What Happens to the Body During Sex
The body goes through a series of phases during sexual intercourse. However, these phases are not set in stone.
The cycle may differ from person to person based on the type of intercourse (anal, vaginal, oral, or masturbation). Either way, you are sure to experience at least one of those phases during sexual stimulation.
What Happens to the Body During Sex
The Four Stages are as follows:
Phase 1: Excitement.
As you get excited, your heart beats faster, and your breathing gets heavier. Your skin may redden as more blood flows to your genitals.
Increased blood flow comes with a swelling of the clitoris, an erection of the penis, enlargement of the testes, and tightening of the scrotum.
The nipples harden, and the vagina gets wet as a form of lubrication. The muscles throughout your body tense up, boosting sexual tension. At this stage, arousal may be triggered by sight, sound, touch, or smell.
Phase 2: Plateau.
The changes become intense, breathing is faster, and so are the heart rate and blood pressure. The penis becomes thicker and may release pre-ejaculatory fluid. The clitoris swells even more and becomes sensitive to touch. There is increased lubrication in the vagina and a change in coloring.
This stage is only possible if there is continued sexual stimulation. Otherwise, the cycle may end in the first stage.
Phase 3: Orgasm.
At the peak or climax of sexual tension, the muscles involuntarily contract in preparation for intense pleasure. The vagina contracts and the penis tightens, releasing semen into the female body. A release of feel-good chemicals like oxytocin and dopamine accompanies this experience.
Tension is released soon after these contractions. It is to be noted that not everyone gets to climax; some people may not have the ability to, while others may have partners unable to pleasure them to climax.
This stage typically doesn’t last long, and men often experience it before or without their partners.
Phase 4: Resolution Phase
This is the last phase after the body has been spent. All intensified reactions like heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and muscle contractions return to normal. The penis becomes flaccid, and the vaginal walls lose its tension.
The male body goes through a refractory period at this stage. This involves the body’s inability to respond to sexual stimuli, equivalent to the penis becoming flaccid. This period differs from person to person depending on age, the novelty of the experience, intimacy levels with partner, and frequency of intercourse.
The female body, on the other hand, mostly has no issues experiencing arousal again, unless, of course, the woman is tired and has no interest in sex.
Sometimes, the sexual response cycle may be disrupted (inability to achieve one or all of the phases) due to a lack of arousal, anxiety, health issues, age, moodiness, pain during intercourse (endometriosis and vaginismus in women), infertility, or erectile dysfunction.
If you are experiencing any of these or any other abnormality, it is best to speak with your doctor.
