The Sexual Response Cycle

The Sexual Response Cycle

The sexual response cycle refers to the sequence of physical and emotional changes that occur as a person becomes sexually aroused and participates in sexually stimulating activities, including intercourse and masturbation. Knowing how your body responds during each phase of the cycle can enhance your relationship and help you pinpoint the cause of sexual dysfunction.

The Phases of the Sexual Response Cycle

• Phase 1: Excitement • Phase 2: Plateau • Phase 3: Orgasmic • Phase 4: Resolution

Phase 1: Excitement The excitement phase (also known as the arousal phase or initial excitement phase) is the first stage of the human sexual response cycle. It occurs as the result of any erotic physical or mental stimulation, such as kissing, petting, or viewing erotic images, that lead to sexual arousal. During the excitement stage, the body prepares for coitus, or sexual intercourse, in the plateau phase.

Phase 2: Plateau The period during which sexual tension increases to levels nearing orgasm, may last from 30 seconds to 3 minutes

Phase 3: Orgasmic This phase is the climax of the sexual response cycle. It is the shortest of the phases and generally lasts only a few seconds.

Phase 4: Resolution Occurs after orgasm and allows the muscles to relax, blood pressure to drop and the body to slow down from its excited state.

Physiologic Changes Associated with the Sexual Response Cycle

Phase 1: Excitement Signs Present in Both Sexes • •

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Increased muscle tension Moderate increase in heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure Sex flush (less prevalent in men than in women; present in 75% of women) Nipple erection ( 60% of men and most of women)

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Signs Present In Males Only

Signs Present In Females Only

• Penile erection Tensing, thickening, and elevation of the • • scrotum Partial elevation and increase in size of • testicles

Enlargement of the clitoral glands Vaginal lubrication Widening and lengthening of the vaginal barrel Separation and flattening of the labia majora Reddening of the labia minora and vaginal wall Breast enlargement and enlarge areolae

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Phase 2: Plateau Signs Present in Both Sexes • • • •

Increased voluntary and • involuntary myotonia Abdominal, intercostal, anal, and facial muscle • contraction Accelerated heart rate and respiratory rate and blood pressure Sex flush ( appearance • in some men late in the phase; spread over the entire body in women)

Signs Present In Males Signs Present In Females Only Only • Increased in penile circumference, at the • coronal ridge, and deepening in color 50% increase in testicular size, and elevation close to the perineum • Appearance of a few drops of mucoid secretions from the bulbourethral glands at • tip of penis; may contain • sperm

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Retraction of the clitoris under the hood Appearance of the orgasmic platform, increased in the size of the outer one-third of the vagina and the labia minora Slight increase in width and depth of the inner two-thirds of the vagina Farther reddening of the labia minora Appearance of few drops of mucoid secretion from the Bartholin’s glands to lubricate the inner labia Farther increase in breast size and areolar enlargement

Phase 3: Orgasmic Signs Present in Both Sexes Signs Present In Males Only • • • •

Involuntary spasms of muscle groups throughout the body Diminished sensory awareness Involuntary contraction of the anal sphincter Peak heart rate (110180bpm), respiratory rate (40/min or greater)

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• Rhythmic, expulsive contractions of the penis at 0.8 seconds interval Emmision of seminal fluid • into the prostatic urethra from contraction of the vas deferens and accessory • organs (stage I of the expulsive process) Closing of the internal bladder sphincter just before ejaculation to prevent retrograde ejaculation into the bladder Orgasm may occur without ejaculation Ejaculation of semen through the penile urethra and expulsion from the urethral meatus. The force of ejaculation varies from man to man and at different times but diminished after the first two to three contraction (stage II of

Signs Present In Females Only Approximately 5-12 contractions in the orgasmic platform at 0.8 seconds interval Contractions of the muscles of the pelvic floor and uterine muscles Varies pattern of orgasm including minor surges and contractions, multiple orgasms, or a simple intense orgasms similar to that of the male

Phase 4: Resolution Signs Present in Both Sexes •

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Signs Present In Males Only

• Reversal of vasocongestion in 1030 minutes; disappearance of all signs of myotonia within 5 minutes Genital and breast return to their preexcitement states Sex flush disappears in reverse order of appearance Heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure returns to normal Other reactions include sleepiness, relaxation, and emotional outbursts such as crying or laughing

A refractory period during which the body will not respond to sexual stimulation; varies, depending on age and other factors, from a few moments to hours or days

Signs Present In Females Only

-The End..good night..

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