Easing orgasms for women

Dear Looking for Pleasure,

Pressing and rubbing the clitoris and various other parts of your body can lead to many pleasurable sensations: pelvic fullness, bodily tension, tingly sensations, earth-shattering shakes, and more. An orgasm is the point at which all the tension is suddenly released in a series of involuntary and pleasurable muscular contractions. For women, these contractions can be felt in a variety of places, including the vagina, uterus, and/or rectum. Orgasms can be mild, intense, ecstatic, or sensuous, depending on the woman, the environment, the moment, the type of stimulation… the list goes on and on.

Many women find it difficult to have an orgasm, either alone or with a partner. Lack of information, shame about touching one's own body, and/or unknown fears are only a few factors that may prevent women from learning how to orgasm. The following are common barriers that women experience when trying to achieve an orgasm:

• Concentrating on thoughts, rather than sensations. It's easy to be distracted, wondering whether or not you're doing it right, why it isn't going well, getting bored with yourself, wondering what your partner is thinking, whether or not he or she is impatient, and/or whether or not your lover can last.
• Worrying that you won't have an orgasm, even though you are aroused, and so you don't want to get into the hassle of trying, repressing your sexual response.
• Fearing that asking too much from your partner might seem demanding.
• Fearing that if your partner concentrates on your pleasure, you will feel such pressure to come that you won't be able to — and then you don't.
• Trying to orgasm simultaneously.
• Feeling conflict about, or anger at, your partner.
• Having guilt about sex, which may prevent you from really enjoying it.
• Rushing into sex — being swept off your feet, just like in the movies, and being swept under the rug when it comes to climaxes.

Fortunately, there are many resources out there aimed at educating women and their partners about pleasure. You may want to check out the related questions, and the Go Ask Alice! archive for a plethora of questions about orgasms. There are a number of additional resources available, including Good in Bed's Female Orgasms eBook (as well as a number of other eBooks you might find interesting) and the book Because It Feels Good by Debby Herbinick of MySexProfessor.com. Some hints about relaxation and effective techniques for achieving fulfilling orgasms, whenever you want them, can be found in these resources.