Orgasm

An orgasm is the climax of sexual arousal, a wave of intense pleasure accompanied by rhythmic muscular contractions, quickened breathing, and a rush of feel-good chemicals. It can happen through many kinds of stimulation and looks different from body to body. Not everyone experiences orgasm the same way, and some people rarely or never do, which is normal. LGBTQ+ communities have helped widen the cultural conversation about pleasure by decentering penetrative intercourse, valuing sex that does not aim at orgasm, and pushing back on performance pressure. Open, shame-free talk about pleasure, including difficulty reaching orgasm, is a core part of sex-positive queer culture.