Oscar Wilde once said, “Everything is sex except sex. Sex is about power.” He was wrong, though. Sex is about science. And sure, it’s probably the last thing that comes into your mind when you hear about lovemaking, but hear us out.
First of all, did you know that sexual activity can significantly improve your overall health? Among its benefits, we can include lower blood pressure, increased heart health, better sleep, or a stronger immune system.
Secondly, everything that happens to your body during sex is connected to your sexual response cycle. It’s the process that allows you to feel sexual pleasure and reach orgasm. In a nutshell, your body and brain are going through a hell of a ride to make sure you reach the most satisfying climax possible. How awesome is that?
Sex experts usually divide the process into four phases, starting from the moment you feel turned on, to the satisfying end. Below, we’ll discuss the changes a woman’s body goes through during each sexual response phase.
Stage 1: Sexual Desire
It doesn’t take much to feel turned on. Or at least you think it doesn’t. Even though it takes fractions of seconds, your brain sends to your entire body various impulses, triggering sexual excitement.
Almost immediately, you want to get physical with your partner or masturbate if you’re single (here’s where dildos and inflatable anal toys come in handy). And while the process may start differently depending on a person, usually it goes like this:
- Your heart rate and breathing accelerate.
- Muscle tension increases.
- Nipples become hardened.
- Vaginal lubrication occurs.
- Your body releases nitric oxide increasing blood flow – clitoris and labia minora start swelling.
- Breasts become fuller and vaginal walls begin to swell.
Stage 2: Plateau
If we treated phase one as hunger, stage two is like a starter before the main course. Plateau, simply known as arousal, is when things get even more interesting. Everything you
started to feel before intensifies, and some new responses occur, making things even more fun.
Here’s how women’s bodies react:
- Breathing, heart rate, and blood flow continue to increase.
- The vagina continues to swell.
- The clitoris becomes highly sensitive – sometimes, it may even be painful to touch.
- Muscles tense up even more, and they are followed by feet, hands, and facial spasms.
- The clitoris retracts under the clitoral hood to avoid direct stimulation from the penis.
Stage 3: Orgasm
Every race has to finish, and when it comes to sex, the end is (or at least should be) spectacular. During an orgasm, everything seems possible. Your pleasure train goes off the rails, making you feel like a goddess you are.
But there’s much more to the climax than meets the eye. Often, the feeling is so intense you lose control over your body. If that’s the case, then here’s what happens:
- Your blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing hit their highest rates.
- Feet muscles spasm.
- There’s a sudden release of sexual tension.
- The vagina muscles contract.
- A rash called “sex flush” may appear over the body.
Stage 4: Resolution
The resolution phase is the moment when everything goes back to normal. Your clitoris and uterus return to their starting positions, and your whole body feels relaxed, or even exhausted. Usually, it takes some time to go again. Or does it?
Here’s the advantage women have over men – they can start round two immediately. Gentlemen, on the other hand, have to go through the refractory period. Sorry guys, multiple orgasms aren’t for everyone.
Health Benefits of Sex
As mentioned before, sex is a much more complex matter than most people think. It’s not just about intercourse and orgasms. Regular sexual activity is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, both regarding mental and physical well-being.
Sex can:
- Reduce stress and anxiety (thanks to the release of feel-good hormones)
- Improve sleep
- Lower heart attack risk
- Strengthen your immune system
- Relieve headache
- Improve bladder control in women
- Reduce incontinence
The Bottom Line
Healthy and satisfying sex is an important part of every relationship. However, many of us don’t know how it works exactly. And sure, the science behind sex might not be as exciting as the act itself. Nevertheless, knowing a thing or two about it won’t hurt you.
On the contrary, learning how your body reacts to certain sensations can only be beneficial. It will help you understand that your response depends on many different processes, allowing you to make sex even more intense and enjoyable. It may also help you identify any problem quicker, and seek medical advice as soon as it occurs.
As you can see, learning doesn’t have to be boring. And now that we’ve armed you with theoretical knowledge, it’s time to use it in practice. Don’t keep your partner waiting. We’re sure they’d love to learn a thing or two about each phase of the cycle.
This is a sponsored post and was written by Albert Konik.
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