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Sexual Arousal and Response Pop Quiz: Which of the Following Is MOST Responsible for Sexual Arousal?

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Sexual Arousal and Response Pop Quiz: Which of the Following Is MOST Responsible for Sexual Arousal? Chapter 6 Sexual Arousal and Response Pop quiz: Which of the following is MOST responsible for sexual arousal? • A) Physical attraction • B) Secondary sex characteristics • C) Primary sex characteristics • D) Erotic play • E) Thought processes The Brain and Sexual Arousal • Cerebral cortex (mental events) • Reasoning, language, and imagination • Thoughts • Memories • Cultural values • Limbic system and sexual behavior Cingulate = arousal Amygdala, hippo, cingulate = orgasm • Hypothalamus • MPOA = medial preoptic area • Electrical stimulation of MPOA produces sexual arousal/orgasm • Larger in males, more active in males • Drugs/damage to this area inhibit sexual arousal The Brain and Sexual Arousal • Neurotransmitters • Dopamine facilitates sexual arousal at MPOA • Testosterone facilitates dopamine release • Possible reason for testosterone based libido increase • Serotonin inhibits sexual arousal • Released post ejaculation in males • Blocks oxytocin release • SSRI’s used to treat depression • Side effect is often loss of libido The Senses and Sexual Arousal • All sensory systems can contribute to arousal • Touch is the dominant “sexual sense” • Primary erogenous zones • Genitals, butt, anus, breasts, thighs, neck, ears, mouth, individual preferences are important • Secondary erogenous zones • Anything and everything else by preference • Visual stimuli usually next in dominance • Men self-report higher arousal than women • Men’s mags, porn, pinups, calendars, etc. • Women and men have similar physiological responses • Vary in psychological responses • Women’s response is more complex • Visual, situational, evolutionary Other Senses and Sexual Arousal • Smell may arouse or offend depending on preference • Pheromones • Estratetraenol – EST, activates heterosexual male hypothalami • But not female • Androstadienone – AND, activates women, not men • Gay males = similar response to the female response • Genital secretions, response is variable • 6 “copulins” secreted by the vagina • Taste plays a minor role • Hearing plays a variable role • Chat • Direction • Noises • Dirty talk Aphrodisiacs • Substances believed to arouse sexual desire or increase capacity for sexual activity • Food • Oysters • Ginseng root • Horns (horny) • Tiger penis • Drugs • Alcohol, in moderation • Reduces inhibition • MDMA (ecstasy, X) • Yohimbine • Might actually work • Viagra, Levitra, Cialis • Increase ability, not true desire RHINO HORN IS MADE OF KERATIN REPUTED APHRODISIACS: VARIOUS ANIMAL PARTS Rhino Horn Oysters Tiger Penis Mexican Ad Sea Turtle Eggs Aphrodisiacs • No clear evidence of genuine aphrodisiac qualities • Role of expectations Anaphrodisiacs • Inhibits sexual behavior • Drugs (e.g., opiates, tranquilizers) • Antihypertensives, antidepressants, and antipsychotics • Birth control pills • Nicotine • Constricts blood flow • Possibly reduces circulating testosterone The Role of Hormones in Sexual Behavior Cholesterol • Steroid hormones • Androgens (including testosterone) • Produced by testes, adrenal glands, and ovaries • Androgens converted to estrogens by aromatase • Estrogens • Produced by ovaries and testes Testosterone • Women and men produce both types, different amounts 5α reductase • Neuropeptide hormones • Oxytocin Aromatase • Pair bonding Estriol DHT Cholesterol Sex Hormones in Male Sexual Behavior • Testosterone • Linked to sexual desire and genital sensitivity • Castration leads to reduced sexual desire, less effect on sexual ability • Antiandrogen drugs • MPA = depo-provera, for sex offenders • Decline in desire, less effect on ability • Hypogonadism Testosterone • Reduced testosterone output • Typically associated with aging males 5α reductase DHT Sex Hormones in Female Sexual Behavior • Estrogens • Overall link between estrogen and female sexual behavior is unclear • Appears to NOT increase desire, does help response • Estrogen therapy (ET) • No real change in sexual desire • Increases in lubrication • “Mood Mellowing” allows for better potential sexual interactions Testosterone • Testosterone • Role as major libido hormone in females • Supplementation shows increased desire, fantasy, orgasm, masturbation Aromatase Estriol How Much Testosterone Is Necessary? • Two forms of testosterone (free and bound) • Free testosterone linked to libido, about 5% of “Total” • 300 – 1200 ng/dl males • Although women have less free testosterone, their cells are more sensitive to it than men’s • 20 - 50 ng/dl • Too much testosterone is linked to adverse effects • Males = Salt/fluid retention, hair loss, stimulate pre- existing prostate cancer • Females = hair growth, reduced breasts, enlarged clit • Testosterone