Sexual Pleasure And Desire (You must be over 18 to read any part of this Section)
Sexual desire and pleasure are difficult to study and define. Why? Because they both vary so widely for each individual and among cultures. Sexual desire can be directed at a specific gender, body type, body part, personality trait or a million other aspects of our individual selves.
Sexual pleasure can range from entirely mental fantasies, to masturbation of the genitals, to the simple touch of a partner’s fingertips. Sexual pleasure has few restrictions with one glaring exception – consent. Consent should be the most pleasurable part of sex – knowing that you and your partner(s) are willingly engaging in sexual activities together and expressing your sexuality in a mutually pleasurable way.
Sexual arousal (also sexual excitement) is the arousal of sexual desire, during or in anticipation of sexual activity. A number of physiological responses occur in the body and mind as preparation for sex and continue during it. Genital responses are not the only changes, but noticeable and necessary for consensual and comfortable intercourse. Male arousal will lead to an erection and in female arousal, the body's response is engorged sexual tissues such as nipples, vulva, clitoris, vaginal walls and vaginal lubrication. Mental stimuli and physical stimuli such as touch, and the internal fluctuation of hormones, can influence sexual arousal.
Sexual arousal has several stages and may not lead to any actual sexual activity, beyond a mental arousal and the physiological changes that accompany it. Given sufficient sexual stimulation, sexual arousal in humans reaches its climax during an orgasm. It may also be pursued for its own sake, even in the absence of an orgasm.
The relationship between health and sexual competence
Sexual and reproductive health
Sexual Health & Improving Sexual Relationships
Sexual desire and pleasure are difficult to study and define. Why? Because they both vary so widely for each individual and among cultures. Sexual desire can be directed at a specific gender, body type, body part, personality trait or a million other aspects of our individual selves.
Sexual pleasure can range from entirely mental fantasies, to masturbation of the genitals, to the simple touch of a partner’s fingertips. Sexual pleasure has few restrictions with one glaring exception – consent. Consent should be the most pleasurable part of sex – knowing that you and your partner(s) are willingly engaging in sexual activities together and expressing your sexuality in a mutually pleasurable way.
Sexual arousal (also sexual excitement) is the arousal of sexual desire, during or in anticipation of sexual activity. A number of physiological responses occur in the body and mind as preparation for sex and continue during it. Genital responses are not the only changes, but noticeable and necessary for consensual and comfortable intercourse. Male arousal will lead to an erection and in female arousal, the body's response is engorged sexual tissues such as nipples, vulva, clitoris, vaginal walls and vaginal lubrication. Mental stimuli and physical stimuli such as touch, and the internal fluctuation of hormones, can influence sexual arousal.
Sexual arousal has several stages and may not lead to any actual sexual activity, beyond a mental arousal and the physiological changes that accompany it. Given sufficient sexual stimulation, sexual arousal in humans reaches its climax during an orgasm. It may also be pursued for its own sake, even in the absence of an orgasm.
The relationship between health and sexual competence
Sexual and reproductive health
Sexual Health & Improving Sexual Relationships
