Sexual Response Cycle (Exam 4) Flashcards
what is the name of a sexual disorder for women?
sexual interest/arousal disorder
what are two sexual disorders for men?
male hyposexual disorder, erectile disorder
what is the orgasmic disorder for women?
female orgasmic disorder
what are the orgasmic disorders for men?
premature ejaculation, delayed ejaculation
what are the sexual pain disorders for men and women?
genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder
true or false: the sexual response cycle of humans is mostly linear
false; men’s is mostly linear but about half of women experience a more circular cycle
what is the progression of steps in a linear sexual response cycle?
desire, excitement (arousal), plateau, orgasm, resolution - sometimes arousal precedes desire
according to the self-reported study what are the 3 most common sexual dysfunctions for women that are typically experienced together?
lacked interest in sex, inability to reach orgasm, and lack of pleasure during sex
according to the self-reported study what are the two most common sexual dysfunctions for men?
trouble maintaining or achieving an erection and reaching orgasm too quickly
sexual desire is difficult to measure, how do they do it?
ask questions such as how often do you think of sex, what are your masturbation rates, and how much sex would you like?
what are the four categories of what triggers sexual desire (found in a study of only women)?
emotional bonding cues, explicit erotic cues, evolutionary-based cues, and romantic/implicit cues
what are the sex hormones that are produced in different amounts for men and women?
androgens, estrogen, progesterone
what are two types of androgens?
testosterone, dihydrotestosterone
what are the three types of estrogen and which is the most powerful in women?
estradiol, estriol, estrone; estradiol is most powerful in women
where are hormones produced in humans?
males: testes and adrenal glands
females: ovaries and adrenal glands
what role do sex hormones play in sexual desire of men?
- estrogen and progesterone have a little effect
- androgens (T) are the most important
true or false: high levels of Estrogen inhibit sexual desire among male sex offenders
true; it is likely because it suppresses T
true or false: levels of T in humans increases in anticipation of sexual contact
true; island man beard growth test
true or false: castration decreases sexual interest in men and is irriversable
false; it can be reversed with T replacement
true or false: levels of sexual desire in men are variable based on levels of T
false; the amount of T is irrelevant, it is the receptors that read T that are important and limited
what role to sex hormones play sexual desire of women?
- estrogen and progesterone play a minimal role
- T plays an important role
though estrogen has little effect in sexual desire of women, it has a secondary effect, what is that?
low E decreases vaginal lubrication which can decrease sexual desire
what is the “normal” range of free T women ages 18-46 have?
1.3 - 6.8 pictograms per milliliter
starting at puberty, males produce how much T per day?
300 - 1,000 pictograms per milliliter per day
what is an oophorectomy and what effect can it have?
the removal or ovaries and it can decrease desire which can be restored with T
true or false: some oral contraceptives decrease T and impair desire in women
true; because the SHBG in some birth control attaches to T so the body can’t read it
in the long distance monogamous relationship study on T levels, when were the levels of T the highest in women?
the day before they reunited with their partner
true or false: in women, sexual desire is influenced by T but androgens alone are not sufficient for sexual desire
true
true or false: androgen antagonists consistently suppress libido in women
false
in what way are aphrodisiacs most effective?
via placebo
why are placebos so powerful in sex?
they change expectancies
what possible secondary effect can antihistamines have on sex drive
they can dry out mucous membranes in vaginal tissue
what effect can alcohol have in sex?
small amounts can disinhibit inhibitory mechanisms, but larger amounts can impair performance
what effect can marijuana have on sex?
varies by person, anxiety vs. relaxation
what effect can methamphetamine have on sex?
claimed to intensify pleasure while partners say the opposite and damages the dopamine system making orgasm unattainable
what effect can cocaine have on sex?
increases the dopamine system, can enhance sensations at moderate doses but sexual dysfunction at higher doses
what effect can MDMA (ecstasy) have on sex?
increases sexual arousal, repeated use leads to sexual dysfunction by impairing the serotonin system
what are four psychological factors impacting sexual desire?
depression, childhood sexual abuse, stress/anxiety, and body image
what is “spectatoring”
out of body experience caused by being distracted, worrying about body, whether you’re being judged
what are relationship factors that influence sexual desire?
communication, anger, lack of trust, lack of connection, lack of emotional intimacy, lack of sexual skill, loss of attraction, unrealistic expectations
true or false: culture and religion strongly influence both how humans feel about their sexuality and how they express it
true
sexual desire and function can decrease with what aspects?
age, health, medication use, depression, loss of sexual partner, smoking/alcohol
what are some symptoms of hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD)
little to no interest in sexual activity, few to no sexual thoughts or fantasies, disinterest in initiating sex, difficulty getting pleasure, lack of pleasurable sensations
what are three treatments for hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD)?
