The Sexual Response Cycle
Men and women sexually go through a cycle. This cycle is known as the sexual response cycle. The sexual response cycle is made up of four different phases, the excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution phases. The cycle is also categorized in two ways, vasocongestion and myotonia. Vasocongestion is where swelling occurs because blood rushes to certain areas of the body such as earlobes, for women to the opening of the vaginal area, and for men around the testes, it also causes the erection of the penis. Myotonia is what causes hands and feet to spasm, affects the face, and the involuntary movements of orgasm, these occur because the muscles are tightening creating these movements and spasms to occur. (Nevid & Ruthus, 2005).
The excitement phase is the first phase of the sexual response cycle. This is the phase where things start to “heat up” or both the man and women experience excitement and arousal. To many this stage consists of foreplay, arousing both individuals to want and need the sex. When a man is in this stage he experiences many genital changes, his penis becomes erected, testes enlarge, and skin thickens on the scrotum. Women experience more changes than the man, their breasts enlarge, the clitoris swells, the vaginal lips flatten and swell, and also the vaginal lubrication will form. Men and women in this phase also will experience some of the same effects. Both will experience elevated heart rates and blood pressures, and in some individuals the nipples will erect. (Nevid & Ruthus, 2005).
The next phase is known as the plateau phase. This is the phase right before orgasm because it is what leads up to the orgasm. A plateau means that it is stable and has little to n...
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...uch a key impact, it is important that when an issue does arise to take action. All of the sexual dysfunctions can be treated by going through sex therapy. This is where they can talk out their issues that could be causing the sexual dysfunctions and also it can give them ideas and tips to use to enhance the sexual relationship. (Nevid & Ruthus, 2005).
Men and women are sexual beings. Even though they both have different genitalia they both are going through the same four stages of the sexual response cycle. When there is a break in the cycle because of a sexual dysfunction, it is important to seek out help instead of ignoring it because it can potentially lead to the relationship falling apart.
References
Nevid, J.S., & Rathus, S.A. (2005). Psychology and the challenges of life: Adjustment in the new millenium (9th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
First, it is important to distinguish the difference between sexuality and sensuality. When some people think of sexuality, the brain automatically thinks orgasms and penetration. But, when we think about sensuality, all of the senses become engaged. Touch, taste, smell, and feel can all become a form of foreplay. When you take foreplay or sensuality out of the equation, “couples have no way of intimately connecting unless they have sex” (Markman et al., 2010, p.272). This can introduce pressure to the sexual relationship which will also allow room for anxiety. “Numerous studies suggest that anxiety is the key inhibiting factor to arousal” (Markman et al., 2010, p. 277). There are two types of anxiety - performance anxiety and conflict. When a person is focusing soley on his or her performance, Markman et al., (2010) suggests that it puts “emotional distance between you and your partner. This kind of detachment can lead to the most common sexual problems that people experience” (p. 277). A few of these problems are difficulty having an orgasm, lack of erection or arousal, and pre-ejaculation. Conflict is the other source for anxiety. When a couple is arguing all the time and having trouble getting along, the desire for intimacy is lost. “It is important that you agree to keep problems and disagreements off-limits when you are being sensual or making love” (Markman et al., 2010, p. 278). If your partner has a complete lack of interest in sex, it can be a side effect of a hidden issue. It can be a stressful time at work, he or she could be depressed, drinking, or suffering from another type of illness that affect one’s sex drive. Try to figure out if it is health related, and if it is not, then look more at the
In this article, Keesling also states that orgasms differ between both individuals of the same sex or of opposing genders. For instance, she believes that once each individual has gained a ful and thorough understanding of their own particular “physical and psychological intensity” they will each be able to reach untamable levels of excitement that they would have never before thought possible. or example, “when males reach orgasm they quickly ejaculate, ” when females reach orgasm some realize it and some just do not. Studies have shown that women could experience up to three different types of orgasm at a time but they each involve the stimulation of the clitoris which intern make the PC muscles spas out (concluded by Masters and Johnson).
Sexual dysfunction can be defined as the inability to partake in or enjoy sexual relationship with one's partner as a result of underlying physical and/or psychological factors (Hoel, 1998). Physical attributions play a large part in both males and females and their ability to perform and enjoy sex. Males encounter several normal changes as they become older. A decrease in the hormone testosterone is very common amongst males with increasing age. Testosterone is beneficial because it gives a decrease in body fat, an increase in energy, including sexual energy, and an increase in lean muscle. These factors are important for physical attraction one has for another, definitely improving the outcome of sexual arousal. The size and firmness of the testicles may be reduced because of this decrease as well. The sexual response phase also changes with age. During the beginning of sex, an older man may experience a delay in his erection and when erect, the penis may not be as firm as when younger. ...
This site gives a brief overview of some of the biological aspects of sexual disorders.
The community plays a key role when it comes to erotic plasticity, and the person’s sexual identity. Women’s sexual identity is seen as be adventures. Exploring ones sexual attitude, desire, decisions, and behavior. There sexual acts do not defined them, and can go through life without their high sex drive decreasing. However it is different for men when it comes to exploring their sex drive. Male sexuality is evolutionary and biological factor playing key roles in their life course. When a man experience sex with another man it is assumed they will always be gay. The so called deviant act, unlike to women defines their sexually identity. (McElwain, Grimes, & Melissa L. McVicker, 2009, p.
