Summary
The sexual response cycle is a physiological pattern of events during sexual stimulation and intercourse. In both genders, these occurrences transpire in a “linear” series of four stages that were identified in 1966 by Virginia Johnson and William Masters as excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution (Piccolo, Johnson & Wassersug, 2019). The sequence that the phases follow in both sexes is similar regardless of the type of sexual stimulus. In their study, Master’s and Virginia sought to understand human sexual disorders, dysfunction, and response through direct observation of human specimens’ (Piccolo, Johnson & Wassersug, 2019). Although the Masters and Johnson model was heavily criticized for being too narrow in how it was theorized, it explained the sexual response cycle through the four phases.
Excitement
Excitement is the first stage in the sexual response cycle and is portrayed through increased blood pressure, respiration, and heart rate. The penis erects, the nipples harden, blood vessels engorge, and muscle tension rises. When these changes occur, the skin also experiences flush or reddening. In women, the blood rushes, leading to the engorgement of the uterus, minora, majora, labia, and clitoris (Piccolo, Johnson & Wassersug, 2019). At this stage, lubrication within the vagina also occurs in preparation for intercourse. In men, the rushing of blood leads to the enlargement of the testes, making the scrotal sac pull tightly towards the body, followed by penile erection.
Plateau
The plateau is the second phase, focusing on intensifying the responses received from the excitement period. During this stage, the heart rate, blood flow, and breathing continue to increase and stabilize. The tensions in the muscles continue to intensify and may spread to the face, feet, hands, and other body parts. In men, the pre-seminal fluid from the Cowper’s secretory organ may be released due to the testicles being pulled further into the scrotal sac (Piccolo, Johnson & Wassersug, 2019). In women, the blood pressure continues to increase, the clitoris becomes excessively sensitive, and the walls of the uterus darken. The uterus becomes fully elevated as the vagina increasingly expands. Additionally, lubrication is produced by the Bartholin glands around and in the vagina.
Orgasm
Orgasm is the third cycle stage, representing the sexual climax or the peak of excitement. Nevertheless, not all women and men reach this stage of pleasure. Orgasm is characterized by spontaneous, periodic muscle contractions that occur throughout the body and a feeling of tension and relief. In women, the pelvic muscles surrounding the uterus and vagina contract, and the build-up muscle tension is released. In men, orgasm or ejaculation occurs in two stages that result from the automatic response. In the first stage, referred to as the emission, the prostrate, seminal vesicles, and vas deferens trigger the urethral bulb leading to its expansion together with the seminal fluid (Piccolo, Johnson & Wassersug, 2019). It is followed by internal sphincter contractions that close the bladder neck preventing the urine from leaking. During the second phase, known as the expulsion, all the muscles surrounding the penis base contract, forcing semen to propel externally.
Resolution
Resolution is the last stage and is portrayed by a return to the baseline. The contracted muscles relax, respiration returns, and blood pressure drops to the state before arousal. The blood flowing toward the genital area reduces, and the erected tissues return to normal. According to Masters and Johnson, the refractory period for women is shorter, and they can attain successive orgasms within a short period (Piccolo, Johnson & Wassersug, 2019). On the other hand, the refractory period for men is more prolonged, making it impossible for men to achieve immediate successive orgasms.
Masters and Johnson identified four phases of the sexual response cycle. These stages, as discussed above, include excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution. Both men and women experience all four during intercourse, but the intensity of the phases is greatly influenced by age. Young people have a higher chance of experiencing them at a high rate than their older counterparts. Additionally, women have better chances of experiencing immediate multiple orgasms than men.
Reference
Piccolo, E. E., Johnson, T. W., & Wassersug, R. J. (2019). Sadomasochistic erotica and the sexual response cycle: Insights from the Eunuch Archives. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 28(2), 203-214.