Sexual Response Cycle

The sexual response cycle is the term used to describe the changes that occur in the body when men and women become sexually aroused. There are four stages or phases. The sexual response cycle consists of vasocongestion and myotonia. Vasocongestion causes erection in the male and swelling of the area surrounding the vaginal opening. As blood vessels dilate the testes, nipples and earlobes swell. Muscle tension is called myotonia. It consists of facial grimaces, spasms in the hands and feet, and spasms of orgasm. During the excitement phase vasocongestion can cause an erection in young men in as little as 3 to 8 seconds after sexual stimulation starts. The testes become larger and elevated, and the scrotal skin also thickens making it
less baggy. For the female during the excitement phase vaginal lubrication can start 10 to 30 seconds after sexual stimulation begins. Vasocongestion causes the clitoris to swell and flattens and spreads the vaginal lips. The breast become bigger and blood vessels nearer the surface are more visible. The inner two-thirds of the vagina expands. The vaginal walls thicken and turn a deeper color. The woman’s skin can take on a rosy sex flush. The commonalities for both men and women during the excitement phase are that their nipples can become erect. Their heart rate and blood pressure increase. Muscle tension also increases. Although the skin can take on a rosy flush for both it is more common for women. In the plateau phase sexual arousal remains somewhat stable. Men show some increase in the circumference of the head of the penis and it takes on a purplish hue due to vasocongestion. The testes become elevated and positioned for ejaculation. The penis may become one and a half times its arousal size. The penis may release drops of semen from the opening before ejaculation. During the plateau phase for women the outer part of their vagina swells due to vasocongestion. This contracts the vaginal opening in preparation for grasping the penis. Then inner part of the vagina expands more as well. The clitoris withdraws beneath the clitoral hood and shortens. The uterus increases in size and elevates. For both men and women during the plateau phase their breath becomes more rapid, like panting. Their heart rate can increase up to 100 to 160 beats per minute. Their blood pressure rises continually. Vasocongestion continues to increase. For men during the orgasmic phase there are two stages of muscular contractions.
During the first stage semen collects at the base of the penis. Urine is prevented from mixing with the semen by the internal sphincter of the urinary bladder. There are sensations of impending ejaculation that occur 2 to 3 seconds before the ejaculatory reflex. During the second stage semen is propelled out of the body by muscle contractions. The most intense contractions are normally the first 3 to 4 and come in 0.8- second intervals. This equates to roughly 5 contractions every 4 seconds. There can be 3 to 4 more contractions that come much slower. This varies from one man to
another. For the women during this phase the orgasm is manifested by 3 to 15 contractions of the pelvic muscles that surround the vaginal barrel. The first contractions occur at 0.8- second intervals. Weaker and slower contractions follow. Both men and women experience the release of sexual tension during the orgasmic phase. These things happen automatically in response to sufficient sexual stimulation. This produces intense feelings of pleasure. The man’s erection, the woman’s vaginal lubrication and their respective orgasm are all reflexes. Their heart rate and blood pressure reach its peak. The heart may beat up to 180 times per minute. Their respirations may increase to 40 breaths per minute. In men the resolution phase consist of blood being released from the engorged areas after ejaculation. This causes the erection to go away. The testes become their normal size again. During the resolution phase women also release blood from engorged areas.
The nipples become their normal size. The clitoris and vaginal barrel eventually shrink to their unaroused size. Both men and women experience decreased blood pressure and heart rates. Their breathing becomes more normal as before arousal. They may both feel more relaxed and satisfied. After ejaculation men experience a refractory period where they cannot have another orgasm or ejaculate. In adolescent males the refractory period may last only minutes. For men aged 50 and above this period may last from several minutes to a day. Women do not experience a refractory period. They can become aroused again quickly. They may experience multiple orgasm if continued sexual stimulation is provided. Hypoactive sexual desire disorder is a sexual dysfunction characterized by lack of interest in sexual activity. Female sexual arousal disorder is characterized by difficulty in becoming sexually aroused. The may not be sufficient vaginal lubrication or sustainable arousal to engage in satisfying sexual relations. Male erectile disorder is characterized by repeated difficulty becoming sexually aroused therefore resulting in failure to achieve or sustain and
erection Orgasmic disorder is when one has difficulty reaching orgasm even though they have become adequately aroused. Premature ejaculation is rapid ejaculation that occurs with minimal sexual stimulation. Sexual dysfunctions are often treated with sex therapy. This treatment refers to a relatively brief and direct form of psychological treatment that incorporates cognitive and behavioral components. There are several methods that are used. Reducing performance anxiety. Clients engage in activities like massage or petting under “nondemand” circumstance for a time to reduce performance anxiety. There is to be no sexual arousal or intercourse at first. Decreased anxiety allows natural reflexes such as erection, lubrication and orgasm to occur. Changing Self-defeating attitudes and expectations. Clients are shown that anxiety levels are raised when expectations of failure are raised thus become reality. Teaching sexual skills. If premature ejaculation is present the client may be shown how to delay ejaculation with the stop-and-go-method. This allows the man to better gauge the level of stimulation that triggers ejaculatory reflex. Enhancing sexual knowledge. Some clients are misinformed or have no knowledge about biological and sexual functioning. Improving sexual communication. Couples are taught ways of showing their partner what they do and do not like. Biological treatments are sometimes used for specific sexual dysfunctions. The drug Viagra helps men attain erection by relaxing the muscles surrounding the blood vessels in the penis. This allows more blood to flow in and the erection to harden. Viagra does not seem to be effective in treating female sexual dysfunction. There are continued efforts to find a pill that will assist females as well.