Multiple Orgasms: Yes, You Can, and Here's How to Keep Going

You've just come. Your legs are jelly, your clit's sending you strongly worded messages, and every instinct says to shove their hand away and go to sleep. Most people stop right there, and fair enough. But what if you waited about thirty seconds, took a few deep breaths and went again?

Plenty of people can have more than one orgasm in a session, and many more could if they'd ever tried. It takes a bit of patience and a change in how you think about the finish line.

Who can have them?

People with vulvas don't usually have the same enforced break after coming that people with penises do, so back-to-back orgasms are quite possible. Not everyone has them, and not everyone wants to. Men and people with penises usually have a refractory period, but there are ways around that, and we've written about dry orgasms here.

The trick is what you do straight after

Right after you come, your clit's often too sensitive to touch. So don't touch it. That's the key to all this.

1. Don't stop altogether. Move your hand or your toy somewhere nearby instead. Rest a palm over your whole vulva, with firm and steady pressure. Press on your inner thighs, or use a broad, gentle touch around the outside.
2. Keep breathing, and stay turned on. The aim's to stay in that horny state rather than coming back down to earth. Keep the fantasy going, keep the eye contact or keep the dirty talk happening.
3. Come back slowly. After 30 seconds or a couple of minutes, try touching your clit again, very lightly, or through the hood. If it's too much, wait a bit longer.
4. Change what you're doing. A different toy, a different setting or a different body part can get you over the line. Many people find a broad, rumbly vibration more bearable than a pointy one at this stage.

The second orgasm often comes more quickly than the first. And the third can come faster still, with a bit of luck.

Toys that help

A wand's the classic, since it's got broad vibration you can hold through a towel or your undies, if you need to take the edge off. The Adam & Eve Her Majesty has 10 modes at 3 intensity levels, so you can drop right down and keep going. Our wand guide explains how to use them. An air pulse toy works too, as it doesn't press directly on anything. The Fun Factory MEA is a cheap way to see if that's for you.

Try edging first

Building up slowly makes your whole body more responsive, and it sets you up for more orgasms afterwards. Edging means getting close and backing off a few times. Your first orgasm's going to be much bigger, and you'll be far more likely to go again. Starting from a long, slow warm-up makes a huge difference, so don't rush this part.

With a partner

Tell them what you're trying to do, or they'll quite reasonably assume that you've finished. "Don't stop, just go softer" is all they need to hear. They can also change location, say from clit to fingers inside, or from mouth to hand. Then you can both get creative. Our oral guide tells them what to do down there.

Some people find that being held down and made to keep coming is one of the great pleasures in life. Others would rather be left alone, and that's fine. If you enjoy the idea, our guide to overstimulation takes it further.

Don't make it a competition

A lot of people feel broken because they only come once, or not at all. You're not. Pressure kills orgasms faster than anything else. If you try this and don't get there, you've just had a very nice time. If you've had one great orgasm and you want a sandwich, have a sandwich. Nobody's keeping a tally, and you don't owe anyone a second one. Use more lube if you're getting sore, and stop if it hurts, since an irritated clit isn't anyone's idea of a good time.

Otherwise, take a breath, and go again. You've got nothing on tomorrow, right?