Sexual Arousal and Response Flashcards
key structures
− Cerebral cortex: higher mental processes
− Limbic system: various sites linked to sexual behavior
− Neurotransmitters: dopamine facilitates and serotonin inhibits
sexual arousal and activity
All sensory systems can contribute to arousal
− Touch tends to predominate
Primary erogenous zones
Secondary erogenous zones
− Vision is the second dominate
Men self-report higher arousal to visual stimuli
Women and men have similar physiological responses
Smell may arouse or offend
pheromones
Taste plays a minor role
Partly influenced by industry advertisements
Hearing plays a variable role
Some find sound arousing
Others prefer silence
Aphrodisiacs
Substances believed to arouse sexual desire or increase capacity for
sexual activity
− Foods, drugs, and alcohol
* No clear evidence of genuine aphrodisiac qualities
− Role of expectations: if a person believes something will improve
their sex life, it is often translated into subjective enhancement
pleasure
Inhibit sexual behavior
Drugs
Opiates, tranquilizers, antihypertensives, antidepressants, etc.
− Birth control pills
Reduce blood levels of free testosterone
− Nicotine
Constricts blood flow
Possibly reduces circulating testosterone
Steroid hormones
− Androgens (including testosterone)
Produced by testes, adrenal glands, and ovaries
− Estrogens
Produced by ovaries and testes
− Women and men produce both types
Neuropeptide hormones
Oxytocin
Testosterone
− Linked to sexual desire and genital sensitivity
− Castration leads to reduced sexual desire
− Antiandrogen drugs reduce testosterone
− Hypogonadism is a testosterone deficiency that results from
certain endocrine system diseases
Sex Hormones in Female Sexual Behavior
Estrogen
− Overall link between estrogen and female sexual behavior is
unclear
− Estrogen therapy (ET): can lead to sexual benefits (e.g.,
heightened lubrication and desire
testosterone
Important libido-facilitating hormone in females
How Much Testosterone Is Necessary?
For normal sexual functioning
− Forms of testosterone: attached and unattached
Unattached testosterone is linked to libido
Women have less testosterone, but their cells are more sensitive to it
− Too much testosterone is linked to adverse effects
− Testosterone levels decrease with age
Fairly rapid decrease for women at menopause; more gradual decline
for men
Testosterone replacement therapy: supplements
Oxytocin and Sexual Behavior
Secreted during cuddling and physical intimacy
− Increased skin sensitivity
− Associated with orgasmic release
− Facilitates emotional and erotic bonding
− Linked to social attachment
Kaplan’s three-stage model
Desire, excitement, and orgasm
Bancroft and Janssen’s dual control model
Sexual response results from a balance between excitatory and
inhibitory processes
Masters and Johnson’s four-phase model
Excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution
The Grafenberg Spot
Area of erotic sensitivity on lower front wall of vagina
− Sensitive to pressure
− Sometimes results in ejaculation of fluid
− Located by systematic palpation of the entire front wall of the
vagina
Females Aging and the Sexual Response Cycle
Older females: response cycle continues but with decreased intensity
− Excitement: vaginal lubrication begins more slowly, reduced
amount
− Plateau: decreased vagina flexibility
− Orgasm: number of uterine contractions decrease
− Resolution: occurs more rapidly
Males Aging and the Sexual Response Cycle
Older males: response cycle continues but with changes in intensity
and duration of response
− Excitement: more stimulation to obtain erection
− Plateau: able to sustain plateau phase longer
− Orgasm: reduced muscular contractions and force of ejaculation
− Resolution: occurs more rapidly and refractory period lengthens
Differences Between the Sexes in
Sexual Response
Greater variability in female response
− See Figures 6.3 and 6.4
* Male refractory period
− Certain minimum time must elapse after orgasm before another
climax
* Multiple orgasms
− More than one orgasm within a short time period
− Most women have the capacity for multiple orgasms