Celebrating Orgasm, by Betty Dodson -- Ms. Dodson helps five women explore
their first orgasms. Becoming Orgasmic, the companion DVD to the book above.
If you aren’t able to have an orgasm from hand stimulation, or your hand gets tired, try using a vibrator. Vibrators can provide the consistent stimulation you need, and they don’t get tired. If you haven’t experienced a vibrator for sexual pleasure, choose one with variable vibrations (see the AWT Why to Use and How to Choose Vibrators and Tips for First-Time Vibrator Users brochures for detailed information about how to choose and use a vibrator). First, focus on using it on your vaginal lips. Then as you become more aroused, find the spots on and around your clitoris that feel best to you. Try all positions “around the clock” of the clitoral tip -- some women report very different responses at “4 o’clock” versus “2 o’clock”. When you find an area where the vibration feels particularly good to you, hold the vibrator in that position. Some women will orgasm quickly, while other women find that with practice, they can follow a strong, nice sensation to orgasm. If a vibrator works well for you, introduce it to your partner and find ways to incorporate it into your sex play. Try using it on your partner -- both men and women enjoy the sensations produced by vibrators, and this is a fun way to add some variety to your sexual play.
But what would my mother say?
Suggested Resources If you’d like some books to help you in your journey, we recommend: Becoming Orgasmic by Heiman & LoPicolo -- a very helpful resource for women who want a step-by-step program they can follow to become more comfortable with their bodies and self-pleasure. For Yourself and For Each Other, both by Lonnie Barbach -- good books to share with a partner. For DVDs on self-pleasuring, we recommend: Celebrating Orgasm, by Betty Dodson -- Ms. Dodson helps five women explore their first orgasms. Becoming Orgasmic, the companion DVD to the book above. Carol Queen’s Great Vibrations, by Carol Queen -- one woman’s exploration into the world of vibrators! Orgasmic Women, by Betty Dodson -- lots of women of various shapes, sizes, ages and ethnicities talk about how they masturbate, then demonstrate their favorite selfpleasuring techniques.
Many of us are told that it is not okay to give ourselves pleasure. At A Woman’s Touch, we want to encourage you (and your mother!) to understand that self-pleasuring is healthy. Studies have found that orgasms boost your immune system and help fight depression. Orgasms are one of the most effective ways to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, which can reduce the risk of urinary incontinence. Self-pleasure is also the best way to learn what you like so you can teach these techniques to your partner(s). For many women it is easier to have an orgasm with a partner after discovering what “works” by themselves!
Orgasms Information about ...
How do I use a vibrator?
What they are, How to know when you’re having one, and Things to tr y when try you aren’t having them.
A Woman’s Touch Sexuality Resource Center 600 Williamson Street Madison, WI 53703 200 N. Jefferson St, Suite 101 Milwaukee, WI 53202
© 1996, 2000, 2005, 2006 A Woman’s Touch Contact A Woman’s Touch for permission to reproduce this brochure.
toll-free: 888-621-8880
www .A WomansT ouchOnline.com www.A .AW omansTouchOnline.com
Dear Dr. Myrtle, I don’t have orgasms. What can I do? This is a very common question with some straightforward answers. Yet, many women can’t find enough information about their bodies to know how to give themselves an orgasm. Often we expect our partners to know how to stimulate us, or think that we should easily have orgasms during vaginal penetration. When we don’t have orgasms, what do we do? First, some information about women’s anatomy. Many sexually responsive tissues for women are located in the lips surrounding the vagina (the labia), the first two inches of the vagina, and the clitoris. Women’s clitorises are about four inches long, but you can only see a tiny bit of it. The clitoris extends from the skin folds just under the pubic hair to as far back as the bottom of the vaginal opening, on both sides of the opening. The parts of the clitoris you can see are the tip and the protective hood, both at the top of the vulva. You may or may not be able to see your clitoris peeking out from its hood when you’re sexually aroused.
With adequate stimulation, a woman may arouse herself to a high enough level that her body will release into an orgasm. We first perceive an orgasm in our brains, which sends electrical signals to our genitals. This signal triggers an intensely pleasurable spasm of the muscles in the pelvic floor, which can last for 10 to 15 seconds. For the majority (more than 95 percent) of women, the vulva and the clitoris require direct stimulation to achieve orgasm. Although vaginal stimulation can be pleasurable and important for some, deep vaginal penetration is less important for orgasmic arousal than often thought. The vulva, clitoris, and vaginal opening also need consistent stimulation for a woman to have an orgasm. For some women, this can mean 20 to 40 minutes or more of continuous rubbing, vibration, or pressure. Taking this long to reach orgasm does not make you abnormal! Many, many women require lengthy periods of direct stimulation to reach orgasm. With intercourse (vaginal penetration), many women find that they experience more pleasure, and have orgasms more easily, when the clitoris and vulva are directly stimulated by a hand, mouth, or vibrator before, during, or after intercourse. During sexual intercourse, the vagina and vulva get stimulation, but often the clitoris does not. This lack of stimulation occurs because, for many women, the clitoris is not in a position to get adequate stimulation for orgasmic arousal during intercourse. Many women don’t have orgasms during intercourse unless they, or their partner, provide addiitonal, direct stimulation to the vulva and clitoris.
Where do I start? The first task is for you to locate the places on your body that give you the most pleasure when they are touched. The best way to determine what you like is to experiment with yourself first, without the social pressure of your, or a partner’s, expectations. Set aside time when you can be alone and both relax and concentrate on stimulating yourself with your hands.
We encourage you to use a small amount of a sexual lubricant when you are exploring how you like to be touched. This will allow your fingers to move more smoothly, and increases how much sensation you are able to feel. It also allows you to rub the skin without irritation. Any water-based lubricant is fine -- our customers particularly like Liquid Silk or Maximus. Don’t use oil or Vaseline, as these can irritate your skin and may lead to yeast infections in some women. Some women find it difficult to relax and let their bodies have orgasms. Orgasms can feel to some of us like we are losing control over our bodies, and this can be scary. If this describes you, make sure you are in a safe place, where you will not be disturbed. Also, allow yourself to control how far you go each time you pleasure yourself. Allow yourself to get a little closer to a building of tension and sensation each time. Your leg muscles may get tense -- this is okay, it’s part of the process. Focus on what feels good to you, and let pleasure happen.
Hand Stimulation Techniques The types of hand stimulation that many women enjoy are long strokes on the lips of the vulva, stroking or rubbing in and around the vaginal opening, and stroking or rubbing the clitoris. Touching the clitoris is really something to explore. Do you like stroking the side of the tip and shaft, or do you like touching directly on the tip? Some women like long strokes of these areas; others like short, quick touches in a circular pattern that gets faster as they become more aroused. Try lots of different pressures and speeds. When you find something that feels good, continue touching yourself that way. If it stops feeling good, try one of your other favorite touches for awhile.
