The Female Orgasm

The Female Orgasm 1

Abstract

The findings from the studies within are all from well respected and astute individuals and illustrate the importance of open communication and awarenes of one’s partner in any given social and/or sexual situation. The author thinks that Mestin, Levin, Sipski, Hull and Heiman’s study was the best in covering all areas of the female orgasm including physical cues to identify a true orgasm that is absent of ejaculation, female ejaculation itself, statistics and analysis of the data. Zaviacic’s revolutionary work revealed the new ways in which to identify false claims cases in rape from the real ones and Karama was influential in examining MRI’s in relation to brain activity in the female before, during and after orgasm.

In the context of intimate and long-term relationships, sexual compatibility and mutual pleasure is essential for long term happiness, thus knowledge of the female orgasm by her partner can make her more satisfied in this realm of the relationship.

The issue of satisfaction in marriages and other long-term intimate relationships, and its connection and relationship to sexual satisfaction is an important area of life to the author. The perspective of this paper will be the issue of the female orgasm itself, and how a good line of communication between partners is what can help to make orgasm more frequent in the female. Aside from the physiological aspects of the female orgasm, female sexual behavior will be covered and how knowledge of these non-verbal cues can help to facilitate open communication between partners. For example, approximately 32% of dating college females reported that they engaged in physical aggression against their male partners (Hettrich, O’Leary). It was also found in this study that the reasons for

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this aggression were poor communication and dissatisfaction in the relationship from the females point of view. Female violence against their male partners seems to be on the rise, and the author would like to see this decrease. Physical battery against women is wrong, and the converse should be taken just as seriously. Finally, a review of the literature pertaining to this subject will be discussed and reviewed by the author and will include the findings, correlations (or lack thereof) and how the research relates to the problem; the problem in this case being lack of satisfaction in intimate relationships, because of communication problems and the lack of orgasms the woman has. There can be a number of reasons for lack of communication in an intimate/sexual relationship. For our purposes here we will concentrate on issues of the couple in question being uneducated and unfamiliar with physiological sexual arousal and how it relates to a straight line of communication. One analogy the author likes to use is that of a dam or floodgates. When there is an obstruction of any kind, the water does not get through or is inhibited in some way. When the dam is torn down or the floodgates are open, the water comes flowing through in waves. The same holds true for communication between partners and the ability of the female to achieve orgasm(s). When there are doubs, concerns, fears, worries or distractions in the female, the “water” is held back; but when there is an open line of communication about the above issues and those issues have been dealt with openly, then the “water” has the freedom to run wild.

When the author deals with the specifics of the female orgasm later, the following statement will make more sense. Certainly a woman can achieve orgasm through electric or battery powered means (with or without a partner) without much inhibition

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physiologically and without much communication, but for a woman to have a true full body orgasm as opposed to a genital one, and to achieve a state of altered consciosness for the better in her orgasm, then the lines of trust and communication must be present. Lack of this trust and communication is what can lead to frustration, stagnation, infidelity and unfullfillment in the relationship. Perhaps, in order to get a handle on how to help a female achieve orgasms that reach the stratosphere, then knowledge of the actual orgasm(s) and how they are experienced by both partners is essential. Merriam-Webster defines orgasm as, “intense or paroxysmal excitement; especially : an explosion

of neuromuscular tensions at the height of sexual arousal that is usually accompanied by the ejaculation of semen in the male and by vaginal contractions in the female”. This is a very nice clinical definition, and in many ways it is correct; at least from a physiological point of view. There is more. Much more. A growing knowledge of the female orgasm has enabled their partners to use techniques that can enable females to ejaculate as well as men. The phenomenon of females ejaculating is still a controversial issue since its broad awareness in the scientific community in the late 1990’s.

The debate stems from questions as to whether female ejaculate is synonymous with men’s semen and thus be called true ejaculation. Given the fact that women are not physically equipped with sperm, the author would have to strongly disagree, though until further evidence proves or disproves this, no one still knows for sure. Furthermore, the act of ejaculation in females seems to stem from (or is related to) stimulation of the Grafenburg spot, the prostate gland (which gives the female right before spurting a feeling of having to urinate) and to a minor extent, the clitoris. Since ejaculate comes out

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of the urethra, the debate continues as to whether this ejaculate fluid in women is semen, urine or a combination of both; that is to say, “does the fluid originate in the bladder, urethral sponge or both? Female ejaculation ranges from mild dripping to intense gushing and the amount of ejaculate has been known to range from a tablespoon amount up to approximately a litre. It is important to note that female ejaculation does not necessarily occur every time in love making or sex play and it should never be the end goal. However, one can set up certain times in which partners get together to explore this phenomenon specifically so that frequency is increased.

