Term Paper on "Sexual Response Cycle for Males and Females"

Term Paper 3 pages (1006 words) Sources: 5 Style: APA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Sexual response cycle for males and females is similar with regard to the phases that each partner experiences. The four phases for example include excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution (Nevid & Rathus, 2005). While the experience basically includes similar conditions for each partner, the way in which these elements are experienced specifically vary between male and female, and also from person to person in the same gender.

Males

The excitement phase for males is characterized by vasocongestion, which causes erection. In young men, this can occur between three to eight seconds after beginning stimulation. In addition to the erection, the scrotal skin thickens and the testes become larger and elevated. The orgasmic phase consists of muscular contractions, which are distinguished in two phases: during the first, semen collects at the base of the penis, while it is ejaculated from the body in the second phase. The first muscle contractions during the second phase are the most intense, and occur at about 0.8-second intervals. This is followed by two to four additional contractions, which occur at a slower and less intense rate. After orgasm, the sexual organs return to their pre-arousal state in a phase that is known as resolution. The blood is released from engorged areas. For men, there is also a refractory period after orgasm, during which men cannot be rearoused. This also varies from individual to individual, and according to age.

Females

The excitement phase in females manifests itself in vaginal lubrication. This occurs 10 to 30 seconds after stimulation. Vasocongestion in females result in clitoris swelling, and the spread and flattening of the vaginal lips. The breasts as well as the inner part of the vagina enlarge, while the blood vessels near the surface of the breasts become more prominent. In contrast to males, females may reach the plateau phase, and then move on to the resolution phase without having achieved orgasm. The extent of the plateau phase also varies highly from woman to woman, and may be very brief for a highly aroused woman before she achieves orgasm. The orgasm phase is characterized by three to fifteen contractions of the pelvic muscles.. As in males, the first few contractions occur at 0.8-second intervals, followed by less intense, slower ones. After orgasm, blood is again released from engorged areas, and all body parts return to their normal size during the resolution phase.

Commonalities for Males and Females

There are several common elements in the sexual response cycle for males and females. Both for example experience vasocongestion during the excitement phase. Sexual areas enlarge, the nipples harden, and in some cases the skin may become flushed and rosy. Areas such as the earlobes, hands and feet also become sensitive to the touch, while the heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure increase. Blood pressure and heart rate reach a peak during orgasm. The heart beat may increase to up to 180 beats per minute, while respiration could reach up to 40 breaths per minute. During orgasm, muscle contractions release sexual tension. With… READ MORE

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