Types Of Orgasms And How To Have Them - Healthline

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6 Types of Orgasms and How to Have One (or More!)

Medically reviewed by Valinda Riggins Nwadike, MD, MPH — Written by Hannah Rimm and Gabrielle Kassel — Updated on May 14, 2025

Types
Clitoral
Vaginal
Anal
Combo
Erogenous
FAQ
Takeaway

If you’re interested in exploring your body’s pleasure potential in full, you might try stimulating a wider breadth of body parts. Different types of touch can result in different types of release or orgasm.

At the end of the day, an orgasm is an orgasm is an orgasm. Many pleasure seekers will say that they experience a variety of different types of orgasms, depending on what part(s) of their bodies are being stimulated.

And most sex educators agree that orgasms come in a variety of different lengths, intensities, and overall quality.

But here’s the thing: No matter how they’re categorized, it’s often difficult to discern what type of orgasm you’re having while you have it.

According to longtime sex educator Searah Deysach, owner of Early to Bed, a pleasure-product company in Chicago, Illinois that ships worldwide, that’s because the anatomical structures that can lead to orgasm are often intertwined and hard to distinguish.

“Someone might have an orgasm from stimulating the front wall of the vagina (the G-spot) or have an orgasm from stimulating the external portion of their clitoris, but ultimately these orgasms all come from the same place,” she says.

As a general rule, Deysach warns against being overly specific about the “type” of orgasms you’re having. “Instead, I’d encourage folks to just be excited about any orgasm and type of pleasure.”

Six kinds of orgasms explained

Each body part can create a specific orgasmic sensation, though there will be some variation from person to person.

While you’ll find sites reporting that there are anywhere from 12 different types of orgasms to just 1, we’ve decided to narrow in on just 6.

Check out the chart below to understand exactly what 6 different types of happy endings might feel like.

Orgasm type	What it can feel like
clitoral	You can often feel these orgasms on the surface of the body, like a tingly feeling along your skin, and in your brain.
vaginal	These orgasms are deeper in the body and are usually accompanied by pulsations of the vaginal canal walls. When the G-spot — a specific spot about 2 inches inside the front vaginal wall — is stimulated, it can result in ejaculation.
anal	During anal orgasm, the muscle contractions you feel will primarily be in the anal canal and around the anal sphincter. (And not inside the vagina).
combo or blended	When the vagina and the clitoris are stimulated at the same time, it tends to result in a more explosive orgasm. Sometimes these combo orgasms are accompanied by full-body trembles and tremors.
erogenous	Stimulating lesser-known erogenous parts of the body (ears, nipples, neck, elbows, knees, etc.) can cause a pleasurable release when kissed and played with. Some people describe the orgasm that follows as being more full-body, compared to other kinds of orgasms.
convulsing	Convulsing orgasms are orgasms that result in the pelvic floor muscles convulsing over and over and over again really quickly. These orgasms usually happen after a long buildup. You might do this by edging yourself (meaning getting yourself close to orgasm without going over) repeatedly.

How to explore the clitoral orgasm

The clitoris is a nerve-rich hot spot.

The external portion of the clitoris peeks out from the tiptop of the vulva and is often covered by a hood.

One of the best ways to stimulate the external portion of the clitoris is by gently rubbing with the fingers, palm, or tongue in a back and forth or circular motion.

The internal portion of the clitoris can’t be seen, but can be stimulated through internal vaginal or anal pressure.

You might have a clitoral orgasm by applying faster and harder pressure in a repetitive motion.

If this is enough to get you off, that’s awesome! But no worries if it doesn’t, since this isn’t the be-all and end-all.

How to explore orgasm from vaginal penetration

Let’s get this out of the way: Vaginal orgasms can be really pleasurable for people who can have them.

But the cultural belief that vaginal orgasms are better than any other kind of orgasm is absolute BS! There isn’t an orgasm hierarchy.

When you’re aroused and lubricated enough for penetration, try inserting a finger, penis, or wand toy into your vaginal canal.

Angle the object or body part doing the penetrating toward the belly button, and make a “come hither” motion. This can stimulate the G-spot and might lead to a vaginal orgasm.

How to explore the anal orgasm

Anal orgasms are something that anyone can have, though the underlying cause can differ.

For people with penises, anal penetration can stimulate the prostate, which is a nerve-dense erogenous zone that’s analogous to the G-spot.

For folks with vaginas, anal penetration can stimulate the clitoral legs, as well as the A-spot or G-spot.

Start by rubbing the outside of the anal opening with a finger or tongue, while also stimulating the front genitals. Next, get the anal canal accustomed to being penetrated with lube and a finger.

Key word here: Lube. The anus doesn’t produce lubricant naturally and the tissues in the anal canal are very delicate, which means the area is very prone to microtears when there’s inadequate lubrication.

