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Human Sexual Response Cycles
(05/04/2004) by Unknown
Masters and Johnson's Model of The Human Sexual Response Cycle
Masters and Johnson were sex researchers who described sexual
response as the result of two principal physiological changes -- increase
in blood flow to various parts of the body (vasocongestion) and
increase in muscle tension (myotonia). Masters and Johnson chose to
use the words "excitement," "plateau," "orgasm," and "resolution" to
specify phases of the human sexual response cycle. According to
Masters and Johnson, these phases correspond to the level of sexual
arousal and describe typical responses.
Immediate signs of sexual excitement we are most familiar with are
erections of the penis or clitoris and lubrication. Masters and Johnson
also described other physiological effects of sexual stimulation on both
men and women. As we get excited, an increase in heart rate and
blood pressure, and often a noticeable "sex flush" in the chest, neck,
face and ears are associated with increased blood flow and
vasocongestion. In addition, there is nipple erection and an increase in
muscle tension throughout the body. As excitement moves to plateau
there are significant increases in heart rate, blood pressure, sex flush,
breast size, respiration rate (heavy breathing), and muscular tension.
At orgasm all physiological responses peak followed by a rapid release
of muscular tension and return to pre-excitement levels for
physiological measures.
After experiencing changes in sexual functioning that often
accompanies disability or illness, we may or may not experience
erection or lubrication when we feel sexually aroused. Men may not
experience emission or ejaculation usually associated with orgasm or
may experience retrograde ejaculation (the seamen is forced into the
bladder instead of out of the penis). Women may or may not
experience contractions in the uterus and around the vagina
(pubococcygeous or PC muscle). Women who experienced ejaculation
before injury may or may not continue to experience ejaculation.
However, if we pay attention, we will notice that we are experiencing
all of the other responses described. Sex flush may be exaggerated and
increase and rapid release of muscle tension may be experienced as
spasms, depending on the disability or illness. Increase in blood
pressure during sexual response may result in automatic dysreflexia
(dangerously high blood pressure that may be experienced as a severe
headache), especially in people with SCI at or above T6. It is important to recognize all these as
sexual responses, especially with impaired sensation in the genitals. We
can learn to focus in on non-genital bodily changes, use stimulation to
areas where we may have heightened sensation, and learn to use
breathing and imagery to enhance our sexual response and pleasure.
Kaplan’s Model of Sexual Response
Masters and Johnson’s model of the human sexual response cycle
focused mainly on the body’s physiological changes. However, a sex
therapist named Helen Singer-Kaplan pointed out that without the
desire to be sexually active, we are not going to get excited or have
orgasms. The inclusion of desire as part of the human sexual response
cycle leads to consideration of psychological and physical factors that
many inhibit sexual desire. Factors that might block sexual desire
include stress, fatigue, depression, pain, fear, some prescribed
medication and recreational drugs, negative past sexual experiences,
power and control issues in a relationship, loss of interest in a partner,
low self-image, and hormonal influences. Many of these factors are
associated with early stages of disability or illness. As rehabilitation
progresses and we learn to manage these non-sexual aspects of our
lives, we are likely to experience an improvement in sexual response
over time.
David Reed's Erotic Stimulus Pathway
Another model of sexual response which focuses more on the
psychosocial aspects of human sexual response was suggested by
therapist, David Reed. Reed's four stages are "seduction," "sensation,"
"surrender," and "reflection." Seduction includes all those things we
might do to either entice ourselves or someone else into sexual activity
-- wearing cologne and perfumes, using makeup, dressing sexy,
making eye contact, sending love notes, buying flowers, arranging
time, sharing feelings, and asking for sex. In the next stage of
sensation, we are open to sexual stimulation from all of our senses.
Sight, sound, taste, smell, touch, imagination and fantasy all have
potential to arouse. This potential is dependent on how we interpret
sensations. How we interpret sensations is often influenced by our
prior learning about what is sexually stimulating. During the next stage
of surrender we can experience orgasm. According to Reed, orgasm
requires momentarily surrendering and giving up control. It requires us
to take our mind off our performance or to stop "spectatoring." To
experience orgasm requires us to stop worrying about how we look or
smell, or about making too much noise, or about whether we are
going to have a bowel or bladder accident. It also requires trust of
ourselves and of our partner if we are with a partner. The last stage
of reflection is a very important stage for us after a new experience,
especially after experiencing sex for the first time after acquiring a
disability or illness. In this stage, we look back over our sexual
experience and examine how we felt about it. If it was a positive
experience then we would most likely look forward to the next cycle
beginning with seduction. However, if it was a negative experience we
may tend to avoid future sexual encounters. That is why it is
important to understand and be prepared for the possible changes in
sexual function and to communicate possible changes with sexual
partners. A new sexual experience is something that needs to be
worked on like everything else in the rehabilitation process. It may not
be perfect the first time but there are ways to adapt and there is
hope for a fulfilling sexual life. This article appears in the following topics:
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