The sexual response cycle has defined the process of emotional and physical changes that happen whenever a person is sexually aroused and engages in sexual activities, which may include masturbation and intercourse. The complete cycle is often experienced during oral sex, fantasy, masturbation and when his or her partner manually stimulates one. William H. Masters and Virginia E. Johnson proposed a four-phase model in a bid to explain the sexual response cycle. The model comprises of four different phases, including excitement, orgasm, plateau, and resolution (Greenberg, Bruess & Oswalt, 2013). Both males and females experience the phases during sexual activity; however, the duration differs for the males and females, which explains the differences in the intensity levels for each level as well as the unlikelihood of experiencing orgasm simultaneously.
Excitement Phase
Excitement is the first phase of the cycle, and it often lasts for a few minutes, but it can also last for several hours. The essential characteristics that define the period include increased muscle tension, accelerated breathing, and increased blood flow to the genitals, and faster heart rate, which are experienced by both males and females (Greenberg, Bruess & Oswalt, 2013). The characteristics that are synonymous with females only include the erection or hardening of the nipples, vaginal lubrication, swelling of the vaginal walls, and breasts grow fuller. Conversely, characteristics about men only include the tightening of the scrotum, swelling of the testicles, and the secretion of a lubricating liquid.
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Plateau Phase
The plateau phase is the second stage of the cycle , and it extends towards the attainment of orgasm. Both males and females experience increased muscle tension, heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure, as well as muscle spasms, which may be felt in the hands, face, and feet. The changes that only occur in females include a higher sensitivity of the clitoris, often becoming painful, which makes the clitoris to withdraw into the clitoral hood to prevent further stimulation from the penis ( Chen et al., 2013) . The vaginal walls also turn dark purple, while the increased blood flow to the region causes the vagina to continue swelling. Males, on the other, hand experience a withdrawal of the testicles into the scrotum.
Orgasm Phase
The orgasm stage refers to the climax of the cycle, and it the shortest phase for both males and females, often lasting a few seconds. The changes felt in both males and females include the start of involuntary muscle contractions, the highest rates of heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure are attained, which is accompanied by faster oxygen intake ( Latif & Diamond, 2013) . Further, both sexes experience a sex rash appearing in their entire body, experiencing spasms in the feet muscles, and forceful and sudden release of the sexual tension. Females, however, differ from males in that females experience vaginal contractions while males experience rhythmic contractions of muscles found at the base of the penis, which further results in semen ejaculation.
Resolution Phase
During the resolution phase, the final phase of the cycle, the reasonable level of functioning of the body is restored, and all the parts that were initially swollen or erected go back to their standard color and size. Both females and males experience fatigue, enhanced intimacy, and an increased sense of wellbeing. However, females differ from males in that while females may return to the orgasm phase immediately after completing the resolution phase and attain multiple orgasms, men require some time to allow them to recover from the orgasm phase ( Latif & Diamond, 2013) . The recovery period is defined as the refractory period, and men cannot reach orgasm until they complete the refractory period. However, the refractory period is different for each male.
In conclusion, the concept of sexual arousal and the sexual response cycle differs from person to person, and it is mainly influenced by a person’s sex as well as the individual factors that motivate sexual attraction. Hence, it is crucial for individuals to recognize the physical sensations that cause sexual arousal for both the enhancement of one's sexual activity as well as enhancing partner participation in the activity through appropriate guidance. Further, it is crucial for individuals to learn and practice approaches to improving sexual satisfaction to attain orgasm since reaching orgasm, particularly for women is not an automatic process.
References
Chen, C. H., Lin, Y. C., Chiu, L. H., Chu, Y. H., Ruan, F. F., Liu, W. M., & Wang, P. H. (2013). Female sexual dysfunction: Definition, classification, and debates. Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology , 52 (1), 3-7.
Greenberg, J. S., Bruess, C. E., & Oswalt, S. B. (2013). Exploring the dimensions of human sexuality . Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Latif, E. Z., & Diamond, M. P. (2013). Arriving at the diagnosis of female sexual dysfunction. Fertility and Sterility , 100 (4), 898-904.
