Similarities and Differences in our Sexual Response Cycles

Similarities and Differences in our Sexual Response Cycles

Definition The series of physiological responses that occur during sexual arousal Masters and Johnson s Cycle Four Phases Excitement Plateau Orgasm Resolution Our Sexual Response Cycles The Big Picture

Background William Masters and Virginia Johnson: Husband and wife research team Began collecting data in 1954 Argued that physiological sexual responses in rats could not explain human sexual responses Purpose of Research To obtain accurate physiological responses to sexual behavior Seminal Researchers Masters and Johnson

Research Method Direct Observation First researchers to gather data on sexual behavior in a laboratory setting Electrocardiograph (HR) Electromyograph (muscular contractions) PH measure (acidity of the vagina) Penile strain gauge Vaginal photoplethysmograph (vasocongestion of the genitals) Seminal Researchers Masters and Johnson

Seminal Researchers Masters and Johnson Sampling 312 men, 382 women total 276 married couples Interviews conducted to weed out exhibitionists and uncomfortable participants Non-response issues??? Argument: Physiological responses are normative

Our Sexual Response Cycles Vasocongestion The engorgement (filling) of tissues with blood Myotonia A build up of energy in nerves and muscles resulting in involuntary contractions Two Terms To Know

Our Sexual Response Cycles Desire (The Prephase) What things turn you on? What is the stimulation for you that leads to arousal?

Men s Sexual Response Cycle Excitement What Happens? Vasocongestion of the penis Erection can occur 3-8 sec. after stimulation Nerve impulses in the spine trigger the release of chemicals in the penis, which cause the arteries at the base of the penis to dilate Blood flows into the corpora cavernosa and corpora spongiosum causing an erection Testicles elevate toward body

Men s Sexual Response Cycle Also Increased heart rate, blood pressure Testicles elevate toward the body Excitement

Men s Sexual Response Cycle Plateau What Happens? Period of high sexual arousal (full erection) Diameter of the penis further increases (especially at the corona) Testicles become fully engorged with blood and continue to elevate Cowper s gland secretes a few drops of clear fluid (precome)

Orgasms Definition (For Men And Women) The brief but intense sensations (focused largely in the genitals but really a whole body response) experienced during sexual arousal Two Components (For Men and Women) 1. Subjective experience The pleasurable sensations ( That was sooo good. ) 2. Physiological reactions Muscular contractions

Similarities and Differences Between Men s and Women s experiences of orgasms Is There A Difference Between Men And Women s Reports Of Orgasms? It feels like all the tension that has been building is released with an explosion. It is the most pleasurable thing in the whole world. It makes my body tingle and I don t want to even move after; I just want to enjoy the rhythmic sensations. Woman A feeling that kind of feels like waves of electricity rushing through your whole entire body. It kind of ripples through and makes your toes and fingers curl. -Woman like a roller coaster. At first you feel excited, your whole body feels tingly. My heart feels like it s falling in my chest. Then my stomach and leg muscles tighten up, and all tension is then released in a moment. Man like a bomb but feels great. When you reach your max, you feel like you are going to burst open. Then you feel like you are floating in the sky. -Man

Two Stages Men s Sexual Response Cycle 1. Emission Rhythmic muscular contractions (0.6 sec. apart) Force the semen (sperm, fluid from the seminal vesicles and prostate) into the urethra, forming the urethral bulb Feeling of ejaculatory inevitability ( I m coming ) 2. Expulsion Muscles around the urethra contract, forcing the semen out of the penis Men s Orgasms

Men s Sexual Response Cycle What Happens? Detumescence (loss of erection) If orgasm is not achieved, men may experience testicular aching (i.e., blue balls ) Resolution What Happens? Partial or full erection may be maintained, leading to subsequent orgasms

Men s Sexual Response Cycle The Refractory Period Period of time for men in which it is impossible to achieve an orgasm Arousal falls below the plateau level Resolution

Men s Sexual Response Cycle Take Home Message Overall, most men have similar sexual response cycles

Women s Sexual Response Cycle The Big Picture Compared to men, women have a lot more variability with their sexual response cycles Women can have: one orgasm, multiple orgasms, no orgasm

