THE PHYSIOLOGY OF SEX AND THE SEXUAL RESPONSE

Question 1

what is a libido?

Answer 1

a desire for sexual activity

Question 2

what can desire for sexual activity be affected by?

Answer 2

social and cultural values
thoughts
feelings
experiences
value judgements

Question 3

what is arousal?

Answer 3

the body’s physical response to desire

Question 4

what can affect arousal? why?

Answer 4

gender

age- blood flow slows down as you get older

Question 5

whats the physiology for both males and females when aroused?

Answer 5

raised blood pressure, pulse and respiratory rate
flushing
nipple erection
genital and pelvic vascular engorgement 
muscle contraction

Question 6

what does engorgement mean?

Answer 6

swelling with fluid e.g. blood

Question 7

what is the physiology of the state of arousal in females?

Answer 7

enlargement of breasts
nipple erection
vasocongestion of vaginal walls
vaginal lubrication
erection of clitoris and labia
elevation of the cervix and uterus
vagina becomes longer and wider

Question 8

what is the physiology of the state of arousal in males?

Answer 8

penis erection
scrotum thickens
testes rise

Question 9

what is the plateua phase of the sexual response?

what is the physiological response?

Answer 9

the period of sexual excitement prior to the orgasm

increased HR,BP, RR, flushing, muscle tension, sense of impending orgasm

Question 10

what is the males physiological response in the plateau phase?

Answer 10

urethral sphincter contracts
Pre-ejaculatory fluid
Testes rise here

Question 11

why does the urethral sphincter contract in the plateau phase?

Answer 11

to prevent urine mixing with semen (retrograde ejaculation)

Question 12

where does pre-ejaculatory fluid come from?

Answer 12

Cowper’s gland

Question 13

what is the females physiological response in the plateau phase?

Answer 13

Bartholin’s gland secretions increase
Uterus, labia, areola and nipples become more sensitive
Clitoris is sensitive and withdrawals.

Question 14

what does the bartholins gland secrete?

Answer 14

fluids to lubricate the vagina

Question 15

what is an orgasm?

Answer 15

the conclusion of the plateau phase- releasing of sexual tension and endorphins
quick cycles of muscle contractions with euphoric sensations

Question 16

describe the physiology of a male orgasm?

Answer 16

associated usually with ejaculation

3-6 contractions of the urethra, pelvic floor and anus

Question 17

describe the physiology of a female orgasm?

Answer 17

5-12 contractions of the uterus, vagina, anus and pelvic floor
increased vaginal secretions

Question 18

what is the resolution stage of the sex response?

Answer 18

relaxation and drowsiness
PR and BP falls
nipples soften
men have a compulsory refractory period

Question 19

describe the male physiological response to the resolution stage?

Answer 19

penis softens
scrotum relaxes
testes drop

Question 20

describe the female physiological response to the resolution stage?

Answer 20

blood vessels dilate, pelvic organs drain, cervix opens and drops into vagina (closes after 30 mins)

Question 21

what are the stages of the sex response?

Answer 21

desire
arousal
plateau
orgasm
resolution

Question 22

what are the effects of aging on the men’s sex response?

Answer 22

delayed erections; less firm
longer excitement stage and interval to ejaculation
more direct stimulation needed to achieve erection
shorter plateau to ejaculation with smaller volume
longer refractory period

Question 23

what are the effects of aging on the women’s sex response?

Answer 23

reduced lubrication
reduced vascular engorgement
reduced muscle tension
reduced libido.

Question 24

what can be given to help men and women with sexual function?

Answer 24

sildenafil (aka viagra)

hormone replacement therapy

Question 25

what is NATSAL 3?

Answer 25

The National Surveys of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles

Question 26

what is hypoactive sexual desire disorder?

Answer 26

an absence of sexual desire that could be caused by many things e.g. partners, cultures, medical or physical factors

Question 27

what is sexual aversion disorder?

Answer 27

persistent extreme aversion to, all or almost all, genital sexual contact with a sexual partner

Question 28

what is male erectile disorder?

Answer 28

an inability to retain an erection until completion of sexual activity cause is multifactorial e.g. HIV, alcohol, spinal cord lesions etc

Question 29

how can male erectile disorder be treated?

Answer 29

``` injections pellets prostheses pumps psychological therapy ```

Question 30

what is orgasmic disorder? what could be the cause?

Answer 30

persistent absence of an orgasm | anger, fear, poor technique etc

Question 31

what is dyspareunia?

Answer 31

painful sex

Question 32

what is vaginismus?

Answer 32

involuntary contractions so you cannot carry out intercourse. could be triggered by trauma=phobia

Question 33

how could vaginismus be treated?

Answer 33

with vaginal trainers or vibrators

Question 34

what is female genital mutilation?

Answer 34

cutting or removing some or all of the external female genitalia

Question 35

what are some reasons for FGM?

Answer 35

``` tradition religions cleanliness preservation of virginity better marriage prospects enhancement of male sexual pleasure prevention of adultery ```

Question 36

what are some consequences short and long term for FGM?

Answer 36

``` pain bleeding urinary retention infections death mental health disorders cysts ulcers scarring sexual dysfunction poor birth conditions still births ```

Question 37

what is the law around FGM?

Answer 37

“A person is guilty of an offence if s/he excises, infibulates or otherwise mutilates the whole or any part of a girl's labia majora, labia minora or clitoris. It is an offence for a UK national or permanent UK resident to aid, abet, counsel or procure this procedure for another person” Duty to notify the police if FGM discovered (in any girl under 18yrs) in course of work (disclosure and/or physical signs).

Question 38

what is type 1 FGM?

Answer 38

clitoridectomy | partial or total removal of the clitoris

Question 39

what is type 2 FGM?

Answer 39

excision | partial or total removal of the clitoris and labia minora

Question 40

what is a type 3 FGM?

Answer 40

infibulation | narrowing of the vaginal oriifice by cutting and positioning the labia minora

Question 41

what is type 4 FGM?

Answer 41

all other harmful procedures to female genitalia for non medical purposes e.g. piercing, incising