- counseling to deal with emotions, increase communication, and identify pleasurable techniques
- estrogen supplementation for women with low E
- drug treatments like flibanserin and bremelanotide
(Last two only beneficial if she has lower T levels than normal)
what are the two components to sexual arousal?
psychological and physiological
true or false: humans have a very close correlation between their psychological and physiological arousal
false; men do but women don’t
what does a strain gage do?
measures the blood flowing into erectile tissue which changes in circumference
what are the two cylindrical bodies in erectile tissue that fill with blood to create an erection?
corpora cavernosa (single ventral body) and corpus spongiosum (containing the urethra)
each corpora in erectile tissue is composed of many small compartments separated by muscle tissue which are called what?
trabeculae
what separates corpora cavernosa and allows blood to flow freely from one side to the other?
a narrow septum
what is the bulbocavernosus muscle?
the muscle that covers the corpus spongiosum and contracts to facilitate the expulsion of semen or urine through the urethra
what is the other name for the “head” of the penis and what is it made of?
the glans made from the expansion of the corpus spongiosum
what is the scrotum?
loose sac within which testes are suspended by the spermatic cord
what does the scrotum contain?
vas defrens blood vessels, nerves, and cremaster muscle which raises and lowers the testicles
what is the muscle in the middle layer of the scrotum that contracts in response to temperature changes?
dartos muscle
what is the primary function of testes?
the production of spermatozoa and testosterone
each testicle is divided into many lobes filled with what?
winding seminiferous tubules
in the connective tissue between the seminiferous tubules which cells produce T?
leydig cells
T levels vary slightly with what?
stress, time, and day/month
what glands keep T levels relatively stable?
endocrine glands (hypothalamus, pituitary)
from the – –, the developing sperm cells pass into convoluted duct system –, and are finally transported from the testes via – –
seminiferous tubules, epididymis, vas deferens
what is semen and where is it formed?
sperm mixed with fluids from the prostate, seminal vesicle, and cowper’s gland created in transport from the testes to the urethra
sperm is moved by the contraction of – and – – and once they are mobile they propel themselves whipping their tails
epididymis and vas deferens
true or false: there are 200 - 500 million sperm per teaspoon of semen
true
how does erection work?
during sexual arousal, nerves release chemicals that increase blood flow into two erection chambers in the penis, the spongy erectile tissue relax and trap blood and the blood pressure in the chambers make the penis firm
to be diagnosed with erectile dysfunction (ED) the DSM5 criteria is at lease one of the three criteria which are?
- marked difficulty obtaining erection during sex
- marked difficulty maintaining an erection until completion of sexual act
- marked decrease in erectile rigidity
what are the three other criteria to be diagnosed with erectile dysfunction (ED) by DSM5?
- problems for a minimum of 6 months
- causes significant distress
- not better explained by nonsexual mental disorder, relationship distress, other stressor, substance/meds
what percentage of men experience occasional erectile failure?
50 - 80%
true or false: cycling can cause nerve damage via pressure to the testes and cause impotence
true
smoking and alcohol can damage what system which can lead to ED?
the nitric oxide system which is chemical in erectile response and helps keep blood in the penis
low T can rarely cause ED but only if what?
if its critically low
how does alcohol effect erectile ability?
more alcohol leads to slower blood flow to penis
true or false: at a blood alcohol content of .75 there is a total decrease in erectile response
true
true or false: ED is equal in those who smoke vs. those who never have
false; in smokers ED is 2x higher
true or false: nicotine causes a decreased erectile response, and decreased blood flow to genital in women
true
true or false: when men use viagra it causes a psychological effect where they begin to rely on it, believing they can’t get an erection without it
true
what is Barlow’s cognitive model for sexual function and dysfunction?
sex cues lead to reflection of past experiences positive or negative and they are either exciting or a self fulfilling prophecy leading to inability
what are the reasons porn causes ED according to the Dr. Oz clip?
instant gratification and unrealistic expectations, desensitization requires more to achieve arousal, numbing of dopamine
what are some treatments for ED?
treat low T, PDE 5 inhibators like viagra, alprostadil injection into corpus cavernosum, vacuum constriction devices
what is the way to tell if ED is a psychological or physiological problem?
