Sexual Response Cycle

The human sexual response cycle is composed of four distinct stages: excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution.

The excitement phase is the beginning of the sexual response cycle. During this stage, the individuals’ genitals become engorged with blood causing them to swell. In addition, the woman’s vagina expands and secretes fluid which lubricates it and her breasts may also enlarge.

During the plateau stage, the excitement stage is at its peak as the lovers’ breathing, pulse, and blood pressure rates are raised. This is also when the man’s penis is fully engorged and some fluid may appear at the tip. The woman’s vagina continues to secrete lubricating fluid and her clitoris retracts. Orgasm is quickly approaching for one or both partners.

The third stage is the orgasm phase. During this phase, muscle contractions occur all over the body and the increase in breathing, pulse, and blood pressure rates continue. A pleasurable feeling floods the lovers and the physical reactions by both of them helps to facilitate conception.

The final stage is resolution in which the bodies return to their unaroused states. The blood no longer pools in the genital area and their breathing, pulse, and blood pressure rates return to normal.

According to our textbook, sexual dysfunctions are defined as: problems that consistently impair sexual arousal or functioning.” Though some disorders can be experienced by both genders, those that are more common tend to be gender-specific. Both sexes can experience problems with motivation, lack of sexual energy, and arousability. However, only men suffer from erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. In addition, women tend to experience problems with painful intercourse and orgasmic dysfunction.

Therapies are available to help both genders try to regulate their sexual problems and, of course, medication is available to help the physiological problems that traditional therapies cannot help – the little blue pill!