I have incredibly intense orgasms when I climax from masturbation. My heart races and my chest tightens, but it is such an amazing feeling that I always have to scream (loudly). Because of this, I *must* masturbate when there is absolutely nobody home. The first time I ever masturbated to orgasm (at age 15) I drew so much attention to myself with the involuntary scream that my brother walked into my room and saw me lying naked on my bed. Ever since, I have had to be by myself.
- age 17, Maryland
My thighs like to thrust upwards – I get a better orgasm that way. My head tips back with excitement and I start to slow down.
- age 15, Ohio
I breathe rapidly and clench my toes. On about the third spurt, I can't help smiling! This caused a problem with a girlfriend in the past, who thought I was laughing at her as she panted. When I tried to explain that I couldn't help it, she didn't believe me. It always happens and comes as part of the surge of relief and release that accompanies orgasm.
- age 48, United Kingdom
I tend to move my tongue around in a circle in my mouth. And depending on whether I'm alone, I like to sigh and moan as loud as I can.
- age 15, Colorado
About a minute before I feel it coming on, I take a deep breath and hold it. Then every muscle in my body starts to tighten up beyond my control. Even my face muscles tighten. Since I have been holding my breath and tightening up all the muscles, I let out an unfortunate loud gasp or yell when the explosive climax comes. With nosy parents or paper-thin college dorm walls, this makes me paranoid sometimes. But as I've gotten a little older, I take more of a "who cares" attitude. I have come to realize that I have to do it, and they have to accept it.
- age 23, Pennsylvania
I usually thrust my pelvis as if I'm having sex.
- age 19, Ohio
I get a smile on my face that won't end, my back arches a little, and my heart beats like I've been running a marathon. I don't make many noises because my parents are usually too close and would hear me. When I'm truly alone, I make noises I can't explain, but they are truly sounds of joy.
- age 15, West Virginia
When the orgasm starts, I get very tense and I sort of curl up slightly. My pelvis starts moving, trying to push me into it full-throttle. I breathe more heavily, but I rarely make any noise (if I do, it's probably an "uh" or two). My face probably looks as if I'm crying or injured, with my eyebrows knitting and my skin turning red. My eyes might roll back if the orgasm is too intense and I can't keep them focused on myself when I ejaculate. I'm sure I look like a total doofus, but when it's happening, I really don't care!
- age 25, Florida
Right before I ejaculate my toes start twitching, and the exact moment I start to ejaculate it stops. Also there's a slight muscle twitch in my back.
- age 16, California
Most of the time I have little reaction at all. But sometimes it seems that I am temporarily paralyzed. For example, I'll direct my hand to move, but it just won't. It's really odd. This usually happens when I start and stop a lot and then hold off for as long as possible. Most of my other reactions occur when I hold off like that: the ugly face, and another is that my penis continues to move involuntarily for a while after all semen is ejected. That's actually a little uncomfortable.
- age 15, Missouri
I get the hiccups when I have had an extremely intense orgasm.
- age 32, Australia
At the beginning of an orgasm I often get little cramps from the bottom of my feet up to my mid-thigh. If it is an especially vigorous session, my arm can also cramp up. After the orgasm, I often have a slight headache and am totally spent. Frequently I fall asleep immediately after.
- age 18, Massachusetts
The sign that I'm approaching orgasm is that my breathing becomes more rapid. Then my genitals, especially my clitoris, become very sensitive to touch. Finally, it seems like every muscle in my body tenses up. The actual orgasm follows, during which time I'm making enough noise to wake the dead.
- age 36, California (female)
My body reacts in the same way most of the time: My back arches, I sometimes even shake a little, my eyes close much the time, and if it's a really big orgasm I breathe really hard and make a small noise. I try not to be too loud so as not to let on to what I'm doing! And during every orgasm I always give a really big smile.
- age 14, Michigan
Many things happen: My muscles go rigid (especially in my legs), my eyes squeeze shut, my vaginal muscles spasm and sometimes even cramp up, and I break out in a sweat. Sometimes I gasp a little (ordinary) and breathe hard. Also, my clitoris gets really firm and tender. All of this happens to some degree every time I masturbate, but it is only really intense when I have a monster orgasm.
