Seven Types of Female Orgasm
Annie Sprinkle’s Models Of Orgasm
by Annie Sprinkle, Ph.D.
DREAM-GASMS
•MICROGASMS
•INTER-VAGINAL ORGASMS
•BREATH AND ENERGY ORGASMS
•CLITORAL ORGASMS
•COMBINATION-GASMS
•MEGAGASMS
•Annie Sprinkle's DVD, Herstory of Porn
Freud, as brilliant
as he was, defined just two types of female orgasm -- vaginal and clitoral. To me, that’s like saying the world is flat! As groundbreaking
and invaluable Alfred Kinsey’s statistics on women’s orgasms
in America in the mid-twentieth century have been, we have come a long
way baby since then. Dr. Masters and Virginia Johnson studied thousands
of women having orgasms in their laboratory. However, they focused
almost exclusively on the physiological aspects of the ‘sexual response
cycle.’ As important as their research has been, that’s
like saying LIFE is about heartbeats, blood flow and sweat glands.
A number of people have come up with a variety of models of the female
orgasm. Here are mine.
My methodology
has been to experience as many kinds of female orgasm as I possibly could.
My body, heart and soul have been a laboratory for research on the female
orgasm. I have come - literally - to know that an excellent way
to learn about the many kinds of female orgasm is to have many varieties
of lovers, and have as many varieties of sexual experiences as possible.
Every sex partner has different sexual skills, styles, and assets, and
every sex partner, no matter how gifted, has their limitations.
From the age of eighteen to twenty-eight, I had approximately 3,500 sex
partners, and experienced sex in a huge variety of ways. (Since
I became monogamous, the kinds of orgasms I have are far more limited.)
I am not suggesting that sexologists researching orgasm go out and do
what I did. I simply want to share some of my findings.
“The use of medical language mystifies human experience, increasing
dependence on professionals and experts. If sexuality becomes fundamentally
a matter of vasocongestion and myotonia… personal experience
requires expert interpretation and explanation.” -
Leonore Tiefer (2)
Orgasms are like
grains of sand; no two are exactly alike. Examine each grain of
sand closely enough and you can see huge differences in each one.
You can put them into categories - brown grains, white grains, and pink
grains, etc. Still within each subcategory is enormous variety.
The same thing happens when you try to group types of orgasm. It
is important to bear in mind that one grain of sand is not better or worse
than another. And one kind of orgasm is not better or worse than
another. They are simply different. Hopefully, my way of categorizing
the female orgasm will be helpful in some small way. Perhaps it
will help stimulate further discussion, exploration, and research.
DREAM-GASMS
The infamous ‘Kinsey
Report’ found that 37% of American females (in the 1950s) had experienced
dreams which led to orgasm by the age of forty five. (3) These require absolutely no genital stimulation. Sometimes we simply
wake up and we are in orgasm. Sometimes we dream we are having orgasm
and we have one at the same time. Sometimes we only dream of one
but it is orgasmic in a non-physical or less physical way. Dream-gasms
sometimes occur with strong vaginal and anal contractions, and sometimes
not. They can feel like a clitoral orgasm, or an energy orgasm.
They are extremely pleasurable. Sometimes a full bladder can trigger
such orgasms.
MICROGASMS
These are quite
small, extremely subtle orgasms that occur without any physical stimulation.
They can take various forms. If we simply stop and focus on our
erotic energy body, and visualize the orgasmic flow inside us, we can
physically feel orgasmic waves pulse through our bodies and feel the “tension
and release” on a very subtle level. It’s similar to
the idea that ‘enlightenment is within us.’ If we focus,
we can bring about spiritual feelings. Orgasm is within us.
If we focus, we can bring about orgasmic feelings. It’s as
if, when we focus on our cells multiplying, we can feel the cells having
orgasms. ‘Cellular-gasms.’ Ray Stubbs calls them
“sprit-body orgasms,” and explains that they “could
be easily missed if we are not looking for them.” (4) Also if we focus on our autonomic nervous system we can feel bioenergetic
reactions, where the body begins twitching on its own. This can
be super orgasmic. If when we are sneezing, we eroticize the sneeze,
we can transmute it into an orgasm. When we get the “chills,”
we can eroticize the feelings and turn them into orgasms. Juliet
Carr, who does sensual massage, calls the goosebumps that occur from this
kind of orgasm, “orgabumps."
“We need to stop defining
sex as merely physical function and begin to acknowledge its emotional
and spiritual depth.” - Mikaya Hart (1)
Microgasms can
also occur while doing various activities that are pleasurable - walking
in the wind, laying in the sun, singing on stage, etc. There has
been some scientific study on energy orgasms, but a very minimal amount,
as far as I could ascertain. Beverly Whipple and Gina Ogden did
a study on “thinking off” in their laboratory - to see if
women could have orgasms without genital stimulation. They found
that it did occur. They also found that “…there was
our own laboratory evidence that some women achieved what they claimed
were satisfying orgasms without the characteristic contractions of the
orgasmic platform.” (5) It is
possible to simply lay down, do nothing but focus on erotic feelings in
the body and begin to twitch and shake, with “kriyas” (a yogic
term), and go into orgasmic ecstasy. I have known a number of people
who can do this. These kinds of orgasm can easily be taught.
