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| SeXual Response Cycle |
The excitement phase is the first stage of the human sexual response cycle. It
occurs as the result of any erotic or physical or mental stimulation, such as kissing,
petting, or viewing erotic images, that lead to sexual arousal. During the excitement
stage, the body begins becoming prepared for coitus, or sexual intercourse, in the
plateau phase.
- Heart rate and blood pressure increase, body muscles tension, sexual flush
- occurs, nipples become erect, genital and pelvic blood vessels become
engorged, and involuntary and voluntary muscles contract.
The vagina lengthens and widens, the clitoris swells and enlarges, breasts increase
in size, the labia swell and separate, the vagina becomes lubricated, and the uterus
rises slightly. Vaginal lubrication is the key indicator of sexual excitement.
The plateau phase is the highest moment of sexual excitement before orgasm,
may be achieved, lost, and regained several times without the occurrence of
orgasm.
- Breathing rate, heart rate, and blood pressure further increase, sexual flushT
- deepens, and muscle tension increases. There is a sense of impending
orgasm.
The clitoris withdraws, the Bartholin’s glands lubricate, the areolae around the
nipples become larger, the labia continue to swell, the uterus tips to stand high in
the abdomen, and the “orgasmic platform” develops (that is, the lower vagina
swells, narrows, and tightens).
The orgasm phase occurs at the peak of the plateau phase. At the moment of
orgasm, the sexual tension that has been building throughout the body is released,
and the body releases chemicals called endorphins, which cause a sense of well-
being. Orgasm can be achieved through mental stimulation and fantasy alone, but
more commonly is a result of direct physical stimulation or sexual intercourse.
- Heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure reach their highest peak, sexual
flush spreads over the body, and there is a loss of muscle control (spasms).
The uterus, vagina, anus, and muscles of the pelvic floor contract five to 12 times at
0.8-second intervals.
The resolution phase occurs after orgasm and allows the muscles to relax, blood
pressure to drop and the body to slow down from its excited state. Women
experience no refractory period—they can either enter the resolution stage or return
to the excitement or plateau stage immediately
following orgasm.
- Heart rate and blood pressure dip below normal, returning to normal soon
- afterward; the whole body (including the palms of hands and soles of feet)
sweats; there is a loss of muscle tension, increased relaxation, and
drowsiness.
Blood vessels dilate to drain the pelvic tissues and decrease engorgement; the
breasts and areolae decrease in size; nipples lose their erection; the clitoris
resumes its pre-arousal position and shrinks slightly; the labia return to normal size
and position; the vagina relaxes; the cervix opens to help semen travel up into the
uterus (closing 20–30 minutes after orgasm); and the uterus lowers into the upper
vagina (location of semen after male orgasm during penile-vaginal intercourse).
Return to Sexual Health
During the 1950s and 1960s, William Masters and Virginia Johnson
conducted many important studies within the field of human sexuality.
In 1966, in their book Human Sexual Response, they detailed four
stages of physiological changes of humans during sexual
stimulation. These phases, in order of their occurrence, are the
excitement phase, plateau phase, orgasmic phase and resolution
phase. Together, they make up the human sexual response cycle.
conducted many important studies within the field of human sexuality.
In 1966, in their book Human Sexual Response, they detailed four
stages of physiological changes of humans during sexual
stimulation. These phases, in order of their occurrence, are the
excitement phase, plateau phase, orgasmic phase and resolution
phase. Together, they make up the human sexual response cycle.
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