levels decrease with age • Fairly rapid decrease for women at menopause; more gradual decline for men • Testosterone replacement therapy if below normal ranges Oxytocin and Sexual Behavior • Secreted during cuddling and physical intimacy • Increased skin sensitivity • High levels associated with orgasmic release for women and men • Emotional and erotic bonding • For women, stimulates contractions of uterine wall during orgasm Sexual Response A complex, highly individualized combination of physical, emotional and mental processes. Sexual Response, physiology only •Masters and Johnson’s four phases •Excitement •Plateau • Poorly named, excitement continues • Prolong this phase to increase sexual arousal and orgasm intensity •Orgasm •Resolution • Males have a refractory period Female sexual response cycle. Pattern A) most closely resembles the male pattern, except that a woman can have one or more orgasms without dropping below the plateau level of sexual arousal. Variations of this response include an extended plateau with no orgasm (pattern B) and a rapid rise to orgasm with no definitive plateau and a quick resolution (pattern C). Male sexual response cycle. Only one male response pattern was identified by Masters and Johnson. However, men do report considerable variation in their response pattern. Note the refractory period; males do not have a second orgasm immediately after the first. Sexual Response, physiology only • Two basic physiological processes • Vasocongestion • Blood engorgement of sexually excitable tissues • Arteries dilate, veins cannot drain the inflow • Penile erection, clitoral enlargement, vaginal lubrication Sexual Response, physiology only • Two basic physiological processes • Vasocongestion • Myotonia • Increased muscle tension, most evident at orgasm Orgasm • Shortest phase of sexual response cycle • Men and women’s subjective descriptions of orgasm are similar • Most female orgasms during partnered sex result from stimulation of the clitoris or oral sex • Grafenberg spot • Area on lower front wall of vagina • Sensitive to pressure • Sometimes results in “ejaculation” MASTERS AND JOHNSON’S STAGES FEMALE SEXUAL RESPONSE CYCLE Jenna Jameson Females experience characteristic changes in physiology during each phase of their sexual response cycle MASTERS AND JOHNSON’S STAGES FEMALE SEXUAL RESPONSE CYCLE Females experience characteristic changes in physiology during each phase of their sexual response cycle MASTERS AND JOHNSON’S STAGES FEMALE SEXUAL RESPONSE CYCLE Females experience characteristic changes in physiology during each phase of their sexual response cycle MASTERS AND JOHNSON’S STAGES MALE SEXUAL RESPONSE CYCLE Ron Jeremy Males experience characteristic changes in physiology during each phase of their sexual response cycle MASTERS AND JOHNSON’S STAGES Males experience characteristic changes in physiology during each phase of their sexual response cycle MASTERS AND JOHNSON’S STAGES MALE SEXUAL RESPONSE CYCLE Males experience characteristic changes in physiology during each phase of their sexual response cycle “CLITORAL ORGASM” VS “VAGINAL ORGASM” Are there two kinds of orgasms? Does the G-spot exist? Sigmund Freud mature orgasm = vaginal and preferable Immature orgasm = clitoral stimulation, viewed the clitoris as a miniature penis = masculine and therefore not a feminine orgasm. Actually, one type of orgasm regardless of how you get there. Locating the Grafenberg spot. Usually two fingers are used, and it is often necessary to press deeply into the anterior wall of the vagina to reach the spot. May lead to orgasm and possibly female ejaculation, maybe. Sex Differences in Sexual Response • Greater variability in female response • Three patterns, A, B, C, or more, possible • Male refractory period • Time following orgasm during which an erection and orgasm are not possible • Women can experience multiple orgasms Chapter 8 Sexual Behaviors “My sexuality has had many different dimensions during my life. My childhood masturbation was a secret desire and guilt that I never did admit to the priest in the confessional. “Playing doctor” was intriguing and exciting in its “naughtiness.” The hours of hot kissing and petting of my teenage and early college years developed my sexual awareness. My first intercourse experience was with a loved and trusted boyfriend. It was a profound physical and emotional experience; years later the memory still brings me deep pleasure. As a young adult my sexual expression alternated between periods of recreational sex and celibacy. Within marriage the comforts and challenges of commitment; combining sex with an intense desire to become pregnant; the primal experience of pregnancy, childbirth, and nursing greatly expanded the parameters of my sexuality. Now, balancing family, career, personal interests, my sexuality is a quiet hum in the background. I’m looking forward to retirement
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