Sexual arousal in men: how does it manifest itself and what causes it?

A sexually attractive woman causes arousal in a man

Sexual arousal in men is a complex process. This includes the processing of external information (what the stronger sex sees and hears), psychological readiness for sex, anticipation of pleasure and the immediate physiological reaction of the body. It is useful for every woman to know how this process occurs in guys and how to speed up arousal.

Where does it all begin?

The onset of arousal is posed by a variety of sensory stimuli. The smell of a girl, kisses and touches, her external appearance (especially without clothes) stimulate the brain centers that transmit a signal to the genitals through the nervous system.

Hormones are involved in this process. Dr. John Bancroft, an American sexologist and fourth part-time director of the Kinsey Institute for Sex Research, says that the level of testosterone in the blood determines how excitable a man is. This conclusion was made following a study, the results of which were published in the Journal of Endocrinology in the article "Endocrinology of sexual arousal".

As a result, an erection occurs. This is the filling of the corpora cavernosa of the penis with blood. The muscles contract and impede venous outflow, due to which the penis becomes hard, enlarges (on average 3-4 times) and pulsation is felt. This reaction often occurs within seconds of sexual stimulation. Interestingly, during foreplay the erection may weaken and strengthen again - this is absolutely normal.

The British Journal of Urology International published a study conducted on 20 thousand men. The size of their genitals was measured. Men from all over the world took part. As a result, it was found that the average size of the penis at rest is 9. 16 cm, and during erection it is 13. 12 cm.

13 cm is the average size of a man's penis during erection

There are three types of erections. One of these – nocturnal (spontaneous) – occurs without sexual overtones. The other two accompany sexual arousal in men.

Psychogenic (or psychological) - occurs against the background of excitement of the centers in the brain. Nerve impulses are transmitted to the spinal cord, then along nerves to the reproductive system.

Reflex: appears as a result of contact with the penis. Since this organ has many nerve endings and its skin is extremely sensitive, even light touches can cause irritation and blood flow to the penis.

In addition to erection, in men the pulse accelerates, breathing becomes faster and blood pressure increases (as in the female half of the population). The scrotum becomes thicker and may become denser, and the testicles become raised. The upper body becomes slightly red. A lubricating fluid is released which facilitates the passage of sperm through the canal.

What turns men on?

In addition to a beautiful image (a woman naked or dressed in lace lingerie, dancing, lying seductively, etc. ), foreplay plays an important role. Men also need it to make the excitement as strong as possible. The surest way for a girl to turn a guy on is to stimulate her sensitive areas. These include:

  • Head, neck and chest;
  • Belly (especially the lower part) and back;
  • Genital organs and surrounding areas.

Foreplay begins, in most cases, with kisses. A passionate kiss from a girl can already cause an erection and put a guy in the right mood. There are many nerve endings on her lips, plus she feels her partner's sexuality and anticipates upcoming sex. At this moment it is possible to caress the occipital area with your hands, which is also very sensitive. Many men like it when their earlobes are kissed and bitten, but you need to be careful, because there are those who categorically do not like this process.

The lower abdomen is an excellent area for caresses before oral sex (from the navel down). The back is suitable for erotic massage. By the way, you can do this not only with your hands, but also with your lips, hair and bare chest.

With the genitals, everything is clear: any movement in this area is welcome and causes sexual arousal in men. You should be careful of sudden movements; kids might be scared for the safety of their dignity. Mouthpiece, manual techniques: all this maximizes the partner's desire. Nearby areas include the inside of the thighs, which can be caressed with the hands.

Kissing during foreplay can quickly arouse a man

Representatives of the stronger sex get excited quite quickly. But they need more time (from several hours to a day) to fully rest and recover after sex than women, since the process requires a lot of energy from them. Therefore, repeated sexual arousal may not occur quickly for all men and should be treated with understanding.

Sexual arousal in men

When you see a partner who is sexually attractive to you, you get aroused first psychologically and then physically. But how this happens is a little-known question to most people. What does science say? Consider arousal a physiological sexual response.

Or rather, its first phase. That is, a whole series of processes. They do not have gender differences: increased breathing and heart rate, appearance of muscle tension, increased blood pressure, increased salivation, dilated pupils, appearance of redness and goosebumps, as well as erection of the nipples.

With sexual arousal, psychological behavior, gaze and voice change. This is due to the release of hormones into the blood, which act on the body like a drug. In men, in addition to the above, there is erection of the penis, ascent of the scrotum towards the pubis, its swelling and thickening, as well as the release of pre-ejaculate to lubricate the head.

In women, additional lubrication, thinning or, conversely, enlargement of the labia majora (depending on whether the woman has given birth or not), erection of the clitoris, lifting and widening of the uterus, tension of the pubosacral muscles and an increase in the length of the vagina.

By the way, if in men redness of the skin is observed in rare cases, in women there is a rush of blood not only to the clitoris and labia, but also to the chest and back. In some women, this redness is so noticeable that during and after orgasm, the area between the chest, shoulders and neck may even turn scarlet.

Why are there so many reactions? They are associated with the influx of blood, which the body performs to achieve increased sensitivity of the genital organs and readiness for the second phase of the cycle of sexual reactions - sexual intercourse. After the excitement phase there are: a plateau phase (sexual intercourse), an orgasm phase and a phase of completion of sexual reactions.

The excitation phase may not occur. This is often a physical rather than psychological problem. Erectile dysfunction (impotence) is a disorder in which the strength of the erection is insufficient for sexual intercourse. There are three types of impotence: psychological, organic and mixed.

In most men, erectile dysfunction is associated with the organic form due to various diseases. The most common causes are cardiovascular disease, diabetes and hormonal disorders. The quality of blood supply to organs and hormone levels are disrupted.

With some diseases, bad habits, taking certain drugs, especially those that affect the central nervous system, and a sedentary lifestyle, blood flow to the pelvic organs is weakened, which is why the main reaction of sexual arousal in a man - the filling of the corpora cavernosa with blood.

Drugs, alcohol and smoking affect not only the physical, but also the psychological state, which is why impotence goes from organic to mixed form. You can not delay this situation, at first it can be easily corrected. You need to consult a urologist or sex therapist.

Men become sexually aroused much more often than they reach orgasm. Long-term abstinence can cause serious damage to the body in general and the genitals in particular. The favorite motto of women "we will excite you and will not let you" is good in moderation: you should not abuse this entertainment. Sexual dissatisfaction seriously affects not only physical but also mental health. The man becomes nervous, angry, irritable. Regular orgasm is an important condition for the normal functioning of the body. And there is practically no difference in how it is obtained: during sex or masturbation.