The Type of Orgasm
 

Up to this point we have discussed the general conduct of intercourse. Since, as has been remarked previously, there are two types of orgastic reaction, each peculiar to the female groups under discussion, and since each group requires a different method of handling (although all groups have one feature, clitorial contact, somewhat in common), the types of orgasm will be more clearly understood if they are illustrated diagrammatically as well as explained. The type peculiar to the highly passionate group has been referred to as a sustained orgasm. In a climax of this character, the female experiences a more or less steady sensation of pleasure, enduring over a considerable period as if the crisis reached a certain height and remained there indefinitely, always producing a constant feeling of delight. It might be compared to a searchlight which, once turned on, will continue to burn until it is either deliberately extinguished by the user or until the battery becomes exhausted.

The type peculiar to the lowly and moderately sensitive group is described as an individual orgasm because the sensation does not run on indefinitely, as with the highly passionate. It reaches a peak, remains there for a relatively short period, and then automatically ceases. Like a glowing bulb, when the current is cut off, it becomes dimmer and dimmer until is disappears entirely. Following a pause by the male, it is as if the current were suddenly switched on again as soon as he resumes his efforts. If the female is capable of more than one orgasm, the crisis occurs again but reaches a lower peak. This time it is neither so long nor intense, automatically ceases, and then abates. This process repeates itself for as many climaxes as the woman is able to attain. In any case, the first is always the strongest, the peaks of the others always falling lower and lower until, finally, the male is no longer able to reinduce the sensation. The female is fully gratified.

It is perfectly possible for a woman who is capable of six individual orgasms, for example, to feel satisfied after the fourth or fifth, although she may unknowingly be capable of more. However, since the feeling is pleasurable for her at any time, there is no reason why the male should not persist in his efforts to extract from her every impulse of sensation possible before discontinuing the relationship.

The following diagrams represent the orgastic reactions of the various groups under discussion:

Sustained Orgasm

The above diagram shows the sensation building up from the low point to a peak and then flowing on steadily until the gradual decline which ends in satiety.

The foregoing diagram illustrates the orgasm of a woman who suddenly breaks off the intercourse either by swooning or bursting into violent tears.

Broken Off

The above illustrates the reaction of a woman who requires constant interruption of the sensation. Her partner halts his activity to allow the sensation to drop completely, then reinduces it until she again calls for an interruption; this continues until she finally concludes the relationship entirely. If she could withstand continuous sensation, the diagram would be the same as the previous one. The interruptions, of course, are not as regular as those indicated on the sketch. Some may regard each interrupted phase as a distinct orgasm. Actually, this is not the case since the orgasm does not automatically discontinue itself.

The above sketch of a sustained orgasm can be fitted into the pattern of any level. It will be observed that the flow is constant, except at two peaks. These mount higher than the others. This frequently occurs when the male suddenly introduces additional stimuli while intercourse is taking place. For example, he may have been kissing his partner's lips and decide to kiss her breasts. Should he do so, at that point she will jump to a higher peak and may even remain at that new height while the breast kissing continues, falling back to the old level as soon as it is discontinued.

On the other hand, it just as frequently happens that with the same introduction, such as breast kissing, the female will rise to a new peak and remain their only momentarily, then fall back to her old level, regardless of whether this added stimulation is continued. This is usually the case, but both possibilities have been indicated on the above diagram. It is better practice, however, to interrupt whatever suddenly lifts a woman to a higher peak, and resume it perhaps a minute later. It then comes unexpectedly, is fresh again, and will induce a new response.

When a woman rises to another peak, it can immediately detected by a deep gasp as this new and unexpected thrill bursts upon her. This is a frequent occurrence when the male, during intercourse, suddenly thrusts his penis deeper into the vagina than he has been, and presses it there for a few moments, or experiences orgasm.

The foregoing diagrams should make quite clear the nature of the orgastic reactions of a highly passionate woman. Regarding those of the other groups, however, one scheme is applicable to all, since the type of orgasm in these cases is the same. Naturally, there are varying degrees of emotion among these women as among the highly passionate. This would manifest itself with respect to the length of time it might take a woman to reach her particular peak and the length of time consumed by the orgasm itself. The former, however, is more variable than the latter. The length of time consumed by the orgasm itself probably varies little, while the length of time required for arousal can vary by many minutes. The pattern, however, is basically the same in all instances.

