PHASES OF SEXUAL RESPONSE

William Masters and Virginia Johnson found that biological responses of male and females sexual
stimulation are quite similar.

They use the term sexual-response cycle to describe the changes that occur in the body as men and
women become sexually aroused.

They divide the sexual-response cycle into four phases which are: excitement, plateau, orgasm, and
resolution

First, the excitement phase, it is the phase where in the sexual arousal begins. During this phase, pulse
rate increases, blood pressure rises, breathing quickens, and the skins shows a rosy flush particularly on
the chest area. It is where the body parts of both men and women undergoes change. For men they
experience erection, and for women their female genitalia start getting lubricated.

It's important to note that everyone sexual experience is different. Some may not consistently
experience the above changes. Not only can this vary between individual persons, but can also vary in an
individual between different sexual encounters.

Second, the plateau phase, in this phase both men and women become more aroused and the changes
with their bodies become more intense. For men their male genitalia become more erect, and for
women they may experience swelling in their private part. Breathing becomes more rapid, heart rate
increases, body temperature rises, and blood pressure increases during this stage.

Third, the orgasmic phase, this phase is the climax of the sexual response cycle. It's the shortest of the
phases and generally lasts only a few seconds. In this phase, men experience contraction of the muscles
and stimulates the release of semen which contains sperm cells. Men usually achieve one intense
orgasm during sexual intercourse, and for women their orgasm involves the contraction of the pelvic
muscles that surrounds the vaginal walls and can happen multiple times. Both men and women
experience a sharp increase in pulse rate, breathing rate and blood pressure during orgasm.

Fourth, the resolution phase, in this phase the body returns to its normal state. For men, their erection
is lost, and their male genitalia decreases in size. For women, their female genitalia return to their
normal state.