Women do experience two different types of orgasm, study reveals

Different parts of the female anatomy respond during external stimulation of the clitoris and vaginal penetration

Uma Thurman in a raunchy poster campaign for Lars Von Trier's Nymphomaniac. Scientist have found that women do have two different types of orgasm - to an extent. (Casper Sejersen/Trust Nordisk)

It has long been a subject of debate and speculation whether women can have two different types of orgasm - one as a result of external clitoral stimulation and the other as a result of vaginal penetration.

While some say there is a difference in the orgasm achieved, others say both are the same.

Now two scientist think they have found the answer - by carrying out ultrasounds on three “healthy volunteers” as they stimulated themselves in different ways.

The scan results found that there are two types of female climax - to an extent.

While just the top of the clitoris responds to external stimulation, the “root” of the clitoris along with the whole clitoral and vaginal complex responds to penetration, the researchers said.

The study was carried out by measuring tiny variations in blood flow patterns during different types of sexual contact to establish how the clitoris and vaginal complex responded - either "during manual self-stimulation of the external clitoris" or "during vaginal penetration with a wet tampon," the study explains.

A 12-Mhz flat probe and a vaginal probe was used to carry out functional sonography scans. The scans revealed that there is a “functional difference” depending on the type of sexual contact.

The study concluded: “Despite a common assumption that there is only one type of female orgasm, we may infer, on the basis of our findings, that the different reported perceptions from these two types of stimulation can be explained by the different parts of the clitoris (external and internal) and clitorourethrovaginal complex that are involved.”