Sexual Response Flashcards
What are the 5 stages of the sexual response?
Desire Arousal/Excitement Plateau Orgasm Resolution
What is desire?
Spontaneous sexual interest
What is arousal, and what are some of the physiological responses it involves?
The body's physical response to desire. Flushing due to vasodilation Nipple erection Breast enlargement Vasocongestion of vaginal walls Vaginal lubrication, lengthening and widening Tumescence of labia and clitoris Elevation of cervix and uterus Erection of penis Scrotum thickens and testes rise into perineum
What is plateau, and what are some of its characteristics?
The period of sexual excitement prior to orgasm.
Increased heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, muscle tension
Sense of impending orgasm
Closure of internal urethral sphincter in the man and secretion of pre-ejaculatory fluid from the bulbo-urethral glands
What is orgasm?
Orgasm is the conclusion of the plateau phase with the release of sexual tension and endorphins.
What is involved in orgasm?
Rapid cycles of muscle contraction
Peak in respiratory rate, blood pressure, heart rate
Euphoric sensation due to release of endorphins
What is it called when males have a period of time after ejaculation where they can’t regain an erection?
Refractory period
What is resolution, and what are its characteristics?
Relaxation. Men have a compulsory refractory period that increases with age Feelings of relaxation and drowsiness Nipples and penis soften Testes drop Detumescence Cervix opens and drops into vagina
What are three psychosocial factors that affect female sexual functioning?
Satisfaction with relationship
Self image
Previous sexual experience
What are the two types of desire?
Responsive, spontaneous
What are the effects of ageing on the female sexual response?
Vaginal dryness
Reduced vascular engorgement of labia
Reduced muscle tension
Reduced libido
What are the effects of ageing on the male sexual response?
Delayed and less firm erections
More direct stimulation needed to achieve erection
Longer excitement stage and interval to orgasm
Longer refractory period
Why would premature ejaculation be more likely in younger men?
Increased alcohol intake
Lack of sleep
Performance anxiety
What might cause difficulties in consultations about sexual health?
Embarrassment
Lack of language to describe emotions/sensations/body parts
Need to be clear on language and exactly where it hurts
May take a long time for someone to come to a sexual health clinic
Don’t make assumptions on what is normal
What 4 things is it important NOT to assume in a consultation?
That the experience is with a partner
That the partner is the opposite gender
That orgasm is a good experience
That you’re not getting distracted by your own experiences or emotions
What were some findings of the National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyle (NATSAL-3)?
Percentage of people who’ve had same sex experiences is increasing.
Percentage of people who’ve had sex under 16 is increasing.
1 in 5 people in a relationship said they’re partner had sexual difficulties in the last year.
What are the four different classifications for sexual dysfunction?
Lifelong
Acquired
Situational
Generalised
What is the name for lack or absence of sexual fantasies and desire for sexual activity?
Hypoactive sexual desire
What are the three types of causal factors for sexual dysfunction, and what are some examples of each?
Predisposing factors (e.g poor sex education, restrictive upbringing, traumatic early sexual experiences) Precipitating factors (e.g relationship discord, infidelity, depression, ageing) Maintaining factors (e.g performance anxiety, poor communication, guilt, loss of attraction, depression)
What is it called when penetration can’t be achieved due to muscle spasm, and what can cause this?
Vaginismus (can be caused by abuse, anxiety, pain leading to phobia)
What is a persistent or recurrent delay in or absence of an orgasm called in a female, and what can cause it?
Female anorgasmia, can result from fear of losing control, unmet physical and emotional needs, hang-ups from upbringing (e.g religion)
What is premature ejactulation?
Recurrently, ejaculation before it is wished
What is persistent delay or absence of orgasm in a male called, and what can cause it?
Male orgasmic disorder, can be caused by sexual trauma, hostility, lack of trust
What is the inability to maintain or achieve an erection until completion of sexual activity called, and what are some causes?
Erectile dysfunction, can be due to drugs, alcohol, HIV, diabetes, spinal cord lesions, cardiovascular disease
