HUMAN SEXUAL RESPONSE

HUMAN SEXUAL RESPONSE

2 TYPES OF PHYSIOLOGICAL REACTIONS

• Physiological responses are automatic reactions to a stimulus.

• People are typically unaware of these automatic responses.

Vasocongestion

• Vasocongestion is the filling of a tissue with blood due to increased blood flow.

Myotonia

• Myotonia is increased muscle tension in skeletal and smooth muscles.

4 Phases of Human Sexual Response

• Excitement Phase prepares the penis and vagina for sexual intercourse.

  • Vasocongestion leads to erection of the penis and clitoris.

  • Myotonia may cause nipple erection or tension in arms and legs.

• Plateau Phase

  • continues responses from the excitement phase.

  • Changes in the vagina facilitate sperm reception at the back of the vagina.

  • Breathing and heart rate increase during the Plateau Phase.

  • Heart rate can rise to 150 beats per minute involuntarily.

• Orgasm Phase

  • involves rhythmic, involuntary contractions of reproductive structures.

• Male orgasm has two stages: emission and expulsion.

  • Emission forces semen into the urethra, while expulsion expels the semen.

• Female orgasm involves contractions of the uterus and outer vagina.

• Orgasm is a short phase lasting only a few seconds.

• Resolution Phase

  • completes the sexual response cycle by responding to the earlier stages