OUR SEXUAL BODIES. ADULT SEXUAL RESPONSE
Sexual stimulation begins with sexual arousal and may continue after orgasm. The pattern of our response to sexual stimulate called our sexual response cycle. There are five steps in the с desire, excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution. Some or all the steps are reached each time one has a sexual experience. However, one can stop at any step before orgasm. Completing cycle is not necessary for sexual fulfillment.
In order to make the sexual response cycle easier to understand let’s take a look at two people who have just met. For the purposes of showing the responses that are similar and different between men and women, the couple in this example will be a man and a woman
Desire Phase
The man and woman begin to feel sensations. They are attracted each other. Their interest grows. This is caused by stimuli—such as seeing one another, hearing one another’s voice, smelling one another’s cologne or perfume, or holding one another’s gaze. Neither the woman nor the man knows why or how this attraction happens. At this point, the woman and man begin to want or “desire” sexual intimacy with one another.
The desire phase can go on for a long time—weeks, months, or years. Or the change from desire to the next phase, excitement, may happen very quickly—within a few minutes.
Excitement Phase
Excitement is the phase during which the body responds to desire. The body reacts automatically to the stimuli of desire. It may be very easy for the woman or man to feel these reactions in her or his own body. If they are wearing clothes, however, it may be difficult for each to know that the other is sexually excited. Communication about their sexual excitement may begin. Communication happens through talking and body gestures. It may be that our bodies produce special chemical substances that attract us through our sense of smell. These substances are called pheromones.
Sometimes women and men are embarrassed by their sexual excitement and try to hide it. Sometimes we are attracted to people who are not available to us because of social restrictions. You may be sexually attracted to the spouse of a friend, but your mind tells you that a sexual relationship with that person is not allowed. Sometimes we are very surprised by sexual stimuli. In any case, sexual stimulation is often difficult to talk about. Shy people may wait a long time for a sign of interest from other people before they communicate their sexual excitement.
Excitement prepares our bodies for sexual intercourse or for outercourse, which is sex play without insertion of the penis into the vagina or anus. Excitement can lead to sexual intimacy, but the woman and man can experience excitement in their own bodies and not be sexually or physically intimate with each other.
Once a person enters the excitement phase, she or he can leave it at any time. Desire, excitement, and wanting to be sexually intimate are normal, but it is important to remember that it is never “necessary” to be sexually intimate. Whenever women or men do not want to be sexually intimate, their choices must be respected.
For the purposes of our example, this couple is feeling sexually excited. They have been flirting. They have also talked about their sexual excitement. This woman and man agree to continue their excitement through intimacy, foreplay, and intercourse. The excitement phase for this couple lasts from the time of their discussion through foreplay. During the excitement phase, the following changes happen inside and outside of the woman’s and man’s bodies.
Plateau Phase
Excitement continues to rise through many kinds of stimulation. At the highest point of excitement, a certain state of feelings and body changes is reached. This state is the plateau phase. Stimulation continues during the plateau phase. Stimulation during the plateau phase is usually physical. It may include stroking or rubbing of an erogenous zone—face, breast, clitoris, or penis. This can occur during masturbation, intercourse, or outercourse.
Sexual intercourse usually means that the penis is inserted into a part of the body and moved in and out for sexual stimulation. Sexual intercourse occurs between women and men, men and men, and women and women. Trying different types of intercourse depends greatly on how comfortable you are with your own and your partner’s bodies. It also depends on your personal, religious, and cultural values.
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Tags: Men’s Health