The sexual response cycle: What happens to the organs during sex?

The article was professionally consulted with Specialist Doctor I Truong Nghia Binh - Specialist in Obstetrics - Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Da Nang International General Hospital.

Although most people are interested in sex, not everyone knows how the body changes during sex. The sexual response cycle is the sequence of events that occur during sexual stimulation and performance.

The sexual response cycle is divided into four phases: Arousal, euphoria, orgasm, and relaxation. Each stage is part of a continuum of sexual response, with no definite beginning or end.
Sex therapists have coined the term “sexual response cycle” to outline an overview of what happens to each person when sexually stimulated, including intercourse, masturbation, walking head, etc. However, there is also a great deal of variation in experiences between individuals, as well as among other sexual acts. Both men and women go through all four stages, but the duration of each stage is different.
Stage One: Arousal This phase usually begins within 10 - 30 seconds of intimacy, and can last from a few minutes to many hours depending on the person and situation.
Men: The penis, and sometimes the nipples, will become slightly erect. Women: Begins to secrete lubricant. The vagina expands and lengthens. The labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, and sometimes breasts will begin to swell. Both: Heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate speed up. Stage Two: Excitement The changes that started in phase one will continue to be noticeable.
Men: The testicles are pulled up to the scrotum. The penis becomes fully erect. Women: Vaginal lips are bulging. The tissues of the vaginal wall swell due to increased blood flow, causing the vagina to narrow. The clitoris retracts, hidden under the cap. Baby's lips change color, but it's a little hard to notice. For women who have not given birth, the vaginal lips change from pink to bright red. In pregnant women, the color changes from bright red to dark purple. Both: Faster breathing and heart rate. The skin of the abdomen, chest, shoulders, neck, or face may become red or goosebumps. Muscles in the thighs, hips, arms, and buttocks tense up, which may begin to spasm.

Stage Three: Orgasm This phase is the culmination of the entire cycle, also the shortest of the four, usually lasting only a few seconds.
Men: First, semen accumulates in the urethral bulb. At this time, the man may feel that he is about to climax, or can not hold back the ejaculation anymore. Next, semen is released from the penis. Contractions also occur in the penis during orgasm. Women: Part of the vaginal wall contracts rhythmically every 0.8 seconds. The number and intensity of contractions will vary from person to person, and the uterine muscles also contract markedly. Both: Breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure continue to rise. Muscle and blood vessel tension reaches its peak. Sometimes orgasm is accompanied by a muscular reflex, such as clenched fingers or toes. Often during intercourse, the possibility of two people reaching orgasm at the same time is a rare event. Stage Four: Relaxation This is when the body begins to return to its normal resting state. This phase can last from a few minutes to 30 minutes or longer. Women usually take longer to recover than men.
Men: The penis returns to its normal flaccid state. During the resting phase, a man is unable to orgasm again. This certain amount of rest will vary from person to person, depending on age, fitness, and other factors. Women: The uterus and clitoris return to their normal positions. Some women are able to climax several times with continued sexual stimulation. Both: The swelling gradually subsides, the red areas disappear, and tight muscles begin to relax.

In general, sex is an effective form of exercise, but it depends on the level of enthusiasm and desire of each individual.
One study found that couples burned 85 calories after a casual session, averaging about 3.6 calories per minute. If you don't have sex for 150 minutes a week, then you need to be active, like cycling, walking, or dancing.
Other research shows that sex helps protect men's health. Men who orgasm regularly have a 50% lower risk of dying within 10 years.
You also don't have to worry about the risk of a heart attack or stroke from having sex too hard. According to experts, if you can climb two flights of stairs without chest pain, you are strong enough to have normal sex. The key factor in the health benefits of sex is the cuddle hormone oxytocin. This hormone has the ability to cause contractions during labor, so doctors often recommend that husbands cuddle their wives to ease the release of oxytocin during childbirth. Oxytocin is released a lot in the body during sex, even any touch of a loved one causes oxytocin to be released.
In addition to oxytocin, dopamine and serotonin are also considered happy hormones. When you and your partner are intimate, the brain releases dopamine, serotonin levels increase, and oxytocin is produced. This makes you feel a surge of pleasure.

Sex also helps us sleep better and allows the brain to relax. This is because two neurotransmitters are released during sex - Endorphin and Adrenaline. So if you're having sex, really focus on sex and let your brain relax. After being satisfied with pleasure and rest, you will feel more energetic, excited and optimistic about life.
Understanding how the body changes during sex can help to fully enjoy the sexual experience. However, if this knowledge is combined with a number of other sexual skills, including communicating with each other before, during and after sex, it will help both satisfy each other's desires and make sex also become easier. should be better.
Vinmec International General Hospital with a system of modern facilities, medical equipment and a team of experts and doctors with many years of experience in medical examination and treatment, patients can rest assured to visit. examination and treatment at the Hospital.

Reference source: webmd.com