Sexual Arousal and Response

What causes people to: Not want sex? Want sex? Physical Psychological Social Want sex?

Visual stimulation Self report = men respond more than women Physiologically = both men and women have similar responses

Decrease in sexual desire Silence during sexplay (decreases arousal) Birth control pills Blood pressure medication Antidepressant medication Antihypertensive medication Tranquilizers High nicotine cigarettes

Basic physiological arousal responses Vasocongestion Orgasmic platform Engorgement of outer third of vagina during plateau phase Erection in men Mytonia Muscular spasms during orgasm Uterine contractions

Vasocongestion Female Stage #1

Vasocongestion Female Stage #2

Vasocongestion Female Stage #3

Female Vasocongestion

Sexual response models Helen Kaplan’s modes Masters and Johnson’s model

Helen Kaplan’s model Desire Excitement Orgasm

Master’s & Johnson’s model Excitement Plateau Orgasm Resolution Refractory period Male only

Excitement

Plateau

Orgasm Male & female descriptions of orgasm are indistinguishable

Resolution

Response differences between the sexes Greater variability in female response Male refractory period Lack of this= multiple orgasms for women Males may have pre-ejaculatory orgasms followed by final orgasm

Grafenberg Spot (G-spot) Upper wall of vagina Possible remnant of prostate tissue Sometimes results in ejaculation from urethra Ejaculate fluid is similar to male prostate secretions

Aging and sexual response Women Decreased vaginal lubrication KY or” Slippery Stuff” Decrease in length & width of vagina Decrease in number of orgasmic contractions “Use it or loose it” The more active you are, the more active you stay.

Aging & sexual response (cont.) Men Longer time to get erection Increased control Reduced mytonia Reduced testicle elevation

Cross cultural sexual arousal Healthy skin, hair, & teeth are universally attractive Oral sex viewed as unnatural or disgusting in many cultures Sexual frequency varies by culture