Although having an orgasm is not the end all be all when it comes to great sex, it doesn't stop us from desiring to have them, whether alone or with a partner. One trip to the land of the Big O is awesome. Two.. three trips? That sounds too good to be true. But, orgasms of this kind are not just some mythical folklore. In fact, having multiple orgasms is very possible, and you can do it too.
Generally, multiple orgasms refer to a pleasure-seeker climaxing more than once in a single session. They are more common in vulva owners—15% of people with a vagina consistently experience multiple orgasms. Not everyone with a vulva experiences this, though, even though most have the capacity to do so. And how about penis-having folks? They could, but not so “ejaculatory.” More like dry orgasms from prostate or nipple stimulation.
After all, there are different types of orgasms up for grabs. Studies show that women are quicker to climax and much prefer to do it alone. Fourteen out of 15 vulva owners orgasm from masturbation before sex, according to the same report above. Plus, 25.2% of female pleasure-seekers who masturbated solo took 2-3 minutes to climax. It’s easy to see why. You know your body best. And without pressure to “perform” or “give” to a partner, you can focus on your pleasure and the sensations.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t orgasm during partnered play. Being with your partner could make things hotter, helping you orgasm more.
As a disclaimer, there is no step-by-step process as each body is different. Therefore, what feels good to one person might not feel good to you. So take these tips as a roadmap that you can adjust to your preferences.
5 Ways to Reach Multiple Orgasms Alone
1. Tone your pelvic floor muscle
Strong pelvic floor muscles = stronger orgasms.
You need to do a bit of groundwork for mind-blowing orgasms. It’s not just all about sex. Like most things in life, you need to sow and do some work before you can harvest rewards. In this case, your seeds are Kegel exercises.
How to do Kegel exercises:
- Find the most comfortable position for you. For example, you can sit comfortably or lie on your back.
- Engage your pelvic muscles by squeezing them 10 to 15 times: clench, then release.
- Hold the “clench” for 2 seconds before releasing it.
- If you’re unsure, the feeling is similar to holding your pee.
- Slowly increase the intensity or repetitions over time. Walk before you run.
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2. Relax and take a break in between
A refractory period is a time your body recovers after an orgasm. So there is really a “break time” because, uh, biology. That said, some vulva owners can orgasm one after the other with no refractory period. But for most of us, a little breather is necessary. Literally.
Don’t forget to breathe. Not breathing could impact the likelihood of climaxing for the second or third time. That little break should give your body enough time to reset while not stopping the arousal. You can stimulate other erogenous zones of your body, switch positions or maybe take a sip of a glass of water.
3. Try a different kind of stimulation
An orgasm could make your clitoris extra sensitive. During these times, some can’t bear their pleasure button to be touched. This is the perfect opportunity to experiment and switch stimulation. Play with your breasts, nipples, inner thighs, perineum, etc.—the sky's the limit, and it’s totally up to you.
Sensation play might also be something you’d want to explore to add spice to the session. Trying something new always makes solo sessions more fun. If your clitoris is not too sensitive and clitoral stimulation is what gets you off, you can apply different techniques as well.
Some examples are:
- Rubbing - Slide your fingers up and down or back and forth across the clit or clitoral hood.
- Tapping - Tap the clit and hood as fast (or slow) as you like.
- Circling - Draw circles around the clit and hood, including the labia along the way.
- Pinching - Pinch your clitoral hood in between your first two fingers and gently tug it up and down.
- Grinding - Grind your pelvis on something—your pillow, the sheets… and so on.
4. Concentrate on your breathing
Breathwork is key to multiple orgasms (and orgasms in general). It clears your mind so that you can stay in the moment. Your body is super connected to your mind. When you’re stressed, it could impact your ability to orgasm. So breathe slowly and deeply as you orgasm.
As your body nears climax and your arousal levels peak, your body will naturally incline to switch to short, huffy breaths. Fight that urge. Continue breathing slowly. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth (like when meditating). This breathing technique is a great way to enhance the sensation.
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5. Bring out the toys
Adding a sex toy or two elevates the sexploration, making the entire experience more pleasurable for you during solo play (plus with your partner during sex). Almost half of the female participants from a study were revealed to be multi-orgasmic when they use sex toys to aid their sexual activities. So, why not?
These sex toys could help vulva owners achieve multiple orgasms:
- Doxy Die Cast - A wand massager that packs a lot of power and sends deep, rumbly vibrations to your clit and various erogenous zones.
- Lelo Soraya Wave - A top-shelf rabbit vibrator that provides both clitoral and internal stimulation. The insertable arm is powered by their patented WaveMotion tech that feels like you’re being expertly fingered… by a vibrator.
