This is What’s Happening in Your Body When You Have an Orgasm

Have you ever wondered what happens to your body at the peak of pleasure? Or what hormone is released during an orgasm that makes you feel so damn good? Your body is a wonderful and complicated place, so it’s no surprise that your orgasms are much more complex than just a flash of physical and emotional bliss. 

When you orgasm, your brain releases a cocktail of chemicals resulting in that familiar feeling of intense pleasure. Where this gets fascinating is how this hormone cocktail can impact your focus, awareness, and beyond.

If you’re curious about exactly what's happening in your body and brain during the “Big O,” we've got your answers! Let's dive in. 

What is an orgasm? 

Cum. Climax. “The little death.” The nut. You may know the orgasm by a variety of terms. But what’s the actual definition of this biological phenomenon?

According to the Clinical Psychology Review, there are actually around 26 technical definitions of an orgasm, but clinically, it’s described as a sudden discharge of sexual tension marked by muscular contractions and shifts in heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing patterns. The pleasure associated with this follows in the footsteps of a sexual arousal build-up. In men, it’s typically accompanied by ejaculation (but not always!), while this isn’t as often the case with the female orgasm. 

TLDR: An orgasm erupts after building sexual tension, delivering a powerful wave of pleasure to its recipient. 

Orgasms can be triggered by stimulating a variety of sexual organs. The penis, the clitoris, or the G-spot are the major examples, but you can reach climax from sensations in other body parts or even from visual stimuli alone.

The phases through which someone flows through orgasm — excitement, plateau, euphoria, and resolution — will vary from person to person. And, while orgasms are often seen as the pinnacle of sexual activity, achieving simultaneous orgasms with a partner is pretty uncommon.

For a richer experience, we find that exploring pleasure beyond just reaching climax can be incredibly rewarding. 

What happens during an orgasm? 

You might be familiar with what happens to your body when you reach that ecstatic peak. The burst in your groin, the tensing of all your muscles, the curling of the toes. What’s happening in your brain during that rush is probably a little more of a mystery, which makes sense because a lot is happening all at once.

“Orgasm is akin to a symphony of bodily functions, each playing its part in creating a harmonious crescendo of pleasure,” Dr. Ketan Parmar, MBBS, DPM, tells Kinkly.

He elaborates, “During orgasm, the body undergoes a series of involuntary contractions, primarily in the pelvic region. These contractions are accompanied by a surge in blood flow and heart rate, as the body's resources are directed towards the sexual organs."

What hormone is released during orgasm?

While all of this is going down, your brain is releasing a flood of neurotransmitters, including dopamine and oxytocin, which contribute to the intense feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. This is why you might feel like you just popped a happy pill in the moments or hours following sexual activity.

“The pleasurable sensations associated with orgasm are rooted in our evolutionary history,” explains Dr. Parmar. “As a species, we have evolved to associate sexual pleasure with reproduction and survival. The release of dopamine, often referred to as the ‘feel-good’ hormone, activates the brain's reward system, reinforcing behaviors that are beneficial for our species.”

Based on the fact that all of the hormones released during climax are associated with joy, you can essentially picture an orgasm as your brain throwing an epic party where every muscle is joining in on the celebration. 

Side Effects of Orgasms 

Ever found that you slept better, felt lighter, or experienced closeness with a partner after orgasm-producing sex? Blowing your load, as some may say, can have a wide variety of proven benefits.

Here are some of them:

• Increased Pain Threshold: Orgasm and genital stimulation can actually raise pain tolerance, providing immediate pain relief 
• Pain Reduction: Sexual activity can also alleviate certain types of pain, such as migraines, through endorphin release and muscle relaxation. This is also where the popular idea that having sex on your period might lessen your cramps comes from. 
• Overall Well-Being: Count on sexual pleasure to enhance your overall well-being, reinforcing positive self-esteem and motivating sexual engagement.
• Improved Sleep: The climax to sleeping like a baby pipeline is real. Orgasm and sexual activity are linked to better sleep quality, possibly due to physiological relaxation and hormone changes.
• Boosted Immune Function: Regular sexual activity is associated with higher levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA) which leads to a stronger immune system.
• Closeness With an S/O: “Orgasm is not merely a physical event. It is also a deeply emotional and psychological experience,” Dr. Parmar says. "The emotional connection between partners can enhance the pleasure and intimacy of sexual encounters.”

