Masters and Johnson listed four stages of the sexual response cycle: excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution. A sexual response starts when you receive some kind of sexual stimulation, whether it is physical or mental. When this happens, an increased amount of blood is pumped into various parts of the body. This increases their size and often their sensitivity. This happens with the penis but may also happen with lips, earlobes, and nipples. Young men tend to get full erections very quickly.
As you age, it usually takes a longer time to reach full erection. Your erection may fluctuate during lovemaking. This is normal. Eventually, if you continue sexual activity, you will reach orgasm and ejaculation. Orgasm is a total-body response and does not involve only the penis. After ejaculation, the body begins to return to the state it was in before the sex began. If you become aroused but do not have sex, the body will also return to its normal state, taking longer to do so.
Some common myths about male sexual response include:
All men will have some type of sexual problem at some time. They may have problems being able to get an erection. They may get erections when they do not want them. They may feel like they reached orgasm too soon, or that it took too long. They may feel that they or their partner are not getting enough out of sex. They may also have different opinions from their partner about what good sex is.
You need not worry about occasional sexual problems. However, if they persist, consult your healthcare provider.
Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
HIA File MEN4610F.HTM Release 9.0/2006
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