After The Good Place actor Jameela Jamil admitted to having an accidental orgasm 'in front of 6,000 people', experts have explained exactly how one could find themselves in such a situation.
Everyone has their own thing when it comes to getting turned on, but I'd hazard a guess that not many people could imagine getting hot under the collar while standing by yourself on stage, working in a room filled with thousands of other people.
And yet, that's exactly what happened to Jamil when she was doing a DJ set at a Young Farmers Ball, an event which allows those in the farming industry to socialize and blow off some steam.
The actor told podcast host Romesh Ranganathan the incident unfolded after she put her DJ decks on top of some 'ginormous speakers', explaining: "I had to DJ on the speakers, but the vibration of the bass was awakening something in my groin area.
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"And so, I started having an orgasm in front of 6,000 people and I’m trying my best to cover it up, but it’s very intense."
While there might not be many people who can relate to this experience, experts have explained that it is possible to orgasm by accident - by which I mean without physical contact to the usual areas.
What is an accidental orgasm?
Searah Deysach, sex educator and owner of Chicago-based pleasure-product company Early to Bed, described this particular situation simply to Well and Good, saying it's 'an orgasm that somebody has when they’re not actively seeking an orgasm'.
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“It comes via other means than direct conscious genital stimulation," she explained.
How common are accidental orgasms?
Since these aren't exactly the kinds of reactions people can plan for, it's understandable that there's not a lot of research on the matter.
However, Deysach assured they're 'relatively normal in the sense that it can happen to anybody'.
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What can cause an accidental orgasm?
Jessica O’Reilly, PhD, host of the Sex With Dr. Jess podcast, has also offered insight into the subject of accidental orgasms and explained that there are some people who may be more prone to accidentally getting off - namely those who typically become aroused with ease.
However, finding yourself in such a situation might also be related more to what's going through your mind at the time.
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She explained: “It may be related to sexual excitability or mindfulness. If you’re present in your body and you allow it to receive stimulation without inhibition, you might be more likely to have spontaneous orgasms.”
Combine this mindset with a position that might cause unintentional pleasure - like, apparently, a giant set of speakers - then you might just find yourself in the perfect position for an accidental orgasm.
O'Reilly also broke down a few other potential causes of accidental orgasm to Well and Good, which are as follows:
- Stimulation of erogenous zones that aren't your genitals - these can include areas like behind the ears or around the midsection, which may give you those fluttery feelings
- Performing oral sex - yes, I said performing. O'Reilly explained: “Some people attribute this to the stimulation in the back of their throat by a penis, and others report being so aroused by the power of the act and their partner’s pleasure that they find themselves experiencing orgasm as well.”
- Exercise - just another reason to get yourself to the gym! Flexing muscles close to the groin may result in enough stimulation to result in what has been aptly dubbed a 'coregasm'. O'Reilly has also reported hearing of orgasms during yoga or pilates, which may be a result of tight clothing rubbing against sensitive areas.
- Riding a bike - whether in a cycle studio or on the street, the motion of a seat against your groin may result in 'pleasurable and even orgasmic sensations', O'Reilly said. This is because the rubbing or squeezing of the seat 'can stimulate both the external and internal parts of the clitoris that are believed to lead to orgasm'. “I’ve also seen reports of accidental orgasm from motorcycle riders (and passengers) as they rub against the seat and experience the vibrations from the engine," O'Reilly explained.
- Nothing at all - yep, this is spontaneity in its truest form. If you experience an orgasm without any obvious stimulation or sexual thought, it may be an indicator of persistent genital arousal syndrome (PGAS).Symptoms can span from 'mild ongoing arousal' to 'extreme' and unprovoked orgasmic sensations. O’Reilly says: “While orgasm may offer temporary relief from this persistent, unwanted arousal, some women report that the feelings of arousal return almost immediately, and this condition can be extremely distressing.” If you think you may have PGAS, it's worth checking in with your gynecologist.
So there you have it. At least if you find yourself being hit with an accidental O, you'll have some understanding of why!
Topics: Health, Sex and Relationships, Celebrity
Emily Brown