Psy 265 Appendix b

Axia College Material

Appendix B

Sexual Response Cycles

Use your own words to complete the table below with the experiences and changes in anatomy of males and females during the various sexual response phases.

Stage of Masters and Johnson Sexual Response Cycle	Male Experience and Anatomy	Female Experience and Anatomy
Excitement Phase	A male can only achieve a penal erection after stimulation; physically and/or psychological stimulation. Vascongestion in men causes the erection in the male penis. This happens because of blood flow increase in the corpora cavernosa (sponge like areas of erectile tissue-where most of the blood goes during an erection.)The scrotum begins to tighten.	Physical and/ or psychological stimulation brings an increased blood flow to the vagina. Because of the increased blood flow in the walls of the vagina, “sweating” of a fluid that lubricates the vagina. At this time; all of the woman’s external genitals begin to swell. Vascongestion in vaginal area causes swelling. The nipple’s become erect while the breasts increase in size. The clitoris swells and flattens, and the spreads the vaginal lips in preparation for the next phase.
Plateau Phase	The head of the penis is filled with blood causing it to be darker. The testicles begin to increase in size. This is when rapid breathing occurs along with an increased in heart rate and the blood pressure rises accordingly. This is when Myotonia occurs. Men also experience small amounts of pre-ejaculation (which is just a small amount of semen leaking out before full ejaculation.) This semen can get a girl pregnant. The arousal level remains consistent during this phase.	The arousal level remains pretty consistent during this phase. This is also when the woman begins to experience rapid breathing, her heart rate goes up, and her blood pressure rises accordingly. This is also when Myotonia (muscle tension) occurs. The outer third of the vagina is swollen due to Vascongestion, and contracts the vaginal opening “preparing to “grip” the penis, and building the orgasmic platform. Coloration of the labia minora occurs at this phase causing either a dark wine color or bright red color depending on whether the woman has had children or not.
Orgasmic Phase	This stage consists of two different stages of muscular contractions; The first stage of contractions includes the ejaculatory duct, seminal vesicles, the vas deferens, and the prostate gland causes seminal fluids to begin to collect in the urethral bulb (which is located at the base of the penis). The bulb begins to expand to lodge the fluid. At this point, the man’s bladder is closed off so that the semen and urine cannot mix. This happens because the internal sphincter of the urinary bladder contracts. In the second phase, the external sphincter of the bladder relaxes; allowing semen to pass through. Contractions of muscles that surround the urethra, urethral bulb, and the base of the penis boost the ejaculate through the urethra and out of the body. Muscles go into spasms. Respiration can increase, along with heart rate and blood pressure reaching its peak.	The orgasm in the woman consists of somewhere between 3 and 15 contractions of the pelvic muscles that surround the vaginal barrel. The contractions occur at 0.8-second intervals, and release sexual tension. There are another 3 to 6 weaker contractions that follow. The anal sphincter and the uterus contract concurrently. Muscles go into spasms. Respiration can increase, along with heart rate and blood pressure reaching its peak.
Resolution Phase	This is when the body begins to return to pre-arousal state. The penis loses its erection in two phases; The first occurs within the first minute. Half of the volume of the erections is lost because the blood from the corpora cavernosa empties into other parts of the body. The second phase happens over a course of several minutes. The remaining swelling goes away as the corpus spongiosum empties. This is when the testicles and the scrotum return to their normal size. Myotonia tends to fall within five minutes of the orgasm. Rapid breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure also take a few minutes to return to normal. Men enter a “refractory period” and are physiologically incapable of having another orgasm or ejaculating without a “recharge period”.	This is when the body begins to return to pre-arousal state. An orgasm triggers a release in blood from engorged areas. With no continued stimulation, the swelling in the areolas shrinks, causing the nipples to return to their normal size. The clitoris, uterus, labia, and the vaginal barrel gradually shrink to their normal size. Coloration of the labia minora returns to normal in about 10 to 15 seconds. Myotonia tends to fall within five minutes of the orgasm. Rapid breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure also take a few minutes to return to normal. A woman does not go through the refractory period, so she is capable of having multiple orgasms within minutes.