Masters and Johnson’s

Human Sexual Response Cycle

 

EXCITEMENT PHASE

 

·         Myotonia

·         Vasocongestion

·         Increase heart rate

·         Increase blood pressure

·         Sex flush (blood “rash” on chest or breasts)

·         Duration: 1 minute to several hours

Female

Male
  1. Clitoral shaft increases

1. Full erection

     2. Labia majora separate

    2. Testes elevation

     3. Labia minora increase  size and becomed colored

    3. Scrotum skin thickens                     /tensing

 

PLATEAU PHASE

 

·         Continued myotonia

·         Continued vasocongestion

·         Continued increased heart rate

·         Continued increased blood pressure

·         Duration: few seconds to several minutes

Female

Male

1. Orgasmic Platform:  Engorgement of outer 1/3 of vagina

1. Corona further engorged

2. Clitoris retracts under hood

2. Testes engorged and elevated

3. Labia minora deepen color

3.  Loss of erection unlikely

 

 

ORGASMIC PHASE

 

·         Series of muscular contractions:  0.8 sec frequency

 

Female

Male
  1. Clitoris retracted

1. Emission and Expulsion of semen
  1. Orgasmic platform contracts

2.  Contractions of: urethra, base of penis and rectal muscles
  1. Rectal sphincter contracts

 

 

 

RESOLUTION PHASE

 

·         Reversal in myotonia

·         Reversal of vasocongestion

·         Reduction in heart rate

·         Reduction in blood pressure

 

Female

Male
  1. Clitoris descends

1. Erection loss

  1. Labia return to unaroused position and color

2. Testes descend

 

3. Scrotum thins