In general, male orgasm has been viewed as more frequent through intercourse alone, though with increasing knowledge of female ejaculation, the assumptions seem to be starting to even out. As mentioned above, female ejaculation is most often associated and correlated with the Grafenberg spot and Skene’s paraurethral glands and ducts, in which the latter are now being recognized as the official female prostate. The case for this is made stronger by Milan Zaviacic who engaged in autopsy findings, biopsies and detailed histological examinations of the urethra of 150 women. However, the strongest evidence for Zaviacic’s studies occurred during the early 80’s in which he found the enzyme-histochemical finding of prostatic phosphates in female tissue. Probably the most interesting finding from Zaviacic’s studies (though a bit off topic here) is that in foresnsic medicine, prostatic acid phosphates activity can no longer be used to determine rape in cases containing no spermatozoa becaue the same activity can be found in female ejaculate and in in vivo produced spots on worn female underpants. Nevertheless, female ejaculationn is a new phenomenon to some cultures (namely North America) and is

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taking females and all aspects of human sexuality by storm. An in depth understanding of this issue by women, men and couples can enhance any relationship, since it brings both partners, or sole individual into better contact with themselves and each other. The concept of communication in helping to bring this intense experience into fruition is imperative. Understanding of the human female’s sexual behavior is not only a science, but an art and can eliminate many shortcomings when it comes to sexual satisfaction for individual women and for couples as well.

Being able to read a woman’s sexual non verbal communication has been one of the great

conundrums since the beginning of time. Eye contact, hair twirling and flipping,

adjustment of clothes, posture, personal space, touching (or lack thereof) are all indicators of the human female’s intentions in a prospective courtship as well as in long term relationships. However, it has been found that giving off these non verbal cues is often more than meets the eye. It is important to note that non verbal cues and communication is strongly dictated by culture, but for our purposes here we will consider non verbal cues of women in North America and how this geographical area correlates to their non verbal sexual behavior. Additionally, the following information applies more to prospective sexual partners or mates, but it still applies to understanding how a woman communicates and how a knowledge of this communication will facilitate more frequent and accessible orgasms. This understanding is also where many long term relationship start. Kinesthetically, women’s non verbal cues are more subtle and reserved than are men’s and women’s non verbal cues often have less to do with asserting position and more to do with actually communicating. However, women’s non verbal cues can be very misleading

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to men because they often have contradictory meanings. For example, a woman will smile even though she may not be interested in a prospective partner due to social conditioning of women to be more expressive of their emotions. The man will be led to think, “she is smiling so she is interested in me”. Then again, she may be smiling because she actually is interested in him. A paradox indeed. From a tactile point of view, women will use touch much less often than men as a show of interest or affection regardless of the actual level of interest the woman may have in a prospective male partner. Many men will see this as a lack of interest from the female. When women do initiate touch, it has

more to do with comfort or support rather than direct sexual interest, which can easily be misconstrued by the male as sexual interest. “When “women are not pleased in or out of the bedroom, they will minimize eye contact” says psychologist Lorel Lindstrom, Ph.D. With this in mind, men should keep in mind that steady eye contact from a female is a good indicator of interest, although not always sexually; but interest nonetheless.

Gender played a significant role in sexual-information processing. The finding that the male respondents perceived greater sexual intent than the female respondents in the female actor socially interacting with a man is consistent with the existing literature (Abbey, 1982; Abbey & Harnish, 1995; Abbey & Melby, 1986; Harnish, Abbey, & DeBonno, 1990; Johnson et al., 1991; Saal et al., 1989). Essentially what this means is that generally speaking, men are more likely than women to misconstrue a male-female relationship as sexual in nature when women do not. Interestingly enough, there are now some new research ideas that are explaining the resons why this is so, and perhaps knowledge of these reasons are what can help bring a reduction to these false

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assumptions. The theories proposed are evolutionary in nature. That is to say that the reason men over-sexualize any male/female relationship, is that from the dawn of time, men perceived that loss at a chance of reproduction was worse than rejection. Conversely, women tended to percieve that deception by men was more costly than a chance to reproduce. Of course this is only theoretical, but it does make some logical sence in the “survival of the fittest” mentality.

