The female sexual cycle usually refers to the sexual response cycle, which is a cycle that describes a series of physiological and psychological changes that women experience under sexual stimulation.
1. Desire phase: This is the stage of desire for sex after unconditioned and (or) conditioned sexual stimulation. It is characterized by sexual fantasies and desire for sex, with only psychological changes and no obvious physiological changes.
2. Excitement phase: The stage of sexual tension that begins to appear in the body after sexual desire is aroused. This phase is mainly manifested by genital congestion, with vaginal lubrication as the primary feature. Generally, liquid seeps out of the vaginal wall 10-30 seconds after sexual stimulation, making the vagina lubricated; clitoris and labia majora and minora swell and vaginal length increases. Systemic reactions include breast swelling and nipple erection, increased heart rate, slightly increased blood pressure, slightly faster breathing and muscle tension. Psychologically, it manifests as sexual excitement.
3. Platform phase: Sexual excitement continues to accumulate and sexual tension continues to stabilize at a higher level, also known as the plateau phase or the high phase. During this period, the genitals are more congested, the clitoris is erect, the vagina is more lubricated, the outer 1/3 of the vagina is ring-shaped and narrowed, while the inner 2/3 is expanded, the uterus is lifted, the breasts are further swollen, the muscles of the whole body are more tense and some muscle rigidity occurs, the heart rate and breathing continue to accelerate, and the blood pressure rises further. A pink rash appears on the chest and neck skin, which is called "sexual flush". Psychologically, it enters a state of obvious excitement and agitation.
4. Orgasm period: On the basis of the sexual platform period, the stage of extreme physical and mental pleasure occurs rapidly, which is the most critical and shortest stage in the sexual response cycle. With the arrival of orgasm, the vagina and anal sphincter undergo involuntary rhythmic contractions, about 3-12 times, gradually disappearing from strong to weak, the uterus also contracts and rises, accompanied by facial distortion, whole body spasms, groaning, sweating and short-term confusion. Sexual flushing appears in many parts of the body, heart rate increases to 110-180 times/minute, respiration reaches 40 times/minute, systolic blood pressure increases by 30-80mmHg, and diastolic blood pressure increases by 20-40mmHg. Orgasm lasts only a few seconds, and the gradually accumulated sexual tension is quickly released through strong muscle spasms in a short period of time. Psychologically, great pleasure and pleasure are felt.
5. Sexual resolution period: After orgasm, sexual tension gradually relaxes and returns to the state before sexual arousal. The first physiological change in this period is the disappearance of breast swelling, followed by the disappearance of genital congestion and swelling, the return of whole body muscle tension to normal, heart rate, blood pressure and respiration all return to stability, and the feeling is comfortable and psychologically satisfied. The difference between women and men after the resolution period is that there is no refractory period, and women have the ability to orgasm continuously.