The foregoing diagram illustrates a single orgasm, the type experienced by the large majority of women. It resembles the others in appearance, but automatically cuts itself off at the end and rapidly diminishes. Unlike that of the highly emotional, the build-up time is considerably longer and the orgasm itself is of much shorter duration, as is indicated by the time set down. The length of the or-gastic period and the diminishing time were omitted from the diagrams of the highly sensitive, because there is too great a variation even among these women to attempt to standardize their reactions, as can be done with the other groups. The time factors may run anywhere from three minutes.

The following represents the pattern of a woman who can experience more than one individual orgasm:


The foregoing diagram illustrates the fact that the build-up to the first orgasm is the longest but, nevertheless, shorter than those of women capable of only one orgasm. Also, the first orgasm is the most intense. When it subsides, the male must usually wait about a minute before attempting to restimulate the clitoris. Each orgasm is a complete and individual unit, entirely separate from those which precede or follow it, and each automatically terminates itself.

Following the pause, response to male inducement is immediate, orgasm being achieved in a few seconds but being less intense and less lengthy. The pauses taken by the male each time before restimulation should slightly increase, the figures set down being merely approximations and by no means representing time lapses to the precise second. However, as the orgasms increase beyond the first three, it definitely becomes necessary to lengthen the pauses by fifteen or twenty seconds each time. Apparently, the frequency begins to put a strain upon the female system after the first three orgasms, and nature consequently requires a longer period of recuperation. The build-up time also increases, and the build-up to the eighth or ninth orgasm sometimes takes as long as two minutes.

With reference to orgasms of the individual type, women experience as many as a dozen in a relationship of about forty-five minutes' duration, including foreplay; it is probable that there are females who can achieve many more. The latter, however, are definitely rare; the normal number of orgasms runs from four to ten. A woman of such intense nature is difficult to handle, as has been said before, because, in addition to other reasons subsequently explained, it is impossible to predict exactly how many climaxes she will attain. Her mood is an important factor.

An occurrence occasionally met in women of the multi-orgasm type suggests rather clearly that there is a distinct relationship between this group and the highly passionate. If it were not for the fact that nature seems deliberately to insist upon limiting the orgastic duration of the former, both groups would in all probability be one. The following diagram will illustrate what is meant.

In the above it will be noted that the first orgasm does not completely subside. The reason is that the male has ejaculated. This has resulted in the sensation almost instantaneously reinducing itself, climbing a short distance to a peak, and culminating in a second climax. The second orgasm does subside, however, as do the subsequent ones.

Consequently, the first orgasm, although actually two, is practically constant. Instead of lasting only thirty seconds, it is maintained almost a minute, the combined times of the first and second orgasm. If we assume that this were to occur throughout the entire cycle of a woman who normally attains eight individual climaxes, she would achieve what is equivalent to a sustained orgasm of approximately four minutes' duration. Such a combination of the first two orgasms is not too frequent, nor is it infrequent. As a rule, following the jerking reaction at the end of an orgasm, the male can continue to stimulate the clitoris indefinitely, without reinducing sensation, if he fails to pause in between.

It appears that individual orgasms place a greater strain upon the nervous system of those women to whom they are peculiar than the sustained type, and nature makes this very clear. We know that this type of orgasm is generally the result of digital contact with the clitoris. However, once the climax has run its duration, it automatically subsides and the clitoris momentarily loses its sensitivity. This occurs regardless of whether the male continues to stimulate it. If this finger friction is maintained without pause once the climax has been reached, an involuntary and convulsive series of body jerks immediately seizes the female, warning that the orgasm has completed its course; these jerks will continue until the finger is removed from the clitoris. A subsequent orgasm cannot be achieved until this is done, and if digital contact be resumed too soon, the jerking will likewise resume.

This appears to be nature's method of informing the male that his partner's nervous system has absorbed all it can stand for the moment. A rest of a minute or so will allow the body to readjust itself and thereafter the second orgasm can be clitorally induced by the finger. When completed, this will likewise be followed by the same convulsive jerkings, whereupon another pause must be taken. With the continuation of this procedure each pause becomes longer as the orgasms increase in number, until finally, when the system has absorbed all it can stand for the moment, no amount of pause and subsequent stimulation will enable the clitoris to regain its sensitivity. Contact with it now produces only body twitches or no sensation at all. Intercourse is now completed.

