Male Orgasm: Everything You Need to Know

Understanding Arousal and Orgasm Dysfunction

The male orgasm, also known as the male climax, is a complex physiological and psychological response to sexual excitement that often, but not always, ends with ejaculation (the discharge of semen from the penis).

However, not every person with a penis can achieve orgasm. Some may have extreme difficulty for a variety of reasons, including age, emotions, medical conditions, or even certain medications. Oftentimes, multiple causes are involved.

This article takes a look at how males achieve orgasm as well as problems that can interfere with the ability to climax or ejaculate ("cum"). It also explores treatment options for people who have difficulty reaching orgasm.

A Note on Gender and Sex Terminology

Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are related concepts, but they are not the same.

  • Sex refers to biology: chromosomal makeup, hormones, and anatomy. People are most often assigned male or female at birth based on their external anatomy; some people do not fit into that sex binary and are intersex.
  • Gender describes a person's internal sense of self as a woman, man, nonbinary person, or another gender, and the associated social and cultural ideas about the roles, behaviors, expressions, and characteristics.

Research studies sometimes don't use the terminology in this way. For example, terms that describe gender (“woman,” “man”) may be used when terms for sex (“female,” “male”) are more appropriate. 

To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like "female," "male," "woman," and "man" as the sources use them.

What Is a Male Orgasm?

The male orgasm is a complex reaction in which the brain and body all play a part.

Within the brain, the pituitary gland manages levels of the hormone testosterone, which the body uses to stimulate the production of sperm in the testicles. In addition, testosterone can elevate energy and moods and enhance a person's sex drive (libido).

With sexual stimulation, an erection can be achieved, eventually culminating with orgasm and ejaculation. It usually takes an average of five to seven minutes to reach orgasm and ejaculation, but the range is wide: from less than one minute to over half an hour.

During orgasm, the reward center of the brain called the striatum, is activated, leading to an intense emotional response. At the same time, the part of the brain associated with self-control called the lateral orbitofrontal cortex, is inhibited.

If testosterone levels are low, it can decrease a person's energy and mood, interfering with sexual arousal and making them less responsive to sexual stimulation.

Is there a difference between a male orgasm and a female orgasm?

The intensity, frequency, and duration of pelvic muscle contractions during orgasm differ between individuals, but those differences occur for males and females. And no significant differences have been observed in heart rate, blood pressure, oxytocin (a chemical messenger involved in sexual arousal), and anal contractions during orgasm.

One difference is that a male's orgasm is usually accompanied by the ejaculation of semen, whereas only about 10% of females experience ejaculation during orgasm. This fluid comes from Skene’s glands located near the urethra in females.

Phases of the Male Orgasm

There are four distinct phases of the male orgasm as first outlined by William Masters and Virginia Johnson back in 1966. While the duration and intensity of these phases can vary, the order occurs in a specific sequence.

4 phases of the male orgasm

Verywell / Alex Dos Diaz

Phase 1: Arousal

During arousal, physical, sensory, and emotional cues prompt the brain to release a chemical messenger known as acetylcholine.

Acetylcholine, in turn, triggers the release of a compound called nitric oxide into the arteries of the penis, causing them to expand and rapidly fill with blood. This causes the enlargement and stiffening of the penis known as an erection.

Other signs of male arousal include:

  • Changes in breathing
  • Increased muscle tension
  • The retraction of the scrotum closer to the body

Phase 2: Plateau

Right before orgasm is a phase known as the plateau, sometimes referred to as pre-orgasm. This phase typically lasts between 30 seconds and two minutes.

During this phase:

  • The heart rate increases to between 150 and 175 beats per minute.
  • Blood pressure and body temperature rise.
  • Pelvic thrusts become involuntary and increase in speed and intensity.
  • There may be leakage of seminal fluid ("pre-cum") from the urethra (the tube through which urine and semen exit the body).

Phase 3: Orgasm

The orgasm phase is divided into two parts known as emission and ejaculation:

  • During emission, semen moves into the urethra and close to the tip of the penis. At this point, ejaculation is inevitable.
  • During ejaculation, strong contractions of the penis muscles and pelvic floor muscles help propel the semen from the body.
  • Most male orgasms last between five and 20 seconds.

Phase 4: Resolution and Refraction

Resolution is the phase after orgasm in which the penis starts to lose its erection. This is often accompanied by feelings of relaxation or even drowsiness.

Refraction, also known as the refractory period, occurs when a man is unable to achieve another erection even with stimulation. Depending on a person's age and other factors, it may take several minutes or many hours before a person can attain another erection.

Male Multiple Orgasms

Multiorgasmic is a term used to describe the ability to have more than one orgasm within the span of minutes or seconds. There may not be ejaculation, but you will otherwise have the physiological and emotional responses of an orgasm.

