Understanding The Sexual Response Cycle

Even by today's standards, it's difficult to picture research subjects wanting to have intercourse or masturbate while being closely observed by researchers and linked up to physiological data collection equipment. But it is exactly what sex research pioneers Masters and Johnson accomplished, in the late 1950s and early 1960s in the United States!

During their groundbreaking investigation, Masters, Johnson, and their team of research assistants examined 10,000 sexual response cycles. Based on their findings, they developed the four-stage sexual response model, which best depicted the complex physiological changes that occur in both males and females throughout a sexual experience. The four stages of response were identified as stimulation, plateau, orgasm, and resolution.

While the Masters and Johnson model has had a substantial and long-term impact on how sexual dysfunctions are understood and diagnosed, it has been criticised for being overly simplistic, linear, and unrepresentative of many people, particularly women.

A newer, more comprehensive model has emerged. Dr. Rosemary Basson, a local clinician and research legend, invented and examined it at the BC Centre for Sexual Medicine. Based on her extensive clinical experience, Dr. Basson presented a more sophisticated and cyclical model of sexual response. One can begin the cycle at various points, and previous experiences influence future encounters. Perhaps most crucially, psychological and relational factors are addressed.

Basson's Sexual Response Cycle Model

Motivations. Motivations for having sex are fairly various. In fact, one study revealed 237 different reasons to have sex. They include common expectations like as emotional intimacy, physical pleasure, the ability to express love, and attractiveness. Less common reasons include punishing oneself, exchanging something, and hurting someone. Motivations can be classified as approach or avoidance motivations. Approach motivations are ones that centre on something positive (for example, pleasure or intimacy). Avoidance motivations are defined by a desire to halt or avoid something (for example, stopping a partner from leaving the relationship or fear of not being loved).

Sexual stimuli. Certain stimuli will turn you on and boost your desire to have sex. Perhaps a kiss or a specific style of touch from your spouse that says, "Let's get it on!" Perhaps it is seeing your partner naked. It could also be a scent or a sound. This is what causes sexual stimulation if all other circumstances are met, similar to putting a lit match into a pile of dry kindling.

Context and mind. This may be the most essential phase in the cycle. Context refers to the current circumstance or environment in which sex may occur. The main context is your relationship. So, for example, a relationship marked by trust, emotional connection, and flirting fun is much more likely to boost the strength of sexual response than one marked by resentment, contempt, and conflict. The mind encompasses all of your inner psychological processes, such as emotions, ideas, beliefs, and schemas.

If you're feeling calm, confident, hot, and comfortable, you're much more likely to become aroused and crave sex than if you're anxious, unattractive, distracted, or dangerous. Your sexual scripts (i.e., how you envision sex) will also have an impact. If you have strong negative feelings about sex, you are less likely to be open to it, especially if it differs from the type of sexual conduct you believe is suitable.

Sexual arousal. Sexual arousal usually occurs when there is drive, enough sexual stimuli, and the situation and mentality are appropriate. Sexual arousal can be physiological (such as an erection or vaginal lubrication) or psychological (such as feeling sexually aroused, horny, or turned on).

Responsive desire. Not all sexual interactions start with spontaneous sexual desire. You've probably had several of these encounters, especially if you've been in a long-term relationship. The most typical of these experiences is being approached by a partner who initiates sex while you haven't been thinking about or wanting it. However, you find yourself fast getting into the mood, which is a sign of responsive sexual desire.

Satisfaction. A satisfying sexual experience, as you define it (which may or may not include orgasm), will make you want more in the future. This is true for almost all of our encounters. However, a pattern of negative experiences may reduce your future desire in sex.

Spontaneous Sexual Desire. Spontaneous sexual desire can accelerate the sexual response cycle. You've probably felt sexual urgency, desire, or horniness before. It can enter the model at many periods, and it is especially noticeable during the start of relationships during the honeymoon period, when sex is frequent. However, spontaneous sexual desire is not required to become aroused and have exciting sex. Responsive sexual desire can be a powerful force.

Why It Matters

Significant issues at any point in the sexual response cycle might result in sexual difficulties and dysfunctions.

1. Avoidance drives are linked to and enhance anxiety and unpleasant feelings, which can reduce desire in sex and pleasure.
2. Insufficient or improper sexual stimulation, such as a partner who does not touch or stimulate you in a way that turns you on, will make it difficult to become aroused.
3. A strained connection or unpleasant feelings, thoughts, or schemas will usually prevent the cycle from progressing.
4. Unsatisfying, uncomfortable, painful, or traumatic sexual encounters reduce motivation to have sex in the future.

When these types of problems are adequately addressed, your sexual experiences will improve substantially.

What motivates you to have sex? Are they approach or avoidance motivations? Are your motivations effective or ineffective?

How does your motivation influence your desire and arousal?

What kinds of thoughts and feelings arise when you consider having sex? Do you feel worried, afraid, or uncomfortable? Or do you feel peaceful, confident, and secure?

Are there suitable and sufficient stimuli to arouse you (for example, your partner's touch and stimulation, hints, etc.)? If not, what do you need and how do you obtain it?

If you're in a relationship, do you have relationship issues that affect your desire for sex and capacity to be aroused (e.g., conflict, resentment, wrath, etc.)? If so, what needs to change?

Have you had any positive sexual experiences that made you want to have sex in the future? Have they been primarily negative? If so, how can you enhance the frequency of pleasant experiences while decreasing bad ones?