Human female orgasm

In a human female orgasm, orgasm is preceded by moistening of the vaginal walls, and an enlargement of the clitoris due to increased blood flow trapped in the clitoris's spongy tissue. Some women exhibit a sex flush, a reddening of the skin over much of the body due to increased blood flow to the skin. As a woman comes closer to having an orgasm, the clitoris moves inward under the clitoral hood, and the labia minora (inner lips) become darker. As orgasm becomes imminent, the vagina decreases in size by about 30% and also becomes congested from engorged soft tissue. The uterus then experiences muscular contractions. A woman experiences full orgasm when her uterus, vagina and pelvic muscles undergo a series of rhythmic contractions. The majority of women consider these contractions to be very pleasurable, although not all sexually active women experience this.

After the orgasm is over, the clitoris re-emerges from under the clitoral hood, and returns to its normal size in less than 10 minutes.

In a disputed study, female orgasm has been linked to education and income, with heterosexual women with post-secondary degrees more likely to reach orgasm than their less-educated counterparts. ^[8]

The study methodology has been quite disputed. It is based on a computer assisted phone survey of 19,307 Australians. In fact, the abstract of the research states: "Demographic and sexual history variables were comparatively weakly associated with orgasm." Linking demographics to orgasms was not the aim of the research. The actual study barely references the linkage between demographics and orgasm. ^{[9] [10]}

[edit] Female multiple orgasm

Unlike men, women either do not have a refractory period or have a very short one and thus can experience a second orgasm soon after the first; some women can even follow this with additional consecutive orgasms. This is known as having multiple orgasms. After the initial orgasm, subsequent climaxes may be stronger or more pleasurable as the stimulation accumulates. Research shows that about 13% of women experience multiple orgasms^{[citation needed]}; a larger number may be able to experience this with the proper stimulation (such as a vibrator) and frame of mind. However, some women's clitorises and nipples are very sensitive after orgasm, making additional stimulation initially painful. It is possible to engage in deep, rapid breaths while continuing stimulation and making a conscious intention to release the pain and tension. Doing this can allow for the intense stimulation to be interpreted not as painful but as intensely pleasurable.^[11]

[edit] The evolutionary purpose of orgasms