Getting back on topic as to the actual female orgasm, it would be prudent to do a review of the literature on the topic from some of the most respected specialists in this area.

First of all there is the question as to whether or not orgasms are universal; that is to say do they all feel the same way, last for as long, are consistent in intensity ect. Interestingly enough, there have been studies to determine this very question, specifically one conducted by Kenneth Mah. In it he and his associates used a two-dimensional descriptive model of the orgasm experience. Subsequently 888 university students, the majority of which were females (523) provided adjective ratings to describe what their orgasms felt like through sole masturbation, and sex with a partner. A cross-validation study was used. Clitoral vs. vaginal orgasm has garnered the most attention, but it has been noted that previous studies have concentrated on the female orgasm via genital and pelvic stimulation, and have generally ignored possible biopsychosocial influences (Levin, 1992; Mah & Binik, 2001). In other words regarding the latter, the physical health of the woman, the social atmosphere of the situation and psychological state all play a part in the perceived orgasm (or lack thereof). It has also been noted by Mah that assumptions in experience of orgasm between the sexes are very different. He has

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illustrated that there are certainly biological differences in the make up of the sex organs but there are far more similarities than differences in the actual state of any given orgasm.

For example, in a previous study by Vance and Wagner (1976) raters could not tell the difference in written accounts of male versus female orgasm experiences. The genral findings of the study were that the experience of orgasm with a partner as opposed to solitary masturbation was greater in satisfaction. The author hypothesizes that the reason for this is that there is the communication, exchange of energy and ideas that occurs between partners, that is impossible to achive through solitary masturbation.

A very interesting and wide scope study on the human female orgasm by Meston, Levin, Sipski, Hull, and Heiman provide ample work on which to draw information. Their definition of the female orgasm is “a variable, transient peak sensation of intense pleasure, creating an altered state of consciousness, usually with an initiation accompanied by involuntary, rhythmic contractions of the pelvic striated circumvaginal musculature, often with concomitant uterine and anal contractions, and myotonia that resolves the sexually induced vasocongestion (sometimes only partially) and myotonia, generally with an induction of well-being and contentment (2004). In 1973 the typologies of human female orgasm was introduced by Fisher. Typologies of male orgasm had not been explored at that time and the author is not aware if it is being explored today. Nevertheless, typologies were described by female subjects as different sensations and in different areas if the reproductive system. Clitoral based orgasms were described as “warm, ticklish, electric and sharp.” Vaginal orgasms were described as “throbbing, deep, soothing, and comfortable.“ Back in the mid sixties Masters and Johnson had claimed

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that all female orgasms were the same, similar or outright identical, and as pioneering their work was, the author thinks that they lacked the physiological technology at the time to make such claims. In other words, muscular contractions of different areas such as the anus, vagina, g-spot contractions, vulvar and uterine contractions were not easily detected at the time. Things are changing. Perhaps the major physiological difference in male/female orgasms (aside from multiple and extended orgasms achievable more easily by women) is that once stimulation is stopped in the male, he can maintain appropriate arousal in order to move forward towards orgasm. However, in the female, once

stimulation ceases, the road to orgasm reaches a dead end and stimulation must start all over again. In order to relate back to communication between partners and its correlation with the femal achieving orgasm, it is very important for males (or partners in general) to be able to identify nonverbal and physiological cues from the female to determine if orgasm was indeed induced. There are a great many things in relation to this that can give proof of orgasm. However for the sake of time and with the consideration that each woman is different and therefore may exhibit little, most or all of the physiological characteristics, only one proof positive sign that cannot be faked will be mentioned. Although physiological cues such as increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, uterine contractions, dilated pupils, perspiration and pelvic movement are certain signs of arousal, they are not necessarily always correlated to actual orgasm in the woman and can be misleading.

