Orgasms Ultimate sexual pleasure

Heather Little-White, Ph.D,contributor

THE SEXUAL response cycle is not without a phase that produces a series of waves and then cause the body to erupt like a volcano. We are talking about the orgasm which is like the icing on the cake in sexual pleasure, resulting after the sexual excitement phase has taken place. The term orgasm has its roots in the Greek word orgasmos, to mean to be lustful or to swell.

Orgasm comes after a build-up of sexual excitement as the body releases the muscular tension that comes with desire and excitement. An orgasm lasts for a few minutes, characterised by rhythmic contraction of the muscles, allowing release then followed by relaxation. When sexual tensions mount in the body they are released through gentle, muscular contractions. These gentle motions are classified as low-level orgasm or level two. Some women are likely to experience this weak low-level orgasm because their testosterone-to-oestrogen ratio is low.

Full-body orgasm

High-level orgasms are stronger and are made up of a sequence of pleasures erupting from the uterus/pelvis area and pounding the heart and the brain. When it gets to the stage where orgasmic barrier is about to be broken, the body gets extremely intense and rigid. This is followed by a sequence of power surges to the head, running along the central line of the body, producing a full-body orgasm. Then like a volcano, there is an eruption. Orgasmic waves pass through the sternum or tail bone, and up the spinal cord to the brain's central nervous system. This creates for some, a brief loss of control, a step out of reality despite the waves of pleasurable sensations

Physical signs

What are some of the physical signs associated with orgasmic pleasure?

Heart rate and blood pressure increase to about fifty to sixty per cent above normal levels and then return to normal in about two minutes after the orgasm.

* Arching of the foot, with toes curling under in what is called carpopedal spasm.

* Involuntary contraction of facial muscles to appear with a grimace, or "screw face", as if in pain.

* Increased rate of breathing or hyperventilation

* Temporary cessation of breathing

* Involuntary contraction of muscles in the anus, limbs and back.

Social pressure

Males and females have orgasms although some females are not sure if they have experienced an orgasm because of hearing and reading of several descriptions of what an orgasm should be like. Social pressures has been brought to bear on women that if they do not have orgasm, they are not 'real' women. According to one woman, "I feel a lot of pressure from my partner to have an orgasm but I enjoy sex without one, or maybe I do not really know what one is."

Naturally, men will know when they reach the orgasmic stage. Just before orgasm, males will thrust the pelvis rapidly and rhythmically several times as they experience a period of ejaculatory inevitability, leading to emission of semen. The main difference between males and females in orgasms is that women do not ejaculate semen. The outer one third of the vagina has rapid, strong contractions which a male partner can feel during intercourse.

Multiple orgasms

In general, most persons have only one orgasm per sexual encounter, but some women are multi-orgasmic, having one orgasm during foreplay and another during and after intercourse. Though difficult, men are learning to have multiple orgasms without losing erection and without ejaculating. Others will experience orgasms without ejaculation. Some persons only climax during masturbation, without a partner.

For some women, it is easy to climax by rubbing themselves on soft cushions or other inanimate objects. They may, however, experience difficulty climaxing with their partners during intercourse as the men are often concentrating on the pleasure they are receiving from penetration and fail to give their women the attention they need to get them to orgasm. In a home alone masturbation technique, men, who get "horny" will take a shower and "milk the cow". They report that orgasmic pleasure from masturbation is more intense because they are able to apply greater pressure where it matters most.

Simultaneous orgasms

Simultaneous orgasms occur when two people are responding psychologically and physically in sync. The emphasis on both partners climaxing at the same time is much more a hype than anything else. The possibility increases over time as inhibitions disappear and partners learn tricks together. However, what is critical is that both partners experience orgasms. What is necessary is that the partner who climaxes first help the other partner to orgasm so both persons can be sexually satisfied. Some women feel cheated if they do not have an orgasm and they feel that they deserve to have one after working up their partners to have one. Men may use clitoral stimulation to help their partner to climax.

Some women find it difficult to reach orgasm so faking it becomes common as they may be too tired or too stressed to continue. Men find it hard to tell when the orgasm is faked. When there is difficulty in achieving an orgasm, some sexual positions can help. Women use pleasure positions which help ­ woman on top instead of the common missionary position. Rear entry positions provide more stimulation to the females' G-spot and clitoris as well as allowing for deeper penetration during intercourse. In general, men prefer to be on top because they have more control. It may also help to fantasise about making love with other persons apart from partner with whom you are currently involved.

Benefits

If orgasms do not take place after a build up of excitement for an extended period, pelvic congestion results with blood lodging in the genital organs to give men "blue balls" and women a heaviness of the pelvis. Apart from the pleasurable feeling of ecstasy at the moment, orgasms offer a range of benefits.

* Emotionally, it could be considered nature's way of creating a bond between partners.

* Sexual synchrony ­ the both of you always climaxing together, depending on how compatible you are with your partner.

* Produce testosterone burning and prevent heart attacks and strengthens the cardiovascular, immune and nervous systems to promote longevity.

* Increased levels of the hormone oxytocin which is said to enhance personality, passion and social skills and emotional quotient.

It is very important for partners to reach an orgasm during sexual intercourse. Sexual orgasm is a key ingredient for loving couple. Some will say that sex without orgasm is no sex at all. As the briefest moment of the sexual response cycle, orgasms should leave you feeling good about sex and your partner.

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