What are the characteristics of the male and female response cycles?

The work of American sexual medicine experts Masters and Johnson is hailed as the second milestone in the history of modern sex research. One of its important discoveries is that it revealed the basic laws of male and female sexual responses. They divide human sexual response into four stages: excitement, plateau, orgasm and resolution. They found that the sexual responses of both men and women have clear regularities, but also their own characteristics.

1. Excitement Period

It refers to the onset of sexual desire and the body entering a stage of sexual tension. For both men and women, sexual stimulation, whether physical or mental, can cause sexual excitement. The time required to arouse sexual excitement varies and is affected by many factors such as psychological state, emotions, physical strength and the effectiveness of stimulation.

Male sexual excitement is characterized by the penis becoming engorged with blood and erect, and when young it can take only a few seconds. The scrotal skin thickens and appears smooth and flat. The levator testis contracts, the spermatic cord shortens, and the testicles lift. A few men's nipples also have an erection reaction. The characteristic of female sexual excitement is the genital congestion and the leakage of large amounts of secretions from the vagina. It usually occurs 10 to 30 seconds after sexual arousal. The 2/3 section of the vagina expands, increasing the total length of the vagina by 1/4. The clitoris is enlarged and clearly visible. Erect nipples and swollen breasts are another characteristic of women's excitement period. Women generally feel cramping and congestion in the perineum, and women who have no sexual experience may feel perineal discomfort as a result.

2. Plateau Period

It refers to a short period of excitement and gentle development after the excitement period and before the climax period, which lasts about half a minute to several minutes. This period is short in men with premature ejaculation. If a woman's plateau phase is very short, it often means that the orgasm must be very intense. Compared with the excitement phase, this phase does not have any sudden signs of physiological changes, but the physiological reactions continue and further intensify on the basis of the excitement phase. Physiological tension, muscle tension, whole body muscle rigidity, and nervous excitement reach higher intensity. The heart beats tachycardia, up to 100 to 175 times per minute, but because it is masked by sexual excitement, there is no panic. Breathing deepens and speeds up, blood pressure rises, with systolic pressure increasing by 20 to 80 mmHg and diastolic pressure increasing by 10 to 40 mmHg. Genital congestion is more pronounced, and the subjective sensations of euphoria and genital contraction are intense in both sexes. The genital area shows high sensitivity to touch. The sexual organs show a color reaction caused by vascular engorgement.

In men, the penis becomes harder, the glans becomes noticeably larger, and the color darker. The testicles are enlarged by 0.5 to 1 times, and are fully raised and rotated about 30 degrees. A rare skin reaction of flushing may be seen. The characteristic of the female plateau phase is that the outer 1/3 of the vagina is significantly congested, which causes the vaginal opening to narrow and form a specific contraction ring, also known as the orgasm platform. The inner 2/3 of the vagina continues to expand, the breast volume can increase by 1/4, the areola swells, and the nipple can be covered. The Bartholin's glands secrete and vaginal lubrication begins to decrease. Most women may experience sexual blush on the skin of the abdomen, chest, etc.

3. Climax

The peak of sexual response is the briefest moment in the process of sexual tension, lasting only a few seconds. Orgasm releases the previously formed high muscle tension through involuntary muscle spasms, bringing waves of pleasure.

In women, it is characterized by simultaneous rhythmic contractions of the uterus, the congested outer 1/3 of the vagina, and the anal sphincter. It is a systemic reaction, not limited to the pelvic reaction. The ability to reach orgasm is strongest at around 35 years old. Men also have a sudden relaxation of body and mind, and the accessory organs begin a series of contractions, causing semen to collect in the prostate part of the urethra. The ejaculation process is completed by the rhythmic contraction of the prostate, perineal muscles and penis. Men's ability to orgasm is strongest around the age of 20.

The muscle spasms at the beginning of orgasm for both sexes last the same length of time, with the first 3 to 4 contractions separated by 0.8 seconds. Subsequently, the intervals gradually lengthen and the contractions weaken. The intensity of the orgasm can be determined by the number of contractions. Weaker orgasmic contractions

3 to 5 times. In severe cases, it can reach 8 to 10 times or more. The intensity of orgasm depends on the method and intensity of sexual stimulation, physical strength, psychological endurance, and the intimacy of interpersonal relationships. Breathing speeds up, such as during climax, to 40 times per minute, which is twice as much as when in calm state. The heart rate can reach 180 beats per minute. Systolic blood pressure may increase by 40 to 100 mmHg, and diastolic blood pressure may increase by 20 to 50 mmHg. Voluntary or involuntary contraction of muscles throughout the body.

If orgasm is not reached after the plateau period, the sensitivity of the perineum and the muscle tension of the body will take a long time to calm down. Failure to reach climax often leads to disappointment and unhappiness, causing insomnia and irritability. As a result, women will gradually develop low libido.

4. Remission Period

Refers to the process by which body tension gradually relaxes and dissipates. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes, but if you don't reach orgasm, it may take several hours or even a day. The process of male congestion disappears quickly, especially the congestion of the genitals disappears quickly. After sexual stimulation stops, the testicles and other organs return to their original position and return to their original size. The relaxation process of muscle tension takes about 5 minutes. The biggest difference between the two sexes is that men have a refractory period, which means that they cannot become sexually aroused for a period of time after orgasm. The length of the refractory period varies from person to person and age to age. Some young people can regain an erection in just a few minutes, while others cannot regain normal sexual response even after several hours.

Women have the potential to have multiple orgasms, and often seek continued caressing after an orgasm, just like a beautiful song needs a perfect ending. Sometimes, it takes up to 6 hours for pelvic congestion to subside due to lack of follow-up caressing. The skin of the penis disappears faster, with the nipple recovering first and the breast shrinking after 5 to 10 minutes. Sweating may occur on the forehead and chest. It takes 5 minutes for the clitoris to return to its original position and subside. It takes more than ten minutes for the vagina to relax and recover. The cervix opens for about half an hour, which is conducive to the entry of sperm.

In general, a series of complex changes will take place in the body during sexual life. In addition to the activities of the brain, another type of nerves involved in the management of sexual behavior - the autonomic nerves are also very important. Without their participation, the expansion and congestion of blood vessels and the contraction of smooth muscles inside the genitals would not be possible.