If yes to either, its psychological
1. can you attain an erection during masturbation
2. do you have nocturnal erections
what are the implants that can be done for ED?
flexible rod implant or inflatable penile implant
true or false: sexual desire and arousal are synonymous
false; desire is a prerequisite
what are the theories as to why women’s psych and physio arousal have a lower correlation than men?
because erection is very noticeable while women’s is not, men use and hold their penis to pee from a young age while women are not
if psychological arousal for women is not very related to physio, what does it rely on?
feelings towards the partner, the environment, etc.
what is the primary function of the clitorus?
sensory, full of nerves
what is the only part of the clitoris that is visible?
the glans
what is the internal part of the clitoris and how long is it?
the clitoral shaft which is about 1” long by 1/4” wide
what is the perineum?
area between posterior boundary of the labia and anus
what is the name of the vaginal opening?
introitus
what is the name of the fold of tissue across the vaginal opening?
hymen
what short tube connects the urethral opening to the bladder?
ureter
in an unaroused state what does the vagina resemble?
collapsed tube shaped like the letter S
true or false: during arousal the vagina increases up to 50% in length and diameter
true
what muscle surrounds the outer 1/3 - 1/2 of the vagina and is sensitive to stimulation, and starts and stops the flow of urination?
pubococcygeus muscle
the entire vagina is lined with what cells that are the source of vaginal lubrication?
the squamous epithelium cells
what causes vaginal lubrication?
as the vaginal tissue fills with blood it squeezes the squamous epithelial cells which release lubriation
what is the cervix?
passageway between the vagina and uterus
what is the name of the opening in the middle of the cervix that is normally the width of the straw that expands during childbirth?
os
true or false: sperm passed from the vagina to the uterus through the cervical canal
true
what is the uterus?
organ in which a fertilized ovum implants and develops until birth, it is a hollow muscular structure approximately 3” long x 3” wide
ovaries are on each side of the uterus attached by what?
ovarian ligaments
what do ovaries do?
secrete hormones (E, progesterone, T) and release ova necessary for conception and birth
what hormone stimulates the ovary to release ovum?
luteinizing hormone (LH)
estrogen and progesterone work together to do what?
regulate menstrual cycle
ovum are transported into the uterine cavity by what?
the fimbria of the fallopian tubes
what is vasocongenstion?
blood flowing into the genitals swelling the clitoris, labia majora, labia minora, and causes the vagina to expand in length and diameter by 50%
what is the parasympathetic nervous system responsible for?
bringing the body back down to equilibrium
what is the sympathetic nervous system responsible for?
fight or flight
what did Dr. Meston discover in her study on exercise?
that optimal level of exercise increases genital arousal in women except women who have CSA and PTSD because they already have a high base of sympathetic response to begin with
what are some treatments of impaired arousal in women?
topical lubricants, estrogen creams, eros clitoral therapy device
does exercise help women on antidepressants with sexual arousal
yes, it activates the sympathetic nervous system to facilitate blood flow into genitals
why can there not be a viagra for women?
the viagra couldn’t beat the placebo, though it can increase blood flow to the genitals it doesn’t help the psychological arousal
what are the two components of female orgasm?
psychological experience and physiological changes
the greater the level of –, the greater the perceived intensity of orgasm
oxytocin
what hormone plays a large role in maternal pair bonding?
oxytocin
true or false: oxytocin rich brain area releases more oxytocin during sex in nonmonogamy
false; monogamy
what contracts in the body during orgasm?
orgasmic platform (outer 1/3rd of vagina), rectal sphincter, uterus/cervix, other muscles legs, back, etc.
true or false: men and women both have refractory periods after orgasm
false; women do not have one and are capable of multiple orgasms
true or false: young men have a range of lengths of refractory periods
true
what is the G-spot?
the Grafenburg spot, highly sensitive to pressure and is believed to be located on the anterior of the vagina
true or false: the G-spot can only be located in about 10% of women
false; about half of women can locate it
among women who have the G-spot, what percent experience discharge of fluid from the urethra during orgasm?
