The Sexual Response Cycle
PSY/210
November 5, 2011

The Sexual Response Cycle
The sexual response cycle is used to describe the different phases both men and women experience when sexually aroused. The cycle refers to the “sequence of physical and emotional changes that occur as a person becomes sexually aroused and participates in sexually stimulating activities, including intercourse and masturbation.” WebMD (2005-2011). The cycle is broken down into four different phases. The excitement phase, the plateau phase, the orgasmic phase, and the resolution phase Nevid and Rathus (2005). Below, I will break each phase down and describe how they affect both men and women and the similarities they have.
The Excitement Phase The first phase of the sexual response cycle is the excitement phase. In this first phase an engorgement of blood vessels, also called vasocongestion, begins after 3 to 8 seconds for men and 10 to 30 seconds for women after erotic physical or mental stimulation Nevid and Rathus (2005). This is the phase where the body prepares for sexual intercourse. The male testes rise and the skin on the scrotum thickens and tenses. The vasocongestion results in erection for males. The female also experiences vasocongestion by swelling in the clitoris, vaginal tissues, and areas around the vagina. This phase also makes the skin flush and rosy. It is more noticeable in females. Males and female both experience their nipples becoming erect and harden as well as a blood pressure and heart rate increase. Nevid and Rathus (2005) noted that this phase can last for both the female and male from a few minutes to several hours. The commonalities experienced by both the female and male are the erection of the nipples, the heart rate increase, the vasocongestion of genital tissue, muscle tension and blood pressure increase.
The Plateau Phase The plateau phase is the second phase of the sexual response cycle. In this phase sexual arousal becomes more stable. Males have a high amount of responses during the plateau phase. The head of the male’s penis takes on a purplish color and enlarges. The testes become extremely elevated and become nearly one and a half times larger than the un-aroused size. Small amounts of semen are released through the opening of the penis before ejaculation Nevid and Rathus (2005). The male bladder closes off to prevent semen and urine from mixing. The female’s vagina expands fully. The uterus elevates and the clitoris retracts behind the hood. In this phase the vasocongestion increases for the male and female. This phase lasts 30 seconds to three minutes. This phase also commonly increases heart rate and blood pressure for the male and female.
The Orgasmic Phase
The third phase is the orgasmic phase. In the orgasmic phase the male experiences a sensation of impending ejaculation. The semen builds at the base of the penis and muscle contractions send the semen out for ejaculation. There is a connection between the sensation of pleasure and the amount of semen as well as the strength of the contractions during the ejaculation process. For the female, orgasms are around 3 to 15 contractions that occur around the vaginal barrel Nevid and Rathus (2005). The commonalities in this phase are both the female and male experience contractions in 0.8 second intervals; the blood pressure reaches a peak with the heart beat up to 180 per minute. The breathing increases to around 40 breaths per minute. The orgasm may also cause the body to develop a rash or “sex flush” that may appear, WebMD (2005-2011).
The Resolution Phase
The fourth and final phase is the resolution phase. In the resolution phase, men are incapable of another orgasm for a certain period of time. That is called the refraction period. Women in this phase can reach multiple orgasms if they can remain sexually stimulated. In this phase the commonalities are that the vasocongestion levels lower and the myotonia lessens Nevid and Rathus (2005). Mytonia is a term used to describe muscle tension. As Nevid and Rathus (2005) stated it causes facial grimaces and spasms in the hands and feet. Mytonia also occurs during orgasm. This phase allows the body to revert to the un-aroused state. The refraction period varies for both females and males and tends to lengthen with age.
Sexual Dysfunctions
Millions of people experience sexual dysfunctions whether big or small. Some dysfunctions are very persistent and can recur. Many dysfunctions include difficulty with becoming sexually aroused and reaching orgasm for both males and females, but mostly women and premature ejaculation, and erectile dysfunction with men. Both males and females experience sexual dysfunctions such as lack of interest in sex and orgasmic disorders. There are many reasons for sexual dysfunctions. Some reasons include physical health problems, problems in relationships, medications that affect the sex drive, negative sexual experiences, and lack of understanding or experience including performance anxiety. Sexual dysfunctions are treated in many ways. Two ways are through sex therapy and medications. Sex therapy is meant to help reduce performance anxiety and change negative attitudes toward sex. It teaches sexual knowledge and helps increase the sexual skills. Sex therapy includes focusing on making relationships stronger between partners Nevid and Rathus (2005).
There is cognitive-behavioral therapy available for females experiencing anorgasmia which promotes sexual thought change or reduction and anxiety through masturbation and sexual exercises like Kegel exercises. This includes sexual education and relationship communication skills training.
Conclusion
This paper broke down the sexual response cycle that occurs for both men and women. The sexual response cycle and its phases, the excitement phase, the plateau phase, the orgasmic phase, and the resolution phase are all phases the body experiences during sexual stimulation. Each phase is experienced by both males and females. It has many similarities and many differences as well. Knowing all the phases and how they affect both men and women, does not mean that it is the same for every individual it is experienced differently by many. Also discussed in this paper are some of the many sexual dysfunctions that many individuals experience. Some people understand their sexual dysfunctions. There are also many that may not even know they have sexual dysfunctions.

References
Nevid, J. S., & Rathus, S. A. (2005). Psychology and the challenges of life: Adjustment in the new millennium (9th ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection database.
WebMD. (2005-2011). Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/guide/sexual-health-your-guide-to-sexual-response-cycle