MOST of us have a pretty good idea of what turns us on and how to make our body feel good.
But when it comes to orgasms, you might have only reached the tip of the iceberg.
According to sexologist and sex counsellor Alice Child, there are 11 different ways your body can climax
That’s because clitoral or vaginal stimulation isn’t the only route to reaching one.
Certified somatic sexologist and sex counsellor Alice Child told Sun Health: “There are so many ways the body can build pleasure and reach orgasm, and many of them will surprise you.”
She listed not one, not two… but 11 different ways your body can reach climax.
They range from ones you might already be familiar with – like clitoral, vaginal or anal orgasms – to nipple-gasms and full body eruptions.
Whether you’re flying solo or jumping into bed with a partner, here are 11 different ways you can reach the big O.
1. External clitoral orgasms
This type of orgasm seems to be the most common, according to Alice.
“Given the head of the clitoris has over 10,000 nerve endings and is the most sensitive part of the human body, that’s not too surprising,” she said.
“According to various studies, around 70 to 85 per cent of people with vulvas say they need some form of external clitoral stimulation in order to build arousal and reach orgasm.”
External stimulation involves touching the head – also known as the glans – and shaft of the clitoris.
There are a few ways to do this, both on your own and with a partner, according to Alice.
You can:
Use your hand to stimulate or massage your clit
Use a vibrator, air suction toy or shower head
Put pressure on your clit by grinding against a pillow, bed, or even someone’s body
2. Internal clitoral orgasms
I know you’re thinking: ‘Hang on, there’s two kinds of clitoral orgasms?’
That because there’s much more to your clit than the head.
“The clitoris is a whole network that runs under the surface of the skin,” Alice said.
“What you see on the outside of the body – the glans – is only the tip of the iceberg.”
This little happy button is actually between seven and 4.3in (11cm) in size, with most of it “living under the surface of the skin, branching out either side of the opening to the vagina and downwards in two ‘legs’ and two ‘bulbs’”.
Alice told Sun Health: “The entire clitoris is very sensitive and fills up with blood during arousal, and can be stimulated both externally -with vulva and labia massage – and internally, near the entrance to the vagina.
“Rather than just focusing on the tip, it’s a great idea to stimulate the rest of the clitoris, vulva, and vagina too.
“This stops the glans becoming over sensitive and results in more full-bodied pleasure.”
3. G-spot orgasms
“These are a type of internal vaginal orgasm,” Alice said.
You can reach a G-spot orgasms – also known as G-crest or G-zone orgasms – by “stimulating the upper wall of the vagina with fingers, a penis or a toy”.
In a blog post on her website, Alice explains a way to locate this spot that can lead to “knee shaking orgasms” for some.
Like the clit, the G-spot is made out of erectile tissue that fills with blood when you’re turned on, becoming “bigger, more sensitive, and more pleasurable to touch”.
To reach it, think “in and up” heading towards your belly button, Alice advised.
“For some people, their G-spot is very near the outside of the body – only a centimetre or so inside the vagina – but for most people it’s about one or two inches or so inside,” the sexologist explained
If it’s too deep to reach with your fingers, vibrators and wands can definitely come in handy.
Your G-spot tends to feel slightly ribbed and textured – but it probably won’t feel good to stimulate it unless you’re aroused.
G-spot orgasms “can feel very intense”, Alice warned.
“Stimulation here might also trigger squirting or female ejaculation which can be another form of peak pleasure experience – but isn’t always an orgasm” she added.
4. Cervix orgasms
Vaginal orgasms don’t end there, according to the sexologist.
“Going deeper inside the vagina is the cervix, which can also lead to very powerful and intense internal orgasms,” Alice went on.
“Sadly many people associate this part of their body with pain, not pleasure, during sex due to accidental ‘bumps’ in certain positions.”
She emphasised that you should never feel pain during sex.
“When we listen to our body, slow down, and build pleasure at our own pace, we can have even more pleasurable experiences,” Alice added.
5. Blended orgasms
Just clitoral or vaginal orgasms can feel pretty damn good – but you can upgrade them by stimulating more than one spot.
Alice explained: “When we are getting great stimulation in two – or more – erogenous zones, that’s what is sometimes called a blended orgasm.
“For example, when we are having pleasurable penetrative sex while also stimulating the external clitoris.”
6. Anal orgasms
For many people, their bum might be a no-go zone.
But Alice argues that you might be missing out on lot of pleasure.
She said it’s a “very sensitive erogenous zone both externally and internally”.
“Both external massage, rimming or stimulation and internal stimulation can trigger very very powerful orgasms,” Alice noted.
In a blog post, she explained that the most important thing you can do is try to relax your bottom with deep breathing and the use of plenty of lube.
She recommended you don’t start with something as large as a penis; a small, beginner’s butt plug or fingers can help you build up to great orgasms without pain or discomfort.
7. Sleep orgasms
Ever woken up from a racy dream convinced you’ve had an orgasm?
According to Alice, this is definitely within the realm of possibility.
In fact, many women can “orgasm in their sleep without any touch at all”, she said.
“Sometimes this is due to certain dreams or fantasies, but not always.”
8. Full bodied orgasms
Many think we can only reach an orgasm by stimulating specific parts of our body.
But Alice said: “Remember that our entire body can be an erogenous zone if we give it the right sort of time and attention. Don’t just focus on the genitals.
“Imagine you are spreading that pleasure around your body. Don’t be afraid to try new touch, move your body, make sounds, and breathe.
“This is how people start to learn how to build to more powerful full-bodied orgasmic experiences.”
9. Nipple-gasms
There’s a reason it feels good to have your nipples touched during foreplay.
Alice called them “a very sensitive erogenous zone for many”.
“With practice, many people can have orgasms through nipple stimulation,” the sexologist said.
10. Core-gasms
This might sound improbable, but it’s actually possible to climax during exercise, according to Alice.
“These are not as unusual as you might think,” she told Sun Health.
“Certain core workouts or weight training workouts can trigger a build and release of pleasure that feels like a type of orgasm.”
11. Breath-gasms
And finally, the breath-gasm, which is exactly what it sounds like.
According to Alice: “Some people can build and reach orgasm without any touch at all.
“With practice, they can use the power of breath, movement, and mindfulness to reach orgasm.
“This can also be a form of tantric sex – building erotic energy in a very different – but equally intense and pleasurable – way.”
What if I have trouble orgasming?
So, we’ve talked about all the different and wonderful ways we might reach an orgasm.
But you might wonder if they apply to you if you have trouble climaxing in the first place.
“I think it’s helpful to change your definition of ‘orgasm’,” Alice told Sun Health.
“Orgasms can look and feel very different one day to the next for all sorts of reasons and they shouldn’t be the goal of sex.
“Besides, just because someone didn’t orgasm, doesn’t mean that they had a bad time, or didn’t have some form of ‘peak’ pleasure experience.”
She emphasised that it’s “very, very common” for women “to find it very difficult, or even impossible, to orgasm” – and this can be all the more true if you’re having sex with a partner.
There are all sorts of reasons for this, the sexologist said.
“A big issue is we often fixate a lot on orgasm being the goal of sex, and that can be really harmful,” she said.
“This pressure often makes it even more elusive and means we struggle to get out of our head and enjoy the moment.
“When you’re in your head worrying about whether you ‘are taking too long’ or ‘will or will not’ reach orgasm, you’re not in your body. This means you will feel less.”
For Alice, it’s about learning “to think less and feel more”, and “enjoy the journey not just the ‘destination’”.
“The more that we try and take the goal of orgasm out of our minds, and instead just focus on how to give and receive the best pleasure possible, the better,” she added.