10%
what are the three different types of fluid that a small number of women expel through the urethra during orgasm?
urine, diluted urine filling empty bladder “squirting”, milky-white, mucous-like liquid “female ejaculation”
what enzymes characteristic of secretions from male prostate gland is present in female ejaculation? (2)
prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) and prostatic specific antigen (PSA)
where does female ejaculation secrete from?
paraurethral glands - small glands that open into urethra about 1” from urethral opening
what is the most common/easiest way to trigger orgasm in women?
clitoral stimulation
what percentage of orgasmic women can achieve an orgasm from vaginal stimulation?
about 60%
what are 5 other ways to achieve orgasm for women?
G-spot or cervical stimulation, pressure applied to the mons pubis, breast/nipple stimulation, fantasy/imagery, and masturbation
what are the 2 reasons its easier for women to achieve orgasm via masturbation easier than with a partner?
- they know themselves
- no performance anxiety
true or false: there is a true cause of not orgasming that isn’t medical
false; there is no evidence besides medical - the women just haven’t learned what they like
true or false: gay men and lesbian women are who orgasm the most
false: heterosexual men, gay men, and bi men orgasm the most
true or false: heterosexual women are the demographic that orgasm the least
true
what is a very important factor in orgasmic ability?
communicating sexual needs
what are the relationship factors related to orgasmic ability
compatibility, contentment, and communication
the distance between what two external sex organs varies a woman’s ability to orgasm?
clitoris and urethral opening
if the distance between the clitoris and the urethral opening is 2 cm or less a woman is – likely to attain orgasm during intercourse
highly likely
if the distance between the clitoris and the urethral opening is 3 cm or more a woman is – likely to attain orgasm during intercourse
less likely
who believed her clitoris was too far from her vaginal opening and did a study to prove the distance affected orgasmic rate
Marie Bonaparte
what are the top three reasons women fake orgasms?
- quick way to end sex
- make partner feel good about themself
- to help attain an orgasm by acting it out
what are the criteria according to the DSM-5 for female orgasmic disorder?
on at least 75% of sexual occasions:
- delay in or absence of orgasm
- reduced intensity of orgasmic sensations
- causes distress
- not due to any medical illness or other disorder
what is the treatment for female orgasmic disorder?
directed masturbation: education, self-exploration, and guided masturbation with a 88% - 90% success rate
true or false: the psychological experience of orgasm in men and women is undifferentiated
true
orgasm in men is accompanied by two genital events, usually together, which are?
emission and ejaculation
what is emission?
semen released into the urethra
what is ejaculation?
semen expelled from the urethral opening
what is a dry orgasm?
orgasm without ejaculation
what is the DSM-5 criteria for delayed ejaculation?
- delay, infrequency, or absence of orgasm on at least 75% of sexual occasions
- causes distress
- not due to medical illness or other disorder
what is the DSM-5 criteria for early ejaculation?
- tendency to ejaculate during partnered sexual activity within one minute of penile insertion on at least 75% or occasions
- causes distress
- not due to medical illness or other disorder
about what percent of men experience early ejaculation at some point in their lives/occasionally?
30-40%
what are some of the physiological causes of early ejaculation?
underlying erectile dysfunction, hormonal problems, low serotonin or dopamine, extra sensitive penis
what are some psychological causes of early ejaculation?
performance anxiety, lack of awareness of sensations before ejaculations, porn teaches to orgasm quickly, stress, relationship problems, depression
what is goal-focused masturbation?
frequent porn teaches body to orgasm quickly
what are some treatments for premature ejaculation?
drugs (antidepressants), stop-start technique, squeeze technique
women usually expect to date – – as long as men before having sex
2 times
what is one of the most common causes of sexual conflict in a relationship and what’s the best way to avoid it?
frequency of sex, date someone with a similar sex drive
what is hypoactive sexual desire disorder?
clinically low sex drive, diagnosed if it causes distress to the person
true or false: in the “attachment” phases of dating partners can form a misguided belief that they have a matching sex drive
false; this occurs in the infatuation stage
why is the “attachment” phase considered “too late” in terms of sex drive?
this phase is calmer than infatuation and the pair is already bonded so if their sex drive is incompatible there will be tension
what is the number one sexual complaint by women?
desire problems
what are the 5 theories as to why men have a higher sex drive than women?
