Many people may consider an orgasm to be the peak of sexual excitement. It is a powerful feeling of physical pleasure and sensation, and some people can experience multiple orgasms. Whether you’re a man or a woman trying to learn more about the infamous and mythic multiple male orgasm, you’re in good company.

There’s not a lot of knowledge out there, but there are a lot of people asking questions. That’s not all of the good news. As it turns out, people of all genders can learn to have multiple orgasms. It’s true that some are able to accomplish that goal more than others, but knowledge, exercise and practice can work wonders.

Here is what you absolutely need to know about multiple orgasms

Multiple orgasms

What are multiple orgasms?

This seems like a good place to start. It’s difficult to reach a goal without understanding it. Multiple orgasms occur when a person climaxes more than once during a period of sexual activity. They are more common in women, but not all women have them. Most women have the capacity to have multiple orgasms, but past research suggests only about 15% actually do. Multiple orgasms have not been studied extensively, and much of what we know comes from patients’ personal stories.

There are also varying definitions of what multiple orgasms are. For example, some experts believe that multiple orgasms occur one right after the other, with little “down time” in between. Women stay aroused in between each one. Others feel that multiple orgasms can occur with more time in between. With this definition, a woman might climax once, rest a bit, then climax again minutes later.

Often, women find that their second or third orgasms are less intense than their first ones. But this doesn’t mean they are any less pleasurable.

What does it feel like to experience multiple orgasms?

It feels like rolling waves of pleasure. Almost like fireworks where there’s one explosion and it’s beautiful and then another one comes shortly after and it’s great too. For some women, multiple orgasms might have nothing to do with sex. In fact, women with persistent genital arousal disorder may feel sexually aroused for hours or days without any sexual stimulation. They may have several spontaneous orgasms that they cannot control within a short period of time.

Advice on how to achieve multiple orgasms

During sex, focus on being super present to every sensation in their own body. Breathe deeply and just try to feel pleasure as much as possible. Getting into your head during sex and worrying about how you look, how you sound, or needing to be perfect to please your partner is likely going to inhibit you from being present enough in your own body to experience one orgasm, let alone multiple ones.

Use different types of stimulation or different sex positions

Different types of orgasms are produced through slightly different neural pathways, so varying your diet in bed can make it easier to experience several climaxes in a row. For vulva-havers, that could mean switching to clitoral stimulation after having a g-spot orgasm. Penis-havers could direct their attention to their prostate immediately after ejaculation.

Partners could change angles, positions or types of stimulation – or reach for a vibe – after the first orgasm. Just remember that lube can be your second-best friend, the longer your sex session lasts.

Can men experience multiple orgasms?

Studies of men have found very few guys reporting the ability to achieve orgasm after orgasm. The reason for this is likely because men usually experience a refractory period after climaxing, a period of time during which no additional stimulation is capable of producing another orgasm.

The length of this period can last anywhere from a few minutes in younger guys to a few hours (and sometimes even a few days) in older guys. The refractory period is thought to be a function of neurological and hormonal changes that occur after orgasm, but the exact mechanism remains unclear. Women do not typically experience a refractory period, which explains where there is such a large sex difference in this area.

Still, some men say they can indeed have multiple orgasms. Much of the information in the medical literature is based on men’s subjective experiences. A research explains that for men, multiple orgasms occur within a span of 20 minutes, but the ability to have them declines after age 30. The article noted that multiple orgasms in men are more likely to occur when men avoid ejaculation for a while, use psychostimulant drugs, change partners in a group sex setting, or use sex toys.

So, in conclusion, multiple orgasms are definitely not a myth. Men and women should not worry if they don’t reach multiple orgasms. Sexual experiences can still be greatly satisfying without them, and sometimes, it takes practice to achieve multiple orgasms.