- age 15, Maine (female)
As my orgasm nears, my body stiffens completely and a groan comes from deep inside. When the spasms actually begin, my whole body relaxes except my pelvis. Most of the time, I grunt or growl involuntarily. Then the calm satisfaction sets in, and I feel complete relaxation and peace. Some people I've talked to say they don't like the empty, drained feeling afterwards, but it just isn't like that for me.
- age 50, Oregon
My butt cheeks usually vibrate uncontrollably for about three seconds. My back arches slightly, but my butt vibration is the most noticeable reaction.
- age 14, California
My leg often starts to shake involuntarily. When this happens, it usually holds back my orgasm, and I laugh. All I can think of is a dog. So I work myself back to orgasm and try to keep a straight face to get the job done.
- age 18, New York
My whole body feels like it's on fire, and I get these great ripples going through my belly. My testicles feel like they're having spasms, and I feel as if I'm going to pass out. I also notice that my nipples (which usually just kind of lie there) get really hard. Afterwards, I'm kind of sweaty under my arms and right above my butt. My body is kind of red and splotchy, and my breathing is heavier and different. And sometimes I feel like yelling – but I don't because there are usually other people in the house.
- age 15, Virginia
When I climax I usually feel contractions in my pelvic area. My back usually arches and my head is thrown back. Usually I'm moaning. Then at the end, there's always that sigh.
- age 18, Kentucky (female)
I probably have a weird expression on my face, but I wouldn't know that since I don't have a mirror. The only different thing other than the usual is that I curl my toes. I don't know why – it just happens.
- age 16, New Jersey
I sometimes make either a hissing or loud panting sound. My eyes sometimes water. And I once experienced involuntary pelvic thrusts during orgasm.
- age 37, Alaska
I get a smile on my face, and my body sort of slithers around whatever I am on, like a snake.
- age 14, Illinois
Every muscle in my upper body tenses, to the point where I can hear things cracking! I also grind my teeth really hard.
- age 23, Ohio
I get extremely tense and grit my teeth. If I am by myself in the house I make noises, and this makes it much more pleasurable. When I reach orgasm I just collapse and occasionally cry, but not often.
- age 18, Argentina
My body gets goose bumps all over and I get that weird, shivery feeling – almost indescribable – with heavy breathing.
- age 16, Massachusetts
I get a really weird, intense grin on my face, And sometimes my ears get really red.
- age 15, Arizona
My body reaction isn't necessarily involuntary. What I like to do right at the point of orgasm is hyperextend the muscles in my legs and feet past what would be considered normal stretching. I maintain the hyperextension throughout the 10 or so seconds of orgasm, and then I slowly release it. The hyperextension would normally be slightly painful, but during an orgasm it feels fantastic. As for noises, I've never been one to make noises while masturbating, and I also don't make any noises during the orgasm – it sounds awkward.
- age 19, New York
I just shake all over.
- age 15, Canada
I need to develop contact with others during sexual activity, so when I masturbate my humming and other vocal sounds often become instructions to a fictional companion: e.g., "You don't really need those pants, do you?" "Why don't you pull it out and get it hard?" etc. When I am stretched out on a bed, as I near climax my body stiffens, I arch my feet, and sometimes they "lock in place" and ache.
- age 68, Michigan
My legs and arms go very rigid, and my whole face tenses up. It's rare that I can keep my eyes open to watch myself ejaculate.
- age 17, Iowa
It's simple how I react to orgasm. I call it the 4 s's – sweat, sound, sperm, and sleep. There is no better feeling in the world! I'm happy I have a penis.
- age 21, Canada
My body totally lets go. My legs curl underneath me, my stomach contracts, and my back arches. My eyes normally close tightly, and all the air leaves my lungs. If it's a really good orgasm, I whimper and moan involuntarily. Most of the time, when I finally orgasm, I release a lot of vaginal moisture – usually enough to make a small puddle.
- age 17, Illinois (female)
My only major reaction is I press together my thighs involuntarily. That can sometimes make it difficult to pump, but not often. It's good that my body reacts to orgasm this way rather than making involuntary noises, because this way I can masturbate without anyone hearing.
- age 14, Virginia
Physically, I break out in a sweat and tend to make goofy faces like an Eddie Murphy comedy routine I saw once. When I actually start ejaculating, I make these weird involuntary moaning and grunting noises. Sometimes an occasional obscenity just slips out – it's not really a conscious thing, it just happens.