- Lovense Lush 3- A wearable egg vibrator perfect for public and long-distance partnered play. Of course, you can also enjoy it solo by connecting it to your smartphone to enjoy customizing vibration patterns, music syncing, and sound-activation functions.
- We-Vibe Tango X- One of the most powerful bullet vibrators with 7 rumbly vibration patterns and 8 adjustable speeds to give you a variety of sensations. Plus, it’s super portable and easy to hide.
- Satisfyer Pro 2- A budget-friendly clitoral stimulator that creates changes in air pressure to deliver pleasure. You get 11 levels of intensity, so you can find a configuration that gives you multiple orgasms without putting anything inside yourself. Plus, it works underwater.
Practice makes perfect
Rome wasn’t built in a day. So if you didn’t orgasm multiple times after your first few tries, don’t lose hope. It takes practice to be better at something—including multiple orgasms.
The more you train, the easier it will be for you to achieve your second, third, fourth (and so on) orgasm.
Orgasmed or did not, multiple or just one—NO PRESSURE. It’s not a requirement or an end goal.
If you enjoyed the journey, then it was a success. The best part? You can always keep trying.
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In a xoNecoleexclusive, the iconic actress opens up about embracing this season of her life, new projects, and overall being a “bad motherfucker.” Gabrielle reveals that she was 37 years old when she was diagnosed with perimenopause and is still going through it at 51 years old. Mayo Clinic says perimenopause “refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years.”
“I haven't crossed over the next phase just yet, but I think part of it is when you hear any form of menopause, you automatically think of your mother or grandmother. It feels like an old-person thing, but for me, I was 37 and like not understanding what that really meant for me. And I don't think we focus so much on the word menopause without understanding that perimenopause is just the time before menopause,” she tells us.
Gabrielle Union
Photo by Brian Thomas
"But you can experience a lot of the same things during that period that people talk about, that they experienced during menopause. So you could get a hot flash, you could get the weight gain, the hair loss, depression, anxiety, like all of it, mental health challenges, all of that can come, you know, at any stage of the menopausal journey and like for me, I've been in perimenopause like 13, 14 years. When you know, most doctors are like, ‘Oh, but it's usually about ten years, and I'm like, ‘Uhh, I’m still going (laughs).’”
Conversations about perimenopause, fibroids, and all the things that are associated with women’s bodies have often been considered taboo and thus not discussed publicly. However, times are changing, and thanks to the Gabrielle’s and the Tia Mowry’s, more women are having an authentic discourse about women’s health. These open discussions lead to the creation of more safe spaces and support for one another.
“I want to be in community with folks. I don't ever want to feel like I'm on an island about anything. So, if I can help create community where we are lacking, I want to be a part of that,” she says. “So, it's like there's no harm in talking about it. You know what I mean? Like, I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change. I'm just getting better and stronger and more intelligent, more wise, more patient, more compassionate, more empathetic. All of that is very, very welcomed, and none of it should be scary.”
The Being Mary Jane star hasn’t been shy about her stance on therapy. If you don’t know, here’s a hint: she’s all for it, and she encourages others to try it as well. She likens therapy to dating by suggesting that you keep looking for the right therapist to match your needs. Two other essential keys to her growth are radical transparency and radical acceptance (though she admits she is still working on the latter).
"I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change."
Gabrielle Union and Kaavia Union-Wade
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images
“I hope that a.) you recognize that you're not alone. Seek out help and know that it's okay to be honest about what the hell is happening in your life. That's the only way that you know you can get help, and that's also the only other way that people know that you are in need if there's something going on,” she says, “because we have all these big, very wild, high expectations of people, but if they don't know what they're actually dealing with, they're always going to be failing, and you will always be disappointed. So how about just tell the truth, be transparent, and let people know where you are. So they can be of service, they can be compassionate.”
Gabrielle’s transparency is what makes her so relatable, and has so many people root for her. Whether through her TV and film projects, her memoirs, or her social media, the actress has a knack for making you feel like she’s your homegirl. Scrolling through her Instagram, you see the special moments with her family, exciting new business ventures, and jaw-dropping fashion moments. Throughout her life and career, we’ve seen her evolve in a multitude of ways. From producing films to starting a haircare line to marriage and motherhood, her journey is a story of courage and triumph. And right now, in this season, she’s asking, “What’s next?”
“This is a season of discovery and change. In a billion ways,” says the NAACP Image Award winner. “The notion of like, ‘Oh, so and so changed. They got brand new.’ I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
"I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
She continues, “So I'm just trying to figure out what's next. You know what I mean? I'm jumping into what's next. I'm excited going into what's next and new. I'm just sort of embracing all of what life has to offer.”
Look out for Gabrielle in the upcoming indie film Riff Raff, which is a crime comedy starring her and Jennifer Coolidge, and she will also produce The Idea of You, which stars Anne Hathaway.
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