Ch 8: Sexual Arousal

What is the sexual response cycle, and what research is it based on?

Based on the classic research of Masters and Johnson, the sexual response cycle describes the typical progression of physiological sexual responses. The three stages presented in the model are:

1. Excitement — the beginning of erotic arousal.

2. Orgasm — the peak of sexual arousal, followed by the release of sexual tensions.

3. Resolution — the body returns to its unaroused state.

What are vasocongestion and myotonia, and how are they relevant to sexual arousal?

• Vasocongestion: An accumulation of blood in the blood vessels of a body region, especially the genitals. It produces swelling or an erection and is the basic physiological process underlying the excitement phase.

• Myotonia: Muscle contraction, which is relevant to the muscular responses associated with sexual arousal.

Remember: Vasocongestion involves blood accumulation; myotonia refers to muscle contraction.

What happens during the excitement phase of the sexual response cycle?

The excitement phase marks the beginning of erotic arousal. Its basic physiological process is vasocongestion.

• Men: An erection is the most obvious arousal response.

• Women: Vaginal lubrication is an important response.

• Women: The clitoris and vestibular bulbs swell.

• Women: The orgasmic platform develops, involving a tightening of the entrance to the vagina.

What physiological changes occur in men during excitement, late excitement, orgasm, and resolution? (see figure 8.1)

1. Excitement: The penis becomes erect, and the testes become partially elevated.

2. Late excitement: The penis's color deepens, Cowper's gland secretes fluid, and the testes enlarge.

3. Orgasm: Penile and urethral contractions force seminal fluid through the urethra.

4. Resolution: The penis returns to an unstimulated state, the testes descend, and the scrotum thins.

What physiological changes occur in women during excitement, late excitement, orgasm, and resolution? (see figure 8.2)

1. Excitement: The clitoris enlarges, the labia swell, and vaginal lubrication appears.

2. Late excitement: The uterus elevates, the clitoris retracts, and the vagina expands.

3. Orgasm: Contractions occur in the uterus, and the rectal sphincter contracts.

4. Resolution: The uterus lowers, the diagram labels a seminal pool, and the vagina returns to its normal size.

What is the orgasmic platform?

Refers to the tightening of vagina’s entrance.

• it as a physiological response associated with women's sexual arousal.

What is the second stage of the sexual response cycle?

Orgasm

Define orgasm:

Orgasm is the second stage of the sexual response cycle. It is an intense sensation at the peak of sexual arousal, followed by the release of sexual tensions.

what physiological changes occur during orgasm (for both men + women)?

In both men and women:

• Pulse rate increases sharply.

• Blood pressure increases sharply.

• Breathing rate increases sharply.

Describe where the sensation begins and extends to at the beginning of sexual arousal for women

the main sensation of women's orgasms as beginning around the clitoris and spreading outward through the whole pelvis.

What is ejaculatory inevitability?

Ejaculatory inevitability is the sensation that ejaculation is just about to happen and cannot be stopped.

What is the third stage of the sexual response cycle?

Resolution

What is Resolution?

The third stage of the sexual response cycle, during which the body returns to its unaroused state.

What is the refractory period as described in Resolution?

A period during which most men are incapable of being sexually aroused again.

Who experiences refractory periods, men or women?

men

• most men experience a refractory period, whereas women do not.

Is it possible to have multiple orgasms?

Yes

Describe what multiple orgasms are:

multiple orgasms describe a series of orgasms occurring within a short period of time.

How do men and women differ in experiencing multiple orgasms?

Women can experience multiple orgasms.

Women are more likely to experience multiple orgasms than men.

Men are also capable of experiencing multiple orgasms

Is there one kind of orgasm or two kinds of orgasms?