I have taught many women how to have them in various workshops.
They reside just below our surface. All we need to do is let them
bubble up.
INTER-VAGINAL
ORGASMS
In this category,
I will lump together what are called vaginal orgasms, g-spot orgasms and
cervical orgasms - any and all orgasms that happen inside the vagina with
inter-vaginal stimulation (with fingers, fists, dildos, penises, etc.).
Each of these kinds of orgasm feels slightly different, and sometimes
they occur together. Some inter-vaginal orgasms are totally subtle
and some are overwhelming. I believe that many women are having
various kinds of inter-vaginal orgasms all the time but don’t acknowledge
them as such because they are looking for them to feel like clitoral orgasms,
and they don’t. There are many feminists who believe that
clitoral orgasms are the superior orgasms. They want to set the
record straight after Freud misled so many women (and men). Expert
sex educator, Betty Dodson, for example, doesn’t really consider
g-spot or vaginal orgasms valid orgasms. G-spot orgasms can happen
with or without ejaculation. (Ejaculation can also occur without orgasm).
Cervical orgasms often occur with fisting. One can feel a huge tension
release deep in the gut. They are almost like belly orgasms.
Often vaginal orgasms can occur without a climax.
“My body, heart and soul have been a laboratory for research on
the female orgasm.” - Annie Sprinkle
BREATH AND
ENERGY ORGASMS
The fact that
our mainstream culture does not acknowledge or practice these kinds of
orgasms is, in my expert opinion, a major oversight. Breath and
energy orgasms are wonderful, satisfying and can be mind-blowing.
They are easily learned. Sexologist Ray Stubbs calls this kind of
orgasm "an energy generation model," as opposed to a "tension release
model"(6) Often these kinds
of orgasms are taught and enjoyed by the ‘New Age Tantric types’
of people. Kutira teaches the “Wave” where one undulates
erotically, thus “activating the cerebral spinal fluid and orgasmic
reflex.” Harley Swiftdeer teaches the Native American version,
the Firebreath Orgasm (not to be confused with the yoga exercise the Breath
of Fire) where one lays down and breathes up through the chakras.
Barbara Carrellas and Kate Bornstein teach their version which they call
the Gender-free Orgasm. Jwala and myself teach Breath and Energy
Orgasm. Sunyata Saraswati teaches the Cobra Breath Orgasm.
Some practicioners can generate at will what is perhaps the most intense
kind of energy orgasm, the “Kundalini orgasm.” They
practice this for a lifetime(s) and achieve amazing feats. They
also warn of the dangers of these extremely strong orgasms. When
Ray Stubbs had one, he flew off his chair, fell and became paralyzed.
One woman I know had one and had a nervous breakdown. People have
hurt their backs. On the other hand, they can also be extremely
healing, transformative, and enlightening.
Breath and energy
orgasms can occur (or be created) from conscious, rhythmic, deep breathing,
or other ways of generating energy in the body such as swimming, running,
risk taking, listening to a piece of music, etc. I have talked with
several men who were in combat Viet Nam and they told me that when they
were in combat, they had erections and had intense energy orgasms, sometimes
even with ejaculation. I’d call these feargasms, or adrenalingasms.
Basically, a person learns how to build energy with thought, kegals, undulation,
visualization, surrender, etc. Once the energy is built, it kicks
into a release phase, which can be mild or extremely intense. Squeezing
the PC muscles helps eroticize the energy and pump it into the body for
a more full-bodied effect. In this category, I would include angergasms,
laughgasms and crygasms - where an intense emotional release is ‘orgasmicized’
(like eroticized). Physiologically, these can compare to clitoral
and vaginal orgasms, with increased breath rates, with the ‘sex
flush,’ increased heart rate, sweaty palms and feet, etc.
They can be very physically intense, with lots of tetney (a rebirthing
term), and feelings like you are plugged into an electrical socket.
There can be enormous tingly sensation in hands, feet, and lips, eyeballs
roll back into the head, back arches, and orgasm sounds occur.
CLITORAL ORGASMS
Perhaps the only
thing about female orgasm that is at this point in history widely agreed
on is that women can have clitoral orgasms. The clitoris is stimulated,
muscular tension builds, and there are vaginal contractions and a release
of the energy. These can occur as very localized just in the clitoris,
or the feelings can spread up into the belly and groin and over the whole
body. They can be teeny-tiny, or humongous. Clitoral orgasms
can be ‘extended.’ Masters and Johnson found what they coined
“status orgasmus,” orgasms which lasted “20 to more
than 60 seconds.” (7)
Masters and Johnson definitely didn’t measure orgasms of the masters.
I’ve known women that could have repeated clitoral orgasms lasting
for many minutes in a row. A woman can have clitoral orgasms without
a ‘climax.’ But a clitoral climax always comes with
an orgasm. There are multiple clitoral orgasms, and also possible
are multiple clitoral climaxes. There are very deep clitoral orgasms,
and surface clitoral orgasms.
