Associate Level Material
Appendix B

Sexual Response Cycles

Use your own words to complete the table below with the experiences and changes in anatomy of males and females during the various sexual response phases.

Stage of Masters and Johnson
Sexual Response Cycle Male Experience and Anatomy Female Experience and Anatomy
Excitement Phase

The male during the excitement phase experiences an increased heart rate, as well as breathing. The male’s penis usually becomes erect during this stage, as it prepares for coitus. However, the male’s penis could lose and regain its erection several times during the excitement phase. In addition, the males testicles drawn up towards the perineum. The male’s scrotum tends to tighten up as well. The female during the excitement, also experiences an increased heart rate, and increase in breathing. The female’s nipples become erect, especially if they are stimulated. The female begins to produce vaginal secretion, as the vagina prepares for coitus. Interestingly enough, a female’s uterus begins to elevate, and the vagina begins to expand in preparation for coitus.
Plateau Phase

During the plateau phase, the male has increased circulation in the penis, as the male prepares for orgasm. During this time, the heart rate could become more elevated than in the excitement phase. In addition, there is an increase of sexual pleasure, as the body is more stimulated during this time. During this phase, the male’s urethral sphincter contracts, so that urine does not combine with semen. Males may start to secrete pre-ejaculation fluids, where a female could become pregnant. During the plateau phase, the female experiences an increased heart rate, as the female prepares for orgasm. In addition, during this phase, the female’s areola, as well as her labia increases in size. The females, clitoris withdraws