12 Types of Orgasms and How to Achieve Them

For this year's National Orgasm Day, come (haha) along with us as we breakdown 12 (!) types of orgasms, how to achieve them, their benefits, their complications and what sex toys can help you experience them. From suction stimulators to anal probes to hands-free Bluetooth-enabled vibrators, there are plenty of options for whatever floats your boat. Happy National Orgasm Day!

There's more than one way to have an orgasm, but we probably didn't need to tell you that. Orgasms come in all shapes and sizes. Some are big, some are small. Sometimes orgasms are practical and relieve tension. Sometimes orgasms are huge and can even result in crying, a common reaction to the overwhelming flood of stimuli in the pleasure center of your brain that results from big bodily experiences. No two orgasms are alike, although we often take familiar paths to get to them because we know what works for us and, hey, we all want to get off!

For this year's National Orgasm Day, come (haha) along with us as we breakdown 12 (!) types of orgasms, how to achieve them, their benefits, their complications and what sex toys can help you experience them. From suction stimulators to anal probes to hands-free Bluetooth-enabled vibrators, there are plenty of options for whatever floats your boat. Happy National Orgasm Day!

Nipple play is not only reserved for foreplay, y'all! A lot of people don't know that achieving an orgasm from nipple stimulation alone is even possible, but it definitely is! They're great for many reasons: everyone has the chance to experience them because they're gender neutral and folks who have an aversion to genital stimulation (whether due to overstimulation or simply personal preference) can experiment safely with nipple play.

The nipples have tons of nerve endings and studies show that, when the nipples are stimulated, the same area in the brain lights up as when our genitals are stimulated. It's all the same pleasure language, just communicated a little bit differently.

Ways to stimulate the nipples include:

• using fingers to lightly squeeze and pinch
• using a tongue and mouth to titillate (literally!) and suck on the nipples, areolas and surrounding skin (which is also sensitive)
• using feather ticklers or other exciting sensory play materials (like stainless steel pinwheels for more intense sensations) to tickle and tease
• using nipple clamps to pull and pinch
• using vibrators to stimulate the nerves
• using suction toys to simulate tongue movements more intensely (for suction toys, we recommend using one with a wider opening to accommodate a larger skin surface area)

Incorporating rope like creating chest harnesses to squeeze breast tissue makes the nerves in this area even more sensitive to stimulation.

Attempting to experience a nipple orgasm can be a fun way to slow down your play and concentrate on building pleasure from a new place. Nipple play is something everyone can do, whether you're playing with a partner or indulging solo.

There are plenty of ways to achieve this style of orgasm, and if you have a clitoris that you stimulate for pleasure, you probably already know that there are multiple ways for you to get there. Clitoral orgasms highly depend on your personal preference for stimulation. High intensity, low intensity, certain repetitive patterns, deep and rumbly stimulation-all of these encompass ways to experience a clitoral orgasm. It's all about finding your style!

Clitoral orgasms can be incredibly strong. The external part of the clitoris (the glans clitoris) has as many as 10,000 nerve endings in it alone, but there's also an entire internal part of the clitoris (the clitoral body) that extends into two appendages or 'legs' that surround the vestibular bulbs, an area that swells when you're hot and bothered. Some research shows that the area where the 'legs' connect is the G-spot, making the G-spot actually part of the clitoris, which could help explain why clitoral orgasms feel so powerful and full-bodied. (We'll dive deeper into the G-spot orgasm later.)

Ways to stimulate the clitoris include:

• using your hand
• using a vibrator or suction toy
• incorporate friction by humping with clothes on or using a pillow.
• switching up the position to put more or less pressure on the clitoris
• explore different techniques: tapping, slow circles, fast circles, high pressure, light pressure, etc.
• with a partner using their mouth (oral sex)

This orgasm is what most might consider the 'typical' orgasm for people with penises. The shaft and head of the penis are stimulated with frequent, repetitive motions and friction, resulting in an explosive peak that physically manifests as an ejaculation. Sometimes testicle stimulation is a feature of this formula as well, depending on personal preference. But fun fact: not every orgasm experienced by a penis-owner is one that ends with an ejaculation.

The ejaculation aspect of the penis orgasm is more a physiological response than a result of pleasure. Increased heart rate, high blood pressure and powerful pelvic floor muscle contractions can also be the result of a penis orgasm. Sometimes little to no ejaculate is released from the penis during an orgasm, and that doesn't make the orgasm any less intense or pleasurable! It is important to note, however, that retrograde orgasms-also known as dry orgasms, in which semen enters the bladder rather than releasing via the penis-may cause infertility issues and require medical attention. Health and safety first!