- men’s high levels of androgens and other hormones
- men socialized to initiate sex and believe it is what successful men do
- men evolutionarily seek quantity
- anatomically men’s erection not always sexual but can become
- men have more sexual fantasies (probably from T)
what are some ST factors that can decrease women’s sex drive?
tired, child care, no privacy
what are some LT biological factors that can decrease a woman’s sex drive?
hormone changes, pregnancy, medication, health
what are some relationship factors that can decrease sex drive?
decrease in attraction to partners, sex boredom/frustration, relationship conflict
what are the 3 categories of sex hormones?
progesterone, estrogen, androgens
which two sex hormones are critical to women’s sex interest?
estrogen and androgen
what is progesterone’s purpose?
prepares the uterine lining for implantation of fertilized egg, has no significant role in sex drive but if there is too much it can cause PMS which can decrease sex drive
what is the purpose of estrogen?
protects the bones and heart, its responsible for vaginal lubrication in female sexual arousal, plumps vaginal tissue which increases pleasure from stimulation
what is the purpose of androgens in women?
produced in the ovaries and adrenal gland, determines females amount of masturbation, sex fantasies, and sex activity desire because it increases sensation in the clitoris and nipples and being turned on
true or false: there is a specific amount of T needed for a healthy sex drives
false; some women have less than average T and a high sex drive while others have normal levels of T and a decreased sex drive
in post menopausal women with a low sex drive what can help?
if they have low T levels, taking T in pills, creams, etc. can help
during pregnancy what happens to the bodies level of estrogen and progesterone and what effect does that have on sex drive?
estrogen and progesterone don’t fluctuate like usual - stay high to prepare for milk production and thick uterine lining; this high level of E leads to sexual arousal BUT P leads to feelings of tiredness and crankiness
what effect can breast-feeding have on sex drive?
oxytocin increases from child-mother bonding which suppresses T and decreases sex drive
after birth estrogen levels drop leading to what?
dampens mood and can cause Postpartum Depression
evolutionarily why may pregnancy and birth decrease sex drive and dampen mood?
it is a birth-spacing method so they don’t have too many kids which can cause resources to be spread too thin
why does parenthood possibly decrease sex drive forever?
they are in parent-mode
why do antidepressants effect sexual functioning?
they increase serotonin levels but too much overwhelms the receptors and suppresses sexual functioning
what is the possible sexual effect of taking high blood pressure meds and antihistamines?
can decrease the blood flow to genitals and dry out vaginal membrane
what are some changes to a partner that can decrease attraction by men and women?
weight change, bad hygiene, decrease status and weatth, etc.
true or false: in long term relationships there is no evidence of a change in the woman’s sex drive
false; it usually decrease unless she got a new partner
what is the cycle of fighting and sexual desire?
fighting -> decrease sexual desire -> fighting
what can be a negative result of lesbians matched levels of intimacy?
they have so much that boundaries and individuality disappear
true or false: everyone has experienced unwanted sex at least once
true
what percentage of wives and husbands have “usually” or “always” complied to having sex when they didn’t want to?
84% of wives an 64% of husbands
according to Ysex what are the 3 main reasons for women to comply to unwanted sex?
- maintains the relationship
- felt it was their duty
- felt it was a “nice” thing to do
what are approach-motivated behaviors?
done to achieve a positive or pleasurable experience, feels good to make the decision (ex: having sex to make partner feel good)
what are avoidance-motivated behaviors?
done to avoid a negative or painful outcome, feels shameful/remorse after (ex: having sex to avoid partner leaving)
is it a good idea to say yes to unwanted sex?
as long as the decision is approach-motivated and NOT avoidance-motivated
what is self esteem?
a person’s sense of value or worth of themselves
is human’s self worth/esteem linked to sexual experience?
yes because sexual access is linked to reproductive success
why are women’s self esteems influenced by how they feel about their own bodies?
evolutionarily looks are linked to fertility
women who have a lower body image and negative views of themselves lead to what effect?
they have lower sex drive, more arousal problems, difficulty orgasming, fewer sex partners and experiment less OR they have more sex to boost self esteem
in what way do sexual decisions effect social esteem?
people have sex to increase popularity by sleeping with a high value mate, make people like them, to fit in, or to increase self-perceived value
what parental situation leads to higher self esteem in kids?
