Sexual Response Cycle

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Based on Master and Johnson’s analysis there are four phases of sexual response cycle and these include excitement phase, plateau phase, orgasm phase, and resolution phase. Both men and women experience the same pattern of four phases of the cycle regardless of the method of stimulation.

The four phases are part of the continue process of the entire cycle and there is a variation that occurs on each individual level. The amount of time spend and method of stimulation used in each phases varies among individual. The information provided here is for general understanding of how our body respond to sexual stimulation.

Excitement Phase

Sexual desire occurs in excitement phase as this is the first phase of the sexual response cycle where the desire for sexual interest begins. Both sexes experience muscle tensions, increase heart rate and blood pressure. Increase blood flow to the genital area where the men begins to experience erection and erect nipples.

In women, vaginal lubrication occurs when the clitoris and vaginal tissues begins to engorge with blood and the breast may become fuller with erect nipples. Some may also experience sex flush where a pink or red rash appear on the chest or breast area. This phase can last between less than a minute to several hours.

Plateau Phase

Sexual arousal occurs in plateau phase as this is the second phase of the sexual response cycle where both sexes continued to experience muscle tension build up, increase heart rate and blood pressure. Increase blood flow to the genital area continues where the men experience full erection when the penis and testes become engorge with blood.

In female, the clitoris, labia minora, labia majora, and the vaginal tissues become engorge with blood causing it to swell and increase in size. Both sexes also experience involuntary contractions and muscle spasms on the face, neck, hands, hips, thighs, and feet. This phase can last between less than a minute to several hours.

Orgasm Phase

This is the third phase of the cycle where many people move from plateau phase (Sexual Arousal) to orgasm phase. During this phase both men and women experience increase heart rate, increase blood pressure, muscle spasms, and sexual tension release.

This is the shortest phase of the cycle where both sexes experience orgasm of intense pleasure that last only a few seconds. Male orgasm may be accompanied by ejaculation of seminal fluid and female orgasm is accompanied by vaginal muscle contraction and muscle contraction of the uterus. Female orgasm last slightly longer than male orgasm and almost all men always experience orgasm after reaching the plateau phase.

Resolution Phase

This is the final phase of the cycle where the sexual system returns to their normal state. In men, the penis returns to non-erect state and in women the clitoris and vaginal tissues also return to normal state. This varies among individual for some it may happen right away and for others it may happens slowly.

The only difference between men and women in this phase is the refractory period. After orgasm, men enter refractory period where he is not capable of returning to orgasm phase with further stimulation. This could range from minutes to days depending on factor such as age, recent sexual activity and sexual desire for his partner. Women do not experience refractory period and is capable of experiencing multiple orgasms by returning to orgasm phase right after resolution phase with further stimulation.

Return from Sexual Response Cycle to Sexual Arousal

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