- age 26, Kentucky
Usually, my hips thrust up quickly, and I get a pained look on my face. My hand moves faster and faster until "the moment." Then I just stop, completely out of breath.
- age 18, Michigan
I cannot remember a time when my eyes were open during (or at least at the start of) an orgasm. It's like sneezing, I guess. I also tend to arch my back a little, more if I'm standing. If I am standing or on my knees, I always tilt my head back (eyes closed) for at least a few seconds. It feels like I'm floating, and it intensifies things, at least for me.
- age 21, Indiana
My legs become really weak. I start to yell, and I hold on to something harder.
- age 16, California
My body shivers down my spine, which causes me to jerk and make faces as well as noises. I also breathe heavily, and my penis feels like it is extra-sensitive.
- age 14, Pennsylvania
Just as I reach orgasm, my inner thighs start to quiver, and my nipples become very hard. Occasionally I'll emit fluid from my vagina. My orgasms are such an intense feeling that sometimes I groan and I think my parents may hear me in the next room.
- age 14, Michigan (female)
I arch my back and tense my leg muscles almost until they cramp. But sometimes, it feels great if I can keep myself from tensing any muscles. The orgasm is really different, and incredible!
- age 14, Illinois
My body reacts by totally stiffening. Sometimes my eyes suddenly shut and won't open until the orgasm is over. It's almost like my body becomes a board!
- age 13, Pennsylvania
As I approach orgasm, my breathing becomes very shallow and rapid, and my heart rate greatly increases. When I actually begin to ejaculate, my entire body becomes tense, and I begin to thrust my hips in rhythm with my ejaculation. Afterward I am totally relaxed, and my breathing becomes very long and deep as my heart gradually slows down again.
- age 17, Texas
My eyes are closed tightly, back arching, and I'm making deep moans that sound as if they come from beyond – the "classic" orgasm. Life couldn't be any better at that moment.
- age 30, Georgia (female)
My hands shake as if I'm frightened.
- age 17, Indiana
My body reacts hardly at all. I can keep quiet. I usually stay still, and I don't really make any faces.
- age 15, Connecticut
Unless I work to stop it, I make a lot of noise: "ahh," "uhh," and various screams. I once also laughed during a particularly deep penetration. It was like the laugh while riding a roller coaster. And I shake a lot during orgasm. I have alarmed partners because they thought I was having a seizure. After a particularly strong orgasm or continued stimulation, the shaking can last for as much as half an hour in small bursts of shaking. I like to watch myself ejaculate, but usually have to close my eyes tight a couple of times during orgasm. I arch my back and throw my head back if I'm lying down. If I'm on top, I latch onto and/or collapse onto my partner. I often get sleepy afterward.
- age 28, South Dakota
Sometimes I feel almost a "crunching" or hunching-over type of thing. Usually I speed up. The weirdest thing is that sometimes I feel an instinctive urge to press forward as if I were "humping" a woman (usually when I masturbate standing). But when I am lying down, I tend to arch my back upwards.
- age 14, Canada
Being a runner with strong legs, I have to watch out for one thing. A few times I've hyperextended my leg muscles during an orgasm, which makes track practice difficult for the next few days.
- age 16, Nevada
I don't show much outward reaction due to the need to stay quiet – for privacy, not shame. (I generally don't like an audience that isn't directly participating!) I usually squeeze my eyes shut, bite my lip, breathe in short, quick inhalations, and buck my hips. If the orgasm's really good, my toes will curl and I'll kick a bit. If I had total privacy, without worry of interruption, I'd be considerably more vocal about it – but as it is, I'm not particularly noisy.
- age 22, North Carolina (female)
I breathe heavily. My whole pelvic area thrusts uncontrollably. I tilt my head back and close my eyes. I continue to stroke all the way through the orgasm. If it's really intense, I say words such as "oh" and "yes" (and occasionally profanity). My heart pounds, and a feeling of complete pleasure shudders through my whole body.
- age 16, California
My body shakes, my back arches, and I lose all control. But as soon as it's over, I don't want to be touched by myself or anyone else. I guess I'm more like a guy that way – once it's over, it's over.
- age 27, Missouri (female)