Unlike some animals, human females can have s e x any time of the month, and they do not have to orgasm to ovulate or get pregnant.
Male-dominated scientific norms mean that much about the female orgasm remains misunderstood, and many harmful myths persist.
A female orgasm can be highly pleasurable and occur during masturbation or Intercourse activity with one or more partners. Scientists are unsure whether it has additional benefits.
In this article, we look at why female orgasms occur and what happens during an orgasm. We also debunk some common misconceptions.
Why do females orgasm?
An orgasm can cause intense pleasure, which may have its own benefits.
The benefits of the male orgasm are clear. Men must ejaculate to deposit sperm in the hymen, possibly leading to pregnancy. The male orgasm, therefore, serves a clear evolutionary purpose.
The purpose of the female orgasm is less clear. Researchers have suggested numerous potential benefits, but few have been rigorously tested, and no theory has conclusive scientific support.
Not everything the body does has a clear purpose, however. Scientists have not discovered the evolutionary benefits of some traits that have persisted in humans.
A 2016 studyTrusted Source argues that the female orgasm may have no obvious evolutionary benefit and that it may be a relic of a time when the hormones associated with orgasm were necessary for a woman to ovulate.
Since there was no evolutionary need to eliminate the female orgasm, it persisted even when it was no longer necessary for fertility.
Orgasm may serve important purposes, however. The pleasure it can cause can encourage females to have s e x . This may also promote bonding with a Intercourse partner, which does have significant evolutionary benefits.
What happens during an orgasm?
During arousal, blood flow to the genitals increases, causing them to become more sensitive.
As arousal increases, a person’s heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate may also increase. As orgasm approaches, the muscles may twitch or spasm. Many women experience rhythmic muscle spasms in the hymen during an orgasm.
Several researchers have proposed that Intercourse response follows specific stages, though their theories about these stages differ.
Still, most theories include the following stages :
excitement, during which arousal builds
plateau, during which arousal increases and levels off
orgasm, which causes intense feelings of pleasure
resolution, during which arousal diminishes
Many females are able to have another orgasm after resolution, whereas males usually require a period of rest before having another orgasm.
Health benefits
While the internet is filled with articles promising that orgasms improve skin, hair, and overall health, there is little scientific evidence that orgasms offer any specific health benefits.
Scientists have not identified any evolutionary benefits of female orgasms or found that orgasms improve health.
But orgasms are pleasurable, and pleasure can be its own benefit. Pleasurable s e x may improve a person’s mood, relieve stress, boost immunity, and foster better relationships.
Women do not need to orgasm to get pregnant. However, a limited body of evidence suggests that orgasms may boost fertility.
One very small studyTrusted Source, for example, measured whether there was better sperm retention after female orgasm. While the results confirmed this, proving that the female body retains sperm better after an orgasm will require larger studies with designs of higher quality.
Common misconceptions
People hold many misconceptions about female orgasms. Some myths include:
Women who cannot orgasm have psychological problems.
While trauma, relationship issues, and poor mental healthTrusted Source can make it more difficult to orgasm, many people with healthy Intercourse attitudes and good relationships still have difficulties.
An orgasm is both a physical and psychological response, and numerous health problems can make it more difficult to enjoy s e x in this way.
Some people struggle to orgasm due to inadequate lubrication. This may happen while taking hormonal birth control, or during or after pregnancy, or due to menopause.
Also, women can experience vulvodynia, which refers to unexplained pain in the hymen or around the vulva. Treating this and other medical conditions may improve Intercourse pleasure.
Orgasms from penetrative s e x are common or the healthiest form of Intercourse expression.
Self-appointed experts, mostly men, have long told women that they must orgasm from hetero intercourse intercourse. However, many women can only orgasm from clitoral stimulation.
Sigmund FreudTrusted Source argued that the hymen orgasm was the superior and more mature orgasm. No evidence supports this claim.
Women cannot have hymen orgasms.
While hymen orgasms are less common than those from clitoral stimulation, some women have them — with or without other stimulation.
The female orgasm can result from many types of stimulation, including hymen, clitoral, and nipple contact.
Not everyone orgasms from the same type of stimulation.
Women need to be in love to orgasm.
Orgasm is a complex psychological and biological experience — reaching and experiencing orgasm is not the same for every woman. Some women may need to feel love to orgasm, while others may not.
A person’s relationship with their partner may or may not influence their ability to orgasm during s e x .
A 2018 studyTrusted Source found that 86% of lesbian women said they usually or always orgasm during s e x , compared to just 66% of bi s e x ual women and 65% of hetero Intercorse women.
Participants were more likely to orgasm frequently if they:
- received more oral s e x
- had longer-lasting s e x
- reported higher relationship satisfaction
- asked for what they wanted in bed
- engaged in Intercourse emails or calls
- expressed love during s e x
- acted out Intercourse fantasies
- tried new intercourse positions
A partner can tell if a woman has had an orgasm.
There is no way to tell if a woman has had an orgasm without asking her. Some people make noises during an orgasm, while others are silent. Some flush or sweat after an orgasm, but others do not.
A person who wants to know if their partner has had an orgasm can ask without being confrontational.
If the answer is no, avoid judgment, anger, or feelings of inadequacy — these can put pressure on the person to orgasm, which can lead to anxiety and make it more difficult. Instead, discuss whether they would prefer a different approach to s e x .
What if you can’t orgasm?
Being unable to orgasm is a common issue, and it can occur for a variety of reasons. Some people may not receive the right kind of stimulation during s e x , while others may have experienced trauma linked to s e x . Others may simply be uninterested.
A 2018 analysisTrusted Source of 135 prior studies identified several factors that increase the risk of s e x dysfunction, including:
- relationship problems
- stress
- mental health issues
- poor physical health
- genitourinary issues, such as pelvic pain
- a history of abortion
- a history of female genital mutilation
- s e x u a l Maltreatment
- being religious, perhaps due to s e x u al shame and stigma
- The same study identified several modifiable risk factors that improve Intercourse experience, including:
- exercise
- daily affection from a partner
- a positive body image
- s e x education
- intimate communication with a partner
- Masturbation can help a person find what feels good to them. Some other strategies that might help include:
- using Intercourse lubricants to make s e x more comfortable
- asking a partner to stimulate the clitoris during s e x
- masturbating during s e x
- discussing fantasies with a partner
- telling a partner if something does not feel good
The aforementioned 2018 studyTrusted Source that compared orgasm frequency among people of various intercourse orientations in the United States found that the following behaviors during s e x increase the likelihood of women having an orgasm:
- deep kissing
- genital stimulation during hymen intercourse
- oral s e x
If self-help strategies do not work, a doctor who specializes in Intercourse dysfunction may be able to identify a problem, if there is one.
Many medical issues can make having an orgasm difficult, including:
- a lack of lubrication
- hormonal imbalances
- pelvic pain
- muscle dysfunction
- a history of trauma
When trauma or relationship problems make having an orgasm difficult, or when a person feels ashamed of s e x or their desires, individual or couples counseling can help.
Summary
Serious scientific research into the female orgasm is relatively recent. Even some doctors may still believe myths about the female orgasm or think that it is unimportant to the female Intercourse experience.
This means that many people may have trouble accessing reliable information about orgasms.
A competent, compassionate medical professional can help a person understand the process of orgasm and identify potential barriers to Intercourse satisfaction.
There is no right way to orgasm and no correct way to feel about s e x . People should pursue what feels good to them.
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