Table of contents:
- Penile erection in men, clitoral erection in women
- Apart from clitoral erection, what else happens during a woman's arousal?
- Stage 1: Sexual stimulation
- Stage 2: Stable Period
- Stage 3: Orgasm
- Stage 4: Recovery
Erection is closely related to men. Men get erections when they are aroused. But it can also be a sudden erection that comes at an unexpected and unreasonable time. For example, when you just wake up or during a public presentation.
What about women? What happens to women when they are aroused? Are there any equivalents in the structure of the vagina that would allow a woman's erection to occur?
Penile erection in men, clitoral erection in women
The clitoris is an organ in the vagina that is purely for sexual arousal. The clitoris can be found inside the lips of the vagina, often described as a tiny knob. This cute button hidden from view is known as a super sensitive organ because it is enriched with 8,000 nerve fibers - more than any other part of the body, including the penis. There are only about four thousand nerves in the penis.
Comparison of the anatomy of the penis (left) and clitoris (right) (source: Mic)
The clitoris is not shaped like a penis, but they both have a similar anatomical structure. The penis and clitoris both have a head (glans), the foreskin - on the clitoris known as the clitoral hood - and even a shaft. The difference is, the penis will be clearly visible to the naked eye because all of its structures are outside the body. In women, the only part of the clitoris that is visible from the outside of the body is the head, the little button. Everything else is in the body.
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Just as the penis tightens from a surge of blood during sexual arousal, the clitoris can also form an erection. This is because the sex organs, the penis and the vagina, are formed from the same embryonic cells, and they both work similarly because they are connected to the same nervous system. The way it works when aroused is similar to a penis when it is erect. The blood flow from the heart fills the clitoris so that it enlarges and hardens. After orgasm, the tension slowly goes away and the clitoris returns to its normal size.
Apart from clitoral erection, what else happens during a woman's arousal?
During sexual activity, both men and women go through four phases: arousal, stability, orgasm and recovery. Except for a different time. According to Kinsey's research, about 75 percent of men reach orgasm in less than two minutes, while women can take up to 15 minutes to feel the same way. This makes the possibility of a compact orgasm during intercourse a rare event.
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This is what happens in a woman's body when she is aroused.
Stage 1: Sexual stimulation
When a woman is aroused, the blood vessels in her genital area enlarge, causing the vagina to expand and extend itself. This increased blood flow causes fluid to pass through the vaginal wall. This fluid is the main source of natural lubrication, which makes the vagina "wet".
The external genitals or vulva (including the clitoris, vaginal opening, and outer and inner lips or labia) and sometimes the breasts begin to swell as a result of the increased blood supply. Her pulse and breathing accelerated, and her blood pressure rose. The skin may become red, especially on the chest and neck, due to the dilation of blood vessels.
This phase usually begins within 10 to 30 seconds of erotic stimulation, and can last from a few minutes to several hours.
Stage 2: Stable Period
As orgasm approaches, blood flow to the vagina is at its optimal level, causing the lower area of the vagina to swell and harden. The vaginal opening becomes narrowed. This is called introitus, sometimes known as the orgasmic platform, and experiences rhythmic contractions during orgasm.
When it is stable, the clitoris pulls back protected by the foreskin of the clitoris, so it appears to disappear. The breasts enlarge by 25%, and blood flow to the area around the nipple (areola) increases, making the nipple appear less erect. Pulse and breathing getting faster. Red “blemishes” on the skin also appear on the stomach, chest, shoulders, neck and face. The muscles of the thighs, hips, hands, and buttocks tighten, and seizures may involuntarily begin.
Continuous stimulation is required in this phase in order to build enough sexual arousal for orgasm.
Stage 3: Orgasm
Orgasm is a satisfying release of sexual tension that builds up from an early stage, characterized by spasm of the genital muscles, including the vaginal wall. (The number and intensity of spasms varies with individual orgasms.) The uterine muscles also spasm, although they are barely felt.
Breathing, pulse, and blood pressure continue to rise. The tension in the muscles and blood vessels will peak during orgasm. Sometimes, orgasm is also characterized by a type of grip reflex in the arm and leg muscles.
ALSO READ: 5 Reasons Why It Is Difficult for Women to Orgasm
Orgasm is the culmination of the sexual arousal cycle. This phase is also the shortest phase of the whole, lasting only a few seconds.
Stage 4: Recovery
Recovery is when the woman's body slowly returns to the normal state it was in. This can take from a few minutes to half an hour or more. The swelling subsides, breathing and heart rate slowly return to normal. The muscle tension also starts to relax again.
A woman may have another orgasm if she is stimulated again. On the other hand, not all women have an orgasm every time they have sex. For most women, foreplay is an important role in building a successful orgasm. Foreplay can include embracing, kissing, and stimulating the sexual zone, such as the nipple or clitoris.
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