2-3 SHORT PAPER 1
2-3 Short Paper: The Biology of the Sexual Response Cycle
Ryan E. Hunt
Southern New Hampshire University
2-3 SHORT PAPER 2
2-3 Short Paper: The Biology of the Sexual Response Cycle
The Human Sexual Response cycle was brought to life by William Masters, who was a
gynecologist, and Virginia Johnson, a sexologist. Masters and Johnson were able to form this
physiological model over a 10-year period by studying over 10,000 orgasms between almost 700
humans, 382 women and 312 men. To collect data for this study they closely monitored their
human subjects during sexual intercourse as well as masturbation in their lab at the University of
Washington, where they mainly used students as their test subjects. This research laid the
groundwork to publish their book ‘Human Sexual Response’ in 1966 which conveyed all their
findings. With this research they were able to create a sexual response model that includes four
phases which are 1) excitement, 2) plateau, 3) orgasm, 4) resolution.
The first phase of the sexual response cycle is excitement, which is the beginning of
arousal. The physiological process Vasocongestion begins during this phase which creates the
arousal or erection of a male, and the lubrication of the vagina in a female, as well as nipples
becoming erect. Vasocongestion is “an accumulation of blood in the blood vessels of a region of
the body, especially the genitals; a swelling or erection results” (p. 180). Vasocongestion may
occur from genitals or other parts of the body being stimulated as well as different types of
sensory images. This phase tends to occur very rapidly for males, and pretty rapidly for females
but usually just a bit longer. To get to this point many neurotransmitters are also involved in this
process, mainly Nitric Oxide in both males and females, as well as dopamine, and estrogen in
females. At this point in the phase vasocongestion as well as myotonia, which is the muscle
contractions happening throughout the body as well as the genitals, continue to build to
ultimately lead to orgasm.
2-3 SHORT PAPER 3
The second phase is the plateau phase. The plateau phase continues as sexual stimulation
and sensory images begin to intensify. At this point sensitivity increases as well as your heart
rate and myotonia. For women, sensitivity to the clitoris intensifies and the vagina lubrication
increases (Charmley, 2022). For men, this would be the point they would experience pre-
ejaculation as the bodies prepare for the next phase which is orgasm.
The third phase is orgasm. Orgasm is the peak of the sexual response cycle as well as
sexual arousal and is an intense sensation that is followed by the release of sexual tension
(HYDE, 2019). A male orgasm occurs in two stages and in the preliminary stage the male will
experience what Masters and Johnson refer to as ejaculatory inevitability which is the sensation
most refer to as ‘coming’ (HYDE, 2019). At this point in the phase ejaculation cannot be stopped
and the second stage begins where the penis contracts and semen is forced through the tip of the
penis. Women experience a sensation similar to males, however they can have three to more than
a dozen of these muscle contractions, which is why women have the ability to have multiple
orgasms in a row, but men do not.
The final phase is resolution. This is when the male and female body return to an
unaroused state by beginning a reversal process of all the steps that happen during the excitement
phase. If a woman has an orgasm, the reversal process begins quickly in just seconds. If a woman
does not experience an orgasm it could take up to 60 minutes or more to return to an unaroused
state. During this process men will enter a refractory period where they cannot become aroused.
Women do not have a refractory period which is another reason it may be possible for women to
experience multiple orgasms.
2-3 SHORT PAPER 4
All four phases of this sexual response cycle are still very relevant today, and of course
this entire process is what occurs during sexual activity. The sexual response cycle coined by
Masters and Johnson is incredibly accurate, and each phase does correctly describe what happens
during sexual activity. However, in an effort to be more accurate I believe there should be more
information as to what happens to an individual cognitively during this cycle in order to properly
understand it. When considering the sexual response cycle, we also have to be able to consider
certain demographics that may make it hard for one to enjoy sexual activity or even be able to
experience it at all.
An issue that should be considered with the sexual response model would be that
everyone reaches each stage of the sexual response cycle. When Masters and Johnson researched
this cycle, they used mainly young college students who we would assume were in quite good
health. When we consider the sexual response cycle, it is important to note that demographics
make a large impact for many. Depending on your age, health, medical conditions or even past
traumas, sex may not be an enjoyable or even attainable process for many.
One thing to consider would be sexual dysfunctions that can be caused due to age,
medications, as well as drug or alcohol use. When men are unable to become aroused, they may
be prescribed Viagra to help the sexual cycle process and Viagra acts as the neurotransmitter
Nitric Oxide in order to start the process of excitement (HYDE, 2019). The dual control model
shows us that excitation and sexual inhibition across many species contribute greatly to the
sexual response cycle. And within the dual control model it has also proven high inhibition with
low excitement can lead to sexual dysfunctions (HYDE, 2019).
2-3 SHORT PAPER 5
There have also been numerous studies showing that illicit drug use can cause sexual
dysfunction in men and women alike. Another thing to consider would be sexual assault
survivors. Some end up with PTSD and sexual encounters are not enjoyable for them. Some
medications that treat PTSD or other mental health conditions can also lead to sexual
dysfunctions.
Human sexuality is not one size fits all, it is different for everyone. We are all individuals
with differing social experiences and perspectives that are influenced by society, our culture,
mental health, and physical health. These influences were unaccounted for in this model, and I
believe if they were included, we would have a very well rounded, accurate view of a sexual
response cycle.
2-3 SHORT PAPER 6
References
Hyde, J. (2019). Understanding Human Sexuality (14th ed.). McGraw-Hill Higher Education
(US). https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9781260394597
SNHU. (2015, June 30). Showtime ‘Masters of Sex’ Masters and Johnson on America’s Biggest
Sexual Experiment [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=6MpGxHvhwjc
Charmley, S. (2022). Sexual response cycle: Overview, phases, and more. Retrieved from
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/sexual-response-cycle
