Can men have multiple orgasms? Here's what the experts say

It's rare, but it is possible

The urban legend of the male multiple orgasm is actually the real deal. Image: Unsplash

While they're not that common, males can certainly achieve multiple orgasms. The reason they're scarce? That's thanks to something called the ‘refractory period’. 

If you thought multiple orgasms were rare for vulva owners, just wait until you hear this. Because for 34-year-old Oscar, a repeat performance was only something he’d read about. Until a few weeks ago. 

“I was having sex and got really close, so I pulled out and continued stroking myself until I came,” he tells Body+Soul. “After it happened, I could sense that I could come again, so I kept stroking until I orgasmed and ejaculated a second time. It all happened within the space of a few seconds.” 

Since then, the same thing has happened again. 

“Both times were near identical situations,” he says. “I was having sex and pulled out at the right moment just before coming, however, I think it actually occurring is still somewhat of a coin flip.”

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The ‘refractory period’

Now there’s a reason that many of us haven’t heard about this rare phenomenon before, and that’s because of something called the ‘refractory period’. 

“Imagine a graph and as the arousal builds it goes all the way through this peak until a man comes, and then it drops off pretty quickly as the arousal lessens,” Sydney-based sexologist Georgia Grace tells Body+Soul. “Some people with penises will say that after they’ve come they go soft pretty quickly, while others still remain hard and can climax multiple times.” 

But on top of it being a challenge physiologically to back it up, many men just might not want to keep on going because, hello oxytocin and dopamine fuelled sex coma. In other words, they crash out. 

Edging is the process of moving towards and away from orgasm. Image: Getty

How is there more to come?

While an orgasm back-to-back seems hard enough (pun intended), ejaculating each time is a whole other story. 

“It really depends on the individual and how they’ve come in the first instance,” Grace explains, adding that while men are “always producing” semen, they can climax without releasing any of it. Think of Charlotte’s husband Harry in And Just Like That. There’s no visible result, but it’s an enjoyable finish nonetheless. 

“Some men can even hold a part of their balls, or press down on their perineum, and that will stop them from ejaculating but they’ll still have an orgasm,” the sex coach says. “It’s the same if someone is being stimulated in the prostate. They may not even have an erection.”  

So, how can men achieve multiple orgasms?

The art of edging 

If you haven’t heard of this term already, you’re going to want to get your head around it ASAP, because according to Grace – and Oscar – it’s the key to success.

“Edging is the process of moving towards and away from orgasm,” the sexologist explains. “It’s when you get to the point of no return and stop the stimulation or back away or do something else so you don’t climax.”

It intensifies everything, Grace says, which is all the more reason why we should all – both men and women – be giving it a go. “As we know, the more arousal you build in your body, the more sensation you’ll feel,” she adds, “and the more intense your orgasm will be.” 

Which is exactly what Oscar believes led to his repeated happy endings. 

“I think being close to orgasm and stopping, however briefly, to pull out, followed by more stimulation, contributed to having multiple orgasms,” he says. 

Focus on the pleasure and sensation that is present in the moment. Image: Unsplash

Erogenous zones and blended orgasms 

Another way to spark an encore performance, according to Grace, is by simulating multiple erogenous zones to achieve a blended orgasm.

“If men are having anal penetration they may come from the prostate, but then they also may come from the penis,” she explains. 

Targeting other erogenous zones, such as the neck or nipples, and engaging and releasing the pelvic floor brings more of the body into an intensified sensation. Using other tools, such as breath, movement, sound and touch, are also beneficial.

But while all of this can help penis owners experience multiple orgasms, Grace says it’s important not to get too hung up on getting there. 

“Because like I said, men go into this refractory period, and it can be more challenging for them to orgasm more than once,” she says. “It also puts a lot of pressure on people. So maybe instead just focus on the pleasure and sensation that is present in the moment, because having one orgasm can feel just as good.” 

Originally published as Can men have multiple orgasms? Here's what the experts say