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The female orgasm is an enticing topic, and without question, one that piques every woman’s interest. But weak orgasms or lack of orgasm, lower libido and lack of sexual desire, especially during menopause, can seemingly come out of nowhere, causing concern and frustration.
If you’re suddenly finding it harder to achieve orgasm or have noticed your orgasm is weaker than it used to be, rest assured there’s usually an explanation. Here’s what you need to know about weak orgasms, and what you can do to orgasm better.
What is a Female Orgasm?
Before we talk about what causes weak female orgasms, let’s talk about what the female orgasm is and what happens when women orgasm, in general. If you ask Google, a female orgasm is “a climax of sexual excitement, characterized by feelings of pleasure centered in the genitals.” Physiologically, the genitals become engorged with blood, the heart rate soars, genital muscles contract, and oxytocin and dopamine are released by the brain.
In short, it feels fabulous.
The clitoris is central to the female orgasm. Don’t be fooled: the clitoris isn’t just the tiny structure you see externally. It’s actually quite extensive with crura, or legs, which extend well into the labia. Other fun facts? The clitoris houses more than 8,000 nerve endings so, it’s super sensitive! It has erectile tissue, similar to the penis in a man, and becomes engorged and erect with stimulation. It’s no wonder that most women need direct clitoral stimulation to achieve orgasm. In fact, more than 70% of women will not achieve orgasm from intercourse alone.
What Causes Weak Female Orgasms, and How Can You Orgasm Better?
The cause behind weaker or nonexistent female orgasms isn’t always crystal clear, but there are some things you can do and keep in mind to help improve the situation, and potentially have a better orgasm:
- Be present. Surely, you’re not going to reach orgasm if you’re stressed about what happened at work today or everything you need to get done tomorrow. It’s vital to put that busy mind to rest and be in the moment if you’re trying to achieve a better orgasm and potentially improve your libido.
- Optimize your lifestyle for sex. A healthy diet means a healthy heart and a healthy weight. I recommend the heart healthy Mediterranean diet as a lifestyle. Smoking interferes with blood flow, including to the genitals. Just don’t smoke. Alcohol is ok in moderation. Exercise is beneficial; if biking or spin class is your thing, adjust your seat and handlebars to avoid numbness to the vulva. Nerve compression around the vulva can definitely influence female orgasm potential.
- Address any underlying medical issues. Hypertension, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, if left untreated, can negatively influence blood flow, including to the genitals. Less blood to the genitals means less sexual satisfaction; it may even suppress the female climax and libido, or sexual desire. Remember to manage chronic medical issues.
- As hormone changes occur during menopause, so might the female orgasm experience. What used to feel like a thunderstorm might seem like a light drizzle now, and that can be a frustrating change. Occasionally, lack of adequate lubrication is the issue. You can ensure vaginal moisture and lubrication with foreplay, or you can look to your favorite lube or vaginal moisturizer for a little help.
Hear additional ways to improve orgasm during menopause and beyond from Dr. Alyssa Dweck, below:
Some women prefer to use topical, vaginal estrogen to supplement their own decline of hormones, and that’s ok too. I also recommend that women use certain sex toys to enhance stimulation, more specifically a vibrator. Vibration can help to enhance blood flow and female orgasm…consider it the doctor’s orders!
You may also want to consider more natural options for supporting female orgasm, including the incorporation of specific dietary supplements into your daily routine. One option for addressing weak orgasm is French maritime pine bark extract, which is a natural plant extract known for being rich in nutrients that are anti-inflammatory and antioxidants. In addition to those pro-health properties, researchers have found that French maritime pine bark extract can help increase blood flow, which can aid in making the female orgasm experience better.
The Benefits of Orgasming
The health benefits of sex and orgasm have been demonstrated over and over again. Orgasms feel great, relieve stress, help with sleep, burn calories, strengthen pelvic floor muscles and provide a general sense of well-being.
True, at times the stars may need to be aligned to achieve orgasm… but a little help with the tips above certainly can’t hurt!
Comments
Post commentI have not only post-menopausal vaginal atrophy issues, but extensive long-term past sexual trauma that significantly decreases my drive and ability to achieve orgasm. It’s demoralizing that something so precious and personal has been taken from me in an effort to satisfy it for someone else’s gain. I have been taking these products for about 2 weeks now and haven’t seen any improvement yet, but understand I have considerably more to overcome than some and have hope that, with time and prayer, I will. Thank you for having the courage and know-how to care enough about the female species to gift us this possible solution.
Thank you for posting this. I do think there is a large gap in research and work to help women have sexual satisfaction and ability to continue to have a healthy sex life as they age. Men have plenty of options but there is very little for women. Thank you for the work that you were doing to help in this area.
Thank you for discussing these important matters. No one prepared me for menopause which is frustrating and depressing. This is the first real product that has worked for me (without hormones). Women deserve good sexual health as well! Thank you!
I just started the product so can’t comment as to its effects yet. However I must comment about the article giving us permission to use a vibrator “if we dare,” because it’s “doctor’s orders.” It’s 2021, we can all acknowledge now women are allowed to have non-penile related orgasms. Vibratory should be consider a normal everyday thing, not some shameful thing we need a doctors permission for.
I started Rizela about 3 weeks ago. I’m 56 and post-menopausal. For the last several months, it has been taking a long time to have an orgasm, if I had one at all. I promise you that the very first day I took Rizela, I had TWO orgasms that night and it didn’t take long! Now I don’t always have two, but I always have one and it doesn’t take long. I’m also getting “wetter” without having to use lube. Love this product! I’m also taking the one for hot flashes/night sweats and have noticed a small improvement there so far. Hoping for increased improvement with continued and consistent use. I hope this helps someone.