Women s Sexual Response Cycle Excitement What Happens Vasocongestion (vaginal walls become engorged with blood) Pressure causes drops of fluid to be secreted (vaginal lubrication) Labia majora begin to move apart Walls of vagina balloon out, cervix pulls up Clitoris swells with blood (it s the most visible during excitement phase)

Women s Sexual Response Cycle Subjective Arousal Situational cues that are perceived to be arousing Touching, kissing, I love you Physiological Arousal Genital response (vasocongestion - erection, vaginal lubrication) Excitement Take Home Message Men: subjective and physiological arousal are closely correlated (turned on = erection) Women: subjective arousal and physiological arousal are not as closely correlated (turned on = sometimes vaginal lubrication, sometimes not)

Women s Sexual Response Cycle What Happens Vaginal walls continue to expand Uterus continues to pull up Vaginal opening becomes engorged with blood (narrows 30 50%) Sex-tension flush Clitoris pulls back against pubic bone (disappears) Breasts become engorged with blood (increase 20 25%) Vaginal lubrication may decrease with prolonged stimulation Plateau

Women s Sexual Response Cycle What Happens Rhythmic muscular contractions (0.6 sec. apart) in the uterus, cervix, and, sphincter muscles Large variability of duration (from a few seconds to 1 min. +) Three Types Clitoral (stimulation of clitoris) Vaginal (stimulation of PC muscles) G-spot (stimulation of g-spot) Women s Orgasms Faking It Laumann et al., (1994) Only 75% of married women, 62% of single women regularly orgasm during sexual intercourse Spector & Carey, (1990) 5 10% of women have never had an orgasm

Women s Sexual Response Cycle Multiple Orgasms Definition Having multiple full orgasms (2, 3, 4, etc.) without dropping below the plateau level of arousal 14 16% of women regularly have multiple orgasms (40% occasionally) Take Home Message All women are physiologically capable of orgasm Lack of orgasm may indicate lack of proper stimulation, medication, testosterone deficiency, neurological conditions Women s Orgasms

Women s Sexual Response Cycle What Happens Blood drains from the breasts and the tissues surrounding the vagina Uterus lowers Vagina shortens in width and length Clitoris returns to its normal position Resolution

Sexual Desire Sexual Desire An intrinsic motivation to pursue a force that triggers sexual arousal. Complete The Following Sentence (in 10 or fewer words) I have sexual desire when. Hints: What are your turn-ons? What situational cues lead to desire for you? Candles, porn, kissing, sight of a naked body, breasts, nipples, penis, etc 3. From the following list, choose the TOP 3 reasons that cause you to become motivated to have sex. a) Feeling valued by my partner b) Showing value to my partner c) Providing nurturance to my partner d) Obtaining relief from stress e) Enhancing feelings of personal power f) Experiencing the power of my partner g) Experiencing pleasure h) Procreating

Sexual Desire Is There A Difference Between Men and Women Definition An intrinsic motivation to pursue sex Men Have More Desire Baumeister, Catanese, & Vohs, (2001) Compared to women, men: think about sex more often report more frequent sexual fantasies report more frequent feelings of sexual desire want sex more frequently in heterosexual relationships Compared to women, men: start masturbating at a younger age, and masturbate more frequently have more permissive attitudes toward casual sex outside of a relationship

Sexual Motivations Is There A Difference Between Men and Women Hill & Preston, (1996) Proposed 8 distinct motivations for pursuing sex Desire for a) feeling valued by one s partner b) showing value for one s partner c) providing nurturance to one s partner d) obtaining relief from stress e) enhancing feelings of personal power f) experiencing the power of one s partner Desire for g) experiencing pleasure h) procreating It s Predicted That Men s Top 3 Would Be Enhancing feelings of personal power Experiencing pleasure Obtaining relief from stress Women s Top 3 Would Be Feeling valued by one s partner Showing value to one s partner Providing nurturance to one s partner

Men In terms of desire, men are more likely to emphasize physical pleasure More interested in visual sexual stimuli More likely to purchase x-rated videos/magazines More likely to visit prostitutes More likely to have a dimension of aggression within their sexual selves Powerful Aggressive Domineering Experienced Sexual Stimuli Do Men And Women Desire Different Things? Women Motivated more by emotional/intimacy needs Motivated more by the desire to express love to another person Less likely to use physical force to coerce another into have intercourse Taken From: Peplau (2003)