The Sexual Response Cycle Explained: A Guide For The Guys

From the very first spark of pleasure to the peak of orgasm, your body goes through many changes during sex and masturbation. This sequence of changes is commonly known as the sexual response cycle, and understanding it can help you get the highest pleasure payoff. If this sounds like a good time to you, stick around as we get to know the four main phases of the sexual response cycle. 

So What?

Maybe you’re wondering why understanding this cycle is worthwhile. After all, isn’t getting from point A to point B the most important thing? The truth is that understanding the different phases of the sexual response cycle can help enhance your relationship with pleasure. Specifically, knowing how your body progresses through pleasure can help you identify your likes and dislikes in the bedroom with ease. Plus, knowing about the sexual response cycle can help you give your partner more pleasure too. That’s because the core components of the sexual response cycle are the same, regardless of gender.  

Phases of the Sexual Response Cycle

Before we dive into each phase of the sexual response cycle, it’s important to know that experts are always exploring and refining their understanding of this process. We’ll walk through one of the more commonly referenced models so that you can dive head-first into self-exploration.

Phase 1: Excitement

This is where the fun starts. Sometimes referred to as the desire or arousal phase, this first step kick-starts the rest of the sexual response cycle. The phrase, “one thing led to another” is a great way to remember what goes on during this stage. At this point, your body and mind are getting sexually excited; acts like kissing, touching, fantasizing, or looking at porn can jump-start this process. Here are some of the physical reactions guys commonly experience during the excitement phase.   

• Increased muscle tension
• Self-lubrication of the penis (also known as “pre-cum”)
• Increased blood flow to the genitals 
• Flushing of the chest and back 
• Quickened heart rate
• Erection of the penis
• Swollen testicles and tightened scrotum
• Erect nipples

The value of understanding the excitement phase is that it provides an opportunity to be present with your arousal. Noticing what turns you or your partner on in this phase can give you some exciting ideas for new things to try in the bedroom. So the next time things get hot and heavy, try paying extra close attention to the things that arouse you or your partner the most. 

Phase 2: Plateau

This phase is often referred to as plateau or arousal. While the name may not sound like much, there’s actually a lot that happens in this stage. Plateau isn’t about stagnation or decreased pleasure. In fact, it’s all about continuing and heightening the pleasure of the previous excitement phase. Think of the plateau phase as the bridge that connects the starting point of excitement to the peak of orgasm. 

While in the plateau phase, you can expect the responses you experienced during excitement to intensify. Let’s talk about some of the common physical reactions associated with the plateau phase.

• Heightened blood flow and heart rate
• Increased muscle tension and breathing rate
• Enlarged glans (head of the penis) 
• Possible muscle spasms (hands, feet, and face)
• Withdrawal of the testicles up into the scrotum 

Phase 3: Orgasm

It’s time for the big O. While orgasm isn’t an absolute requirement for stellar sex, it’s definitely a key player. But what exactly happens in the body during an orgasm? Long story short, a lot! In the brain, chemicals like oxytocin and dopamine are released and flood the body with a feeling of euphoria and well-being. This sensation typically lasts between five and 20 seconds for men. Meanwhile, the body experiences involuntary muscle contractions in the penis and anus, along with a release of tension which adds to the euphoric feeling of orgasm. 

Contractions and the ejaculation of semen from the urethra are common responses to orgasm. However, it’s worth noting that men can sometimes have an orgasm without ejaculating; this is often called a dry orgasm. While certain conditions and processes can be the cause of dry orgasms, many guys experience them if they’ve had multiple orgasms within a short time frame. So while you may occasionally experience one, repeated dry orgasms may be a sign to speak with your doctor. 

Phase 4: Resolution & Refraction

Now that you’ve summited the peak of pleasure, your body can begin the resolution phase. What goes up must come down, and the resolution phase helps your body calm itself and reach a stable baseline after climax. At this point, you can expect your breathing and heart rate to return to pre-arousal levels. Muscle tension, blood pressure, and genital swelling also return to normal after orgasm. It’s common for people to feel especially relaxed or tired during the resolution phase. 

This phase also opens the door to the refractory period for (most) men, during which the penis becomes flaccid and doesn’t respond to sexual stimuli. While rare, some guys may not have a refractory period at all or may be multiorgasmic, meaning they can have several orgasms within minutes. However, most men have a refractory period that lasts anywhere from a few minutes to over 24 hours. Researchers are still investigating why this refractory period can vary so dramatically from person to person, but factors like age and overall health may play a key role. 

Each phase of the sexual response cycle offers new opportunities to experience pleasure in different ways. Excitement blends seamlessly into the plateau phase, which intensifies pleasure to the point of orgasm before finally reaching the resolution phase. It’s a complex cycle that can help you learn about what your body responds to sexually. While everyone can react differently to each phase of the cycle, we hope this has helped you understand what you may experience during sex and masturbation. Here’s to all the work our bodies put in to get you from arousal to post-climax bliss.