"If you love a good orgasm, experimenting with toys, learning new techniques, or simply want to “spice” things up, multiple orgasms might be for you. For many people, having multiple orgasms turns the heat way up in the bedroom, whether you’re solo or partnered. It can be an exciting moment to learn more about your body or experience different kinds of stimulation and pleasure.
The first time I had multiple orgasms, I was masturbating with my first-ever vibrator, and I had 11 orgasms over the course of an hour. Shocking, I know. Honestly, I didn’t expect to have more than two, but each orgasm was so gratifying and the more I had, the more unique they got.
While this was a tantalizing time for me, be cautious that you don’t get fooled by the idea that more orgasms equal better sex. For many, one orgasm (or none!) is satisfying, and more orgasms don’t necessarily make sex any better. In fact, it can even make sex worse for some. If you’re curious to see how your body responds to multiple orgasms, follow this step-by-step guide.
What does it mean to have multiple orgasms?
Multiple orgasms is having more than one orgasm during one sexual experience. They can be consecutive orgasms, or the orgasms can be spaced out over a period of time.
For some people, each orgasm gets more pleasurable and intense (that’s me!), while for other people, each orgasm gets less pleasurable, or it might be entirely unpredictable for some, says Dr. Jess O’Reilly in her podcast Sex With Dr. Jess.
While multiple orgasms are all the rage these days, you might be surprised to know how few cis women actually have multiple orgasms. A study published in 2016 in The Journal of Socioaffective Neuroscience & Psychology reported that only 11% of cis women in the study had two or more orgasms. In fact, of those 11%, only half (5%) had more than two orgasms.
How to have multiple orgasms
When it comes to how to have multiple orgasms, it’s incredibly individualized. Not only do different people have multiple orgasms from different techniques, but you might find that on Monday, one technique works for you, and on Friday, it doesn’t, says Dr. Jess.
While the best way to have multiple orgasms varies from person to person, there are techniques that have been successful for many people. Here’s what to do if you want to have more than one O, for people with a vulva:
1. After your first, keep going
While this may sound obvious, in order to have multiple orgasms, you need to begin stimulation again at some point after your first orgasm. You don’t have to immediately have sex when you O though, sometimes taking a break can actually help. The clitoris can be too sensitive to continue sex right after you have an orgasm. Keep in mind, however, if you cum, and you’re not feeling up for another, you don’t have to keep going. For many people, good sex doesn’t have anything to do with how many orgasms they have.
2. Incorporate sex toys
For many people, having multiple orgasms is much easier, more intense, and more pleasurable with sex toys. We actually have an entire list of products that make multiple orgasms easier. Personally, I can only have more than one O with a vibrator. Dr. Jess says in her podcast, “I hear from so many clients who find that if they add a vibrator after they’ve already had an orgasm, it either intensifies that orgasm, prolongs that orgasm, or leads to another orgasm and another orgasm.”
You might try vibrators, clitoral suction toys, g-spot vibrators, nipple clamps, or butt plugs. In fact, in the 2016 study, researchers found “Almost half of the women surveyed were multi-orgasmic if they used almost continuously in their sexual activities some sexual toys and aids, or if their lovemaking lasted for more than an hour,” which brings me to my next point…
3. Get…very…aroused
For some people, it takes a long time just to have one orgasm, let alone a second. Just as the study explained, many people need an hour in order to have multiple orgasms. Take your time, don’t rush. You might even start off with porn, erotica, or taking sexy pics of yourself.
4. Stimulate multiple parts of the body
“One way to experiment with multiple orgasms is simply to change techniques or pathways,” explains Dr. Jess in her podcast. “If your first orgasm comes from rubbing the clit, try switching to the g-spot at the very first sign of your orgasmic contractions.” This can be especially useful for people who find that the head of their clitoris becomes too sensitive during and immediately after an orgasm. Not just that, but you can also stimulate entirely separate parts of your body, like your anus, perineum, or nipples.
5. Switch up the order
“If [external clitoral stimulation] is the easiest pathway to orgasm for you, don’t do that first,” says Dr. Jess. “Do something different, like maybe play with penetration, or play with the g-spot with your fingers or a toy, or play with your butt and see if you can get yourself to orgasm. Then, once you’ve reached orgasm, you can take a break, or you can go straight into stimulating that more surefire pathway to multiples.” This technique can make it easier to have multiple O’s, since you’re left with a reliable way to cum after you have your first.
6. Communicate
If you choose to have multiple orgasms with a partner, it is essential to communicate. For me, it’s challenging to orgasm multiple times with another person because I need such specific stimulation. While some people might not need precise stimulation like me, it’s still important to communicate so you can direct your partner to what feels good.
7. Don’t focus solely on having an orgasm
It’s OK to intentionally try to have multiple orgasms and use specific techniques to do so. That will probably help. You do have to be cautious, however, that you’re not so focused on having an orgasm that you forget to consider how enjoyable the experience is. Not just that, but hyper-focusing on having an orgasm can actually make it even harder to orgasm.
For some people, eleven orgasms are where the pleasure lies, and for others, one, or none, is the most satisfying experience. If you’re curious about having multiple orgasms, take your time getting aroused, try out toys, and switch up your techniques. Remember to follow what feels good to you, and that more orgasms don’t always equal better sex.