Introduction:
Sexual arousal is when a person experiences physical changes in their body caused by sexual stimulation. Sexual arousal is the physiological and psychological response in preparation for sexual intercourse. It is a process that occurs in both men and women. This can include muscle tension, dilation, and blood flow to the skin and other body parts. Every person may have different things and experiences that make them sexually aroused. Some people may find it difficult to be sexually aroused, for example, in cases of sexual dysfunction like erectile dysfunction (ED) or where people suffer from sexual performance anxiety (SPA).
What is Sexual Arousal?
Sexual arousal is the physiological and psychological changes that prepare a person for sexual activity. The term "sexual arousal" refers to the process of becoming sexually aroused and the physiological changes that occur in response to sexual stimulation. Physical changes may include increased heart rate, sweating, and other bodily reactions, which become more intense as one gets closer to intercourse. During intercourse, signs and symptoms of sexual arousal include an erection in men and engorgement of the nipples, vulva, clitoris, vaginal walls, and vaginal lubrication in women. Mental stimuli can be used to trigger sexual arousal as well.
How Does Sexual Arousal Occur?
Sexual arousal is a complex process involving multiple brain regions and neurotransmitters. Testosterone, cortisol, and estradiol are the hormones that affect sexual arousal. Testosterone (male hormone) is the hormone that causes sexual arousal in men. It affects the central arousal mechanisms by modulating neural circuits involved in reward processing and motivation. Testosterone can also influence patterns of brain activation during visual sexual stimuli. It does so by increasing activation of key regions such as the amygdala, ventrolateral preoptic nucleus, and medial prefrontal cortex, which are all involved in processing emotional material from sex cues.
What Are the Types of Sexual Arousal?
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Physical Type - In this type, the person is aroused due to physical touch or closeness. This also might include certain body language or movements (like touching, tickling, holding hands). It may also include non-verbal guidance or physically touching different parts of the body to get sexually aroused.
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Visual Type - Visual arousal is the most common form of sexual arousal. It can include seeing a partner or oneself engaged in sexual activity, watching videos (visual appearance of sexual activities), and fantasizing about sex.
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Audial Type - Auditory stimuli also do play a role in sexual arousal. Some people may get sexually aroused by certain sounds or verbal communication (conversation, reading, films, or images) before or while indulging in sexual activity. Though the audial type of sexual arousal is not a primary concern for many, it does help the person get sexually excited or generate erotic thoughts.
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Cognitive Type - Cognitive sexual arousal patterns are not very common. In cognitive sexual arousal, the person experiences sexual excitement by thinking about their fantasies, imagination, or thoughts of an erotic nature. Some people also get sexually aroused by their partner's thinking and behavioral patterns.
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Relational Type - For most people, a bond and a relationship with their partner are essential to achieve sexual arousal or to feel attracted to them. Relational sexual arousal is when a person feels deeply for a specific connection to their partner. For example, having meaningful conversations with their partners, sharing their likes and dislikes, and discussing their future helps build a bond and become sexually aroused.
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Emotional Type - Certain people feel the need to have the presence of certain emotions to get sexually aroused. For example, getting aroused by feelings of being desired. Relationship problems or emotional turbulences often make it difficult for people to become sexually excited. Emotional disturbances and mental health conditions reduce the sexual drive, and the person may not be able to achieve sexual arousal.
What Happens When a Person Is Sexually Aroused?
Sexual arousal is the physical and mental state of being aroused by sexual desire. It can be a pleasurable feeling that may lead to sexual activity, or it may not. There are different stages of sexual arousal, and they may or may not lead to an actual sexual activity (for example, intercourse or orgasm during masturbation). Sufficient sexual stimulation causes sexual arousal events to reach the climax and achieve an orgasm.
When sexually aroused, the body starts to produce hormones that prepare the body for sex. These hormones are called vasopressin and oxytocin. Vasopressin is a hormone that constricts the blood vessels in the genitals, making them more firm and tight. It also relaxes the muscles of the uterus and bladder so that the person can urinate more easily. Vasopressin also makes the nipples erect and increases blood flow to these areas. Oxytocin is a hormone that causes contractions in the uterus (like during childbirth) and increases the heart rate and breathing rates. It also causes uterine tone, which means it makes the uterus contract as well.
What Are Unhealthy Sexual Arousal Patterns?
Some people show signs of certain behavioral patterns like getting sexually aroused on:
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Exposing their genital organs in public (exhibitionistic disorder).
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Getting sexually aroused by non-living objects (fetishistic disorder).
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Grinding against a non-consented person (frotteuristic disorder).
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Cross-dressing or dressing in clothes of the opposite gender (transvestic disorder).
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Watching people indulge in intimate sexual activities without consent (voyeuristic disorder).
These unhealthy behavioral patterns cause severe distress and impairment in people unable to achieve sexual arousal without their interests. Unhealthy sexual behavioral patterns and types are mostly paraphilic disorders and are considered disorders if the symptoms persist for more than six months.
Conclusion:
Sexual arousal may occur in response to physical and mental stimuli. Different people may have different ways in which they are sexually aroused. Knowing one’s arousal type may help one understand their sexual needs and achieve orgasm better. Speaking about arousal concerns with the partner can help prevent sexual performance anxiety. One should adopt healthy behaviors to get sexually aroused. Unhealthy sexual arousal behaviors should be addressed in cases of any sexual disorders or paraphilic disorders. In case of sexual disorders or dysfunctions that alter the arousal patterns consult a qualified doctor or sex specialist.