According to research published in Sexual Medicine Review, around 10% of men in their 20s and less than 7% of men older than 30 are multiorgasmic.

The multiorgasmic state can be condensed or sporadic. When it is condensed, two to four distinct orgasms occur within a few seconds to two minutes. When it is sporadic, refraction is delayed and multiple orgasms can occur within several minutes.

There are several factors common in multiorgasmic men that can intensify sexual excitement or even lead to hypersexuality (an extreme and sudden increase in libido):

  • The use of psychoactive drugs, such as methamphetamine
  • Having multiple sex partners
  • Having a new sex partner
  • The use of sex toys

Some males intensify arousal or orgasm with prostate massage. This is a technique in which a finger is inserted into the rectum prior to or during sex to stimulate the prostate gland. The walnut-sized gland situated at the front of the rectum is considered by some to be the "male G-spot."

Male Orgasm Problems

Orgasm disorders differ from ejaculation disorders. Ejaculation disorders have to do with the actual release of semen. Examples include premature ejaculation (when you ejaculate too quickly), delayed ejaculation (when it takes time and effort to ejaculate), and anejaculation (when you are unable to ejaculate even with an erection).

With orgasm disorders, the sexual climax is either abnormal or does not occur.

Dry Orgasm

A dry orgasm is one in which very little semen is expelled during orgasm. Also known as orgasmic anejaculation, dry orgasm tends to be the result of a physical rather than emotional issue, such as:

Anorgasmia

Anorgasmia occurs when an individual is unable to have an orgasm. It differs from anejaculation in that anorgasmia infers the lack of sexual pleasure to reach orgasm. By contrast, anejaculation is the inability to eject sperm.

Anorgasmia may be due to psychological and physical causes, such as:

Treatment for Orgasm Disorders

The treatment for dry orgasm can vary depending on the cause. Testosterone replacement therapy may be recommended in those with hypogonadism, while drugs like Proscar (finasteride) may be prescribed to treat an enlarged prostate.

In some cases, there is nothing you can do to treat dry orgasm if an organ like the prostate gland has been removed. Even so, dry orgasms don't impact sexual pleasure so treatment may not be needed.

The treatment of anorgasmia depends on the underlying cause. Treatment options may include psychotherapy, changing medications, or testosterone replacement therapy. Managing hypertension and diabetes may also help.

Newer Treatment for Male Anorgasmia

A newer approach to male anorgasmia is the drug Dostinex (cabergoline) which normalizes levels of the hormone prolactin. Research suggests that Dostinex can enhance libido and stimulate the reward center of the brain, increasing the odds of orgasm in males.

How to Have a Better Orgasm

There are several things you can try to achieve a better orgasm.

Kegel exercises: Also called pelvic floor exercises, they strengthen the muscles below your abdomen in your pelvis, which may improve orgasms. To do these exercises, tense the muscles you use to stop urinating. Hold for three seconds, then release and repeat 10 times. Do these three times per day, gradually building up to holding the muscles for 10 seconds at a time.

Edging: This is an orgasm control technique that may extend the feeling of an orgasm or make it feel more intense. To do this, a person gets to the point where they're about to orgasm, then stops stimulation, waits, and then starts the build-up again.

Breathing exercises: Focusing on slowing your breathing during sex may help maximize pleasure and intensify orgasm. Muscles usually tighten and breathing stops at climax, but trying to take slow deep breaths as you become aroused may help keep you in that state of high arousal longer for a more powerful orgasm.

Limit substance use: Alcohol and substances like marijuana can make it difficult to reach orgasm when consumed in excess. These substances slow down the central nervous system and the transmission of information between the brain and the penis. Alcohol dependence can be associated with loss of libido, unsatisfying orgasm, and erectile dysfunction.

Summary

The male orgasm is a complex interplay of physical, sensory, and psychological responses that often, but not always, leads to ejaculation. The process by which males reach orgasm follows a standard path from arousal to plateau (pre-orgasm) to orgasm to resolution.

Some males have difficulty reaching orgasm or may not be able to climax at all (referred to as anorgasmia). Others may have a dry orgasm in which climax is achieved but little if any semen is produced.

The treatment of these conditions depends on whether the cause is physical, emotional, or due to medications, illnesses, or prior surgery. Sometimes, a combination of causes is involved.

Discuss orgasm problems with your primary care provider. If you don't feel comfortable doing so, consider seeing a specialist known as a urologist who deals specifically with disorders of the male reproductive tract.

12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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By Jerry Kennard
 Jerry Kennard, PhD, is a psychologist and associate fellow of the British Psychological Society.