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It seems too good to be true: The promise of a “one-hour orgasm.”

In fact, it seems like a total hoax given that the medical model of sexual response can’t support it.

According to Leah and Bob Schwartz, authors of “The One-Hour Orgasm,” this orgasm is one with hundreds — if not thousands — of contractions that continue one after another after another. All you need to do is practice a type of oral sex called the Venus Butterfly technique that supposedly results in hundreds of contractions for both men and women.

But is it accurate to call this kind of response a climax?

After all, the words climax and orgasm are used synonymously, and a climax is defined as “the highest point.” This is how the medical model of sex regards orgasm. Once we’re sexually excited, muscular tension builds up to a peak that can be followed by a release.

What The Experts Say . . .

To date, academic attempts to officially define a “normal” orgasm have captured it as:

“...the expulsive discharge of neuromuscular tensions at the peak of sexual response.”

— Kinsey et al., 1953

“A brief episode of physical release from the vasocongestion and myotonic increment developed in response to sexual stimuli.”

— Masters & Johnson, 1966

“The zenith of sexuoerotic experiences that men and women characterize subjectively as voluptuous rapture or ecstasy.”

— Money, Wainwright & Hinburger, 1991

As you can see, there is a heavy emphasis on the physiological build up — the muscular tension and pelvic fullness that’s suddenly released by the body.

But those who support the idea of a one-hour orgasm say the masses are confused about what an orgasm actually involves. They are critical of science’s focus to date, which has largely sought to measure the physical and genital contractions. Chalking up the amazingly pleasurable height of sexual response as no more than a “genital sneeze,” they see an orgasm as involving so much more.

Defining an Orgasm

In their view, the excitement and plateau phases of the sexual response cycle can constitute an orgasm. So an orgasm starts at the point when your genitals feel better than the rest of you. As sexual excitement builds, the sensations get stronger, often becoming mild contractions. These contractions can build in intensity, even expanding throughout your entire body.

As this continues, you may feel as though you’re suspended in a state of bliss without necessarily going over the edge for what’s considered the typical depiction of orgasm.

This expanded orgasm is possible thanks to the Venus Butterfly technique, which is used to relieve built-up tension. Its emphasis is on sustained touch, for example, intricate clitoral and G-spot stimulation. Its three major components are for lovers to focus on the:

— Quality of conscious touching;

— Communication;

— Peaking: Getting close to the pinnacle and then backing off to resume building the sexual energy again.

Pursuing a longer arousal period will make for greater results. While this is true, this is not unique to the Venus Butterfly technique. In fact, this method simply repackages many of the teachings used in age-old Tantric sex practices.

It also describes the same climax known as the “Tantric orgasm,” where the body flows like a dolphin moving up and down in water for an extended period of time.

Real vs. Make Believe

Getting back to my original question: Is there any truth to the one-hour orgasm?

My apprehension with the one-hour orgasm assertion is that I found the statements used to frame the concept to be wrong. In their writings, the Schwartzes incorrectly equate male orgasm and emission as one and the same. They are also incorrect in stating that women are not like men in being able to emit fluid with orgasmic release.

Given such misinformation, it’s hard to buy into the rest of what’s being said. This is especially true when you consider a claim made about the longest orgasm ever recorded: 11 hours (apparently witnessed at More University in California). Yet no academic literature or reviews on orgasm make mention of this alleged world record.

I’m not saying the one-hour orgasm is a scam. Humans experience orgasms in all types of ways: as bursts of energy, tingling sensations, a slow-burn, trembles, a rush, peace, warmth, wonder, lightheadedness, a whisper, seeing color or light — the list could go on. And these sensations can last for any length of time with sustained stimulation.

When pursuing an orgasm, lovers need to scrutinize what seem like unbelievable claims. Yes, scientific definitions of the orgasmic phase of sexual response are very limiting and should go far beyond specific physical measures.

At the same time, to say that any throbbing state of the entire sexual response cycle makes for one long state of orgasm is false and misleading. Orgasm is, after all, largely considered the height of sexual arousal — that point of explosive discharge of neuromuscular tensions.

During sex, you may have one of these. You may have many. These intense contractions can last for a few or many seconds. But to claim the sexual response cycle is a one-hour orgasm, in my opinion, is a hoax. The sexual response cycle consists of different phases, but an orgasm is the briefest of them all.

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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