Experiment with tapping, circling, and pressing against the wall.

How to explore the combo or blended orgasm

You might have a blended orgasm by combining clitoral and vaginal stimulation simultaneously, either in parallel or opposite rhythms. Whatever feels best!

Combining clitoral stimulation with vaginal stimulation is also the most common way to help someone squirt.

If penetrative play is on the table, be sure to wait until the receiver is thoroughly aroused before adding this in.

How to explore the erogenous zone orgasm

Erogenous zone orgasms are achieved exclusively through a lot of experimentation.

You may be able to orgasm from kisses on your neck, teeth on your nipples, or fingers on the inside of your elbows.

The best way to find your erogenous zones is to use a feather or another light external object and take note of where you feel the most pleasure.

If lips and fingers alone don’t cut it, you might try incorporating sensation toys like a Wartenberg wheel, a feather teaser, or a tassel.

Frequently asked questions

What is an orgasm?

“There’s not a singular and widely agreed-upon definition of orgasm,” says Caitlin V. Neal, resident sexologist for sexual hygiene and body care company Royal.“One operating definition of orgasm is that it’s a pleasurable release of sexual tension,” she says.

“There’s not a singular and widely agreed-upon definition of orgasm,” says Caitlin V. Neal, resident sexologist for sexual hygiene and body care company Royal.

“One operating definition of orgasm is that it’s a pleasurable release of sexual tension,” she says.

What causes an orgasm?

“An orgasm is caused by the buildup of tension in the nerve cells,” explains Neal. When that tension releases, you can experience an orgasm.“You can think of an orgasm as being caused by an immense amount of pleasure in the nerve endings reaching a point of overwhelm,” she says.

“An orgasm is caused by the buildup of tension in the nerve cells,” explains Neal. When that tension releases, you can experience an orgasm.

“You can think of an orgasm as being caused by an immense amount of pleasure in the nerve endings reaching a point of overwhelm,” she says.

Is there a difference between 'male' and 'female' orgasms?

“All orgasms are similar, and all orgasms are slightly different,” says Neal.People who have a vulva and vagina typically experience orgasms that are longer lasting (approximately 20 to 35 seconds), while people who have a penis usually orgasm more quickly (usually under 15 seconds).Neal adds that it’s important to remember that ejaculation and orgasm are different.“Male orgasm and male ejaculation are two different biological processes that need not happen concurrently,” she says. “Many penis owners are able to reach orgasm without ejaculating, and report these orgasms as being similar to the orgasms a vagina owner has.”

“All orgasms are similar, and all orgasms are slightly different,” says Neal.

People who have a vulva and vagina typically experience orgasms that are longer lasting (approximately 20 to 35 seconds), while people who have a penis usually orgasm more quickly (usually under 15 seconds).

Neal adds that it’s important to remember that ejaculation and orgasm are different.

“Male orgasm and male ejaculation are two different biological processes that need not happen concurrently,” she says. “Many penis owners are able to reach orgasm without ejaculating, and report these orgasms as being similar to the orgasms a vagina owner has.”

How many times can a female orgasm in a row?

People with vaginas can have multiple orgasms in a single session. This typically ranges from 1-5 times, but some people may report having a dozen or more orgasms.

The bottom line

The above orgasm explanations are great starting points, but sex doesn’t have a manual. That’s why exploring in the moment and learning what your body loves (and doesn’t love) is absolutely key.

And remember: Not all sex requires an orgasm, and orgasms don’t mean the sex is great.

Bodies are different. Pleasure is different. Orgasms are different. And the path it takes to get there is all about experimenting, communicating, and trying again.

Allow yourself to soak in the sensations of the pleasure process just as much, or even more than, the finale.

Hannah Rimm is a writer, photographer, and generally creative person in New York City. She writes primarily about mental and sexual health, and her writing and photography has appeared in Allure, HelloFlo, and Autostraddle. You can find her work atHannahRimm.com or follow her onInstagram.

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.

Dienberg M-F, et al. (2022). Does clitoral knowledge translate into orgasm? The interplay between clitoral knowledge, gendered sexual scripts, and orgasm experience.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0092623X.2022.2147112
Deysach S. (2022). Personal interview.
Dingfelder SF. (2011). Understanding orgasm.http://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/04/orgasm.aspx
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
Kratochvil S. (1994). [Vaginal contractions in female orgasm].https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8174183
Neal C. (2022). Personal interview.
Salama S, et al. (2014). Nature and origin of “squirting” in female sexuality.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jsm.12799
Wallen K, et al. (2014). Female sexual arousal: Genital anatomy and orgasm in intercourse.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0018506X10002990?via%3Dihub

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Medically reviewed by Valinda Riggins Nwadike, MD, MPH — Written by Hannah Rimm and Gabrielle Kassel — Updated on May 14, 2025

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