COMBINATION-GASMS
Sometimes a gal
has just one kind of orgasm in one part of the body, in one way.
But often two or more kinds of orgasm are combined in succession or in
tandem. These can be in absolutely any combination. During
a single sex session, one might experience all seven different kinds of
orgasm, if one is very lucky. In fact, energy orgasms are almost
always connected with clitoral or vaginal orgasms. Although I have
on some occasions experienced an orgasm that took place only in my clitoris,
and had virtually no energy behind it at all.
MEGAGASMS
These are the
volcano of all orgasms, or the tsunami of all orgasms. A megagasm
is an intense full body experience, a deeply emotional experience, and
for some a deeply spiritual experience. It generally lasts an extended
lengthy of time, from thirty seconds to in some cases up to an hour or
two. Several megagasms have been documented on video, although they
are extremely rare. Not that many women are capable of letting go
that deeply or handling that much pleasure and ecstasy and orgasmic energy.
In my video, Sluts and Goddesses, I have a five-minute long megagasm.
Megagasms are usually brought about by very intense physical stimulation
- with very hard fucking combined with a really strong vibrator on the
clitoris, fist fucking, anal sex with vaginal and clitoral stimulation,
etc. Sometimes some uncomfort or pain can trigger one. The
stimulation goes way beyond normal love making, into surrendering to intense
physical force and massive genital manipulation (which can also include
kissing, nipple sucking, bondage, etc.).
It helps to have
an ‘orgasm midwife,’ someone who is totally present that can
manage and handle the incredible intensity of such orgasms. (Many people
can be very scared of, and uncomfortable with the force of megagasms.)
The person having the orgasm’s face can severely contort like one
is having a baby, there is a huge ego surrender. Megagasms can come
with past life recalls, and intense visual imagery like with psychedelics.
It can feel as if there is a lifetime of pent up energy and emotion bursting
free. They are very primal. There can be a sensation of being
‘breathed by the universe,’ like you are a channel for orgasmic
energy, like you are open for the life force to pass through you.
Often people will have empathetic orgasms when they are in the presence
of someone having megagasm.
IN CONCLUSION
Much of the research
about orgasm has been to focus in on, to magnify, and to define exactly
what orgasm is. I believe we must widen our perceptions and expand
our concepts of orgasm. Interview and test the orgasm experts -
the women who have had extra-ordinary experience with orgasm. Many
women think that if an orgasm doesn’t feel like a clitoral orgasm,
then it must not be an orgasm. They are limiting themselves.
Expanding our concept of orgasm can open the mind and body to experiencing
new things. With proper instruction and with practice, they become
more conscious and clear. Then we can enjoy living more ecstatic,
healthy, orgasmic lives, filled with ecstasy and bliss.
FOOTNOTES
1. Heart, Mikaya. When the Earth Moves—Women and Orgasm.
P. 6.
2. Strong, Bryan and DeVault, Christine. Human Sexuality. P.
117.
3. Kinsey, Alfred, et al. Sexual Behavior in the Human Female.
W.B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia/London. 1953—P. 196
4. Stubbs, Kenneth Ray. Sacred Orgasms. P. 67
5. Ladas, Alice Kahn, Whipple, Beverly, and Perry, John D.
The G Spot P. 147
6. Stubbs, Kenneth Ray. Sacred Orgasms. P.70
7. Masters, William H. M.D. and Johnson, Virginia E. Human
Sexual Response. P. 131-132
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Heart, Mikaya. When
the Earth Moves—Women and Orgasm.
Celestial Arts. Berkeley, Ca. 1998
Ladas, Alice Kahn, Whipple, Beverly, and Perry, John D. The G Spot. Holt,
Rinehart and Winston, New York. 1982.
Masters, William H. M.D. and Johnson, Virginia E. Human Sexual
Response. Little, Brown and Company,
Boston. 1966.
Schwartz, Bob. The One Hour Orgasm.
Breakthru Publishing, Houston, Texas. 1989.
Strong, Bryan and DeVault, Christine. Human
Sexuality. Mayfield Publishing Co. Mountain
View, Ca. 1994.
Stubbs, Kenneth Ray. Sacred Orgasms.
Secret Gardens, Larkspur, Ca. 1992.
JOURNALS
Tiefer, Leonore. Historical, Scientific,
Clinical and Feminist Criticisms of “The Human Sexual Response Cycle”
Model. Annual Review of Sex Research,
Volume 2, 1991.
Annie
Sprinkle Ph.D. is the prostitute/porn star turned performance artist/sexologist.
She has passionately researched and explored sexuality in all of its glorious
and inglorious forms for thirty years, and has shared her findings all
along the way through producing and starring in her own unique brand of
sex films, photographic work, teaching workshops, and college lectures.
She is also an internationally acclaimed performance artist who tours
one woman shows about her life in sex. Annie has championed sex
worker rights and health care. She was one of the pivotal players
in the 80’s "sex positive feminist movement." Her website is ANNIESPRINKLE.ORG(ASM).