This Is What Happens to Your Vagina When You Orgasm

When it comes to the female orgasm, researchers still don’t agree on the exact anatomy of the vagina and therefore can’t offer a 100% reliable way of mapping what actually happens. What they say, however, is that the female orgasm usually begins with vaginal or clitoral stimulation and seems designed to improve the chances that sperm is retained in the vagina long enough to ensure successful fertilization of the egg. The chemicals released work to help women relax and feel safe during sex and say researchers this might mean that relaxation and a sense of security are important for women to reach orgasm! Read on to find out more about what happens when a woman has an orgasm …

Mapping the female orgasm. Mapping the female orgasm hasn’t been simple, researchers admit. There is still ongoing debate about the actual anatomy of the vagina and as a result exactly what happens when a woman climaxes.

It starts with clitoral or vaginal stimulation. What is known, however, is that the female orgasm begins with vaginal or clitoral stimulation. Researchers also say that the most sensitive part of a woman’s vagina is the visible bundle of nerves that sits beneath where the two inner labia meet at the top.

The clitoris is really mostly on the inside. From the small bunch of nerve endings under the clitoral hood, the clitoris actually moves inwards, say experts, dividing into 2 shafts that sit along either side of the vagina. It’s locations underscore research findings that the clitoris almost exclusively exists for a woman’s pleasure!

Inside the vaginal canal. The vaginal canal along which the clitoris sits is lined with a mucous membrane made out of soft tissue that covers layers of stretchy muscle. The vaginal canal is the pathway to the cervix, which sits right in front of the uterus where in a woman of childbearing age, an egg is usually waiting to be fertilized.

Orgasm may support sperm in reaching the egg. The distance between the outer lips of the vagina and the uterus makes researchers believe that one of the functions of the female orgasm is to retain the male sperm as long as possible to give it a chance to reach the unfertilized egg. Timing is everything though, they say.

Before climax a woman’s whole body tenses. When a woman is aroused, her heart rate speeds up and her skin begins to look and feel flushed. Her vagina begins to swell with blood and the muscles throughout her body become tense.

Orgasms are supported by a host of feel good chemicals. Once climax is reached, a woman’s vagina, anus, and uterus, all move together and contract involuntarily, say experts, and it is when they relax that a woman experiences that feeling of “release,” that feels so good. The feel good factor of the female orgasm is supported by a host of chemicals that her brain has been concocting the whole way throughout!

The pleasures of dopamine. One of the chemicals that the brain releases on climax, say researchers is dopamine. Dopamine is in charge of your body’s pleasure-rears system and is responsible from feelings of enjoyment and bliss to even euphoria.

Oxytocin promotes closeness and empathy. The body is also flooded with another chemical called oxytocin, say experts. This chemical promotes feelings closeness and empathy with a woman’s sexual partner.

Women feel less fear and anxiety during sex. A 2006 study done by the European Journal of Neuroscience showed that sex may decrease the level of activity in a woman’s hippocampus and amygdala. These are two areas of the brain associated with regulating emotions like fear and anxiety.

Relaxation and safety may be important for the female orgasm. There are other parts of the brain that showed decreased activity as well, say experts. The result is that during sex women experience greater degrees of relaxation and safety, which researchers believe could be a necessary part of orgasm for women.

Different strokes for different folks. It isn’t news that many women say that they struggle with reaching climax and researchers say that the reason is that there isn’t a one size fits all approach to the female orgasm. Different techniques work better for different people and there are multiple ways to approach the female orgasm.

There are many ways to skin a cat. Among the variety of approaches that could ensure a woman has a peak experience during sex is direct clitoral stimulation, pelvic floor exercises for increasing blood flow to the area, as well as, anal sex. Many women, who are willing to explore a range of sex toys, often find one that makes sex that much more explosive.

Health benefits to having orgasms. It doesn’t matter what it takes for you to have an orgasm as a woman, say experts, all orgasms feel awesome and come with health benefits. Having an orgasm during menstruation, for instance, is reported to ease cramping and even moodiness at that time of the month!

Orgasms boost the immune system and make you happier. Other benefits of reaching climax during sex for a woman include that orgasms boost a woman’s immune system and promote feelings of happiness and wellbeing. Having one (or some) first thing in the morning, sets you up for a happy and productive day, say experts.