Some elaboration is required regarding the pause between orgasms and other approximations. The reader will observe certain time elements marked on the diagrams. These specific times must not be taken literally. It stands to reason that one cannot prepare a timetable which will account exactly for the reactions of every woman. One can describe their reactions because, although numerous, they are limited in number. Time durations cannot be set to the absolute second. The figures given, however, will never be too far away from the reaction time of any woman now being discussed, and will give the male a sound basis for experimentation.

Further mention should be made of female body twitching; this is just as important a guide to a woman's responsiveness as is the flowing of the secretions previously mentioned. It happens sometimes that digital contact with the clitoris will result in body jerking even before the first orgasm. This immediately indicates that the female is being pressed to respond too rapidly. It is true that some fluid may be flowing, but if these jerks occur, the secretion is not yet issuing freely enough, and the clitoris is being forced to stimulation before it is ready. It can also mean that too much pressure is being placed upon it; excess pressure upon the clitoris will not only result in jerking but will also deaden sensitivity completely. It has the effect of paralyzing the nervous mechanism at that spot. The only time that excessive pressure may be placed upon the clitoris is just before the orgasm. A woman feels at that moment as if she wishes the male to push upon it and will strain her body against the finger. Even so, only a firm pressure should be used. Too much pressure, even at this point, will destroy the orgasm even though the female may believe that it will increase it. At any other time, only a light stroking will produce the best results.

It has been remarked that an incredible number of married women have never experienced an orgasm. Nothing more clearly demonstrates the ignorance of the male than his unawareness of this, because the symptoms of the female orgasm are so obvious. The difficult thing, however, is to describe the sensation to a woman who has never achieved a climax, so that she herself can give consideration to its attainment. The problem would become immediately apparent if one were asked to describe a simple headache to a person who has never experienced pain. Consequently, the sensation itself cannot be described except in terms of the sensations with which a woman is familiar in love-making. When all those which are not the orgasm are eliminated, a woman will then know that she has never attained a climax.
Let us take the analogy of a sneeze. It starts as a mild tickling sensation in the lower nostril; as one continues to inhale, the tickling builds up and changes into a sharp, pleasant sensation which seems to run up the nose into the sinuses and eyes and suddenly culminates in that delicious burst of enjoyable relief which is the sneeze. By this is not meant the sudden sneeze. Reference is made to the slow type which sometimes develops into such a lengthy paroxysm that the original pleasant sensation becomes disagreeable. If the entire sneeze, the beginning as well as the end, could be transferred to the genital region and the organs there were involved in it, the physical sensation resulting would be the closest to an orgasm as described in comparative sensations with which we are familiar.

If one prefers to regard it visually, the skyrocket makes a perfect and accurate eye picture. One sees the rocket as a flaming line mounting higher and higher until suddenly it reaches its peak, and beautiful bursts of color fly out in every direction. If it is a multiple rocket, other smaller bursts follow on lower levels, each burst diminishing until at last the sparks trail slowly down and disappear below the horizon. The individual rocket represents an individual orgasm; the multiple rocket is comparable to a series.

If one were to attempt to describe the sensation in words, it could be said that it starts with a light tickling or tingling sensation at the clitoris which gradually gathers intensity. The tingling becomes sharper and stronger until it seems to cover the entire genital area and finally culminates in a fierce burst of overwhelming, ecstatic sensation which seems to invade every organ in the genital system and is uncontrollable.

This also can be stated positively. Any woman who has ever experienced an orgasm will automatically recognize it beyond the slightest doubt. A woman who is at all uncertain has never attained it. It does not resemble and cannot be confused with any other known sensation. It is more individual and distinctive than pain; there are many types of pain, but only one sensation of orgasm. It must in all cases be felt in the genital area. It is not a sensation exclusively in either the heart or head, although the heart may pound wildly, the head may feel like bursting, and the legs may become weak from the drain upon the body's energy. The delight of the sensation is localized and experienced only in the genital area. It seems simultaneously to involve the clitoris and the interior and exterior of the vagina, and it is difficult for a woman to determine precisely whence the sensation really emanates.

