The Sexual Response Cycle (SRC) is a series of emotional and physical phases that happen when a person is sexually stimulated. The full cycle can be experienced not only with classic vaginal penetration but also with masturbation, oral sex or manual stimulation by a sex partner or even with a fantasy.
The Sexual Response Cycle helps individuals to understand the changes that their body goes through during a sexual experience. By knowing these physiological changes people can improve their sexual life, strengthen the relationship with their sex partner or discover the origins of a sexual problem.
There are four phases in the Sexual Response Cycle:
1. Excitement
2. Plateau
3. Orgasm
4. Resolution
During sexual activity, both females and males may experience these 4 phases but the duration of each phase can be different. And that’s why it is highly unlikely for sex partners to experience simultaneous orgasm. But if partners have good communication they will be able to better understand all the differences in each others SRC and improve their sexual experiences.
1. Excitement
This phase is the first of the SRC. Keep in mind that Excitement is different from person to person like all phases of the SRC. The Excitement phase may last from a few minutes to several hours. Clear signs of this phase include: Increase in muscle tension, increase in blood pressure and heart rate, breathing acceleration, increase in blood flow to the genitals. If you are in the excitement phase you might also notice that your breasts enlarge and the lubrication of the vagina begins if you are a female. For males Excitement may include erection of the penis, swelling of the testes and tightening of the scrotum.
2. Plateau
In this SRC phase, the sexual excitement grows even more. The Plateau usually lasts from a few seconds to a few minutes. Experts say that if the Plateau phase is prolonged it can lead to better and more intense orgasms. It is not easy to tell when you move from the Excitement phase to the Plateau phase because the general characteristics of the Excitement phase continue during the Plateau phase although they become more intense. Such characteristics include: increased muscle tension spasms, increased blood pressure, breathing rate and heart rate and increase of the sensitivity of the clitoris in females. The Plateau phase is not a boring, static phase of the SRC. It can offer unforgettable moments of sexual pleasure.
3. Orgasm
This is usually the shortest phase of the SRC lasting only several seconds. General characteristics of the Orgasm phase include: Muscle contractions like feet muscle spasms, Peak in breathing rate, blood pressure and heart rate or release of muscle tension. Females feel their vaginal muscles contracted. The uterus goes through repeated contractions. Males ejaculate semen and feel repeated contractions at the base of the penis. Female orgasm typically lasts longer than male orgasm. Both genders feel quite the same during an orgasm.
4. Resolution
During this phase the body parts return to their normal size and the person goes back to the unexcited state. The Resolution phase is usually accompanied by a general feeling of well being. If there’s no additional sexual stimulation, the Resolution phase starts right after orgasm.
DOWNLOAD THIS PDF: The Sexual Response Cycle (SRC)
The great difference between female and male Sexual Response Cycle is the refractory period that follows the Resolution phase. It is a time period during which a person cannot become sexually stimulated. This period may last from a few minutes to a few days and it depends on various factors like frequency of sexual activity or the person’s age. The refractory period is only experienced by men while women are capable of reaching an orgasm from any point during the Resolution phase.
Source: UCSB.EDU
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