Sexual Response Cycle - Stages, Aspects, and Importance

What Is the Sexual Response Cycle?

The sexual response cycle is a series of physical, emotional, psychological, cognitive, and behavioral changes that occur when individuals participate in sexual activities (like masturbation, sex games, or sexual intercourse).

How Does the Sexual Response Cycle Work?

The stages of the sexual response cycle are essentially the same for both men and women, but the physical changes vary in accordance with their biological differences. The emotional changes may also be specific to each individual’s psychological state and feelings. Commonly, the human sexual response cycle is a progression through 4 phases:

How Does the Male Sexual Response Cycle Work Physically?

Phase 1: Excitement Phase

• Increase in muscle tension.

• Increased heart rate.

• Increased blood flow, causing flushing of the skin (reddish patches may be visible).

• Increased blood flow to the genital area, causing a penile erection.

• The testicles (male reproductive glands that produce sperm and male hormones) begin to swell.

• The scrotum (pouch which holds the testicles) begins to tighten.

• A lubricating liquid or pre-ejaculatory fluid may be secreted in some males from the Cowper’s glands (two small glands located near the prostate gland). The fluid may come out at the tip of the penis.

Phase 2: Plateau Phase

Phase 1 changes are intensified in the plateau phase and are carried over to the third phase (orgasm phase).

• Increase in muscle tension.

• Muscle spasms occur in the face, hands, and feet.

• Heart rate continues to increase.

• Breathing is accelerated.

• Blood pressure increases.

• Skin flushing persists due to increased blood flow.

• Testicular tightening occurs.

Phase 3: Orgasm Phase: The shortest phase - characterized by a climax.

• Involuntary muscle contractions occur.

• Muscle spasming in the feet.

• Heart rate increases (highest rate).

• Breathing is further accelerated.

• Blood pressure increases.

• Rapid intake of oxygen.

• Sexual tension is released.

• Semen (organic fluid containing sperm cells capable of fertilizing female eggs and leading to pregnancy) is ejaculated due to the muscle contractions at the base of the penis.

• Post-coital “sex flush” or “sex glow” is visible in some men, where a reddish-pink hue is visible on the skin due to the increased blood flow.

Phase 4: Resolution Phase

• Muscle relaxation occurs.

• Heart rate is back to normal.

• Breathing rate falls to normal.

• Blood pressure is normal.

• Swollen and erect penis, testicles, and scrotum return to their original forms.

• The individual may feel tired and require a period of rest before any further sexual activity. This period is referred to as the refractory period.

How Does the Female Sexual Response Cycle Work Physically?

Phase 1: Excitement Phase

• Increase in muscle tension.

• Increase in heart rate.

• Increased blood flow, causing flushing of the skin (reddish blotches appear on the skin).

• Hardening or erection of the nipples is observed.

• Increased blood flow to the genital area, resulting in swelling of the clitoris and labia minora.

(Clitoris: a nerve-laden erogenous zone responsible for the female experience of sexual pleasure).

(Labia minora: thin folds that are part of the external female genitalia and protect the clitoris and the urinary and vaginal openings).

• Vaginal lubrication occurs - initially looks like separate droplets of sweat.

• Vaginal walls start swelling.

• The breasts feel fuller.

Phase 2: Plateau Phase

Similar to the sexual response cycle in males, Phase 1 changes are intensified in the plateau phase:

• Increase in muscle tension.

• Muscle spasms occur in the face, hands, and feet.

• Heart rate continues to increase.

• Breathing is accelerated.

• Blood pressure increases.

• Skin flushing persists due to increased blood flow.

• Vaginal swelling continues due to increased blood flow.

• The walls of the vagina become a dark purple color.

• The clitoris starts to feel sensitive and retreats in order to avoid penile penetration or stimulation.

• Vaginal lubrication may be spread over the vaginal surface and the external genitals. This lubrication eases penile insertion and prevents irritation or tissue tearing in the vaginal walls when the thrusting action of the penis begins.

Phase 3: Orgasm Phase

• Involuntary muscle contractions occur.

• Muscle spasming in the feet.

• Heart rate increases (highest rate).

• Breathing is further accelerated.

• Blood pressure increases.

• Rapid intake of oxygen.

• Sexual tension is released.

• Vaginal and uterine muscles undergo contraction.

• Post-coital “sex flush” or “sex glow” is visible in many women, where a reddish-pink hue is visible on the skin due to the increased blood flow.

Phase 4: Resolution Phase

• Muscle relaxation occurs.

• Heart rate is back to normal.

• Breathing rate falls to normal.

• Blood pressure is normal.

• Swollen and erect nipples, clitoris, and labia minora return to their original forms.

• Females, unlike males, are capable of arousal very soon after intercourse or any form of sexual stimulation. Their refractory period is typically short. However, this does vary for different people.

What Are the Different Aspects of the Human Sexual Response Cycle?

Desire forms the basis for all responses - physical, psychological, emotional, and cognitive changes are all dependent on the presence of sexual desire.

• Being interested in sex is necessary in order to evoke physical arousal.

• From a psychological perspective, the desire to enjoy sex and the interest in being aroused sexually is essential to proceed. When this interest is absent for psychological reasons, there may be a persistent interruption or complete absence of the sexual response cycle.

• From a cognitive and behavioral perspective, desire operates on the motivation to seek out sexual stimulation.

• The emotional premise rests on feelings of love and intimacy.

In the excitement phase, these feelings are the reasoning behind being sexually aroused by sexual stimulation from a partner. In the final resolution phase, one may experience post-coital feelings of closeness to one’s partner.

Why Is the Sexual Response Cycle Important?

The sexual response cycle is important mainly for two reasons:

• It enhances sexual experience and pleasure through a better understanding of the physiology and psychology behind the human sexual response.

• Understanding the sexual response cycle is crucial to understanding sexual dysfunction. This will lead to the proper diagnosis of sexual disorders and help identify the causes of the dysfunction in some cases.

Conclusion:

The human sexual response cycle is a complex, multifactorial series of physical and emotional progressions that ultimately result in pleasure and sexual satisfaction. Understanding the workings of this cycle could contribute to a better sexual experience and improved sexual health and wellness.