It is not the sensation experienced by a woman when she is kissed by a man of whom she is passionately fond, although that feeling be magnified a thousand times. It is not the fluttering of the heart which occurs when a girl is first embraced by someone for whom she cares. It is not that hollow feeling in the stomach which arises when the legs or thighs of those physically attracted to each other meet under the table or in a crowded car. Nor is it that body hunger experienced by two people when their nakedness is merged in bed. It is a definite, unmistakable, and entirely new sensation, delirious, wild, and uncontrollable. Beyond this description, the author can add nothing more.

This is, perhaps, the appropriate point at which to take up the widely discussed simultaneous orgasm and to describe the unfortunate consequences to which it may lead. The simultaneous orgasm is attained when both parties reach their climaxes at the same time, and it is spoken of as the ultimate in sensation and as being difficult to achieve. Although it is not too often experienced consistently, anyone who observes the various methods described herein can bring it about with ease. It is usually the objective of a man who is associated with a one-orgasm woman and to whom it has never occurred to condition his partner for more than one. Since most men ignore the helpful qualities of the clitoris and stake everything upon the ability of the penis, an organ not necessarily equipped for the function it is called upon to perform; and since most women are slow in the build up, it is remarkable that any man can delay orgasm sufficiently long to meet that of his partner.

Even if a man is able to effect a simultaneous orgasm every time and with facility, what is the result? Since a man who attains his climax is not in the mood for further love-making, the possibility of his partner's ever achieving more than one orgasm is practically nonexistent. The average male's lack of conception that his partner may be capable of more than one adds to the difficulty. This pursuit of a fanciful notion will operate to maintain a woman at a single-orgasm level, a loss of completion far more to be deplored than that resulting from separate orgasms.

But even though some advocates of simultaneous orgasms also take into consideration the possibility that a woman is capable of more than one climax, they merely advise the ignorant layman to delay his orgasm without benefit of clitoral stimulation through a number of female climaxes. This is a physical impossibility as a steady activity for any man. Furthermore, these advocates fail to state specifically at what particular female orgasm the male should induce his; they merely recommend "the last."

But, who can predetermine what the last one is? The number of orgasms will definitely fluctuate from interval to interval depending upon various mental and physical factors which intrude into a woman's sex life. It is ironic, however, that the average woman is indifferent as to whether male and female climaxes are simultaneous or not. Once in the throes of an orgasm, she is more than sufficiently occupied.

With regard to the female climax, any male can tell when it is occurring, and ejaculation at any time, whether it be on a build up or during the climax itself, will heighten sensation for the female, just as if her partner were to kiss her breasts. Because of this, it is frequently assumed that since the woman is experiencing an added thrill of excitement, she is attaining her climax and that the orgasms are occurring simultaneously. On the contrary, she has been experiencing orgasms all along and will still continue to experience them on the former level if her partner maintains his efficiency, which is unlikely. What frequently happens is that the male, observing the jump in emotion his partner has taken as his ejaculation occurs, assumes she is also reaching her climax and is now ready to subside, as he is. Naturally, the moment he relaxes, he discontinues the friction necessary for his partner's sensation, and she subsides prematurely—rarely to admit, no matter how often it occurs, that she has the capacity to continue. This is another of the complications which may arise from concentrating on simultaneity.

Since the male orgasm at any time will heighten a woman's sensation, it makes not the slightest difference to most females when he experiences it, so long as he makes certain his partner is not denied her full complement of pleasure. There is only one time he can be certain of this and that is after she has reached her capacity for that intercourse.

As a further consideration, from the standpoint of direct physical sensation, the simultaneous climax adds nothing at all in a large proportion of cases. While a man can easily detect orgasm in his partner, it is frequently impossible for the woman to detect the male climax, since it depends largely upon the nature of the man and his responsiveness. Many man are completely taut at the moment of orgasm, and it is only when the sensation is occurring and subsiding that they relax and start breathing deeply, thus evincing the only symptom that climax has been achieved. Furthermore, should either partner be employing some contraceptive device, the woman cannot feel the spurting of the semen, especially if her vagina is relatively or completely insensitive. She can determine the male's climax only by the depth of his breathing, by his exclamations, or perhaps by the tightening of his arms about her; this translates itself into a mental conception which heightens the physical. Since she may feel nothing at all within the vagina, the male orgasm is useless in a great percentage of instances as a direct vaginal stimulant.

