Sexual Response Cycle

Men and women have a sexual response style when they have sex. In some ways men and women go threw the same type of responses and some times they do not. The “sexual response cycle to describe the changes that occur in the body as men and women become sexually aroused” (Rathus & Nevid, 2004, p. 245) There are four stages of the sexual response cycle excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution. The swelling of the genital tissue with blood is known as vasocongestion. Vascongestion in men cause the erection of the penis, testes and the vaginal area in women to swell in both men and women the nipples and even the earlobes may swell. Muscle tension is known as myotonia; this causes spasms in the hands and feet and causes facial grimaces and then the spasms of orgasm.

Excitement in men is characterized by an erection. Vascongestion can cause the erection to occur in three to eight seconds after the beginning of sexual stimulation. The testes increase in size and become elevated; the skin in the scrotal area thickens and becomes lest baggy. Heart rate increases and, nipples also become erect.

Excitement in women is characterized by lubrication. This lubrication may start ten to thirty seconds after the start of sexual stimulation. The vasocongestion swells the clitoris and flattens the vaginal lips. The inner part of the vagina expands. The breasts enlarge in size. The blood vessels near the surface become more noticeable. Nipples as in the man become more erect and the heart rate increases.

The next phase is the plateau phase. During this time the level of sexual arousal remains somewhat stable. This is the time where the body prepares for the orgasm.

In men, some may increase in the circumference of the head of the penis. The penis may also take on a purplish tint. Testes are elevated into a position for ejaculation. The testes may reach one half times their size from when they are not aroused.

In women the outer part of the vagina swells. The vaginal opening contracts for preparation for the grasping of the penis. Inside the vagina the inner part expands further to accommodate the penis. The clitoris withdraws beneath the clitoral hood and shortens.

In both the man and the woman breathing becomes more rapid like panting. Heart rates increase. The blood pressure continues to rise.

The next phase is the orgasmic phase. Orgasm is the muscle contractions and the release of sexual tension. In men there are two stages of muscular contractions. At first the semen collects at the base of the penis. The second is the muscles contract to ejaculate the semen out of the body. These contractions occur at .8 second intervals for the first three or four contractions. After that two to four occur at a slower pace. Patterns and rates change from man to man. Blood pressure and heart rate reach their peek. In women’s orgasms are the contractions of the pelvic muscles that are around the vaginal barrel. Orgasms also trigger the release of blood from engorged areas. The nipples return to their normal size. The clitoris and vaginal barrel shrink to their original size.

Then the body returns to its state pre arousal. Blood pressure heart rate and breathing return to their levels before arousal. This is called the resolution phase. Both partners feel relaxed and satisfied during the resolution phase.

The refractory period is where a man may not experience another orgasm or ejaculate. This period may last from minutes to days. This depends on the man and their age. Women do not have a refractory period. Women then can have repeated orgasms and continued sexual stimulation.

There are many different sexual dysfunctions. There are several major types; hypoactive sexual desire disorder, male erectile disorder, female sexual arousal disorder, orgasmic disorder and premature ejaculation.

A lack of interest in sexual activity, a low sex drive, and absence of any sexual fantasies is hypoactive sexual desire disorder or HSDD. “HSDD affects at least 20% of women in the United States. Currently, there is no approved drug treatment for HSDD and psychotherapy has proven minimally effective.” (2001 Ð'¶2)

Female sexual arousal disorder is the inability to become aroused including lack of feelings and physical signs