The Sexual Response Cycle

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PSY/210

May 23, 2010

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The Sexual Response Cycle It has been found that men and women’s sexual response cycles are very similar. Our sexual response cycle is Masters and Johnson’s model of sexual response, which consists of four stages of phases: excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution. Nevid and Rathus (2007) reported that “the sexual response cycle is characterized by vasocongestion and myotonia” (pg. 432). Vasocongestion is the swelling of the genital tissues with blood. It causes the man to have an erection and a woman to have swelling of the area surrounding the vaginal opening. Myotonia is simply muscle tension. It causes us to create facial expressions, your hands and feet to spas, and create those “wow” effects when we reach orgasm. Now let us concentrate on the four stages of the sexual response cycle. The excitement phase is the first phase of the sexual response cycle, which is characterized by erection in the male, vaginal lubrication in the female, myotonia (muscle tension), and increases in heart rate in both males and females. Men can reach full erection in as little as three to eight seconds after stimulation begins. The scrotal skin also thickens, and the testes increase in size while elevating. Woman may start vaginal lubrication in 10 to 30 seconds. This is when the clitoris swells and flattens as well as spreads the vaginal lips. The similarities in both men and women in this phase are the erection of the nipples, and the heart rate and blood pressure will increase. The second stage of the sexual response cycle is plateau. Plateau is characterized by increases in vasocongestion, muscle tension, heart rate, and blood pressure in preparation for orgasm. Nevid and Rathus (2007) state that “the level of sexual arousal remains somewhat stable during the plateau stage of the cycle” (pg. 432). Men show some increase in the size and shape of the head of the penis, which also turns purplish blue. Testes are now in elevation for ejaculation and are one and half times regular size. Women experience swelling of the outer lips of the vagina and contracting itself around the penis. The clitoris then withdraws under the hood and shortens. Again, the commonalities are rapid breathing, increase heart rate, and rising blood pressure. The third phase of the sexual response cycle is the orgasmic phase, which is characterized by pelvic contractions and accompanied by intense pleasure. Nevid and Rathus (2007) report that “the orgasmic phase in the male consists of two stages of muscular contraction. In the first stage, semen collects at the base of the penis. In the second stage, muscle contractions propel the ejaculate out of the body. Rates and patterns can vary from one man to another” (pg.433). The orgasmic phase in women is characterized by 3 to 15 contractions of the pelvic muscles. Just like the males, they produce release of sexual tension. Blood pressure and heart rate peak now in both men and women. Rapid breathing may increase at this time. The fourth phase of the sexual response cycle is the resolution phase, which the body gradually returns to its prearoused state. Blood is released from engorged areas to erection disappears. This is same in women as in men as well as nipple size returns back to normal. Both men and woman may feel relaxed and satisfied. Men, however, enter a refractory phase, which is a period following a response during which an individual is not responsive to further sexual stimulation. This does not occur in woman and they are free to continue with sexual pleasure. Next we will discuss some sexual dysfunctions and there treatments. Nevid and Rathus (2007) reported, “millions of Americans experience sexual dysfunction or persistent difficulties in sexual interest, arousal, or response. Estimates indicate that nearly half (43%) of American women and about a third of American men (31%) experience sexual dysfunctions at some points in their lives” (pg. 441). Sexual dysfunction is when someone has persistent, recurring problems in becoming sexually aroused or reaching orgasm. Types of sexual dysfunctions include hypoactive sexual desire disorder, female sexual arousal disorder, male erectile disorder, orgasmic disorder, and premature ejaculation. Hypoactive sexual desire disorder is a sexual dysfunction characterized by lack of interest in sexual activity. Female sexual arousal disorder is when a woman is having difficulty in becoming sexually aroused, as defined by vaginal lubrication, or sustaining arousal long enough to engage in satisfying sexual relations. Male erectile disorder is when a man repeatedly has difficulty becoming sexually aroused, as defined by failure to achieve or sustain erection. Then there is orgasmic disorder which is when one has difficulty reaching orgasm, although one has become sufficiently sexually aroused. Rapid ejaculation in men occurs with minimal sexual stimulation, which is called premature ejaculation. Nevid and Rathus (2007) state that “the caused of sexual dysfunctions run the gamut from the biological to the psychological and cultural” (pg. 433). Some people experience performance anxiety which means the fear concerning whether one will be able to perform adequately. People with these problems usually seek therapy through a sex therapist. The therapist can offer help in reducing performance anxiety, changing self-defeating attitudes and expectations, teach sexual skills, enhance sexual knowledge, and improve sexual communication. With reducing performance anxiety therapists tell there clients to engage in activities like massage or “petting” for a while to help reduce anxiety. All this will help reduce the anxiety so that natural reflexes such as erection, lubrication, and orgasm can occur. With changing self-defeating attitudes and expectations the therapist can show how expectations of failure can rise anxiety can lower performance and satisfaction. Then the therapist can teach sexual skills to help in ones relationships be whether how to avoid premature ejaculation or to better the sexual experience. A therapist can teach one about sex and enhance there knowledge as well. In addition, the therapist can teach improvement of sexual communication in talking about what he and she likes and dislikes about sex. “All in all, most cases of sexual dysfunctions can be treated successfully through either biological or psychological interventions (or a combinations of treatments), which is a far better situation that that which existed several generations ago when no effective treatments were available” (Nevid and Rathus 2007, pg. 446).

Reference:
Nevid, J., & Rathus, S. (2007). Psychology and the Challenges of Life: Adjustment in the New Millennium. 10th edition. Hoboken, N.J., John Wiley and Sons, Inc.

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