During arousal and sex,
there are various stages of physical response. Researchers have
identified four stages of sexual response in women and men: arousal, plateau,
orgasm and resolution. This article describes what happens in a woman's body
when she is sexually aroused.
Stage
1: excitement or arousal
When a woman becomes aroused
(turned on), the blood vessels in her genitals dilate. There is increased blood
flow in the vaginal walls, which causes fluid to pass through them. This is the
main source of lubrication, which makes the vagina wet.
The external genitalia or vulva
(including the clitoris, vaginal opening, and inner and outer lips or labia)
become engorged (swollen) due to the increased blood supply. Inside the body,
the top of the vagina expands.
The pulse and breathing
quicken, and blood pressure rises. A woman may become flushed, especially on
the chest and neck, due to the blood vessels dilating.
Stage
2: plateaucccccc
Blood flow to the lower third
of the vagina reaches its limit, and causes the lower area of the vagina to
become swollen and firm. This is called the introitus, sometimes known as
the orgasmic platform, and undergoes rhythmic contractions during orgasm.
A woman’s breasts may increase
in size by up to 25%, and blood flow to the area around the nipple (the areola)
increases, making the nipples look less erect.
As a woman gets closer to
orgasm, her clitoris pulls back against the pubic bone and seems to disappear.
Continuous stimulation is needed in this phase to build up enough sexual
excitement for orgasm.
Stage
3: orgasm
Orgasm is the intense and
pleasurable release of sexual tension that has built up in the earlier stages,
characterised by contractions (0.8 seconds apart) of the genital muscles,
including the introitus.
Most women don’t experience the
recovery period that men do after an orgasm. A woman may have another orgasm if
she's stimulated again.
Not all women have an orgasm
every time they have sex. For most women, foreplay is an important role in an
orgasm occurring. This can include stroking erogenous zones and stimulating the
clitoris.
Stage
4: resolution
This is when the
woman's body slowly returns to its normal state. Swelling reduces, and
breathing and heart rate slow down.