Benefits By The Hormone:

• Oxytocin: When oxytocin is released during intercourse, it can boost trust, reduce stress, and provide anti-inflammatory effects. This is why Dr. Parmar refers to oxytocin as “the love hormone.” 
• Testosterone: This hormone dominates sexual desire and arousal. Research shows that people of all genders have spike of testosterone when they have an orgasm, which contributes to heightened libido and mood. 
• Cortisol: Sexual activity and intimacy can lower cortisol levels, mitigating stress. Zen mode, activated!

Types of Orgasms

Not all orgasms are created the same way. There’s a myriad of types you can indulge in and enjoy. Here’s a little overview if you’re looking to unlock orgasms that feel new for your body.

• Anal Orgasm: A climax from stimulation of the back door. Anal orgasms can be experienced by those with prostates or without. In males, anal orgasms are some of the most intense orgasms (some would even say doubled in intensity!) thanks to the prostate stimulation. 
• Nipple Orgasm: Nipples have more than 800 nerve-endings, believe it or not, which is why tit play can entice an orgasm. 
• Clitoral Orgasm: The “Big O” when it’s brought on by tickling, caressing, licking, or rubbing the clitoris. 
• G-Spot Orgasm: The G-spot is a little bundle of nerves in your vaginal canal that’s part of the clitoral network. Giving it a little TLC with a dildo or via intercouse can contribute to strong arousal and orgasm. 
• Cervical Orgasm: You know the G-spot… but what about the C-spot? Some women have described experiencing full-body orgasms that start in the cervix and radiate throughout their entire body.
• Blended Orgasm: Double the sources, double the fun. A blended orgasm comes from combining two of the types above (usually clitoral and vaginal) for a simultaneous peak. 
• Male Orgasm: Any orgasm produced by stimulating the genitalia of men or people assigned male at birth, including the penis and testicles.

Know that no matter how you like to achieve that crescendo, you’ll reap the mental benefits and achieve that delicious hormone release regardless. 

What does an orgasm feel like? 

Your body is one-of-a-kind, with its own reactions and pleasure pathways. As such, sexual release will feel different to everyone. 

“While the physiological aspects of orgasm are relatively consistent, the subjective experience can vary widely from person to person,” Dr. Parmar affirms. "Factors such as age, health status, and psychological well-being can influence the intensity and frequency of orgasms. Additionally, individual differences in anatomy and sensitivity can play a role.”

If you still need a visual, here are some quotes from Kinkly readers like you, breaking down how orgasm feels to them. 

“For me, orgasm is like an electrifying, warm rush that melts through me almost. Once it’s over, I feel a major sense of release and total relaxation, almost like I’m ready to unwind completely. I usually don’t want to keep going afterward because I get really sensitive and overstimulated, but I’m left with this amazing, glowing happiness.” - Carolina, 27

“I get this slight flutter deep inside and then a warm sensation that just keeps building up. When it all reaches its peak, the orgasm feels like this incredible wave washing over my vagina, tummy, and sometimes even down my legs. It almost feels like I’m on the edge just before it all comes together,” - Montana, 31

“I feel a burning sensation up my penis when I ejaculate, and then my mind goes blank. For a few seconds, you’re flying. Then, you’re back on earth.” - Milo, 38

Why do orgasms feel good? 

So why exactly are we so frequently chasing an orgasm? Why does it feel that good? Simply put: the orgasmic experience feels good because it triggers a powerful release of pleasure throughout the entire body.

While the sensation begins with sexual arousal and builds throughout play, you can quickly feel as though you’re creating a wave of euphoria as your muscles contract in release. Pair that with the crush of happy hormones that pulse through your body, promoting feelings of relaxation, satisfaction, and bonding. It’s the culmination of the physical and chemical responses that give you that profoundly fulfilling sensation we come to associate with the summit of sex. 

The Bottom Line

As human beings, it’s pretty cool that we have the ability to trigger our own personal fireworks show through sexual behavior. Particularly considering that it comes with a flood of feel-good hormones that feels like the ultimate form of bliss.

Maybe you’re here for a petit mort crash course because you’re having trouble getting there. Don’t panic! Many people find orgasms elusive or feel challenged reaching orgasm. There are strategies and resources that can help.

On the other end of the spectrum, maybe you’d like to get to know the ins and outs of climax better because you’re interested in incorporating orgasm in a variety of forms into your kink play. If so, you’re in for a salacious journey. From orgasm denial to post-orgasm torture, there are so many ways to explore your body’s capabilities.

Dive in, experiment, and most importantly, ride the wave.