Secret of Sexual Response Cycle
The sexual response cycle is a specific sequence of physical and emotional changes that occur as a person becomes sexually aroused and engages in sexually stimulating activities, including sexual intercourse and masturbation.
Phases
The sexual response cycle consists of four distinct phases: arousal; plateau; orgasm; and resolution. These phases are experienced by both men and women, although the timing usually varies between individuals, e.g., it is unlikely that both partners will reach orgasm at the same time. Also, the intensity of the response to stimulation and the time spent in each phase will vary from person to person.
Phase 1: Arousal
This phase starts with some kind of sexual stimulation - a touch, a sight, or a thought. Blood begins to move to various parts of the body. This phase can last from a few minutes to several hours, and includes the following general characteristics: Increased muscle tension.Accelerated breathing and heart rateBlood flow is increased, resulting in possible flushed skin (red blotches may appear on the chest and back). The lips, nipples (sometimes nipples become erect), earlobes and genitals become fuller and more sensitive. 4 The penis begins to fill with blood and become erect, and the scrotum starts to thicken, pulling the testicles closer to the man's body. Swelling starts in the woman's clitoris and labia minora (commonly referred to 'lips', the area around the vaginal opening).Vaginal lubrication begins in anticipation of sexual penetration.The woman's breasts become fuller and her vaginal walls begin to swell.
Phase 2: Plateau
Continued stimulation results in a firming penis, possibly darkening in color. It is important to note that over long periods of foreplay, the penis may become flaccid (soft) and then harden again. This is perfectly normal. Even if the penis stays erect, firmness will vary to some degree.
Just prior to ejaculation, at what one may call "the point of no return", the sphincter from the bladder closes to prevent semen infiltrating the bladder. The prostate and seminal vesicles contract to move seminal fluid to the urethra bulb near the base of the penis. This phase extends from excitement to the brink of orgasm, and includes the following general characteristics:
Arousal (phase 1) characteristics are intensified.
The male secretes a fluid from the bulbourethra gland (Cowper's gland) through the urethra. This alkaline fluid serves to lubricate and reduce the acidity of the urinary tract to allow ejaculating sperm to survive. This moisture may be noticed at the tip of the penis while erect, prior to ejaculation. The scrotum continues to thicken and the testes start to enlarge. The right testicle will rise and slightly rotate first, then the left will do the same. Continued vaginal swelling due to increased blood flow. The vaginal walls change in color to dark purple. Clitoral sensitivity heightens (possibly may be painful to the touch) and the clitoris retracts under the prepuce (clitoral hood) to avoid direct penile stimulation. Testicles withdraw up into the scrotum. Tension in the muscles increases. Muscle spasms may begin in the feet, face and hands. Respiration, heart rate and blood pressure will increase. Moans, groans, or other sounds may be made. A skin flush may appear on the chest, neck or face. As climax approaches, the skin of the glans (head of penis on the man, or the most sensitive part of the clitoris) darkens and becomes taught, and the urethral opening may slightly open.
Phase 3: Orgasm
Also known as the "climax"of the sexual response cycle, this is the briefest in duration of the phases, but the most sexually-intense and pleasurable, and generally lasts a matter of seconds. It is characterized by the following:
The man's pubococcygeus (PC) muscles contract to expel the seminal fluid.Much of the seminal duct system contracts, as does the rectal sphincter muscle. The penis becomes hypersensitive at or immediately after orgasm - explaining why most men prefer a reduction of stimulation following orgasm. The duration of men's orgasms is much shorter than women's. Blood pressure, heart rate and breathing reach their peak.Foot muscles may spasm or facial muscles contract. Genitalia are at its maximum size, fully engorged with blood. Sudden, intense, and forceful release of sexual energy and tension.Vagina muscle contractions and rhythmic contractions of the uterus. Rhythmic contractions of the muscles at the base of the penis resulting in ejaculation of semen. It should be noted that a man can achieve orgasm without actually ejaculating, as these are distinct physiological events. Skin redness, commonly referred to as "sex flush"may appear over the entire body.
Phase 4: Resolution
Normal body functions slowly return, as blood flows out of swelled and erect body parts, restoring their normal color and size. Respiration, heart rate, and blood pressure ease. This phase is characterized by a general sense of release, relaxation, but also fatigue.
The penis becomes flaccid in two stages: partial erection is lost immediately; the remainder is lost gradually, typically over several minutes. This restoration to normal size is called detumescence.
Hypersensitivity of the penis decreases gradually, though some men may find any touch or ongoing thrusting very uncomfortable for a while. After a strong orgasm the penis may spontaneously jerk for a minute or two. The scrotum thins and the testes descend and return to normal size. Breathing, heart rate and blood pressure return to normal, and muscles relax.
Continued stimulation may prevent full loss of erection, or resumed stimulation may result in a new erection, but there is a period of time known as the refractory (recharging) period during which it is impossible to have another ejaculation, even if another erection is achieved. The refractory period ranges from minutes to hours or even a day or more.
As a man ages his refractory period increases. The length of the interval between erections varies based on age, his health, and whether he is sexually active on a regular basis. A young, sexually active man in good health may be able to get an erection after just a few minutes, whereas a man in his 50s or older may have to wait 24 hours. One reason may be that nerve function slows with age. But refractory periods can also vary significantly in men of similar age.
