they should. Can you imagine not feeling the pleasures and the following sense of relief that we have afterwards? Those poor women who can’t feel the benefits of orgasm.
The above technical orgasm info is from Wikipedia.