The process of sexual arousal and its disorders

Modern sexology (the science of sexual life), in particular, highlights the following pressing issues: the peculiarities of male and female sexuality in terms of both psychophysiology and the dynamics of social and sexual problems; the relativity of the distinction between “sexual” and “non-sexual” attachments and reactions of men and women who are attracted to each other.

Sexually arousing stimuli vary from person to person: some are attracted by the looks of another person, others by touching, etc. Men often experience heightened sexual arousal when looking at various parts of a woman's body. Sexual arousal can be caused not only by the influence of psychogenic factors, but also by stimulation of local receptors of the external genitalia.

On the one hand, the perception of a person or an imaginary image involves the cortex, the limbic system of the brain and parts of the hypothalamus, and on the other hand, the mutual stimulation of the external genitalia by the partners ultimately causes spinal reflexes that provide changes in the female and male genitalia, in particular blood filling and secretion. Pleasant feelings provide activation of sexual behavior, bringing two people closer together.

The sensations awakened by sexual intercourse eventually lead to orgasm, which is a sudden surge in the intensity of erotic sensations, accompanied by muscle contraction and, in men, ejaculation. The blood supply to the penis and clitoris increases, causing them to increase in size. The filling cavernous bodies compress the venous vessels, reducing the outflow of blood from the penis. As a result, internal pressure increases, the penis increases in length and becomes hard (erection).

In women, the blood flow to the external genitalia (vulva) makes the tissues around the vaginal opening denser and helps to lengthen the copulatory canal. The blood supply to the uterus increases. The walls of the vagina begin to secrete fluid, and the glands of the vestibule of the vagina (Bartholin's glands) - mucus. This helps the movement of the penis into the vagina and creates a more favorable environment for the survival of sperm. In men, during sexual arousal (before orgasm), there is also an increased secretion of the glands, which flows drop by drop from the penis.

Orgasm is characterized by an explosion of sensations that may be limited to the perineal area or spread throughout the entire body (general arousal).

The sensations of orgasm may be accompanied by contractions of the muscles of the legs, neck, face, abdomen, the scrotum contracts, the testicles are pulled up. With particularly strong arousal, the contractions resemble a spasm with a powerful ejaculation, complete muscle relaxation and a feeling of peace.

In women, orgasm manifests itself in the form of multiple contractions of the ring muscles located at the entrance to the vagina. Contraction of the uterine muscles may also occur. Sometimes erection of the nipples of the mammary glands is observed.

Newlyweds who do not experience pleasant feelings from their sexual life or doubt their ability to conceive a child should first of all pay special attention to the most common disorders of the sexual arousal process: impotence in men and frigidity, anorgasmia, vaginismus in women.

Primary impotence is the inability of a man to have and maintain an erection until the completion of sexual intercourse and to ensure sexual satisfaction in his partner.

Secondary impotence is caused by organic causes, as well as excessive consumption of large doses of alcohol or certain medications.

Frigidity (sexual coldness) is a complete absence or decrease in sexual desire, sexual sensations and orgasm in women.

In some cases, frigidity is accompanied by painful sensations or aversion to sexual intercourse.

Frigidity is often found in women with excessive suspiciousness, indecisiveness, shyness, and a tendency to experience negative emotions for a long time. Psychological traumas associated with a rough rupture of the hymen, attempts at rape, fear of pregnancy or publicity of the relationship, and physical disgust for the partner can play a significant role. Frigidity is facilitated by neurohumoral disorders, sensitivity disorders and loss of sexual sensations and orgasm, congenital malformations and inflammatory diseases of the genitals.

The absence of orgasm is a manifestation of frigidity as a result of, for example, interrupted sexual intercourse by the husband (premature ejaculation), insufficient psychoerotic preparation of the woman for intimacy (due to the lack of foreplay, an incorrectly chosen position, etc.).

Vaginismus is a spasmodic contraction of the vaginal and pelvic floor muscles that prevents sexual intercourse. Vaginismus can arise from fear of pain, rude behavior of a partner.

Tactful husbands do not insist on sexual intercourse.

Treatment of the above disorders requires confidence and persistence from the doctor and patients in the professional application of psychotherapy achievements. The above disorders are undoubtedly remediable.

The previously described process of sexual arousal and conception reflects the act of normal sexual intercourse between a healthy man and woman, which leads to fertilization of the egg, implantation of the embryo and development of pregnancy. But, unfortunately, in real life there is a high risk of various diseases (hereditary, non-infectious, infectious), which, if not detected in time and not treated by doctors, can not only deal a fatal blow to the sexual sphere of the husband and wife, but also to the physical health of the pregnant woman, the fetus and the future baby. This determines the vital (for planning and creating a healthy family) need to describe the main reasons leading to the inability of a woman and a man to conceive, normal development of the fetus and the birth of a healthy child, that is, infertility and other disorders.