orgasm, climactic physiological state of heightened sexual excitement and gratification that is followed by relaxation of sexual tensions and the body’s muscles.
Orgasm is marked by a feeling of sudden and intense pleasure, an abrupt increase in pulse rate and blood pressure, and spasms of the pelvic muscles that cause contractions of the lower vagina in the female and contractions of the urethra and ejaculation by the male. Males and females are physiologically capable of experiencing orgasm from infancy, and children who engage in masturbation or sex play may achieve this sensation. Orgasm can occur while a person is asleep and dreaming, as well as from sexual intercourse or masturbation.
Generally, the differences between the human male and female orgasms are that the climax in the female can be physiologically interrupted more easily than can the male response, and the male’s orgasm is usually accompanied by ejaculation of semen; both male and female experience momentary muscular contractions during the orgasm, but the female’s effects are usually longer in duration. Since the male responses are usually more rapidly induced, the male probably achieves orgasms more consistently during intercourse than does the female. Once the female attains an orgasm, however, she remains sexually excited longer and may experience several successive orgasms, whereas the male is ordinarily unable to experience a second orgasm except after a waiting period.