high parental support and healthy monitoring
if someone’s self esteem depends on if someone romantically loves them what is the possible result?
if they break up they could become depression, decrease their self worth, mourning
in what way could sex for some women lead to power?
they beat other intrasexual competition, “earning” high mate value partner
why do women enjoy the romance book category?
they imagine having sexual control because the male protagonist has intense passion and desire for her which equals his fidelity
true or false: the women who enjoy consensual sexual submission have lower self esteem
false; they usually have the highest self esteem and are independent - is is feminine power not weakness
true or false: sexual submission is linked to gaining control for women
true; it can increase some women’s sexual desire
true or false: women who submit sexually mostly do it to punish themselves
false; very few do this
true or false: the willingness to have casual sex with a stranger is more or less equivalent for genders across cultures
false; it varies greatly
what is a sociosexual orientation?
individual preference for LT, ST, infidelity, mate poaching, etc.
what is the reason why men have evolved larger testes?
consequence of sperm competition between 2+ sperm in the woman’s tract therefore they needed large ejaculates containing numerous sperm to increase chances
what is the evidence that ancestrally women had sex with multiple men over a few days?
men’s larger testes to compete over other sperm
when separating heterosexual partners, the sperm count increased when they finally had sex - why might this be?
ancestrally if the couples were separated the woman may have an affair therefore the man’s sperm needs to beat possible competition
true or false: women’s orgasm may function to suck sperm from the vagina into the cervical canal and uterus to increase chance of getting pregnant
false; orgasms can cause more sperm retention but women do not always orgasm
women are – likely to orgasm and have sperm retaining orgasms with their affair partner than with their husband
2 times more (may be due to time of ovulation which increases affair chance)
what motivates sexual intercourse in men?
lust evolved as a powerful desire of variety thought they may not act on it
adjusting for factors such as equality, in their lifetimes men vs. women wanted how many sexual partners?
men wanted about 18 and women wanted about 4-5
true or false: men show a variety of eagerness to having sex depending on the length of time they’ve known the person
false; they showed equal eagerness for the times
what is the coolidge effect?
men’s tendency to be sexually re-aroused when presented with a novel female but not with the same female
what’s the change in sex frequency at 1 month of marriage vs. 1 year?
at 1 year sex is half as frequent as 1 month
what are the differences between male and female sexual fantasies?
men usually fantasize about access to multiple eager, beautiful, young women while women fantasize about someone familiar - men focus on the visual women focus on the feelings and emotions
true or false: men more than women regretted committed sex actions while women more than men regretted missing sex opportunities
false; opposite
what is the “closing time effect”?
closer to losing sexual access people become more attractive, mostly in men but women experience too - alcohol or not
why may some men view sexual partner as unattractive immediately after orgasm?
to ensure he doesn’t commit
prostitution is the result of what?
sexual conflict between men and women in terms of frequency
women’s ST sexual advantage to casual sex can’t be reproductive because sperm has never been scarce - what may be some advantages?
- immediate access to resources
- evaluate potential husbands via an affair
- evaluate sexual compatibility for a LT relationship
- in exchange for protection
- get better genetics for kids
in the Trobriand Islands women refuse sex unless what?
men give a gift
what are other reasons women will participate in prostitution besides material gain?
if they are unmarriable or to avoid marriage
what are some circumstances favorable to casual sex for women?
they didn’t have a father so they think men are unreliable, they weren’t guarded by stepdad, as an experiment strategy, when there is a decrease in investing men, in cultures where food is shared equally decreases incentive to marry
what are some circumstances to casual sex for men?
when there are many available women and when they are not yet marriage material so they wait until they are
true or false: men are more pleasure driven in sex than women are
false
what is a woman’s largest sex organ?
skin
what are erogenous zones?
areas of the skin that are highly responsive to stimulation which leads to sexual arousal/pleasure
what causes nipples to become erect?
breasts/nipples stimulated through touch or massage causes blood to flow into breast tissue and tiny muscle fibers - sensitivity varies some find it painful
true or false: men have less nipple arousal than women
true
are smaller or larger breasts more sensitive?
smaller
when not in an aroused state small drops of lubrication seep through vaginal tissue to do what?
to keep the inside of the vagina from sticking together
what is a vaginal photoplethysmograph?
clear plastic “tampon” containing photosensitive cells that measure the amount of light reflected from vaginal walls and measures genital arousal
where are the nerve endings in the vagina located?
the outer portion near opening
inside the vagina what receptors are found and what do they respond to?
sensory receptors respond to intense pressure
what are the 2 internal areas of sexual pleasure in the vagina?
cervix (pressure sensitive) and G-spot
where is the G-spot located?
between the vagina and the urethra
what positions increase the chance of hitting the G-spot?
rear entry and woman on top
according to Masters and Johnson what is a “mild orgasm”?
average 3-5 vaginal contractions each 2.4-4 seconds long
according to Masters and Johnson what is a “normal orgasm”?
