Expert reveals the 'four stages' your body goes through when you orgasm

There's more to sex than just penetration, folks (and not all sex includes penetration!). In fact, science says there are four stages that occur that take us to climax.

Sex is physical and mental (especially for women), and there are similar processes that happen for both men and women in the brain and the genitals.

Of course, some things we already know – when aroused, a penis may get erect and a vagina will lubricate - but other things are going on too.

According to a gynaecologist from the 60s, the four stages of the human sexual response cycle are excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution. This model, proposed by William Masters in 1966, describes the physiological changes that occur during sexual arousal and satisfaction. Each phase involves different physical responses, though the duration and intensity of each stage can vary significantly between people.

Here are the four stages:

Excitement:

This initial phase is characterised by increased blood flow to the genitals. So as we well know, in men this leads to an erection, while in women, it results in vaginal lubrication and clitoral engorgement. At this stage, the heart rate and breathing also begin to speed up.

• In women,
• Blood flow increases towards the groin area
• The clitoris and labia minora (inner lips) swell
• Vagina secretes a lubricating liquid
• The breast becomes fuller and vaginal walls begin to swell
• In men,
• Penis erects
• Testicles swell
• Scrotum tightens
• Lubricating liquid secretes

Plateau:

As sexual arousal intensifies, the body moves into the plateau phase. Heart rate, breathing, and blood flow continue to increase. Tension builds in preparation for orgasm, with subtle changes in physical responses. The woman’s clitoris becomes highly sensitive (even becomes painful to touch) and retracts under the clitoral hood to avoid direct stimulation from the man’s penis, while a man’s testicles tighten.

Orgasm:

This is the peak of sexual excitement, marked by a release of built-up tension through rhythmic muscle contractions. Blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing are at their highest rates with a rapid intake of oxygen. Men experience the expulsion of seminal fluid, and both sexes may experience spasms in the pelvic muscles. The body releases a hormone called endorphin that makes you feel happy and relaxed.

Resolution:

Following the orgasm, the body gradually returns to its pre-aroused, baseline state. Swelling diminishes, heart rate and blood pressure return to normal, and the body relaxes. This phase occurs at the end of the sexual response cycle, whether you have an orgasm or not. The couple may experience a sense of well-being, enhanced intimacy, and often fatigue.

Some lucky people may be able to experience multiple orgasms, while others require a recovery period.