Some women are capable of a rapid return to the orgasm phase with further sexual stimulation. Some women may also experience multiple orgasms.
Phases
The sexual response cycle consists of four distinct phases: arousal; plateau; orgasm; and resolution. These phases are experienced by both men and women, although the timing usually varies between individuals, e.g., it is unlikely that both partners will reach orgasm at the same time. Also, the intensity of the response to stimulation and the time spent in each phase will vary from person to person.
Phase 1: Arousal
This phase starts with some kind of sexual stimulation - a touch, a sight, or a thought. Blood begins to move to various parts of the body. This phase can last from a few minutes to several hours, and includes the following general characteristics: Increased muscle tension.Accelerated breathing and heart rateBlood flow is increased, resulting in possible flushed skin (red blotches may appear on the chest and back). The lips, nipples (sometimes nipples become erect), earlobes and genitals become fuller and more sensitive. 4 The penis begins to fill with blood and become erect, and the scrotum starts to thicken, pulling the testicles closer to the man's body. Swelling starts in the woman's clitoris and labia minora (commonly referred to 'lips', the area around the vaginal opening).Vaginal lubrication begins in anticipation of sexual penetration.The woman's breasts become fuller and her vaginal walls begin to swell.
Phase 2: Plateau
Continued stimulation results in a firming penis, possibly darkening in color. It is important to note that over long periods of foreplay, the penis may become flaccid (soft) and then harden again. This is perfectly normal. Even if the penis stays erect, firmness will vary to some degree.
Just prior to ejaculation, at what one may call "the point of no return", the sphincter from the bladder closes to prevent semen infiltrating the bladder. The prostate and seminal vesicles contract to move seminal fluid to the urethra bulb near the base of the penis. This phase extends from excitement to the brink of orgasm, and includes the following general characteristics:
Arousal (phase 1) characteristics are intensified.
The male secretes a fluid from the bulbourethra gland (Cowper's gland) through the urethra. This alkaline fluid serves to lubricate and reduce the acidity of the urinary tract to allow ejaculating sperm to survive. This moisture may be noticed at the tip of the penis while erect, prior to ejaculation. The scrotum continues to thicken and the testes start to enlarge. The right testicle will rise and slightly rotate first, then the left will do the same. Continued vaginal swelling due to increased blood flow. The vaginal walls change in color to dark purple. Clitoral sensitivity heightens (possibly may be painful to the touch) and the clitoris retracts under the prepuce (clitoral hood) to avoid direct penile stimulation. Testicles withdraw up into the scrotum. Tension in the muscles increases. Muscle spasms may begin in the feet, face and hands. Respiration, heart rate and blood pressure will increase. Moans, groans, or other sounds may be made. A skin flush may appear on the chest, neck or face. As climax approaches, the skin of the glans (head of penis on the man, or the most sensitive part of the clitoris) darkens and becomes taught, and the urethral opening may slightly open.
Phase 3: Orgasm
Also known as the "climax"of the sexual response cycle, this is the briefest in duration of the phases, but the most sexually-intense and pleasurable, and generally lasts a matter of seconds. It is characterized by the following:
The man's pubococcygeus (PC) muscles contract to expel the seminal fluid.Much of the seminal duct system contracts, as does the rectal sphincter muscle. The penis becomes hypersensitive at or immediately after orgasm - explaining why most men prefer a reduction of stimulation following orgasm. The duration of men's orgasms is much shorter than women's. Blood pressure, heart rate and breathing reach their peak.Foot muscles may spasm or facial muscles contract. Genitalia are at its maximum size, fully engorged with blood. Sudden, intense, and forceful release of sexual energy and tension.Vagina muscle contractions and rhythmic contractions of the uterus. Rhythmic contractions of the muscles at the base of the penis resulting in ejaculation of semen. It should be noted that a man can achieve orgasm without actually ejaculating, as these are distinct physiological events. Skin redness, commonly referred to as "sex flush"may appear over the entire body.
Phase 4: Resolution
Normal body functions slowly return, as blood flows out of swelled and erect body parts, restoring their normal color and size. Respiration, heart rate, and blood pressure ease. This phase is characterized by a general sense of release, relaxation, but also fatigue.
The penis becomes flaccid in two stages: partial erection is lost immediately; the remainder is lost gradually, typically over several minutes. This restoration to normal size is called detumescence.
Hypersensitivity of the penis decreases gradually, though some men may find any touch or ongoing thrusting very uncomfortable for a while. After a strong orgasm the penis may spontaneously jerk for a minute or two. The scrotum thins and the testes descend and return to normal size. Breathing, heart rate and blood pressure return to normal, and muscles relax.
Continued stimulation may prevent full loss of erection, or resumed stimulation may result in a new erection, but there is a period of time known as the refractory (recharging) period during which it is impossible to have another ejaculation, even if another erection is achieved. The refractory period ranges from minutes to hours or even a day or more.
As a man ages his refractory period increases. The length of the interval between erections varies based on age, his health, and whether he is sexually active on a regular basis. A young, sexually active man in good health may be able to get an erection after just a few minutes, whereas a man in his 50s or older may have to wait 24 hours. One reason may be that nerve function slows with age. But refractory periods can also vary significantly in men of similar age.
Some women are capable of a rapid return to the orgasm phase with further sexual stimulation. Some women may also experience multiple orgasms.
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