Sexual Response

Question 1

What are the 5 stages of the sexual response?

Answer 1

Desire
Arousal/Excitement
Plateau
Orgasm
Resolution

Question 2

What is desire?

Answer 2

Spontaneous sexual interest

Question 3

What is arousal, and what are some of the physiological responses it involves?

Answer 3

The body's physical response to desire.
Flushing due to vasodilation
Nipple erection
Breast enlargement
Vasocongestion of vaginal walls
Vaginal lubrication, lengthening and widening
Tumescence of labia and clitoris
Elevation of cervix and uterus
Erection of penis
Scrotum thickens and testes rise into perineum

Question 4

What is plateau, and what are some of its characteristics?

Answer 4

The period of sexual excitement prior to orgasm.
Increased heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, muscle tension
Sense of impending orgasm
Closure of internal urethral sphincter in the man and secretion of pre-ejaculatory fluid from the bulbo-urethral glands

Question 5

What is orgasm?

Answer 5

Orgasm is the conclusion of the plateau phase with the release of sexual tension and endorphins.

Question 6

What is involved in orgasm?

Answer 6

Rapid cycles of muscle contraction
Peak in respiratory rate, blood pressure, heart rate
Euphoric sensation due to release of endorphins

Question 7

What is it called when males have a period of time after ejaculation where they can’t regain an erection?

Answer 7

Refractory period

Question 8

What is resolution, and what are its characteristics?

Answer 8

Relaxation.
Men have a compulsory refractory period that increases with age
Feelings of relaxation and drowsiness
Nipples and penis soften
Testes drop
Detumescence
Cervix opens and drops into vagina

Question 9

What are three psychosocial factors that affect female sexual functioning?

Answer 9

Satisfaction with relationship
Self image
Previous sexual experience

Question 10

What are the two types of desire?

Answer 10

Responsive, spontaneous

Question 11

What are the effects of ageing on the female sexual response?

Answer 11

Vaginal dryness
Reduced vascular engorgement of labia
Reduced muscle tension
Reduced libido

Question 12

What are the effects of ageing on the male sexual response?

Answer 12

Delayed and less firm erections
More direct stimulation needed to achieve erection
Longer excitement stage and interval to orgasm
Longer refractory period

Question 13

Why would premature ejaculation be more likely in younger men?

Answer 13

Increased alcohol intake
Lack of sleep
Performance anxiety

Question 14

What might cause difficulties in consultations about sexual health?

Answer 14

Embarrassment
Lack of language to describe emotions/sensations/body parts
Need to be clear on language and exactly where it hurts
May take a long time for someone to come to a sexual health clinic
Don’t make assumptions on what is normal

Question 15

What 4 things is it important NOT to assume in a consultation?

Answer 15

That the experience is with a partner
That the partner is the opposite gender
That orgasm is a good experience
That you’re not getting distracted by your own experiences or emotions

Question 16

What were some findings of the National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyle (NATSAL-3)?

Answer 16

Percentage of people who’ve had same sex experiences is increasing.
Percentage of people who’ve had sex under 16 is increasing.
1 in 5 people in a relationship said they’re partner had sexual difficulties in the last year.

Question 17

What are the four different classifications for sexual dysfunction?

Answer 17

Lifelong
Acquired
Situational
Generalised

Question 18

What is the name for lack or absence of sexual fantasies and desire for sexual activity?

Answer 18

Hypoactive sexual desire

Question 19

What are the three types of causal factors for sexual dysfunction, and what are some examples of each?

Answer 19

Predisposing factors (e.g poor sex education, restrictive upbringing, traumatic early sexual experiences)
Precipitating factors (e.g relationship discord, infidelity, depression, ageing)
Maintaining factors (e.g performance anxiety, poor communication, guilt, loss of attraction, depression)

Question 20

What is it called when penetration can’t be achieved due to muscle spasm, and what can cause this?

Answer 20

Vaginismus (can be caused by abuse, anxiety, pain leading to phobia)

Question 21

What is a persistent or recurrent delay in or absence of an orgasm called in a female, and what can cause it?

Answer 21

Female anorgasmia, can result from fear of losing control, unmet physical and emotional needs, hang-ups from upbringing (e.g religion)

Question 22

What is premature ejactulation?

Answer 22

Recurrently, ejaculation before it is wished

Question 23

What is persistent delay or absence of orgasm in a male called, and what can cause it?

Answer 23

Male orgasmic disorder, can be caused by sexual trauma, hostility, lack of trust

Question 24

What is the inability to maintain or achieve an erection until completion of sexual activity called, and what are some causes?

Answer 24

Erectile dysfunction, can be due to drugs, alcohol, HIV, diabetes, spinal cord lesions, cardiovascular disease

Question 25

What is pain in the vulva called?

Answer 25

Vulvodynia