Not all orgasms are the same: Women experience TWO types of climax, sonographs reveal

MRI scan of female orgasm processed in every region

Previous research suggested clitoral orgasms differ from vaginal arousal
French gynaecologists tested this theory using sonography machines
Each participant's clitoris was externally and internally stimulated
They measured the flow of blood using what’s called the Doppler signal
External stimulation was not involved with the internal root of the clitoris
However, penetration involved both the root and the external clitoris
Researchers conclude the different feelings caused by these two types of orgasm can be explained by the different parts

For more than a century, various doctors have put forward the idea women are capable of having two different types of orgasm - clitoral and vaginal.

In particular, the differences between what the two types are, as well as the reasons why, have been heavily debated.

In a bid to get a definitive answer, French gynaecologists used sonography machines to measure tiny changes in blood flow during external and internal stimulation.

The research revealed external clitoral stimulation does not involve the internal root of the clitoris, but, vaginal stimulation does involve both the root and the external clitoris - suggesting the two-orgasm theory may be true.

findings, the different reported perceptions from the two types stimulation can be explained by the different parts of the clitoris, highlighted

Gynaecologists tested the two-orgasm theory using sonography machines. They found external stimulation was not involved with the root of the clitoris, but, vaginal stimulation involved both the root and external clitoris. This suggests different types of stimulation create different sensations, stock image pictured

During the tests, researchers Odile Buisson and Emmanuele A Jannini connected three women to sonography machines.

These machines were used to visualise the movements of the clitorourethrovaginal (CUV) complex - the system of clitoral nerves - during both external, direct stimulation of the clitoris, and vaginal stimulation.

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These measurements were taken use flat and vaginal probes during manual self-stimulation of the external clitoris, and during vaginal penetration with a wet tampon.

As the women stimulated themselves, the researchers used the probes to measure tiny changes in the flow of blood in the area using pulses known as the Doppler signal.

SIGMUND FREUD AND THE ORIGINS OF THE TWO-ORGASM THEORY

The belief that females experience two types of orgasm - clitoral and vaginal - is known as the 'two-orgasm theory.'

It was first suggested by Sigmund Freud (pictured right) in 1905 in his Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality.

Freud argued clitoral orgasm was an 'adolescent phenomenon', and as women mature and reach puberty, this changes to vaginal orgasm.

Freud didn't provide any evidence for his theory and they have been heavily criticised and debated ever since.

It is not to be confused with multiple and sequential orgasms.

Women can experience more than one orgasm during sex or masturbation. Multiple orgasms are orgasms that occur one after the other, almost immediately.

Sequential means orgasms that occur in sequence, but usually minutes apart.

The sonography machines and probes, stock image pictured, were used to visualise movements of the clitorourethrovaginal (CUV) complex - the system of clitoral nerves - and blood flow

This revealed external clitoral stimulation did not involve the internal root of the clitoris, but, vaginal stimulation involved both the root and the external clitoris.

This affected the flow of blood and therefore was linked to the difference in sensation.

Buisson and Jannini said: 'The scans obtained during external stimulation and vaginal penetration demonstrated the root of the clitoris is not involved with external clitoral stimulation.

In contrast, during vaginal stimulation - because of the movements and displacements - the whole CUV complex and the clitoral roots in particular were involved.

This shows 'functional differences depending on the type of stimulation,' explained the researchers.

While 'the [Doppler] signal indicating flow speed in the veins mirrored these anatomical changes.'

The researchers concluded that based on these findings, the different reported perceptions from these two types stimulation can be explained by the different parts of the clitoris.