The orgasm hierarchy: what’s the best type of orgasm?

Orgasms don't always cum easily, but thankfully there are countless creative paths a gal can take to reach that peak. In other words, depending who you talk to, or which article you consult, there are anywhere from 1 to 24 different ‘types’ of orgasms to be had by people with vaginas. You’ve got clitoral orgasms, vaginal or g-spot orgasms, anal orgasms, blended orgasms, erogenous zone orgasms, coregasms, and SO many more. So—even though people with penises tend to have an overall easier go of topping that mountain, there is no reason the gendered orgasm gap can't be closed with a little self-knowledge and strong communication with your partner(s).

But before we go any further, I gotta address this notion going around (it ain’t new by a long shot) that there is some kinda orgasm hierarchy, and that some types of orgasms are somehow inherently superior to others. Mostly, I’m talking about the idea that vaginal orgasms are the gold standard and that anyone who experiences them is somehow more in touch with herself, more sexually mature, or more capable of feeling pleasure than those who require clitoral stimulation to get off. FYI: only 6% of women always have an orgasm during penile-vaginal intercourse, 40% nearly always do, 16% get there half the time, and 38% do so rarely. A total of 14% of women under 35 have never had an orgasm from PinV intercourse.

Here’s the thing: placing vaginal orgasms above clitoral orgasms (as though there is any need to create false dichotomies) is not only an injustice to pleasure-seekers everywhere—it also happens to be highly misinformed.

Let’s break down some of the main orgasm ‘types,’and look at all the different yet equally delicious ways to reach O town, shall we?

Clitoral

The famed clitoris is a super-sensitive little pleasure button adorning the exterior of your vagina, am I right? Not exactly. Your clit is actually a rather large, mostly internal organ. A small portion of the clit is located externally at the top of the vulva where your labia meet, and stimulating this external bit with a finger, tongue, or vibrator is the road to pleasure palace (and orgasms) for the majority of women. Interestingly, however, even orgasms from vaginal penetration can be considered clitoral orgasms (take that, false dichotomies!). Why? Because the vagina and the clitoris are intimately and intricately intertwined, with the clit’s internal wishbone shape surrounding a great deal of the vaginal walls. It’s all connected, baby.

Vaginal

Vaginal orgasms are often misconstrued as the “best” way for women to orgasm (or, um, the easiest for penises), but it’s often the most difficult for women. The G-spot orgasm is the most well-known type of vaginal orgasm and sometimes leads to female ejaculation AKA squirting. The G-spot is an area located on the front wall of the vagina, about 2 inches in—it can feel amazing when stimulated or pressed against largely because of its proximity to the clitoris. Simply insert fingers or a toy into the vagina and make a “come hither” motion toward the belly button to explore optimal angles for hitting your beautiful G-spot. For those who wish to delve deeper into studying their big O potential, there’s also a bunch of other types of vaginal orgasms—like the A-spot, O-spot, P-spot, and U-spot, to name a few. Really, there’s one for almost every letter of the alphabet, so you better get crackin.’ 

Blended

A blended orgasm is an orgasm involving both clitoral stimulation and internal vaginal stimulation, like when a guy massages you internally with his cock while also rubbing your clit with his thumb. Mmm. There are also many epic sex toys designed for just this sort of magical blend. Again though, because vaginal penetration also stimulates the internal part of the clitoris, it’s actually more accurate to think of blended orgasms as a combination of two different types of clitoral stimulation—external and internal, simply. Some people experience blended orgasms as more mind-shatteringly intense than orgasms which only involve one type of stimulation or the other.

Anal

Anal orgasms occur when the anus and rectum are stimulated. Since everybody has an asshole (I said it), people of all genders can have anal orgasms, which, particularly in men, are sometimes referred to as prostate orgasms or P-spot orgasms. In fact, there are some men who insist that prostate-induced orgasms are even more pleasurable than the orgasms that can be experienced with penile stimulation alone (men can go deeper too, y’all). In sexpots with pussies, the proximity of the anus and rectum to the internal clitoris and the hyper-sensitive, nerve-dense pelvic floor are understood as the reason some gals can reach orgasm via anal stimulation alone. Damn.

Bottom line: we’re all different, and we’re all packed with pleasure potential. We’ve only just scratched the very surface here, as clearly, there are countless ways to cum and cum again. If you know what works for you and don’t see any need to switch things up at the moment, do you. If you’re looking to explore and expand your repertoire, do you. No matter what, refrain from comparing yourself to porn stars, movie stars, or even to your friends. Whether solo or with a partner, just pick the pleasure path that calls you in this moment, and dive in. The rest will follow. All you gotta do is you.