Female Orgasm: 13 FAQs About Types, How To Have One, And More

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Guide to Female Orgasms: Types, Steps to Find Yours, and First-Time Tips

Medically reviewed by Janet Brito, Ph.D., LCSW, CST-S — Written by Adrienne Santos-Longhurst — Updated on July 24, 2024

Clitoral
Vaginal
Cervical
Combo
Other erogenous zones
G-spot
First-time tips
Physical reaction
Female vs. male
Ejaculation
Orgasm gap
Takeaway

You can orgasm from stimulation to the clitoris, vagina, or cervix — or some combination of the three. You may also be able to orgasm from stimulating other areas of the body as well.

“Female orgasm” is an all-encompassing term for any type of orgasm related to vulva and vagina.

It could be clitoral, vaginal, even cervical — or a mix of all three. That said, your genitalia isn’t your only option when it comes to reaching the big O.

Read on for tips on where to touch, how to move, why it works, and more.

How to get a clitoral orgasm

Direct or indirect stimulation of the clitoris can lead to a clitoral orgasm. When you get your rub on just right, you’ll feel the sensation build in your pleasure bud and peak.

Try this

Your fingers, palm, or a small vibrator can all help you have a clitoral orgasm. Make sure your clitoris is wet and begin gently rubbing in an up-and-down, circular, or side-to-side motion.

As it begins to feel good, apply faster and harder pressure in a repetitive motion. When you feel your pleasure intensify, apply even more pressure to the motion to take yourself over the edge.

How to get a vaginal orgasm

Although few people can climax with vaginal stimulation alone, it sure can be fun trying! If you’re able to make it happen, prepare for an intense climax that can be felt deep inside your body.

The front vaginal wall is also home to the anterior fornix or A-spot. Older research suggests that stimulating the A-spot can result in intense lubrication and even orgasm.

Try this

Fingers or a sex toy should do the trick. Since the pleasure comes from the vaginal walls, you’ll want to experiment with width. Do this by inserting an extra finger or two into the vagina, or try a dildo with some extra girth.

To stimulate the A-spot, focus the pressure on the front wall of the vagina while sliding your fingers or toy in and out. Stick with the pressure and motion that feels the best, and let the pleasure mount.

How to get a cervical orgasm

Cervical stimulation has the potential to lead to a full-body orgasm that can send waves of tingly pleasure from your head to your toes.

And this is an orgasm that can keep on giving, lasting quite a while for some.

Try this

Being relaxed and aroused is key to cervical orgasm. Use your imagination, rub your clitoris, or let a partner work some manual magic.

Your cervix is the lower end of your uterus, so reaching it means going in deep. The doggy-style position allows for deep penetration, so try being on all fours with a penetrative toy or partner.

Start off slow, gradually working your way deeper until you find a depth that feels good, and keep at it so the pleasure can build.

How to get a combination or combined orgasm

A combo orgasm may happen if you pleasure your vagina and clitoris simultaneously. The result: a powerful climax that you can feel inside and out.

Try this

Use both your hands to double your pleasure, or combine fingers and sex toys. Rabbit vibrators, for example, can stimulate the clitoris and vagina at the same time and are perfect for mastering the combo orgasm.

Use parallel rhythms while playing with your clitoris and vagina, or switch it up with fast clitoral action and slow vaginal penetration.

How to stimulate the nipple, anus, and other erogenous zones

The genitals are awesome, but they’re not your only option. Your body is full of erogenous zones with orgasmic potential.

Nipple

According to a 2011 study, when stimulated, your nipples set your genital sensory cortex ablaze. This is the same area of the brain that lights up during vaginal or clitoral stimulation.

Nipple orgasms are said to sneak up on you and then explode in waves of full-body pleasure. Yes, please!

Try this: Use your hands to caress and squeeze your breasts and other parts of your body, avoiding the nipples at first.

Move on to teasing your areola by tracing it with your fingertips until you’re turned on, then show your nipples some love by rubbing and pinching them until you reach maximum pleasure.

Anal

You don’t need to have a prostate to have an anal orgasm. Anal play can be pleasurable for anyone if you have enough lube and take your time.

You can indirectly stimulate erogenous zones within the vagina using a finger or sex toy.

Try this: Apply ample lube with your fingers and massage it around the outside and inside of the anus. Slowly and gently insert your sex toy or finger into your anus.

Start with a gentle in-and-out motion, then move in a circular motion. Alternate between the two and pick up the pace as your pleasure builds.

Erogenous zones

Your body is truly a wonderland. The neck, ears, and lower back, for example, are rich in erotically charged nerve endings begging to be touched.

We can’t say exactly which parts of your body will drive you to the brink, but we can tell you that everyone has erogenous zones, and finding them is worth the effort.

Try this: Take a feather or silky scarf and use it to find your body’s most sensitive areas.

Get naked and relax so you can focus on every tingle. Take note of these spots, and try experimenting with different sensations, like squeezing or pinching.

Practice makes perfect, so take pleasure in these areas and keep at it to see how far you can go.

How to stimulate the G-spot

The G-spot is an area along the front wall of your vagina. For some people, it can produce a very intense and very wet orgasm when stimulated.

Your fingers or a curved G-spot vibrator are the best way to hit the spot. Squatting will give you the best angle.

Try this: Squat with the back of your thighs close to or touching your heels, and insert your fingers or toy into your vagina. Curl your fingers toward your belly button and move them in a “come here” motion.

If you happen to find an area that feels especially good, keep going — even if you feel like you have to pee — and enjoy the full-body release.

What can you try if you’ve never had an orgasm before?

