The differences between male and female orgasms

The differences between male and female orgasms

Surprisingly, men and women experience orgasms in many similar ways.  The effects in the brain and the hormones released are comparable at the moment of climax.  Yet, men and women are not totally on the same level in their enjoyment of this most pleasurable peak of sexual satisfaction.  Just like there are obviously many physical and emotional differences between the sexes, this same  factor holds true when it comes to how a man and woman perceives their orgasms.

Here are some ways in which they differ:

·      Why men and women have orgasms

We know why men have an orgasm – this is required in order to be able to conceive and to carry on the human race.  When a man has an orgasm, he ejaculates semen into a woman’s vagina which can result in the woman becoming pregnant. 

The real question which has puzzled biologists for centuries is what is the purpose of the female orgasm?  It is not required for a woman to achieve orgasm in order to achieve becoming pregnant.  Maybe instead of questioning it too much, let’s just be glad a woman is able to experience this same pleasurable feeling. 

·      How long they last

Here is a fact many may not know – a woman’s orgasm typically lasts for 10-15 seconds in length but some women have reported they can extend out longer than a minute.  On the other hand, a man’s trip to the moon typically only lasts about 5-10 seconds.

·      Differences over anxiety

Both men and women differ in their reasons why anxiety may rear its head during lovemaking.  Women’s anxiety stems from the worry of taking too long to reach an orgasm while 1 in 3 men can be ridden with anxiety if they are reaching orgasm too quickly, known as premature ejaculation.

·      Ejaculation

We all know men ejaculate.  At the time of orgasm in a man, the orgasm is usually accompanied by ejaculation of semen, made up of clear fluid and sperm cells.  There are some men who have what is called a ‘dry orgasm’ in which a man will reach sexual climax but doesn’t release or ejaculate semen from the penis or releases very little semen.  Dry orgasms can occur in healthy men or in men with bladder issues, multiple sclerosis or men who have had their prostate removed due to prostate cancer.  Dry orgasms are usually not harmful but it can interfere with a man’s ability to father a child. 

Many may not realize but women also experience ejaculation, just not the same way as a man.  Female ejaculation occurs in between 10 to 54 percent of women who do have a secretion of a white fluid at orgasm.  Some women may expel various kinds of fluids at sexual arousal and at orgasm. 

·      Orgasmic contractions

In this case, there are similarities in regards to the series of muscular contractions occurring during an orgasm for the sexes.  Typically, the contractions for both men and women are about 0.6-0.8 seconds apart.  Both the muscles around the anus and the pelvic muscles in both men and women are involved but in women, the uterus will also contract during the moment of ecstasy.

·      Time involved reaching an orgasm

Here is a big difference between men and women – women take a fair amount longer than a man in reaching her pleasure point.  It is not unusual for a woman to take between 10-20 minutes while a man is much quicker in reaching an orgasm typically taking between 7-14 minutes.  However, during intercourse, a man usually has no problem reaching climax in just a little over 5 minutes.

·      Comfort level matters

For men, about 95% of them are able to reach an orgasm in whatever the context of their sexual encounter happens.  In other words, men can reach climax with a woman he just met whom he is attracted to.

Women, however, are much choosier and need a certain amount of feelings of comfort within a relationship before they are able to achieve an orgasm.  Women who place a higher value on their own orgasm and have a higher sexual self-esteem and can talk with their partner were much more likely to reach the pinnacle of pleasure within the relationship.