What's the difference between a vaginal and clitoral orgasm?

Dear Cumming,  

As your questions allude to, orgasming isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience. Orgasms are all achieved differently, which partly explains why people use terms like “vaginal orgasm” and “clitoral orgasm”. While these classifications seem to suggest that someone assigned female at birth (AFAB) only reaches orgasm through either vaginal or clitoral stimulation alone, in practice, these distinctions are much more blurred. Technically all orgasms with genital stimulation are considered clitoral orgasms. However, despite being an anatomically correct classification, the label is a broad oversimplification because it doesn’t account for many other psychological and physical factors that are involved in achieving an orgasm.

Before diving into the different “types” of orgasms, it may be helpful to touch on what an orgasm actually is. An orgasm is defined as a reflex experienced at the peak of sexual arousal. For those AFAB, an orgasm is often accompanied by muscle contractions in the uterus, vagina, and anus. The other features of an orgasm—such as duration and intensity—will differ from person to person.  

While orgasms may occur in many ways, research shows that for those AFAB a common factor is often clitoral stimulation. The clitoris—the main organ associated with sexual pleasure—can be physically stimulated in many ways, including through direct and indirect stimulation. Orgasms achieved through penetration alone are just one example of indirect clitoral stimulation, further demonstrating that “vaginal orgasms” aren’t as plainly distinct from “clitoral orgasms”.  

Studies show the clitoris and vagina are a network of connected nerves and muscles. While interacting with the clitoris is usually the main component of physical stimulation, factors such as foreplay—dirty talk, kissing, and stimulation of other erogenous zones—may contribute to the intensity of the orgasm and increase the likelihood of it occurring. It may also be interesting to note that while clitoral stimulation, which may occur during non-sexual activities, has been found to play the main role in the “female orgasm,” there’s also evidence suggesting that those AFAB can experience orgasm without any genital stimulation at all.  

That said, the occurrence of orgasms without genital stimulation is still being explored. Evidence thus far suggests that the psychological components of orgasms may play more of a factor than previously thought. Psychological factors such as a combination of self-esteem, body image, and attitudes towards sex (or masturbation) as well as trust, intimacy, and relationship length (if sex is with a partner) may all impact sex and your ability (or inability) to reach orgasm. Therefore, labeling orgasms by which genitals are stimulated may not capture the full experience. It’s also worth noting that the concept of these unique orgasms applies to all people who can orgasm, not just those AFAB!  

Because orgasms are complex and involve so many different factors, attempting to distinguish them by type may lead to misinformation and mislabeling.  For these reasons, paying attention to the sensations you feel and the mental state you’re in may be more beneficial than categorizing the orgasms themselves.