Ways to stimulate the penis include:

• teasing the shaft by incorporating sensation play (ticklers, pinwheels)
• using hands to stroke it
• using manual or vibrating masturbators to stroke it
• stimulating the head, shaft and balls with a mouth (oral sex)
• using a penis pump to engorge the shaft, heightening sensitivity
• penetration with a partner vaginally or anally

The ever-elusive G-spot orgasm has challenged people since it was 'discovered' in 1950 by Ernst Gräfenberg, an obstetrician and gynecologist who dedicated his life to studying female sexual anatomy and pleasure. Since its notoriety rose in the 80s thanks to pioneering sexologist Dr. Beverly Whipple, more and more folks have attempted to achieve G-spot orgasms with somewhat of a low success rate. Some studies state that only 15-30% of people with G-spots can have G-spot orgasms. So, if you've attempted to experience the G-spot orgasm and haven't had any luck, you're certainly not alone.

Fortunately, more recent findings on female sexual anatomy have helped illuminate the reasoning behind this, which we partially discussed earlier. The G-spot is not its own separate part of the genital anatomy; it's part of the larger clitoral network. Breaking this down further, one could conclude that stimulating the G-spot is a sort of backwards way of stimulating the clitoris, or the internal parts of it anyway. It's all one big orgasmic connection!

The G-spot is located about 2-3 inches inside the vagina on the front of the vaginal wall. It's a bundle of fleshy tissue that many describe as feeling different than its surrounding area. Some say it's thicker, textured with ridges and slightly rougher to the touch, and that it engorges slightly when aroused.

One you find this part of the anatomy, it's recommended to use a 'come hither' motion, using light repetitive motion to put pressure on the nerves there. Frequent steady patterned pressure on the G-spot is how many people can experience a G-spot orgasm. But keep in mind, not everyone is able to orgasm in this way, and that doesn't make you any less normal or valid. Every body is different. There's nothing wrong with you, we promise! It's all about having fun exploring.

Ways to stimulate the G-spot include:

• using a 'come hither' motion with your fingers
• using a 'come hither' motion with an internal toy (vibrating or non-vibrating; many people say vibration is less a factor than pressure in experiencing the pleasures of the G-spot)
• stimulating both the clitoris and the G-spot at the same time with a dual-action vibe (remember-they're part of the same network of nerves!)
• using Kegel balls
• experimenting with different positions to get the right angle
• using penetration

While some might describe the act of achieving a P-spot orgasm about as challenging as achieving a G-spot orgasm, there is at least a lot more research to back up its sheer existence! The P-spot, also known as the prostate, is made of similar tissue to the G-spot and is located on the outside of the anal cavity of cis-males. Its home is just below the bladder where it surrounds the top portion of the tube that drains urine from the bladder.

The primary function of the prostate gland is to produce the fluid contained in semen, allowing sperm to be transported from the testicles and through the penis. As folks with prostates get older, the prostate usually grows larger in size, pushing on the bladder and urethra, causing uncomfortable symptoms similar to those from UTIs. Prostate cancer is also an issue, affecting 13% of people with prostates. There are many studies that show that regular stimulation or 'milking' of the prostate not only feels incredibly pleasurable, it also helps prevent health issues that may arise later down the line like the ones mentioned here.

To experiment with prostate play, first you want to make sure you're cleaned up, relaxed and aroused. Some people use enemas to clean themselves out, but it's not necessary. You want the area and your hands or whatever safe sex toy you're using to be clean (this includes making sure your nails are trimmed and bacteria is not trapped underneath them). Relax your body by engaging in some foreplay first; relaxation is absolutely key! Being tense will make inserting anything anally, even an index finger, feel painful, so concentrate on relaxing your muscles and your mind. Also, make sure you're using lubrication as the anal cavity does not produce its own. This will make being in a state of relaxation much easier.

If you're using fingers (which we recommend to start so you can get to know the anatomy more intimately), externally stimulate the opening of the anus and surrounding nerves first before slowly inserting one finger one-two inches inside. Do this repetitively and slowly, going deeper and even adding another finger as the muscles adapt to the sensation. Once you've acclimated to 3-4 inches deep, feel around the anal cavity along the front wall of the anus toward the direction of your belly button. There, you'll feel the prostate, which feels like a roundish and flexible lump that's more firm than what surrounds it. Apply light pressure there in a repetitive motion and experiment to see what feels right to you. Congratulations, you've found the P-spot!

Note: For some folks, it's possible stimulate the P-spot completely externally. You can try this by pressing deeply into the space between the anus and the testicles until you feel what seems like a soft walnut-size lump just under the skin. Press this area in different motions and patterns to stimulate the prostate without ever inserting anything. If you don't feel anything, not to worry. Every body is different, and some people can stimulate the P-spot this way while others cannot.

