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What is platophasis in sex?

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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The plateau phase is the second phase of full sexual intercourse, namely the penetration of the male penis into the woman's vagina. The plateau phase is a continuation of love play or petting - as it turns out for the couple. What are the features of the plateau phase, or full sexual intercourse?

What should the plateau phase be like?

What should the plateau phase be like?

Insertion of the penis into the vagina should be soft, gentle, and most importantly – painless. If a man is rude, in a hurry, unsure of himself, and the woman is not yet ready for intercourse, sexual intercourse will not bring mutual pleasure. Before the man's penis penetrates the woman's vagina, there should be a foreplay phase, which prepares both for intercourse, ignites their passion. The foreplay phase lasts an average of 15 minutes.

When both the man and the woman are ready for coitus (penetration of the phallus into the vagina), the man's penis enters easily, and the woman perceives it without the slightest effort, since there is enough lubrication in her vagina. It is the lubrication that indicates that the woman is ready to receive further pleasure.

What should the friction be?

Frictions are the movements of the man during penetration of the phallus into the woman's vagina. Usually the first frictions are deeper and slower. Then the frequency of frictions accelerates and can reach 100 beats per minute. The intensity of frictions can either accelerate or slow down at a pace that is pleasant for both. Since a man's physiological arousal increases faster, and a woman's - more slowly, he can control the pace, delaying his own orgasm and bringing his partner's orgasm closer.

During the movements of the man, the woman can help him with her body, regulating the sexual behavior of the partner and the pace of his movements. During friction, the arousal of both partners is approximately at the same level, and this is called the plateau phase. This arousal can be stimulated; in the man, at this time, the small area under the coronal groove of the head of the phallus is most aroused, and in the woman, the clitoris or the entrance to the vagina. If the frictions are slow and not very frequent, these areas are most excitable.

During the first frictions, both partners can slowly enjoy themselves, they are easy to control with certain skills and knowledge. You can occasionally stop the frictions, and then resume them again, increasing the duration of the act. When both partners are very excited, it becomes increasingly difficult to control the frequency and intensity of frictions, they become sharper and stronger, in the form of thrusts. Less and less can you control this process and finally the orgasmic phase begins - the orgasm phase.

If a man is experienced enough, he can caress a woman to orgasm already during foreplay and the next stage – the platophase. Therefore, he or his partner can engage in clitoral stimulation before orgasm – this will increase the woman’s arousal and bring her closer to orgasm.

What changes occur during the plateau phase?

If a woman is sufficiently aroused, she will experience the following characteristics during intercourse itself.

  • The nipples become larger and extremely tense.
  • The skin of the abdomen becomes pink or even red
  • The skin on the chest and even the back of the head can become very red.
  • The clitoris shrinks a little, but the tension doesn't subside.
  • The labia majora may become slightly enlarged as the blood flow in the veins decreases.
  • The labia minora become much larger – 2-3 times
  • More lubricant may be secreted due to the active work of the Bartholin glands.
  • The muscles of the outer part of the vagina contract, the cavernous bodies in the uterine area become denser, and the male member is gripped more tightly - this is called the orgasmic cuff in women.
  • The vagina is greatly stretched in width. It expands, so the penis can move in it without difficulty

The man also experiences changes in the plateau phase, but minor ones. His nipples also become tense, and his penis usually remains in a constant state of tension, the erection no longer fluctuates. The head of the penis becomes red from the rush of blood, the testicles enlarge and are pulled up. Drops of clear fluid, called Cowper's gland secretions, may be released from the urethra.

The plateau phase, like the arousal phase, should not be prolonged, otherwise the sexual act will not bring pleasure – the partners will only get exhausted. The intercourse phase should last 2-5 minutes. There is an unwritten rule that is known to experienced lovers: love play lasts about 4 times longer than the plateau phase (the act of intercourse itself). The couple can regulate this time as they wish, as long as both feel good. Doctors say that there is no need to worry if the intercourse phase lasts only 1 minute, if both reach orgasm.

The result of a correctly conducted platophase, i.e. the phase of intercourse, will be an orgasm. For women and men, it can last from 10 to 15 seconds, for the especially passionate, the duration of the orgasm can reach 30 seconds. The brightness of the sensations of both partners is a reward for the generosity of caresses and feelings.

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