There are, however, some women who will demand a simultaneous orgasm. These women are members of the highly passionate group to whom male responsiveness is more important than with any other. Theirs is an attitude not common to women in general. They are tremendously moved by the thought that they have been able to produce a moment of intense pleasure for their lover, and this is combined with the realization that he is deeply enjoying them as the instrument thereof. This results in a tremendous physical thrill which, however pleasurable to them at any time, is particularly so at a certain peak of their climax. Such women- will usually exclaim to their lover in terms of endearment such as a mother might use to a child who has fallen and hurt himself. Since such women form a small proportion of the highly passionate group, to the majority of whom the moment of male orgasm is of small consequence, their tastes are an insufficient criterion on which to base a recommended procedure for the majority.

It might be added, also, that few lovers, particularly women, have a desire to carry on a constant conversation when involved in sexual throes. However, unless both parties continue to inquire concerning their mutual progress toward orgasm, simultaneity will hardly be achieved. Automatic timing is not consistently possible. Furthermore, there is always the reluctance of each to be the first to attain climax. This results in physical and mental effort on the part of both to merge orgasms, and interferes with the smoothness of intercourse. Notwithstanding, the male orgasm usually precedes that of the female and, where the timing is close, causes the female climax to follow immediately. Even this is not true simultaneity but approximate, the former under any circumstances being rarely attained.

Everything taken into consideration, it would be of greater practical value for a husband to concentrate upon a technique which aims to extend the pleasure of his wife rather than shorten it.

It might be wondered, since the orgasm is a sensation which all of us experience, why it affects some people more intensely than others. Is the quality itself any deeper in one individual than in another?

The author believes that the quality of orgasm is of the same intensity for all, though not necessarily of the same duration. Its effect depends entirely upon the make-up of a person, as well as the length of climax. With respect to duration, a woman of the individual-orgasm type enjoys a shorter experience of sensation than does a woman who sustains a prolonged climax. The shorter period experienced by the former allows her no time to become expressive in her passion. It is there one moment and gone the next. But even throughout its short interval, a female is uncontrollably and violently convulsed. If her orgasm were prolonged, it is possible and probable that she would react precisely as her highly passionate sisters, because she would have sufficient time for it.

A needle jabbed an eighth of an inch into a person's thumb and instantly withdrawn, will result in a sharp twinge of pain. But the same needle, jabbed the same distance and allowed to remain, will create unbearable pain. All the factors are the same but in the latter case a cumulative effect builds up over the longer period. Duration has a decided bearing upon intensity.

Individual make-up has equal importance with duration. It is a combination of the two, which determines the varied responses encountered in the sex act. For example, a hundred volts of electricity hurled at various people will not necessarily affect them all the same way. Some may faint, some will undergo a greater contraction of the muscles, some may be knocked fiat. But it is only one hundred volts. This may be called "individual predisposition." In connection with pain, the thresholds of individuals vary, although the identical measure is applied to all. Logic would suggest that similar relationships apply to the pleasure of intercourse. Some women and men simply react differently to the same degree of pleasure.

Regarding the degree of sexual emotion, sexology is still debating the old question as to which of the sexes is the more passionate. It is difficult to see how there can be doubt as to the answer. A highly passionate woman can be reduced to a state where she is physically unable to protest, so completely is she overwhelmed by her desire. Should man sustain a prolonged orgasm, such as is achieved by the highly passionate type of woman, it is probable that he, also, might faint or burst into tears. Many men, as it is, sob violently. But because most of the male sex do not, conditions must be compared as they are.

Since woman generally has the capacity to experience more than one orgasm, since many do, and since some can attain a continuous climax of long duration, the male, who is always limited to a single culmination, definitely experiences his climax in a lesser quantity, even though the initial intensity of both may be identical. Since, also, capacity is the measure that determines the quantity of anything, and since the female sustains a greater number of orgasms, it follows that she must have a greater capacity for passion and is, therefore, more passionate. The fact that she requires a longer period for satisfaction adds further support.

Consequently, in any sexual relationship, man may be regarded as the master of the situation. It remains for him to live up to his responsibility.