The sexual response cycle refers to the physical and emotional changes that occur during sexual arousal and activity. It consists of five stages: desire, excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution. During excitement and plateau, heart rate and breathing increase and genitals become engorged for both men and women. The orgasm stage involves intense pleasure and contractions. In resolution, the body returns to its unaroused state with decreased muscle tension and sweating. Understanding the sexual response cycle can help improve sexual experiences and relationships.

1. FEMALE SEXUAL
RESPONSE
BY,
PELVSIO
WOMEN HEALTH PHYSIO

2. The sexual response cycle refers to a series of physical and emotional phases that
occur when an individual becomes aroused or engages in sexual activities. Sexual
stimulation during such activities is not limited to penile-vaginal intercourse; the full
sexual response cycle can be experienced during masturbation, foreplay, oral sex, or
fantasy. Everyone should have knowledge of and understand the physiological
changes that our body undergoes during sexual activities, which can help improve our
sexual experiences, deepen our relationship with a partner, or resolve sexual
problems.

3. The stages of the sexual response cycle are a
Desire,
Excitement,
Plateau,
Orgasm,
Resolution.

4. 1. Desire (libido):
Men and women begin to desire sexual gratification, which may last anywhere from a
moment to many years.
Chances in the body for both sexes:
It may come after excitement as well.
It occurs in the mind rather than the body and may not progress to sexual excitement
without further physical and mental responses.
It may communicate between partners either orally or through body language and
behavior.
In some cultures, women are not allowed to express their desires.

5. 2. Excitement (arousal):
The body's initial response to feeling a sexual desire may last from minutes to several
hours.
Chances in the body for both sexes:
Increased blood pressure and heart rate; tense body muscles; nipples that become
erect; engorged genital and pelvic blood vessels; sexual flushing; both voluntary and
involuntary muscle contractions occur.
For Women:
The vagina lengthens and widens, the clitoris swells and enlarges, the vagina becomes
lubricated, and the uterus slightly rises.
Vaginal lubrication is an indicator.
For men:
The penis erects, the scrotum thickens, and the testes rise closer to the body.
Penis erection is an indicator.

6. 3. PLATEAU:
The highest peak of sexual excitement lasts between 30 sec to 3 mins.
Chances in the body for both sexes:
Bp, heart rate, and breathing rate increase further; the sexual flush deepens, and
muscle tension increases.
For women:
Clitoris becomes more sensitive and slightly withdraws, the Bartholin's gland lubricates,
the areolae around the nipples enlarge, the labia swell, the uterus tips to stand high in
the abdomen, and the lower vagina swell and tightens.
For men:
Glans penis ridges become more prominent, the Cowper's glands secrete pre-
ejaculatory fluids and the testes rise closer to the body.

7. 4. Orgasm:
It is experienced by both sexes, ending the plateau phase of the sexual response
cycle, and last for less than a minute. Changes in the body for both sexes:
Heart rate, BP, and breathing rate reach their highest peaks; a sexual flush spreads to
the whole body; and there is a loss of muscle control.
For women:
This stage varies from individual to individual, increasing vaginal lubrication, tightening
of the vaginal wall, giving overall pleasure, and experiencing uterine and vaginal
contraction.
For some women, there is also the possibility of female ejaculation (squirting).
For men:
Ejaculation occurs; the urethra, anus, and muscle of the pelvic floor make contact 3-6
times at 0.8-second intervals.

8. 5. Resolution:
The periods during which the body returns to its pre-excitement state.
Chance in the body for both sexes:
Heart rate, BP, and breathing rate return to normal; the whole body sweats; muscle
tension decreases; relaxation and drowsiness increase.
For men:
Following orgasm, they experience a refractory period, during which erections cannot
be achieved.
Nipples lose their erection, the penis becomes soft and small, as well as lighter in color,
the scrotum relaxes, and the testes drop away from the body.
Depending on a number of factors, the refractory period in men may last from 5
minutes to 24 hours or more.

9. For women:
They don't experience a refractory period; they can either enter resolution or return to
excitement or plateau following orgasm.
Decrease breast and areolae size, nipples lose their erection, blood vessels dilate and
decrease engorgement in the pelvic area, the clitoris maintains its pre-arousal position
and shrinks slightly, the labia return to normal size and position, the vagina relaxes, the
cervix opens to help semen travel up into the vagina, and the uterus lowers into the
upper vagina.