Ways to stimulate the P-spot include:

• using fingers to stimulate internally or externally on the perineum
• using prostate massagers (vibrating or non-vibrating; pressure is key just like with G-spot stimulation as mentioned earlier)
• changing up the position to get the right angle, especially if you're experimenting solo as it can be a difficult spot to reach
• using a weighted anal toy that applies pressure on its own
• using penetration
• using a combination toy like a cock ring + butt plug hybrid to stimulate all areas of the genital anatomy

Anal orgasms experienced by those with penises are basically the same as prostate orgasms, just with a different moniker. Anal orgasms experienced by those with vaginas, however, work differently since there isn't a prostate there to incite an orgasm. Sometimes called A-spot orgasms, pleasure from anal penetration in ciswomen is a result of indirectly stimulating the A-spot in the vagina. The A in A-spot stands for anterior fornix, the deepest part of the vagina located just before the cervix, about 4-6 inches past the opening. Unlike the sponginess of the G-spot, the A-spot feels smooth, similar to the rest of the vaginal wall. For this reason it can be hard to locate within the vagina, but because it's in the direct line of sight from the anal cavity, it's easier for some to stimulate it from that angle.

Also, for some, experiencing stimulation so close to the cervix can be painful. Indirectly stimulating the A-spot via anal penetration can help circumvent any pain that may come from direct A-spot stimulation within the vagina.

Ways to experience anal stimulation and orgasms include:

• using anal toys like plugs or beads
• using fingers to stimulate the anus both internally and externally
• using anal penetration
• switching up positions to get the right angle for you
• experimenting with double penetration

'Blended' is a style of orgasm that combines more than one type of orgasm to create one super orgasm! More frequently this has been described as a combination of clitoral and G-spot orgasms, but it can be a combination of any type of orgasm, and anyone can experience them. It can mean a mixture of ejaculatory and prostate orgasms, an A-spot and clitoral orgasm, a nipple and G-spot orgasm… the combinations are only as creative as your imagination.

Combining sensations from multiple points of pleasure can create an overwhelming, full-bodied experience. If you want to experiment with achieving this style of orgasm, your instructions are simple: more, more, more! Indulge in your senses, get playful, explore your body and get in tune with where the pleasure takes you. Your next steps depend on what your targets are. If you want to combine clitoral and G-spot stimulation, try a rabbit style vibrator or mix penetration with external stimulation. If you want to combine penis and prostate stimulation, keep a butt plug inserted while stroking yourself. Once you've settled on your combination, concentrate on stimulating those areas simultaneously and building that pleasure larger and larger like you would for a regular orgasm.

Ways to achieve a blended orgasm are:

• combine clitoral and G-spot stimulation with a rabbit-style vibrator or penetration and external stimulation at the same time
• combine penis and prostate stimulation with a butt plug and a stroking toy
• combine anal stimulation and G-spot stimulation with double penetration via partners or toys
• combine nipple stimulation and clitoral stimulation with an external full-body massage or with suction toys placed on the nipples and the clitoris

Forced orgasms are a style of orgasm that is consensually given from a Dominant partner to a submissive partner in a BDSM scenario . Ways of playing this out can look different depending on the scene and the interests of the participants playing, and it doesn't always need to involve full Dom/sub roleplay, but power dynamics are usually involved. It can consist of a sub being tied up and stimulated by a Dom with a powerful vibrator, like the Magic Wand , for example. Or simply continuing to pleasure a partner orally past the point of orgasm when they're hypersensitive to stimulation.

It's important to note that the forced orgasms we're talking about here are consensual. There is such a thing as experiencing an orgasm during an assault, and some would describe this as a forced orgasm. That is not what we're discussing here. That is sexual assault and it can be incredibly disempowering, confusing and traumatic for the person experiencing it.

Ways to experience a consensual forced orgasm include:

• using a powerful vibrator on a submissive partner
• forcing a partner to have orgasms one after another without a break in between
• incorporating roleplay into your scene to heighten arousal
• explore your partner's body to see where they're more sensitive and play off those sensitivities (with consent, of course)
• always use a safe word!

Edging is a sexual practice that's recently gained more popularity as a way to make orgasms more intense. It involves bringing yourself or a partner right to the point of orgasm, then stopping stimulation altogether, preventing release and keeping yourself/your partner right on the edge, hence the name. Fun fact: edging is actually a treatment for premature ejaculation that's more than half a century old and was originally dubbed the 'stop and start' method, introduced to help folks last longer during sex.

There are many ways to experiment with edging, and they depend on personal preference and how your body reacts to pleasure. Everyone experiences orgasms differently, but typically the same four stages are involved:

1. Excitement - the initial arousal stage where blood starts flowing to the genitals.
2. Plateau - everything from the excitement stage builds up to this moment. The end of this point is where initiating edging would come in.
3. Orgasm - the plateau spills over into a series of muscle contractions and nerve responses, resulting in a feeling of ecstasy.
4. Resolution - the come down. All your vitals return to their normal state. This is also where the refractory period begins, where it's not possible to get aroused again temporarily.

