Sexual Response Cycle

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1. I need help writing a 1,050- to 1,400-word paper summarizing each phase of the sexual response cycle for males, females, and commonalities for both males and females. I also need to include a brief description of any sexual dysfunctions which can occur and common methods of treatment.

The sexual response cycle has four phases: excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution. Although both men and women experience these phases, the timing usually is different. For example, it is unlikely that both partners will reach orgasm at the same time. In addition, the intensity of the response and the time spent in each phase varies from person to person (http://www.engenderhealth.org/res/onc/sexuality/response/pg2.html).

General characteristics of the excitement phase, which can last from a few minutes to several hours. For both women and men, muscle tension increases, heart rate quickens and breathing is accelerated, skin may become flushed (blotches of redness appear on the chest and back) and nipples become hardened or erect. For the women, blood flow to the genitals increases, resulting in swelling of the woman's clitoris and labia minora (inner lips), and for the man, erection of the man's penis. During this phase, vaginal lubrication begins and the woman's breasts become fuller and the vaginal walls begin to swell. Similarly, for the man, his testicles swell, his scrotum tightens, and he begins secreting a lubricating liquid. (from attached resource)

The plateau stage, the highest point of sexual excitement, generally lasts between 30 seconds and three minutes. The changes begun in phase 1 are intensified (http://www.engenderhealth.org/res/onc/sexuality/response/pg2.html). There are general characteristics of the plateau phase, which extends to the brink of orgasm. Both women and men experience increases in myotonia, heart rate, and blood pressure; increases in vasocongestion increases; muscle tension increases and muscle spasms may begin in the feet, face and hands (from attached resource), For women, the vagina continues to swell from increased blood flow, and the vaginal walls turn a dark purple. The woman's clitoris becomes highly sensitive (may even be painful to touch) and retracts under the clitoral hood to avoid direct stimulation from the penis. For the man, his testicles are withdrawn up into the scrotum, testes become completely elevated and continue to increase, the tip of the penis turns a deep reddish-purple and some droplets of semen may be released from the penis (from attached table).

The orgasm is the climax of the sexual response cycle. Involuntary muscle contractions begin. It is the shortest of the phases and generally lasts only a few seconds. For both women and men, orgasm releases sexual tension and intense feelings of pleasure, muscle spasms occur throughout the body and blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing rate reach a peak. In women, the muscles of the vagina contract. The uterus also undergoes rhythmic contractions. In men, rhythmic contractions of the muscles at the base of the penis result in the ejaculation of semen. A rash, or "sex flush" may appear over the entire body for both women and men. (attached resource)

During resolution phase of the sexual response cycle, the body slowly returns to its normal level of functioning, and swelled and erect body parts (e.g., penis, ...