4-8 vaginal contractions each 4-6.4 seconds long
according to Masters and Johnson what is a “intense orgasm”?
8-12 vaginal contractions each 4-9.5 seconds long
what is a theory as to why women’s orgasm involve contractions?
may be to dissipate genital vasocongestion
what hormone level doubles immediately following an orgasm in humans and is likely responsible for men;s refractory period?
prolactin
true or false: if stimulation stops both men and women’s orgasms halted
false; men’s can occur even if stopped
what is the exact trigger of orgasms in women?
unknown but can be induced many ways
what are the 2 most common reasons women have problems orgasming?
- not enough stimulation
- something distracting them
true or false: societal expectations for men and women’s sexual pleasure effect how much they actually enjoy
true
in the Mangaian people, men only held in high esteem if he can do what?
if he can give 2-3 orgasms to his wife
how does the anatomy of the vagina effect sperm selection?
the expanded vagina during arousal acts as a temporary barrier to sperm entering the uterus
women have an easier time orgasming if the man has what quality? why might this be?
if he’s symmetrical - might be that orgasm helps select good genes
when is the optimal time for a woman to orgasm in order to get the most sperm through?
right after ejaculation
how may contractions in women help men?
they may facilitate ejaculation in men
what evolutionary reasons may women’s orgasm have evoved?
to motivate her to have sex to reproduce and to show men’s generosity if he’s willing to please her
who is the father of Neurology?
Thomas Willis
during orgasm the body releases oxytocin which triggers the release of what?
endorphins that resemble morphine which can be used as a pain reliever
stimulating the G-spot raised the pain threshold by –% and during orgasm women could endure –% more pain
40%, 75%
why can sex ease menstrual cramps?
during menstruation the uterine lining produces prostaglandin hormones to stimulate contractions and cause cramps, during orgasm the uterus uses up the extra prostaglandinst
true or false: sex can shorten periods
true; orgasm contractions can expel blood more quickly
why can masturbation or sex decrease chance of endometriosis?
intercourse flushes out debris
why is sex used as a sleep aid?
endorphins and prolactin released during orgasm which relax the mind
why may prolactin cause women to be sleepy?
so she will lay still and allow sperm to fertalize eggs
true or false: anxiety is a sexual impediment in men and women
false; it can impair erection but sometimes turns on women and increases arousal
why are women more likely to have depression?
their hormones fluctuate during events like pregnancy, periods, and puberty
what percent of women and men will get depression in their lifetimes?
20% of women and 10% of men
what are the three neurotransmitters linked to mood?
serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine
if the production of neurotransmitters effecting mood is compromised what can happen?
the limbic system may malfunction which changes emotions, sex drive, sleep, etc.
how can stress lead to depression?
causes adrenal glands to secrete more cortisol which can increase metabolism but prolonged cortisol leads to depression - E can increase cortisol production and prevent production from stopping may be why more women than men
true or false: women who are not depressed masturbate more than depressed women
false; “self-help” no pressure
what is a positive effect of sex without a condom?
semen contains mood altering hormones like E and prostaglandins which can make women happier and less likely to have depression
loneliness is a common cause of depression so many seek sex to help, does it work?
if its to fill loneliness it can be disappointing to have ST sex but it can prevent self destructive behaviors and boost confidence
how are sex and longevity related in men and women?
women who enjoyed sex (quality) lived longer, men who had more sex (quantity) lived longer - likely because sex releases E and T which decreases risk of heart problems
why does moderate levels of sex boost immune system functioning?
the release of Immunoglobulin (IgA) binds to pathogens in body and barrier against disease - but too much not good
what can sex improve in the body?
sense of smell, bladder control, prevent vaginal atrophy, release T and E to fortify bones and smooth hair and skin
