Sexual arousal (also known as sexual excitement) describes the physiological and psychological responses in preparation for sexual intercourse or when exposed to sexual stimuli. A number of physiological responses occur in the body and mind as preparation for sexual intercourse, and continue during intercourse. Male arousal leads to erection, cremaster reflex and pre-ejaculate; in female arousal, the body's response is engorged sexual tissues (such as nipples, clitoris, and vaginal walls), changes to the cervix, and vaginal lubrication. Sexual arousal has several stages and may not lead to any actual sexual activity after mental stimuli have brought about accompanying physiological changes. Physical stimuli, such as touch, and the internal fluctuation of hormones can influence sexual arousal. Given sufficient and appropriate sexual stimulation in the right context, sexual arousal intensifies to a high level and can precipitate an orgasm as part of the climax. Mental or physical stimulation may also be pursued for their own sake, even in the absence of orgasm.
Erotic stimuli
Depending on the situation, a person can be sexually aroused by a variety of factors, both physical and mental. A person may be sexually aroused by another person or by particular aspects of that person, or by a non-human object or scenario. The physical stimulation of an erogenous zone or acts of foreplay can result in arousal, especially if it is accompanied with the anticipation of imminent sexual activity. Sexual arousal may be assisted by a romantic setting, music or other soothing situation. Sexual arousal can come from porn or other sexual material. The potential stimuli for sexual arousal vary from person to person, and from one time to another, as does the level of arousal. Stimuli can be classified according to the sense involved: somatosensory (touch), visual, and olfactory (scent). Auditory stimuli are also possible, though they are generally considered secondary in role to the other three. Erotic stimuli which can result in sexual arousal can include conversation, reading, films or images, or a smell or setting, any of which can generate erotic thoughts and memories in a person. Given the right context, these may lead to the person desiring physical contact, including kissing, cuddling, and petting of an erogenous zone. This may in turn make the person desire direct sexual stimulation of the breasts, nipples, buttocks or genitals, and further sexual activity. Erotic stimuli may originate from a source unrelated to the object of subsequent sexual interest. For example, many people may find nudity, erotica or pornography sexually arousing. This may generate a general sexual interest that is satisfied by sexual activity. When sexual arousal is achieved by or dependent on the use of objects, it is referred to as sexual fetishism, or in some instances a paraphilia. There is a common belief that women need more time to achieve arousal. However, recent scientific research has shown that there is no considerable difference for the time men and women require to become fully aroused. Scientists from McGill University Health Centre in Montreal used the method of thermal imaging to record baseline temperature change in genital area to define the time necessary for sexual arousal. Researchers studied the time required for an individual to reach the peak of sexual arousal while watching sexually explicit movies or pictures and came to the conclusion that on average women and men took almost the same time for sexual arousal – around 10 minutes. The time needed for foreplay is strongly individual and varies from one occasion to the next depending on circumstances. Unlike many animals, humans do not have a mating season, and both sexes are capable of sexual arousal throughout the year.
Disorders
When a person fails to be aroused in a situation that would normally produce arousal and the lack of arousal is persistent, it may indicate a sexual arousal disorder or hypoactive sexual desire disorder. There are many reasons why a person fails to be aroused, including a mental disorder such as depression, drug use, or a medical or physical condition. There may also be a lack of sexual desire generally or for the current partner. A person may always have had no or low sexual desire or the lack of desire may have started later in life. Contrastingly, a person may be hypersexual, either having high sexual desire in relation to culture or expected development, or suffering from a persistent genital arousal disorder, causing spontaneous, persistent, and uncontrollable arousal, and the physiological changes associated with arousal.
Physiological and psychological responses
Physiological responses Sexual arousal causes various physical responses, most significantly in the sex organs (genital organs). Sexual arousal for a man is usually indicated by the swelling and erection of the penis when blood fills the corpus cavernosum. This is usually the most prominent and reliable sign of sexual arousal in males. In a woman, sexual arousal leads to increased blood flow to the clitoris and the rest of the vulva, as well as vaginal transudation - the seeping of moisture through the vaginal walls, which serves as lubrication. In both sexes, pupil dilation is an involuntary physiological response to sexual arousal. However, the degree of pupil dilation varies with individuals, as does the degree of maximal pupil dilation.
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