Dear Kitty15778,

An orgasm is the release of built-up muscle tension resulting from sexual activity. It produces rapid muscle contractions usually in the genital and anal area, but these contractions can also be throughout the body. Most people find these muscular contractions very pleasant. In both men and women, an orgasm is sometimes accompanied with the release of ejaculatory fluid. Ejaculation is much more usual in men than it is in women. Only about 10 percent of women report ejaculating during orgasm.

Orgasms can be reached through many different types of sexual activity, although women often tend to reach orgasm through clitoral, rather than vaginal, stimulation. Men tend to reach orgasm more quickly than women, just as men tend to become sexually aroused more quickly than women. On the other hand, women are more likely to have more than one or multiple orgasms during sexual activity than men are.

Many people used to believe that a person could not get an infection or become pregnant if there was no orgasm during sexual activity. But this is not true. Pregnancy and infection can occur from vaginal intercourse, whether or not either partner has an orgasm.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.