Physiology of Sex
Treatment Physiology of Sex – ETHOS HEALTH CARE
What happens inside us during sex? The research has clearly established the changes right from arousal to orgasm and after. According to Masters and Johnson, the human sexual response cycle consists of four phases:
1. Phase of excitement – Motivation and urge for sex
2. Phase of plateau – Changes and preparation for orgasm
3. Phase of orgasm – the climax
4. Phase of resolution – resolution of excitement and return to unaroused state
The sexual response cycle in males
1. Phase of excitement – The sight or thought of sex leads to beginning. Two centers in spine causes erection. The heart rate rises, in penis there is vasoconstriction and start to be filled by blood, scrotum thickens, there is shortening of spermatic cord and testes gets engorged with blood.
2. Phase of plateau – Penis increase in size, the testes gets more engorged and there is secretion of preseminal fluid from Cowper’s gland.
3. Phase of orgasm – There is rhythmic contraction in every 0.8 seconds. In first part there is contraction of vas deferens and in second there is ejaculation.
4. Phase of resolution –There is resolution of excitement and return to unaroused state. There is a refractory phase or rest period before which next cycle can start. This vary person to person and increase with age.
The sexual response cycle in females
1. Phase of excitement – It start with increase in heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure. Vasocongestion can result in flushing of skin, increase in breast size and erection of nipples. There is swelling of clitoris, labia and vagina. Uterus elevates, vaginal opening becomes tighter and releases lubricating fluid.
2. Phase of plateau – There is intensification of first phase changes.
3. Phase of orgasm – The physiological changes reach their peak, pelvic muscles, uterus and anal sphincter contracts. There is high level pleasure resulting in orgasm with rhythmic contraction of muscles.
4. Phase of resolution -There is resolution of excitement and return to unaroused state.