Unit III Human Sexual Response (Male and Female)

EDGC 682 Counseling Issues in Sexuality Unit III Human Sexual Response (Male and Female) Dean Owen, Ph.D., LPCC Professor Emeritus Department of Foundational and Graduate Studies in Education

Women need a reason to have sex….men just need a place. Billy Crystal (1947-

This might suggest some gender differences in how men and women experience sex……..-

Henry Havelock Ellis This English physician spent several decades studying all available information on human sexuality in the Western world and the sexual mores of other cultures. He studied the sex lives of his contemporaries and published his findings in seven volumes between 1896 and 1936. 1859-1939

Henry Havelock Ellis Two-Stage Model Tumescence Release 1859-1939 Build Detumescence

Helen Singer Kaplan, MD, Ph.D. Source: Kaplan, 1974

Kaplan’s three stages Orgasm Excitement Desire Source: Kaplan, 1974

The human sexual response cycle refers to a pattern of physical events in both men and women that prepare them for sexual activity. The term was coined by William H. Masters and Virginia E. Johnson in their book, Human Sexual Response. Source: Masters and Johnson (1966)

EPOR • The four basic stages of the human sexual response cycle include: • 1. Excitement (Arousal) • Plateau • Orgasmic • 4. Resolution (Refractory) Source: Masters and Johnson (1966)

In America sex is an obsession, in other parts of the world it is a fact. Marlene Dietrich (1901-1992)

Excitement Phase Arousal is a physiological and psychological state of being awake or reactive to stimuli. It involves the activation of the reticular activating system in the brain stem, the autonomic nervous system and the endocrine, leading to increased heart rate and blood pressure and a condition of sensory alertness, mobility and readiness to respond.

Excitement Phase: (Arousal or initial excitement) This first stage of the HSRC generally occurs as the result of any erotic physical or mental stimulation such as kissing, petting, or viewing erotic images that lead to sexual arousal. This stage typically prepares the body for coitus (intercourse).

Excitement Phase: Physiologic indicators • Arousal indicators in both sexes include • Cardiac rate elevation • Respiration rate elevation • Blood pressure elevation • Nipple erection (especially post direct stimulation) • 100% females & 60 % males. • Vasocongestion of the skill (sex flush) • 50-75% Females, 25% males. • Myotonia Vasocongestion is the swelling of bodily tissues caused by increased vascular blookd flow and a localized increase in bloodpressure. Typical causes of vasocongestion in humans includes menstruation, sexual arousal, REM sleep, strong emotions, illnesses and allergic reactions.

Lady Chatterley Phenomenon A term coined by neuropsychoanalyst Mark Blechner who describes how sexual excitement in both sexes can be strongly modified by subjective psychological factors. The term arises from a passage in D.H. Lawrence’s novel (1928) Lady Chatterley’s Lover in which Lady Chatterley initially is unresponsive during intercourse but learns to become a fully sexual and expressive woman as the result of an affair. Source: Blechner, 2009

Excitement Phase: (Arousal or initial excitement) • Male Arousal • Initially a partial erection occurs often within a few seconds of exposure to erotic stimuli • Testicles withdraw toward the perineum • Scrotum becomes tense and the skin thickens

Excitement Phase: (Arousal or initial excitement) • Female Arousal • Venous pattern of breasts become more visible and the the breasts enlarge slightly (vasocongestion) • Labia majora and minora become engorged with blood and change slightly in shape, size and position. • Clitoral glans become swollen and vaginal lubrication is produced by the walls of the vagina. • The uterus elevates and becomes more vertical and the inner 2/3 of the vagina expands to a total of 7-10 cm.

Confidence is the sexiest thing a woman can have. It’s much sexier than any body part. Aimee Mullins, Oprah Magazine, May 2004

Plateau Phase The plateau phase is the period of sexual excitement prior to orgasm. The phase is characterised by an increased circulation and heart rate in both sexes, increased sexual pleasure with increased stimulation, and further increased muscle tension. Also, respiration continues at an elevated level.

Plateau Phase (Male) During this phase, the male urethral sphincter contracts (so as to prevent urine from mixing with semen, and guard against retrograde ejaculation) and muscles at the base of the penis begin a steady rhythmic contraction. Males may start to secrete seminal fluid or pre-ejaculatory fluid and the testicles rise closer to the body. Definition: Retrograde ejaculation refers to the entry of semen into the bladder instead of going out through the urethra during ejaculation. Relatively uncommon but may be caused by diabetes or use of drugs. Source: Medline Plus http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001282.htm

Plateau Phase (in Females) At this stage females show a number of effects. The aerola and labia further increase in size, the clitoris withdraws slightly and the Bartholin glands produce further lubrication. The tissues of the outer third of the vagina swell considerably, and the pubococcygeus muscle tightens, reducing the diameter of the opening of the vagina and creating what Masters and Johnson refer to as the orgasmic. For those who never achieve orgasm, this is the peak of sexual excitement. Both men and women may also begin to vocalize involuntarily at this stage. Excessive prolongation of the plateau phase is said to lead to frustration.