Edging should happen between the Plateau and the Orgasm stages. Once you feel like you're about to reach that point of no return, stop all forms of stimulation altogether for about 30 seconds. You'll see that your body comes back down slightly from a very high point of arousal, but doesn't come down all the way. Restart stimulation at this point, and keep repeating this until you're ready to experience that overwhelming orgasm you've been patiently building up.

Edging can be:

• experienced solo or with a partner
• done to increase the intensity of orgasm
• incorporated into BDSM play scenarios
• done with or without toys

Some items you can use to make edging more exciting are sensory tools like ticklers and pinwheels, blindfolds, vibrators and cock rings .

Any orgasm that you experience without using your hands is considered a hands-free orgasm. This can include being stimulated via sex toys, grinding into pillows or over clothes, using water via a portable showerhead, doing Kegels and other muscle clenching techniques, etc. Some people can even have orgasms just by thinking about something that arouses them! How lucky are they?

The key to attempting a hands-free orgasm is to get to know your body and its pleasure points very well. You want to know what easily arouses you without direct stimulation. Maybe you really love dirty talk -try listening to some audio erotica or having phone sex with a partner and focus on your breathing, then see if you can get yourself there without touching. The process of the hands-free orgasm is all about finding what works for you and really indulging in it, and of course this looks different for everyone.

Here are some tips for experiencing hands-free orgasms

• Take your time and be patient, especially if this is new to you. You probably won't be able to achieve this type of orgasm within 5 short minutes, so make sure you set aside some time and don't be so hard on yourself during the process.
• Listen to your body. Where is it telling you to focus your attention? Try some intentional breathing and breathe into that part of your body.
• Gravitate towards what you think will work. If external stimulation feels good to you, try humping and grinding on a toy , a pillow or against a partner. If internal stimulation feels good to you, try an insertable toy that you can control with a remote , or simply leave a vibrating toy inserted and concentrate on the vibrations your body is feeling.
• Do Kegel exercises and match them up to your breathing. Repetitively clenching and releasing the pelvic floor muscles can stimulate the clitoris and the penis on its own without you needing to use your hands at all.

Simultaneous orgasms are simply orgasms that more than one person is experiencing at the same time, where everyone reaches climax together. They can be experienced during mutual masturbation, during penetrative sex and even between long distance couples with app-capable vibrators . This type of orgasm is all about bringing people closer together, deeply synchronizing their pleasure with one another. Anyone can experience these types of orgasms, it just takes more than one person!

Ways to experience simultaneous orgasms include:

• Syncing up your pleasure. If one person is further along in the arousal stage, they should pull back to match their partner. Communication is key to let your partner know where you're at.
• Masturbating together.
• Using Bluetooth-enabled vibrators if you're playing together but can't be in the same room. This way, each of you can control the other person's toy and literally come together.
• Decentering penetration. Many people, especially people with vaginas, can't orgasm from penetration alone. Try 69ing (performing oral simultaneously), humping/grinding, or incorporating an external vibrator for clitoral stimulation during penetration.
• Not focusing on it. You can unintentionally put a lot of pressure on yourself and your partner if you're thinking too much about it. Just relax! If it doesn't work the first time, you can always try again.

Multiple orgasms is another style of orgasm that anyone regardless of anatomy and gender can experience. Multiple orgasms generally refers to having more than one orgasm in a single session. They can be accomplished solo or with a partner and they can occur in quick succession or be really spaced out.

Having multiple orgasms looks different for everyone. Some people can have one right after the other, some people experience a refractory period where they need to build arousal back up again. For penis owners, multiple orgasms are possible but not all of them may be ejaculatory.

Some tips on experiencing multiple orgasms include:

• Relaxing. You're in this for the long haul, so take your time exploring and make sure you're completely relaxed.
• Do some breathwork. Match your breathing with your partner. When you feel your breath quickening during the plateau phase, consciously slow down your breathing to feel the orgasm deeper. Breathe through the orgasm and see if you can keep going right into another one.
• If it hurts so good, keep going. If it hurts so bad, stop. After orgasming, many people experience high enough sensitivity that it almost hurts to continue. Challenge yourself to push past that feeling for a bit and see how your body responds. If you don't like it, stop! Use that refractory time to focus on your partner instead. If you do like it, you may be able to have another orgasm right away.
• Use toys . Many people love using powerful vibrators like wand massagers to achieve multiple orgasms. Incorporating toys and tools that stimulate various parts of the body ( anal toys , nipple clamps ) can help spread out the pleasure and keep overstimulation from tipping into painful territory.

There you have it! Twelve types of orgasms and how to achieve them. Now go forth and explore. The only thing left to ask yourself is: which one will you go for first? Happy National Orgasm Day!