If you have a vulva and vagina, you know that real-life orgasms can be pretty different from what they show on TV.

The first thing you should do is take the pressure off so you can enjoy yourself. Instead, take the time to get to know your body and concentrate on how it feels.

You may find it helpful to:

Get comfy somewhere you won’t be interrupted or distracted, like in bed or the bath.
Try reading an erotic story or using your imagination to get yourself in the mood.
Massage the fleshy area above your clitoris and the outer and inner lips of your vulva until you begin to get wet. You can also apply lube.
Start rubbing your clitoris over the hood and find a rhythm that feels good.
Rub faster and harder, increasing the speed and pressure to intensify the feeling until it releases.

If you don’t orgasm, you can always try again. Trying new things is the best way to figure out what turns you on and how to orgasm.

What happens in the body when you orgasm?

Everyone’s body is different, and so are orgasms. Some are more intense than others. Some last longer than others. Some are wetter than others.

What physically happens during orgasm is:

Your vagina and uterus contract rapidly.
You experience involuntary muscle contractions in other parts, like your abdomen and feet.
Your heart rate and breathing quicken.
Your blood pressure increases.

You may feel a sudden relief of tension or even ejaculate.

What makes a female orgasm different from a male orgasm?

It may be surprising, but they’re not all that different. Both involve increased blood flow to the genitals, faster breathing and heart rate, and muscle contractions.

Where they typically differ is in duration and recovery — also known as afterglow.

Female orgasm may also last longer, ranging from 13 to 51 seconds on average, while male orgasm often ranges from 10 to 30 seconds.

People with a penis typically have a refractory phase. Orgasms aren’t possible during this period, lasting from minutes to days.

People with a clitoris may also go through a similar phase. A 2009 study involving 174 university students found that 96% of female participants experienced hypersensitivity in the clitoris following orgasm.

Remember, the range of the refractory phase varies from person to person. Your own experience is unique to you.

Then there’s ejaculation. For a person with a penis, contractions force semen into the urethra and out of the penis. And speaking of ejaculation …

Is female ejaculation a thing?

Yes! And it’s a fairly common thing.

A 2013 research review of female ejaculation found that 10% to 54% of participants experienced ejaculation during orgasm.

Ejaculation occurs when fluid is expelled from your urethral opening during orgasm or sexual arousal.

The ejaculate is a thick, whitish fluid that resembles watered-down milk. It contains some of the same components as semen.

What’s the orgasm gap?

The orgasm gap refers to the gap between the number of male and female orgasms in heterosexual sex, where those with female genitalia are getting the shorter end of the stick.

A 2018 study on orgasms in heterosexual newlywed couples found that 87% of husbands and only 49% of wives reported consistently experiencing orgasms during sexual activity.

Why the gap? Researchers don’t know for certain. Some argue it could be biological, while others blame cultural and societal perspectives and a lack of education when it comes to pleasure.

The bottom line

Some people orgasm more easily than others, so not having one doesn’t necessarily mean there’s something wrong.

If you feel like you’re having trouble climaxing or have other concerns, consult with a sex educator, sex therapist, or healthcare professional who specializes in sexual health.

They can answer any questions you may have and may be able to make some recommendations.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Ann CC. (1997). A proposal for a radical new sex therapy technique for the management of vasocongestive and orgasmic dysfunction in women: The AFE Zone Stimulation Technique.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02674659708408179
Espitia De La Hoz FJ. (2017). PM-05 prevalence and characterization of female ejaculation. Cross-sectional study.https://www.jsm.jsexmed.org/article/S1743-6095(17)31510-2/fulltext
Herbenick D, et al. (2017). Women's experiences with genital touching, sexual pleasure, and orgasm: Results from a U.S. probability sample of women Ages 18 to 94.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0092623X.2017.1346530
Humphries AK, et al. (2009). Reconsidering the refractory period: An exploratory study of women's post-orgasmic experiences.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/288131749_Reconsidering_the_refractory_period_An_exploratory_study_of_women%27s_post-orgasmic_experiences
Komisaruk BR, et al. (2011). Women's clitoris, vagina, and cervix mapped on the sensory cortex: fMRI evidence.https://www.jsm.jsexmed.org/article/S1743-6095(15)33294-X/fulltext
Leonhardt ND, et al. (2018). The significance of the female orgasm: A nationally representative, dyadic study of newlyweds' orgasm experience.https://www.jsm.jsexmed.org/article/S1743-6095(18)31009-9/fulltext
Pastor Z. (2013). Female ejaculation orgasm vs. coital incontinence: A systematic review.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jsm.12166
Rubio‐Casillas A, et al. (2011). New insights from one case of female ejaculation.https://www.jsm.jsexmed.org/article/S1743-6095(15)33346-4/fulltext
Wallen K, et al. (2010). Female sexual arousal: Genital anatomy and orgasm in intercourse.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3894744/

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Medically reviewed by Janet Brito, Ph.D., LCSW, CST-S — Written by Adrienne Santos-Longhurst — Updated on July 24, 2024

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Sexual Health

How to get a clitoral orgasm

Try this

How to get a vaginal orgasm

Try this

How to get a cervical orgasm

Try this

How to get a combination or combined orgasm

Try this

How to stimulate the nipple, anus, and other erogenous zones

Nipple

Anal

Erogenous zones

How to stimulate the G-spot

What can you try if you’ve never had an orgasm before?

What happens in the body when you orgasm?

What makes a female orgasm different from a male orgasm?

Is female ejaculation a thing?

What’s the orgasm gap?

The bottom line

How we reviewed this article:

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