Plateau Phase (in Females) Excessive prolongation of the plateau phase is said to lead to frustration.

Orgasmic Phase Orgasm is the conclusion of the plateau phase of the sexual response cycle, and is experienced by both males and females. It is accompanied by quick cycles of muscle contraction in the lower pelvic muscles, which surround both the anus and the primary sexual organs. Women also experience uterine and vaginal contractions. Orgasms are often associated with other involuntary actions, including vocalizations and muscular spasms in other areas of the body, and a generally euphoric sensation. Heart rate is increased even further.

Orgasmic Phase (Males) In men, orgasm is usually associated with ejaculation. Each ejection is associated with a wave of sexual pleasure, especially in the penis and loins. Other sensations may be felt strongly among the lower spine, or lower back. The first and second convulsions are usually the most intense in sensation, and produce the greatest quantity of semen. Thereafter, each contraction is associated with a diminishing volume of semen and a milder wave of pleasure.

Orgasmic Phase (Females) Remember Meg Ryan in “When Harry met Sally”?

Orgasmic Phase (Females)

Orgasmic Phase (Females) Orgasms in females may also play a significant role in fertilization. The muscular spasms are theorized to aid in the locomotion of sperm up the vaginal walls into the uterus.

Refractory or Resolution Phase The resolution phase occurs after orgasm and allows the muscles to relax, blood pressure to drop and the body to slow down from its excited state. This is essentially a “cool down” period or relaxation following intense muscular tension and activity.

Refractory or Resolution Phase (Men) Men and women may or may not experience a refractory period, and further stimulation may cause a return to the plateau stage. This allows the possibility of multiple orgasms in both sexes. However, typically men enter this refractory period and some may find continued stimulation to be painful after the orgasmic phase.

Refractory or Resolution Phase (Women) Women may not have a similar refractory period and may be able to repeat the cycle almost immediately. Many women experience clitoral hypersensitivity after orgasm, which essentially mimics the effect of the males refractory period. These women may be capable of additional orgasms, but the pain involved makes the prospect undesirable. Source: Rathus, Nevid, Fichner-Rathus, Herold, & McKenzie, (2005)

Refractory or Resolution Phase In addition, refractory periods range from human to human, with some being immediate (no refractory) and some being as long as 12 to 24 hours.

The Male HSRC Graph

The Female HSRC Graph

It is our passions, as it is with fire and water, they are good servants but bad masters. Aesop (620BCE-560BCE)

References Blechner, M. J. (2009) 'Sex Changes: Transformations in Society and Psychoanalysis.' New York and London: Taylor & Francis. Ellis, H. (1942). Studies in the psychology of sex (Vols 1 & 2). New York: Random House. (Original work published in seven volumes, 1896-19280 Lawrence, D. H. (1928/2003) 'Lady Chatterley's Lover.' New York: Signet. Kaeser, Fred (2001). The effects of increasing sexualization on children. Towards a Better Understanding of Children's Sexual Behavior. NYU Child Study Center. http://aboutourkids.med.nyu.edu/aboutour/articles/sexual.html#effects. Retrieved September, 7, 2010. Kaplan, H.S., (1974). The New Sex Therapy. New York: Brunner/Mazel.

References Langfeldt, T. (1981). Sexual development in children. In Cook, M., & Howells, K. (Eds.), Adult sexual interest in children. London:Academic. Larsson, IngBeth. Childhood sexuality and sexual behavior. (2000, Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare (report), Article number 2000-36-001. English translation (Lambert & Tudball) Article number 2001-123-20. Lively, V. & Lively, E. (1991). Sexual development of young children. Albany, NY: Delmar Publishers. Money, J. (1994). The concept of gender identity disorder in childhood and adolescence after 39 years‘. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy,20,: 163-177. Salter, Ph.D., Anna C. (1988). Treating Child Sex Offenders and Victims: A Practical Guide. Sage Publications Inc. pp. 22–24. Santrock, J.W. (2008). A Topical Approach to Life-Span Development (4thed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. Sorensen, R.C. (1973). Adolescent sexuality in contemporary American. New York: World.

Unit III Human Sexual Response (Male and Female)