Second Phase In The Sexual Response Cycle example essay topic

Ousmane Ag Health 10010-4-2004 Prof. TrowersTHE FOUR PHASES OF THE HUMAN SEXUAL RESPONSE CYCLE. One aspect of human sexuality that sometimes goes unknown or misunderstood is the sexual response cycle of men and women. You may be wondering what exactly is a sexual response cycle. In very general terms, the sexual response cycle is the sequence of events that happens physiologically when we become sexually aroused and participate in sexually stimulating activities, including intercourse, heavy petting, masturbation, etc.

Two researchers in the area of human sexuality are William Masters and Virginia Johnson. Masters and Johnson conducted studies beginning in the 1950's. They wanted to learn more about what physically happened to the body during sexual arousal and activity. Through their research, they determined that there are at least four different stages that someone goes through from the beginning of arousal to the time after orgasm. These phases, in order, are excitement, plateau, orgasmic, and resolution. Both men and women go through these stages, however the timing is usually different.

I will discuss this more later, but please keep in mind as you read my essay that there is much variety from person to person in the amount of time spent in each phase and how each person responds in each phase. The first phase in the sexual response cycle is called excitement. In women, lubrication occurs in the vaginal lining. This usually begins between 10 and 30 seconds after erotic stimulation. This lubrication makes the insertion of the penis easier and more enjoyable. This lubrication is in part due to an increase in blood flow in the vaginal tissues.

A woman's nipples may become erect. In men, the penis becomes erect to some degree, responding in a matter of seconds to erotic stimulation. A man's nipples may also become erect. In both men and women, heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing occur at an accelerated rate. This stage may last anywhere from a few minutes or less to many hours. The second phase in the sexual response cycle is called plateau.

The changes that began to take place in the first phase continue to progress during this phase until orgasm. This phase for women consists of an enlargement of the outer third of the vagina because of swelling from increased blood flow, and the color of the vagina's walls turn a dark purple. The vaginal walls become longer and less wrinkled. The clitoris also retracts back under the clitoral hood, avoiding direct stimulation by the penis.

In men, the testes are withdrawn up into the scrotum. For both men and women, breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure continue to increase. Muscle spasms in the feet, face, and hands may begin during this time as well. Tension in the muscles is also increasing until the next stage... The orgasmic phase is the third phase in the sexual response cycle. Just as the name implies, this is the climax of the cycle.

It is the shortest of the three cycles, usually lasting only a number of seconds. The orgasm for women consists of muscle contractions in the lower third of the vagina. The beginning contractions are the most intense and happen the closest together with a tapering off of intensity and time span. The uterus also undergoes contractions during orgasm, with each contraction moving from top to bottom, near the cervix.

Men also have contractions in the penis during the orgasmic phase. Male orgasms are composed of two parts. First, the emission phase consists of seminal fluid collecting in the urethral bulb. At this point, a man may have the sensation that orgasm is certain. Nothing could stop the orgasm after this point. The second part is the expulsion phase.

Semen is also ejaculated from the penis at this time. For both men and women, this phase is when heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing are at their highest rate. The skin may also appear to have a rash or sex flush over the entire body, although the rash may appear during earlier phases as well. Finally, in resolution, the body slowly returns to it's normal functioning levels, and the anatomy of the body returns to its previous size and color. Typically, this takes longer for women than for men, however, some women may also be able to respond with multiple orgasms with further sexual stimulation. Men usually also go through a refractory period, in this phase, where it is impossible to orgasm again until a certain amount of time has passed.

The amount of time in the refractory period varies among men. In conclusion, as you read the essay, men typically reach orgasm first when engaging in intercourse. Women may take up to fifteen minutes to reach orgasm, which makes the likelihood of simultaneous orgasm a rare event. Keep in mind, this is what happens in general, and there is much variation among individuals. With different types of stimulation and techniques, men can make their cycle more prolonged or women may reach orgasm faster. However, awareness of the difference in the timing of the cycles may help partners understand each others' bodies and desires more fully..