25 Facts About Orgasms - Cosmopolitan

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Forget pole vaulting and the hurdles. Here are 25 fascinating facts about Cosmo's favourite sport - the orgasm

Go for gold!

<pThey get your heart racing and your blood pumping, so how is it that orgasms aren't an official Olympic event? We've searched the world for top tips and advice so you can go for gold this summer…</p

They get your heart racing and your blood pumping, so how is it that orgasms aren't an official Olympic event? We've searched the world for top tips and advice so you can go for gold this summer…

1. On your marks...

The average female orgasm lasts around 6 to 10 seconds - although for some lucky girls it can last up to 20 seconds.

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2. Orgasm lottery

<pSex researchers Cauthery and Cole, authors of <emThe Fundamentals Of Sex</em, have claimed that it's possible for some women to orgasm up to 100 times in an hour. Who knew we were so amazing?</p

Sex researchers Cauthery and Cole, authors of The Fundamentals Of Sex, have claimed that it's possible for some women to orgasm up to 100 times in an hour. Who knew we were so amazing?

3. If something needs doing...

47% of women have their first orgasm through masturbation.

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4. Sexual healing

A recent study found that 48% of regular headache sufferers had their pain cured by orgasm. And it worked faster than painkillers!

5. What's love got to do with it?

Women insecure in their relationship are less likely to climax, says Seymour Fisher, author of The Female Orgasm.

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6. Le petit mort

<pSome women faint when they orgasm and, in very rare cases, have had heart failure and even died - which explains why the French refer to orgasm as 'le petit mort" (the little death)!</p

Some women faint when they orgasm and, in very rare cases, have had heart failure and even died - which explains why the French refer to orgasm as 'le petit mort" (the little death)!

8. Age of Enlightenment

<pAt the start of the 20<supth</sup century, the first electric home vibrators hit the market before many other household 'essentials': people had to wait another nine years for the vacuum cleaner and 10 years for the electric iron.</p

At the start of the 20th century, the first electric home vibrators hit the market before many other household 'essentials': people had to wait another nine years for the vacuum cleaner and 10 years for the electric iron.

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9. Hit the snooze button

When men orgasm, their brains release chemicals that bring on tiredness. So it really isn't his fault if he rolls over and starts snoring.

10. Again and again and...

<pMore than 70% of women have orgasms as a result of clitoral stimulation – and, unlike men, we can enjoy multiples. "Women are not so quick to come down from their aroused state as men are, post-sex," says US sexologist Dr Yvonne K Fulbright. "Many can get straight back into it and experience orgasm all over again."</p

More than 70% of women have orgasms as a result of clitoral stimulation – and, unlike men, we can enjoy multiples. "Women are not so quick to come down from their aroused state as men are, post-sex," says US sexologist Dr Yvonne K Fulbright. "Many can get straight back into it and experience orgasm all over again."

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10. Take your time

<pThe world record for the longest time spent masturbating to orgasm is 6 hours 30 minutes for a woman, and 8 hours 30 minutes for a man. You can't help thinking it would've been a lot quicker if they'd just got together…</p

The world record for the longest time spent masturbating to orgasm is 6 hours 30 minutes for a woman, and 8 hours 30 minutes for a man. You can't help thinking it would've been a lot quicker if they'd just got together…

11. Active imaginations

<pAbout 0.06% of men can come through fantasizing alone, without touching any part of their bodies. What <emare</em they thinking about?!</span</p

About 0.06% of men can come through fantasizing alone, without touching any part of their bodies. What are they thinking about?!

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12. Feeling competitive?

<pBit of an exhibitionist? We're sure you're nothing compared to competitiors in the rather gross Masturbate-a-Thon, organised by San Fransisco's Centre For Sex & Culture. In aid of charity, you can watch the 'fun' unfold (and join in) while others can watch the fun unfold (and join in) via a computer. It could only happen in the States!</p

Bit of an exhibitionist? We're sure you're nothing compared to competitiors in the rather gross Masturbate-a-Thon, organised by San Fransisco's Centre For Sex & Culture. In aid of charity, you can watch the 'fun' unfold (and join in) while others can watch the fun unfold (and join in) via a computer. It could only happen in the States!

13. And the award goes to...

The highest number of female orgasms achieved in a single masturbation session is allegedly 49, from a London woman in 2006. Who's counting?!

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14. Feeling open-minded?

<pA study found that straight women were aroused by films of anybody having sex. But men were only turned on by footage of whatever their sexual orientation is</p

A study found that straight women were aroused by films of anybody having sex. But men were only turned on by footage of whatever their sexual orientation is

15. Live dangerously

<pAt the moment of orgasm, certain areas of your brain that control emotion shut down. The area processing fear is deactivated and your 'vigilance for danger' switch also turns off momentarily</p

At the moment of orgasm, certain areas of your brain that control emotion shut down. The area processing fear is deactivated and your 'vigilance for danger' switch also turns off momentarily

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16. He just can't get enough

<pMen's orgasms have the same impact on them as heroin on an addict's brain. A Dutch neuroscientist carried out brain scans on men as they ejaculated ('nice day at work, dear?'). He found that activity in the male brain's 'reward' hub went wild at orgasm – proving sex really can be addictive. HOWEVER…</p

Men's orgasms have the same impact on them as heroin on an addict's brain. A Dutch neuroscientist carried out brain scans on men as they ejaculated ('nice day at work, dear?'). He found that activity in the male brain's 'reward' hub went wild at orgasm – proving sex really can be addictive. HOWEVER…

17. Scream if you wanna go faster

<p…when the experiment was repeated with women, they found that our levels of self-control decrease during orgasm, while the area of our brain related to 'moral reasoning' also dipped - which would explain why some women can't help but scream even when the bedroom walls are paper-thin.</p

…when the experiment was repeated with women, they found that our levels of self-control decrease during orgasm, while the area of our brain related to 'moral reasoning' also dipped - which would explain why some women can't help but scream even when the bedroom walls are paper-thin.

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18. A new craze?

<pAn effective "Female Viagra" is currently being developed, although there are concerns over possible side effects. Good to know the sex scientists are finally thinking about us</p

An effective "Female Viagra" is currently being developed, although there are concerns over possible side effects. Good to know the sex scientists are finally thinking about us

19. Fake it!

<p70% of women have faked an orgasm. Surefire ways he can tell it's real include retraction of the clitoral hood just before orgasm; a racing heart, dilated pupils, between 3 and 10 vaginal muscle spasms, arched feet - and stiffened nipples at orgasm. Not sure how he gets to look at all that at once though, so he'll never guess!</p

70% of women have faked an orgasm. Surefire ways he can tell it's real include retraction of the clitoral hood just before orgasm; a racing heart, dilated pupils, between 3 and 10 vaginal muscle spasms, arched feet - and stiffened nipples at orgasm. Not sure how he gets to look at all that at once though, so he'll never guess!

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