Human beings are naturally set to respond to sexual stimuli more or less differently. Many myths have always gone around about how different genders respond differently to this kind of stimuli most of which have been proved to be scientifically wrong. The sexual response cycle in both men and women differs in some ways but is also similar in some. The process usually involves a lot of physical and emotional changes as a person gets more sexually aroused (Chivers, Seto, & Blanchard, 2007). This paper looks at the sexual response cycle of men and women, with the aim of pointing out which responses are similar and which are different.
The sexual response cycle is said to undergo four phases (Mark, 2012). The first phase is the excitement phase. This phase can last for as long as several hours. At this stage, muscle tension increases in both sexes (Mark, 2012). Their heart rate goes relatively high which consequentially results in accelerated breathing. This causes blood flow to the genitals of each of the partners in a sexual moment. The woman’s clitoris and her inner lips swell. Blood flow to the man’s genitals results in an erection of the penis (Mark, 2012). Women’s breasts start becoming harder, and the nipples become erect. Vaginal walls swell, and lubrication begins. On the other side, the man’s testicles swell as his scrotum becomes tight. He then starts to secrete a fluid that is also a lubricating one.
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From the excitement phase, the sexually aroused duo transitions to the plateau. The plateau is more intense in activity than the excitement phase (Mark, 2012). The vagina continues to swell due to the increasing blood flow, and it turns color to obtain a dark purple color. Their clitoris’ sensitivity becomes quite heightened. As for the men, an up withdrawal of their testicles to the scrotum occurs. Both sexes experience an increase in muscle tension (Chivers, Seto, & Blanchard, 2007). Blood pressure, heart rate, and also breathing escalate to levels higher than in the excitement stage. At this point, both sexes are geared up for the climax, but their response could take entirely different time lengths. Women tend to respond much slower than men and could thus delay in this phase.
At this moment, one has almost reached the climax. It transitions to the third stage-orgasm. Orgasm is the climax phase when the responses are at their highest (Mark, 2012). The phase does not usually last as long as anticipated and is considered the shortest of the stages. At this point, blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing are at the peak (Chivers, Seto, & Blanchard, 2007). A lot of oxygen is taken into the body at this time by both sexes. They also start experiencing convulsive movements in the feet muscles. There is also a release of the sexual tension. Women experience muscle contraction in their vagina as well as the uterus (Conley, Moors, Matsick, Ziegler, & Valentine, 2011). Men also experience contractions in a rhythmic form at the baseline of their penis which results in semen ejaculation.
The highly sensitive orgasm phase then leads to the resolution phase. This is the phase where body functionalities start returning to their normal states (Mark, 2012). Blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing reduce to their normal state. Erect and swelled body parts also return to their normal sizes and regain their usual colour. However, a big difference between men and women occurs at this stage. Some women can make a return to the orgasm phase time and again which is not the case in men. After ejaculation, men undergo a refractory period where they are not able to reach orgasm again (Conley, Moors, Matsick, Ziegler, & Valentine, 2011). They only achieve orgasm again after the refractory period is over. It should also be noted that the duration in which a man stays in the refractory period varies from one man to the next.
There are some very minor differences in the sexual response cycles of males and females. It is, however, very important to understand the sexual response cycle of one’s sexual partner. It makes them understand them more and lead a positively healthy sex life.
References
Chivers, M. L; Seto, M. C; & Blanchard, R. (2007). Gender and sexual orientation differences in sexual response to sexual activities versus gender of actors in sexual films. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology . 93, 1108-1121.
Conley, T. D; Moors, A. C; Matsick, J. L; Ziegler, A; & Valentine, B. A. (2011). Women, men, and the bedroom: Methodological and conceptual rights that narrow, reframe and eliminate gender differences in sexuality. Current Directions in Psychological Science . 20, 296-300.
Mark, Kristen. (2012). What we can learn from sexual response cycles. Psychology Today . Retrieved 20th January 2017 from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-power-pleasure/201211/what-we-can-learn-sexual-response-cycles.
