UTS 7.1

• Understanding our physiological responses may help in understanding our partners and enhance the sexual experience
• Phase 1: Excitement

  1. Increase in muscle tension

  2. Accelerated breathing and heart rate

  3. Flushed skin

  4. Hardened or erect nipples

  5. Swelling of labia minora and clitoris in women, erection of penis in men

  6. Vaginal lubrication

  7. Fuller breasts and swollen vaginal walls in women

  8. Penile lubrication, tightened scrotum, and swollen testicles in men
• Sex is a physical activity and it is important to know and understand our physiological responses during a given sexual experience
• Phases of sexual response cycle

  • Excitement
  • Plateau
  • Orgasm
  • Resolution
• Phase 3: Orgasm

  1. Involuntary muscle contractions

  2. Highest rate of blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing

  3. Muscle spasms in feet

  4. Release of sexual tension

  5. Vaginal and uterine muscle contractions in women

  6. Penile muscle contractions leading to ejaculation in men

  7. Appearance of a rash or "sex flush"
• Phase 2: Plateau


  1. Intensified physiological changes from Phase 1

  2. Continued swelling of vagina and darkening of vaginal walls

  3. Clitoris sensitivity and retraction under clitoral hood

  4. Tightened testicles

  5. Increased breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure

  6. Muscle spasms in feet, face, and hands

  7. Increased muscle tension
• Sexual response cycle


  The sequence of physical and emotional changes when a person becomes aroused sexually and/or participates in sexually stimulating activities
• Phase 4: Resolution

  1. Body returns to normal functioning

  2. Swelled and erect body parts return to previous size and color

  3. Sense of well-being, enhanced intimacy, and fatigue

  4. Some women capable of rapid return to orgasm phase with further stimulation and may experience multiple orgasms

  5. Men experience a refractory period after orgasm, during which they cannot reach orgasm again