Whether promoting a fad, pushing a sexual lifestyle, or selling a product, someone is making the claim that there's an orgasm you haven't had — and one you need to have.
Take, for example, the "stock market orgasm," which re-packages sexual techniques like erotic talk and body massage for the supposed seven peaks and dips of sexual excitement and sensuality. It’s clever, but not a unique physiological, emotional, or spiritual climax in and of itself.
Making matters all the more perplexing is that academics and lay people alike are using one term for many types of reactions or forms of stimulation, for example, “vaginal orgasm.” They’re seemingly making up new terms, like the “tantric transformation orgasm,” to capture centuries-old experiences and sexual responses.
So with so many supposed orgasms out there, which ones are legitimate? Which ones can people truly realize as unique orgasmic experiences?
Spontaneous
Also referred to as an “extragenital” orgasm, such peaking happens without any genital contact and almost always to women. In some cases, sexual fantasy can trigger spontaneous orgasm. In other cases, a woman may unexpectedly experience this when going about her daily tasks.
Some women are able to experience an extragenital orgasm while using imagery alone to reach climax. Research conducted in 1992 found that women who experience imagery-induced orgasms experience the same “physiological and perceptual events,” like increased heart rate and blood pressure, that are experienced during sex.
Paraorgasm
These “phantom” orgasms, as they’re also known, happen despite a lack of sensation in a part of the body whether the body part is missing or affected by conditions like spinal cord injury.
Clitoral
Also known as the “vulvic” or “vulval” orgasm, the clitoral orgasm is the most reliable and easily attainable climax for women. About 90 percent of females attain orgasm this way. Triggered by the pudendal nerve, this orgasm is characterized by involuntary rhythmic contractions of the pelvic floor muscles.
Nocturnal
Both sexes may experience orgasms during sleep. This happens because your brain takes your body through the entire sexual response cycle while you’re sleeping.
Cervical
Having long been considered an erogenous zone by Taoists, pressure on the cervix can result in cervical orgasm.
Emotional
This clearing climax is more the result of emotional release than actual sexual contact. Such an orgasm is due to the freeing of one’s mind, body and soul.
Breast
More common in women, these love points are believed by the Taoists to stir sexual energy.
Eargasm
For music lovers, an “eargasm” is due to the sensation one gets while hearing a dramatic climax in music.
Tantric
Given that they are often experienced during Tantric sex, orgasms that extend out into the cosmos are seen as a type of Tantric climax. They expand into the universe when you or your lover builds energy within yourself. Once grounded and fully charged, your orgasmic sexual energy extends through top of head, through your crown chakra, and out of body.
Tantric orgasms can also be experienced as a type of multiple orgasm, as though you’re riding a wave. Your orgasmic response consists of smooth up-down motions, and the waves just keep coming.
Heart
In Tantric sex, this is regarded as the orgasm due to the release of the heart’s energy.
G-Spot
Also known as “vaginal,” “internal,” or “uterine” orgasm, this orgasm stems from G-spot stimulation. It involves contractions of the whole uterus, vagina and pelvic region for a deeper, longer and often more emotional climax.
Uterine
While this orgasm can be due to G-spot stimulation, as just noted, a uterine – or vaginal or internal – orgasm can also be experienced without involving the G-spot.
Blended
While this term is used to describe the reaction to simultaneous stimulation of two major hot spots, it can involve so much more. A blended orgasm can be due to toying with more than two erogenous zones. These hot spots can be anywhere on the body.
Dr. Yvonne K. Fulbright is a sex educator, relationship expert, columnist and founder of Sexuality Source Inc. She is the author of several books including, "Touch Me There! A Hands-On Guide to Your Orgasmic Hot Spots."
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