The first study of brain activation in women during sexual arousal used blood-level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD fMRI) during erotic or neutral

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visual stimuli (Karama et al., 2002). All six women reported moderate sexual arousal in response to the erotic film but not to the neutral film. Areas of greatest activation included the inferior temporal lobe, anterior cingulate gyrus, insular cortex, corpus callosum, thalamus, caudate nucleus, globus pallidus, and inferior frontal lobe. These areas are similar to those previously reported to be activated in men, although the men showed primarily unilateral activation (Stoleru et al., 1999). Certainly this technology can illustrate when a woman is having an orgasm, though it is quite unlikely that most couples have the apparatus set up in their home for each love making session and is

therefore imprudent. One of the sure signs of the female orgasm are located in the areola.

Basically what occurs to the areola during exitement is that blood flow is concentrated to this area causing it to swell, and has been known to swell enough to almost engulf the nipples. When orgasm occurs the areola corrugate and immediately proceed to flatten. This is a sure sign of a female having an orgasm and cannot be faked. This is a great way for a partner to identify orgasm in the female during penetration or other activity when he/she is not looking at the vaginal area where most of the signs of anal and vaginal contractions occur. In other words, when not performing cunnilingus and/or manual stimulation where visualization of the vagina and anus is apparent, the identification of areola swelling “provides a visual identification of the female orgasmic experience" (Masters & Johnson, 1966, p. 130).

References

Kenneth Mah, Yitzchak M Binik. The Journal of Sex Research. New York: May 2002.

Vol. 39, Iss. 2; p. 104.

- A two-dimensional descriptive study was done with college age students from 18-21.

They each described what their orgasms felt like in words, and the result was that the

descriptions were similar across the board.

Schultz, W C M, van de Wiel, H B M, Klatter, J A, Sturm, B E, Nauta, J. Archives of

Sexual Behavior. New York: Apr 1989. Vol. 18, Iss. 2; p. 87.

- The study of the sensitivity of the vagina in response to electric stimuli and how it is

related to coitus in inducing orgasm

.

Nicholas Pound, Martin Daly. Behavioral and Brain Sciences. Cambridge: Aug 2000.

Vol. 23, Iss. 4; p. 620.

- The study of polygamy in relationships with female and male partners was studied.

Emma L Hettrich, K Daniel O'Leary. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. Beverly Hills:

Sep 2007. Vol. 22, Iss. 9; p. 1131.

- 32 percent of college females who date said that they have physically battered their male

counterparts; the primary reason being poor communication skills.

Catherine H Mercer, Julia V Bailey, Anne M Johnson, Bob Erens, et al. American Journal

of Public Health. Washington: Jun 2007. Vol. 97, Iss. 6; p. 1126.

- Findings concluded that exclusive female to female sex posed greater health risks than

women who exclusively have sex with men.

Elske Salemink, Jacques J. D. M. van Lankveld. Archives of Sexual Behavior. New

York: Apr 2006. Vol. 35, Iss. 2; p. 175.

- It was concluded that distraction of any kind perceived by the woman adversely affects

genital stimulation response.

Cindy M Meston, Roy J Levin, Marca L Sipski, Elaine M Hull, Julia R Heiman. Annual

Review of Sex Research. Mount Vernon: 2004. Vol. 15; p. 173.

- Studies of female orgasm including ejaculation, brain imaging and function, cognitive- behavioral approaches and musculature of the genitals are all thoroughly examined.

Kimberley A. Payne, Yitzchak M. Binik. Archives of Sexual Behavior. New York: Apr

2006. Vol. 35, Iss. 2; p. 111.

- The labial thermistor clip was attached to 10 volunteers while watching 10 minutes of a nature film and 10 minutes of an erotic film. The temperature registered significantly higher in 9 out of ten participants watching the erotic adult film as opposed to the control film.

Jennifer Benjamin. Cosmopolitan. New York: Jul 2007. Vol. 243, Iss.1; pg. 110.

- Literature was reviewed as to the importance of not being distracted in order to achieve orgasm.

Debby Herbenick. Men's Health. Emmaus: Dec 2006. Vol. 21, Iss. 10; pg. 65, 1 pgs

- Issues of sexual technique are discussed in how to please a woman.