These feelings may especially occur when the male victim experiences an erection and/or ejaculation. What is more, the male victim may begin to question his sexual orientation (rape of male by male), due to these involuntary physiological responses he may believe he enjoyed himself. And many of the perpetrators may use these responses to keep the victim from reporting what has happened by saying things like “You know you liked it” (Sexual Assault of Men and
Other areas that are sometimes activated include: the amydgala (Stoléru et al., 2011); the claustrum (Arnow et al., 2002; Stoléru et al., 2011); the orbitofrontal cortex (Stoléru et al., 2011); the hypothalamus (Redouté et al., 2002; Stoléru et al., 2011); the insula (Arnow et al., 2002; Moulier et al., 2006; Stoléru et al., 2011); the ventral striatum (Redouté et al., 2000; Stoléru et al., 2011); the cerebellum (Aalto et al., 2002; Ivry & Fiez, 2000; Stoléru et al., 2011). These areas are only a few of the many areas that are activated in response to sexual stimuli, and they activate for a variety of reasons and in response to various aspects of the stimuli.
The Phallic Stage =) the child learn to differentiate between the male and the female gender and becomes aware of sexuality. He clarified during that stage a child experience the Oedipus complex, meaning that young boys have very strong feelings toward their mother and as a result, they developed jealousy toward their father. They feeling can be so strong that they want to kill their father. The Elektra complex which reveals girl attraction for the father will result in a feeling of distaste for toward their mother.
Freud's proposed theory indicates that the psychosexual stages are known as oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital stages, which profoundly make up a person’s personality. “These are called psychosexual stages because each stage represents the fixation of libido (roughly translated as sexual drives or instincts) on a different area of the body.” (Saul McLeod, 2008) Concerning the oral, anal, phallic, and genital stages it is believed that if there is an overindulgence or lack of indulgence, people’s psychological development is influenced. The conflicts presented in each psychosexual stage must first be satisfied before a character can move to the next stage, and too much stimulation in one stage or not enough stimulation can define one’s
This paper will first look into the physiological and psychological causes of erectile dysfunction in men. Then, this paper will delve into the advances that have been made in preventing erectile dysfunction. Finally, this paper will explore the ramifications both erectile dysfunction and ‘cures’ have on the majority of the men affected by it, older persons.
The activation of men’s sexual organs would be androgen hormones. Androgens are a major contributor in male’s sexual hormones. Testosterone is the most commonly known active and abundant androgen hormone. Androsterone is an inactive androgen that is made by the metabolism of testosterone and is developed in the male testes. Androgens have the ability to influence several different actions and desires within men. Usually, androgens are known as the masculine hormones although they are also found in women as well. Although not an androgen, many studies observe cortisol along with androgens because cortisol is a response to stress, also known as the "get-up-and-go" hormone. It gives men bravery to overcome challenges to reach their goals. It appears that men pride themselves in having high levels of androgens because it makes a man, a “macho man.” But what happens to androgen levels when these masculine men are exposed to situations in which they are expected to act graciously? What happens to these levels when they are preforming a task that is thought of as un-masculine? For instance, do androgen hormones levels rise or fall when men are in a relationship or become fathers? It is hypothesized that androgen levels would be lower in men who are in a committed relationship and/or in men who are fathers. Perhaps this is caused by the stress obtained or lack thereof from being in a relationship or from being a father. In this paper, we will discuss the effects of stress on men and their androgen levels, determine how being in a committed relationship can effect androgen levels, determine whether or not sexual orientation is a factor in these effects, and lastly we will be looking at how being a father or desiring to be a father can effe...
A kind of sexual dysfunction that affect men is generally termed as erectile dysfunction or impotence. As a result, the person will not be able to develop or maintain an erection of the penis during sexual intercourse. The term and condition is familiar for most of the people in the current society. It can be considered as one of the main causes for infertility issues. Studies have also found another surprising fact that, worse erectile dysfunction may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart failure, peripheral vascular disease and ischemic heart disease etc. All these tend to recommend an early test and diagnosis for mild and moderate levels of erectile dysfunction in individuals. Before that, it is vital that you must understand what is erectile dysfunction and how could you identify it.
Sexual fitness is an innovative construct for men, women, and couples. Single, married, gay, or heterosexual adults can learn how to practice and attain sexual fitness. Becoming sexually fit has nothing to do with a sexual orientation or relationship status. Even age has no bearing on this practice.
Ros Boa, A practitioner of Sexual Medicine defines female sexual pain has “prevalent and distressing for patients.” Boa concentrates on sexual pain or Vaginismus in women despite age, race, and ethnicity. According to the article of “Female sexual pain disorders,” female dysfunction is anything that intervenes with the sexual response cycle. A problem such as ‘pain’ prevents the individual from experiencing satisfaction from sexual activity due to involuntary muscle spasm that closes off any form of penetration by the tampon, speculum, or the male penis.
Although this sounds very sexual, this feeling is just the beginning of what will most likely become a sexual passion. When in this first state of attraction, your body feels different - more bouncy, more energetic, and in need of less food and sleep. When in this state of attraction, one feels very happy and different every time that they are with this person. Frequently, the presence (or sometimes merely thought) of the loved one can evoke specific physiological reactions. These physiological reactions include: erections for the male, wetness for the female, a lump in the throat, sweaty palms, weak knees, cold feet, a pounding heart.