SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR

 Human sexual activity , human sexual practice or human sexual behaviour is the manner in
which humans experience and express their sexuality .

 People engage in a variety of sexual acts, ranging from activities done alone (masturbation) to
acts with another person ( sexual intercourse, non-penetrative sex , oral sex , etc.)

 Sexual activity usually results in sexual arousal and physiological changes in the aroused
person, some of which are pronounced while others are more subtle. Sexual activity may also
include conduct and activities which are intended to arouse the sexual interest of another or
enhance the sex life of another, such as strategies to find or attract partners

 ( courtship and display behaviour), or personal

interactions between individuals (for instance,

foreplay or BDSM ). Sexual activity may follow

sexual arousal.

erotic
 arousing or satisfying sexual desire

 pornography's objective is the graphicdepiction of sexually explicit scenes, while erotica "seeks
to tell a story that involves sexual themes" that include a more plausible depiction of human

The Sexual Response Cycle

 The sexual response cycle refers to the sequence of physical and emotional changes that occur
as a person becomes sexually aroused and participates in sexually stimulating activities,
including intercourse and masturbation. Knowing how your body responds during each phase of
the cycle can

enhance your relationship and help you pinpoint the cause of any sexual problems.

Phase 1: Excitement
 General characteristics of the excitement phase, which can last from a few minutes to several
hours, include the following:

 Muscle tension increases.

 Heart rate quickens and breathing is accelerated.

 Skin may become flushed (blotches of redness appear on the chest and back).

 Nipples become hardened or erect.

 Blood flow to the genitals increases, resulting in swelling of the woman's clitoris and labia

 minora (inner lips), and erection of the man's penis.

 Vaginal lubrication begins.

 The woman's breasts become fuller and the vaginal walls begin to swell.

 The man's testicles swell, his scrotum tightens, and he begins secreting a lubricating liquid.

Phase 2: Plateau
 General characteristics of the plateau phase, which extends to the brink of orgasm, include the
following:

 The changes begun in phase 1 are intensified

 The vagina continues to swell from increased blood flow, and the vaginal walls turn a dark
purple.

 The woman's clitoris becomes highly sensitive (may even be painful to touch) and retracts under
the clitoral hood to avoid direct stimulation from the penis .

 The man's testicles tighten.

 Breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure continue to increase.

 Muscle spasms may begin in the feet, face, and hands.

 Muscle tension increases.

Phase 3: Orgasm
 The orgasm is the climax of the sexual response cycle. It is the shortest of the phases and
generally lasts only a few seconds. General characteristics of this phase include the following:

 Involuntary muscle contractions begin.

 Blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing are at their highest rates, with a rapid intake of oxygen.

 Muscles in the feet spasm.

 There is a sudden, forceful release of sexual tension.

 In women, the muscles of the vagina contract. The uterus also undergoes rhythmic contractions.
  In men, rhythmic contractions of the muscles at the base of the penis result in the ejaculation of
semen.

 A rash , or "sex flush" may appear over the entire body.

Phase 4: Resolution
 During resolution, the body slowly returns to its normal level of functioning, and swelled and
erect body parts return to their previous size and color. This phase is marked by a general sense
of well- being, enhanced intimacy and, often, fatigue . Some women are capable of a rapid
return to the orgasm phase with further sexual stimulation and may experience multiple
orgasms. Men need recovery time after orgasm, called a refractory period, during which they
cannot reach orgasm again. The duration of the refractory period varies among men and usually
lengthens with advancing age.

Sexual Dysfunction,
 A sexual problem, or sexual dysfunction, refers to a problem during any phase of the sexual
response cycle that prevents the individual or couple from experiencing satisfaction from the
sexual activity.

What Causes Sexual Dysfunction?

 Sexual dysfunction can be a result of a physical or psychological problem. Physical causes. Many
physical and/or medical conditions can cause problems with sexual function. These conditions
include diabetes, heart disease , neurological diseases, hormonal imbalances, menopause plus
such chronic diseases as kidney disease or liver failure, and alcoholism or drug abuse. In
addition, the side effects of certain medications, including some antidepressant drugs, can affect
sexual desire and function.

 Psychological causes. These include work- related stress and anxiety, concern about sexual
performance, marital or relationship problems, depression, feelings of guilt, or the effects of a
past sexual trauma.

COPULATORY BEHAVIOR
 copulation, male sexual behaviour was organised into ejaculatory series of mounts and
intromissions, separated by post-ejaculatory intervals. All males initiated a final "incomplete"
series of mounts and intromissions which did not culminate in ejaculation. Female receptivity, as
measured by the "lordosis ratio", remained high until the end of mating, and declined only in the
final series of mounts and intromissions following the last ejaculation. However, the display of
female "proceptive“ behaviour patterns (darting, foot- stomping, present posture and
piloerection posture) declined over successive ejaculatory series
 Paraphilia
 A paraphilia is a condition in which a person's sexual arousal and gratification depend on
fantasizing about and engaging in sexual behavior that is atypical and extreme.

 . A paraphilia is considered a disorder when it causes distress or threatens to harm someone else

 . Most paraphilias are far more common in men than in women. The focus of a paraphilia is
usually very specific and unchanging.

 Paraphilias include sexual behaviors society may view as distasteful, unusual, or abnormal. The
most common are pedophilia (sexual focus on children), exhibitionism (exposure of genitals to
strangers), voyeurism (observing private activities of unaware victims) and frotteurism (touching
or rubbing against a nonconsenting person)

 Fetishism (use of inanimate objects), sexual masochism (being humiliated or forced to suffer),
sexual sadism (inflicting humiliation or suffering) and transvestic disorder (sexually arousing
cross-dressing) are much less common. There is also a category of

 paraphilias—known as Other Specified Paraphili Disorders—which encompasses behaviors not

covered by the already named diagnoses, such as those involving dead people, urine, feces,
enemas, or obscene phone calls. Some of the behaviors associated with paraphilias are illegal;
individuals under treatment for paraphilic disorders often encounter legal complications
surrounding their behaviors.