Editing Orgasm (section)

== Definitions ==

In a clinical context, orgasm is usually defined strictly by the [[Muscle contraction|muscular contractions]] involved during [[Human sexual activity|sexual activity]], along with the characteristic patterns of change in [[heart rate]], [[blood pressure]], and often [[respiration rate]] and depth.<ref name="M&J" /> This is categorized as the sudden discharge of accumulated sexual tension during the [[Human sexual response cycle|sexual response cycle]], resulting in rhythmic muscular contractions in the [[Pelvis|pelvic]] region.<ref name=dictbiopsych/><ref name="Rosenthal" /> Definitions of orgasm vary,<ref name="Levin 2004">{{Cite journal |author = Levin |first = Roy J. |date = 2004 |title = An orgasm is... who defines what an orgasm is? |journal = [[Sexual and Relationship Therapy]] |volume = 19 |pages = 101–107 |doi = 10.1080/14681990410001641663 |s2cid = 146550757 }}</ref> and at least 26 definitions of orgasm are listed in the 2001 journal ''[[Clinical Psychology Review]]''.<ref name=mah_&_binik>{{Cite journal |last1 = Mah |first1 = K. |last2 = Binik |first2 = Y. M. |title = The nature of human orgasm: a critical review of major trends |journal = [[Clinical Psychology Review]] |volume = 21 |issue = 6 |pages = 823–56 |date = August 2001 |pmid = 11497209 |doi = 10.1016/S0272-7358(00)00069-6 }}</ref>

There is some debate about whether certain types of sexual sensations should be accurately classified as orgasms, including female orgasms caused by [[G-spot]] stimulation alone, and the demonstration of extended or continuous orgasms lasting several minutes or even an hour.<ref>{{Cite book |author = Schwartz, Bob |title = The One Hour Orgasm: A New Approach to Achieving Maximum Sexual Pleasure |publisher = Breakthru Publishing |date = May 1992 |isbn = 978-0-942540-07-9 |url = https://archive.org/details/onehourorgasmnew0000schw }}{{Page needed|date=August 2010}}</ref> The question centers around the clinical definition of orgasm, but this way of viewing orgasm is merely physiological, while there are also psychological, endocrinological, and neurological definitions of orgasm.<ref name="Levin 2004" /><ref name=mah_&_binik/><ref name="Mah">{{Cite journal |last1 = Mah |first1 = K. |last2 = Binik |first2 = Y. M. |title = Do all orgasms feel alike? Evaluating a two-dimensional model of the orgasm experience across gender and sexual context |journal = [[Journal of Sex Research]] |volume = 39 |issue = 2 |pages = 104–13 |date = May 2002 |pmid = 12476242 |doi = 10.1080/00224490209552129 |s2cid = 33325081 }}</ref> In these and similar cases, the sensations experienced are subjective and do not necessarily involve the involuntary contractions characteristic of orgasm. In both sexes, they are extremely pleasurable and often felt throughout the body, causing a mental state that is often described as transcendental, and with [[vasocongestion]] and associated pleasure comparable to that of a full-contractionary orgasm. For example, modern findings support the distinction between ejaculation and male orgasm.<ref name="Rosenthal" /><ref name=mah_&_binik/> For this reason, there are views on both sides as to whether these can be accurately defined as orgasms.<ref name="Mah" />