You want it. You need it. But do you know what actually happens to your body?

1. ____ per cent of women always climax during sex with a partner.

25
40

55

Answer:
25 per cent

Only one quarter of women say they get the big O every time they have sex.

2. What’s the primary function of female orgasm?

To aid in pregnancy by opening the cervix and allowing more sperm to pass into the uterus
To stimulate the hormones that regulate a woman’s reproductive cycle
To provide the woman pleasure

Answer:
To provide the woman pleasure

Orgasms are there just to feel good. The theory is, enjoyable sex makes women want to have more of it, and leads to more babies in general.

Dr Elisabeth Lloyd, a biology professor at Indiana University and the author of The Case of the Female Orgasm: Bias in the Science of Evolution (Harvard University Press) says, “The actual incidence of the reflex of orgasm has never been tied to successful reproduction." Translation: women can and do get pregnant without climaxing.

3. How long do most orgasmic contractions last?

0.8 second intervals
1.5 second intervals
3 second intervals

Answer:
0.8 second intervals

Those contractions are short and sweet. The big bang occurs when the uterus, vagina and anus contract simultaneously at 0.8-second intervals. A small orgasm may consist of three to five contractions; a biggie, 10 to 15.

4. Female orgasms can occur from which area of the body?

Only the clitoris
Only the vagina
Both the clitoris and the vagina

Answer:
Both the clitoris and the vagina

Orgasms occur from both areas. Many women report feeling different kinds of orgasms – clitoral, vaginal and many combinations of the two.

According to Dr Beverly Whipple, co-author of The G-Spot and Other Discoveries About Human Sexuality (Henry Holt), the reason may simply be that different parts of the vagina are stimulated more than others during sex, and therefore have more tension to release. "Stimulation of the clitoris may be the most popular way to experience orgasm, but there’s more than one pathway to sexual response," Dr Whipple says.

5. If you don’t achieve an orgasm during sex, women can experience ____.

The female version of “blue balls”
A sudden non-stimulated orgasm up to 20 minutes later
Vaginal dryness

Answer:
The female version of “blue balls”

Blue balls aren’t just for guys. "Like their male counterparts, women can experience pelvic heaviness and aching if they do not reach orgasm," says Dr Ian Kerner, a certified sex therapist and author of She Comes First: The Thinking Man’s Guide to Pleasuring a Woman (HarperCollins).

In fact, Dr Kerner says, "many women complain that a single orgasm isn’t enough to relieve the buildup of sexual tension." Don’t worry: like the male version, female "blue balls" is completely harmless.

6. Which sex position do doctors recommend to max out female pleasure?

Missionary
Woman-on-top
Doggy style

Answer:
Woman-on-top

It’s all about woman-on-top. Because you control the angle and speed of the thrusts (try a back-and-forth motion so that your clitoris rubs against your partner’s abdomen), it allows for the most constant clitoral stimulation.

Dr Kerner also recommends finding a position that mimics how you masturbate. If you have solo sex by lying on your belly and rubbing your clitoris with your hands tucked beneath you, then your man can enter you from behind in that position. By watching you, he’ll also get a better sense of the stimulation you need.

7. What is released in the brain during the Big O?

Oxytocin
Amylin
Renin

Answer:
Oxytocin

Extra oxytocin is released by the hypothalamus during the big moment. Called the "cuddle hormone," oxytocin has been correlated with the urge to bond, be affectionate and protect (new mums are drunk on the stuff).

An increase in oxytocin has also been shown to strengthen the uterine contractions that transport sperm to the egg.

In case you’re wondering, amylin works with satiety and emptying the stomach, while renin regulates blood pressure.

8. Once a woman is stimulated, what’s the best way to keep her from “losing her orgasm?”

More vigorous vaginal thrusting from her partner
Deep sensual kissing
Clitoral stimulation

Answer:
Clitoral stimulation

If the fuse is lit and the bomb’s not going off, don’t turn off your lighter. "Nine times out of 10 it’s because [the woman isn’t] getting enough continuous clitoral stimulation," Dr Kerner says. Often, "a woman will get close to orgasm, her partner picks up on it, and [then he either] orgasms immediately or changes what he was doing."

9. Can some women think their way to climax?

Yes
No

Answer:
Yes

Your imagination sure can take you places! Back in 1992, Dr Whipple, along with her colleagues Dr Gina Ogden and Dr Barry Komisaruk monitored the blood pressure, heart rate, pupil diameter, and pain tolerance of 10 women who claimed they could think their way to climax.

As the subjects fantasised in a lab, seven exhibited the exact physical responses caused by hands-on stimulation. Now that’s one hell of a fantasy file!

Tags: Better Sex on 14 Feb 2012 Valentine's Day