The Female Orgasm: Everything You Need to Know

Put simply, a female orgasm is when the vagina, anus and uterus all contract simultaneously. Orgasms are involuntary, in that you can't generally control them after they've started, but they also suffuse you in pleasurable feelings.

Orgasms usually happen after plenty of stimulation in the pelvic area, which causes blood to flow down there and make the area flush and sensitive, just like arousal causes blood to flow down into the penis and make it erect. Part of the satisfying sensation during the point of orgasm is blood leaving your pelvic area again as tension leaves your body.

A female orgasm may also be called coming, cumming or climaxing, and whether it feels like it's happened because of stimulation to your clitoris or your G-spot (or somewhere else!), it's still a female orgasm.

Ultimately, how an orgasm feels is hard to define, because it's highly personal and different for everyone. But since climax is a release of nerve tension that builds up during arousal and sex, we can offer a little guidance on what a female orgasm may feel like for you.

Many Lovehoney customers have described the stage immediately pre-orgasm as feeling like they're coiled up, like their body is getting ready to unleash all that built up tension. Some folks mention curling their toes and feeling like all their muscles clench up, and others describe experiencing ripples or pulsations in their vaginal area before the uncontrollable rhythmic pattern of their orgasm hits.

Orgasm itself is the opposite of those things: an unclenching, a release, a rush. Many people say it feels like cresting a wave, where the build-up has been pleasurable and the peak, though brief, is just exquisite. Some describe their whole bodies shaking and others even experience squirting – learn all about squirting in our guide on the topic.

Coming down on the other side of your orgasm can be just as pleasurable as rising up to it, but often the area you stimulated will be hyper-sensitive and may not want to be touched any longer.

The clitoris is completely designed for sexual pleasure, so it's no wonder this little bean is responsible for the majority of female orgasms. In fact, many people with clitorises actually can't orgasm unless it's stimulated in some way.

Using the dexterity of your fingers is a fantastic starting place for getting to know your clitoris and what feels good. Start out soft and slow with light pressure so it feels like you're almost teasing yourself.

Be sure to use plenty of water-based lubricant so your touch can skim and glide along in a pleasurable way. You could also try stimulating the clitoris with a bullet vibrator, like the Lovehoney Magic Bullet 10 Function Bullet Vibrator.

Bullet vibes are particularly great for stimulating the clitoris because they're small and easy to direct, letting you change the angle and direction as and when you need to.

Vaginal orgasms usually occur with help from internal stimulation – so during sex with a partner, or play with a dildo or vibrator inside the vagina. They're usually known as G-spot orgasms and for many people who have one, stimulating the G-spot is a surefire way to achieve a powerful orgasm.

To seek out a G-spot orgasm with your fingers, lube up and slide them inside you, curling them up towards your belly button. There, you should be able to feel a firm, spongy texture inside your body: this is the G-spot. It will usually get more pronounced and sensitive as you stroke and tease it.

Toys for G-spot pleasure are distinctly curved to help target this special place. Firm toys made of glass or plastic, like the Lovehoney G-Slim G-Spot Vibrator, are superb G-spot stimulators because their more rigid shape lets you apply more pressure when your body wants it.

Don't forget about the butt! The anus is packed full of ultra-sensitive nerve endings, which makes it another excellent place to go orgasm hunting.

You'll want plenty of water-based anal lubricant and an anal toy like a dildo with a flared base or a butt plug. The anus does not self-lubricate, so be sure to use a generous amount of lube before playing in there.

A vibrating butt plug like the Lovehoney Butt Tingler 10 Function Butt Plug provides your choice of vibration functions, letting you experiment and play until you find the one that's best for you.

Of course, you can also experience anal orgasms through anal sex with your partner, if that's something you both enjoy.

Combination orgasms: aka, burrow into pleasure with a rabbit vibrator.

Okay, rabbit vibes aren't the only way to enjoy a combination orgasm (also called 'blended orgasm'), which happen when you trigger an orgasm concentrated in multiple places at once, usually by stimulating those places together. You can also experience this type of orgasm by having penetrative sex with your partner while they wear a vibrating cock ring.

But far be it from us to deny the rabbit vibrator its claim to fame. With an insertable shaft and external bunny ears to tease the clitoris, a rabbit vibe like the Lovehoney Jessica Rabbit 10 Function G-Spot Rabbit Vibrator delivers all the stimulation your body needs to come into combo orgasms.

Do you have a favourite erogenous zone, somewhere away from your clitoris, anus or vagina? Maybe it's your nipples that are really sensitive, or that dip in the small of your back.

Wherever it is, it has the potential to offer an orgasm. Stimulating these areas often won't result in an orgasm that feels as concentrated as a vaginal or clitoral orgasm, but using a wand vibrator like the Lovehoney Deluxe Rechargeable Mini Massage Wand Vibrator all over your body can suffuse you with sensational, all-over orgasmic pleasure.

With your partner holding your legs apart and thrusting with you, you have perfect clearance to reach down and stimulate your erogenous zones, like the clitoris, until everything is golden good. Use your trusty bullet vibrator or an orgasm gel for extra tingles.

How you choose to enjoy oral is up to you, but slinging your legs over your partner's shoulders can help bring your clitoris to their mouth while also giving them space to stroke and squeeze your thighs. Oral can always be enhanced with your favourite flavoured lubricant.

It may seem counter-intuitive to face away from your partner, but this close cousin of doggy style puts you in place to grind down against your lover's lap while they penetrate deep inside you. Try pairing it with a vibrating cock ring for out of this world thrills.

This position is about finding that sweet clitoral bliss. You and your partner grind together, without penetration, concentrating on rubbing your clitoris against their genitals. This position is made all the better with plenty of friction-reducing lubricant.