What are ‘stacked orgasms’ and how can I achieve them?

“So many people don’t even know this is possible. Until they do.”

Whether they’re self-achieved or at the hands of a partner, orgasms are likely something we’re (hopefully) all fairly familiar with. For some, the pursuit of the big ‘O’ might follow a formula – you know how to get there, how long it takes and there’s simply no need to veer off course.

But for others, the orgasm is just the beginning. Once achieved, it represents a gateway to a whole world of pleasure. Sure, you might have the standard climax down pat but what about a nipple orgasm? Or a trance orgasm? And what about stacked orgasms?

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Cumming comes in many forms but the idea of non-stop, rolling waves of bliss sounds like a topic worth deep-diving. And according to Dr Jess Wade, a doctor, sexologist and somatic therapist, stacked orgasms are not just reserved for the lucky ones – anyone can get there.

Fashion Journal: What exactly is a stacked orgasm?

Dr Jess Wade: A stacked orgasm is when the first climax doesn’t fully end, and you enter a new state of orgasm where the pleasure builds and further orgasms are layered on top of the previous one. Imagine you’re already in orgasmic bliss, riding that first wave and instead of it subsiding, another one rises. Then another.

Stacked orgasms (also called rolling orgasms) are a continuous climax, a delicious, layered experience where the pleasure doesn’t stop. Instead, it builds and deepens. It’s different to multiple orgasms, which tend to dip and restart. Stacked orgasms feel like being suspended in a deep, expanding state.

They’re not uncommon but they’re also not often spoken about. And that’s the wild part, so many people don’t even know this is possible. Until they do.

What are the different types of orgasmic experiences?

This is one of my favourite things to talk about because our sex ed system leaves so much out when it comes to pleasure. The truth is that your body is mapped with many erogenous zones. Yes, there’s the clitoris, with its head being the tip of the ice berg but even that’s just the beginning.

There the G-zone, a spongey ridge on the anterior vaginal wall, made up of internal clitoral tissue, the cervix, which responds to pressure and rocking, nipples, a hugely under-utilised pleasure zone, the anus, inner thighs, feet, ears and mouth. Some people can even orgasm from nipple play alone, while others from fantasy, movement or sound.

There are also different shapes of orgasms, from a volcano, to an avalanche or wave. Some orgasms are quick and explosive, while others are deep and building. And some, like stacked orgasms, roll into each other. Think of it like layering ingredients and not rushing to the end, but instead savouring the process.

Can you share some of the more surprising types of orgasms?

Mental and ‘trance’ orgasms are a thing. I once had an orgasm at a breathwork and sound healing workshop. No touch, just breath, sound and a body that felt safe enough to let go. It blew my mind and my nervous system.

Research shows that 90 per cent of women use fantasy or mental framing for arousal. The brain is your biggest sex organ. It literally creates the conditions for orgasm before your body even moves.

How does this all link with neuroscience?

Every time you fantasise, every time you build arousal in the body slowly, every time you stay with a pleasurable sensation, you’re rewiring your brain. This is neuroplasticity in action. The more we activate those arousal pathways through thought, fantasy, movement, the senses, the more responsive and orgasmic we become.

What should we be aiming for when trying to experience stacked orgasms?

It starts with slowing down. Stacked orgasms are less about pressure and more about presence. Let go of the goal and follow what feels good. Let yourself tease the edge and don’t be afraid to pause, breathe or explore something new mid-flow. Stacking happens when we stop trying to peak and instead allow our bodies to expand.

I find a lot of the women I work with think they’re a classic one-and-done pleasure pattern but soon realise this has been a conditioning especially modelled on the male sexual response cycle of arousal, climax and resolution. Men take a lot longer to build arousal back up compared to woman.

How can we explore this at home?

Try pleasure mapping. Explore your body with different types of touch, temperature and rhythm, positions and movements. Play with edging and see how that stop-start build can amplify intensity. Stimulate multiple erogenous zones at once for a blended orgasm.

You can also try reading erotic fiction or engage your mind with fantasy first to get mentally turned on before physical touch. And I’d recommend practicing presence and pelvic floor awareness.

Are there any important do’s and don’ts to keep in mind?

I’d suggest staying curious, letting go any pressure to perform and use your imagination. Try clitoral and internal stimulation at the same time and bounce between them. Don’t rush, compare or expect it to look and feel the same every time.

For more on the different types of orgasms, try this.