Human sexual responses
Facts about arousal and sexual response can be a lot of fun.
Find out the basics about:
Arousal
Arousal is the first part of sexual pleasure, when a person is becoming sexually excited. This arousal can be stimulated by visual images, touch, etc.
In a female these physical changes occur during arousal:
- her vagina becomes lubricated
- her vagina expands
- her clitoris becomes erect and larger
- her nipples may become erect
- her skin may become flushed
- her heart and breathing rates increase
In a male these physical changes occur during arousal:
- his penis becomes erect
- his testes elevate
- his scrotum thickens
- his nipples may become erect
- his heart and breathing rates increase
Orgasm
Orgasm is an intense, pleasurable feeling during which the body’s muscles experience a series of contractions and then relax. It is the peak of sexual arousal, and is also called the climax.
Not all sexual experiences result in orgasm.
In men, ejaculation is generally but not always accompanied by orgasm.
Resolution
After an orgasm, the body relaxes; this is called resolution.
A man is unable to have an erection for anywhere between a few minutes to a few days after orgasm; this is called the refractory period.
A woman experiences no refractory period and is therefore able to have multiple orgasms.