Female Orgasm Secrets

Sexual Response Cycle

The best place to begin when discussing female orgasm is with the sexual response cycle.

As men know, orgasm doesn’t just “happen”, it must be achieved.

Sex therapists, William H. Masters and Virginia E. Johnson identified four phases within the sexual response cycle. These phases are part of a continuous process - there is no beginning and no end to this cyclical pattern.

Here is a detailed explanation of each phase:

1. Excitement

• Begins with physical and/or psychological stimulation (from kissing to fantasizing)
• Blood rushes to the genitals and other parts of the body, causing enlarged breasts, swollen labia, expanded clitoris, elevated uterus, and lubricated vagina
• Heart rate and blood pressure increase
• Muscles are tense

2. Plateau

• Occurs with increased stimulation
• Blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and muscle tension continue to rise
• Upper two-thirds of vagina expands
• Uterus elevates to allow easier passage of sperm into fallopian tubes
• Bartholin’s glands secrete a small amount of fluid in the vaginal opening

3. Orgasmic

• Experience powerful contractions of the uterine, vaginal, anal, and lower abdominal muscles (about 5 to 12 synchronized contractions occur one second apart)
• Blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rates reach peak
• Loss of voluntary muscle tone

4. Resolution

• Blood in genitals begins to drain
• Uterus returns to normal position
• Breasts decrease in size
• Heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure decrease

So, it starts with a simple kiss and ends in a few seconds of unspeakable pleasure…

For more information on how to get the whole cycle started, visit the Tricks of the Trade page.