Erogenous Zones
“Adolescence can be a time of turmoil and
turbulence, of stress and storm. Rebellion against
authority and against convention is to be expected
and tolerated for the sake of learning and growth.”
Haim Ginott
Erogenous Zones - These are the surface areas of
the human body (i.e, lips, genitalia, etc.) that, when
stimulated, produce erotic or sexual sensations and
reactions. These sensations are a "hard-wired" part of
the human nervous system that responds to stimulation,
even when that contact is unwanted or forced. We all
have erogenous zones, but everyone’s different, so you
may not feel all that tingly goodness in the same area as
another person.
The ones you probably haven’t considered.
Scalp- The scalp is full of nerve endings, and
even the slightest brush of the hair can send
tingles through your body.
Ears- With sensitive skin on the outside and
hundreds of sensory receptors on the inside, the
ears top the list of erogenous zones for many
people.
Navel and lower stomach- Being dangerously
close to the genitals makes this area especially
arousing.
Small of the back (sacrum)- It could have
something to do with the fact that the nerves in
this portion of the spine are connected to the
pelvis or the vulnerability factor of being touched
from behind that makes this area so sensitive.
Inner arms and armpits
Inner wrist- Home of the pulse point and not
used to getting a lot of action, the inner wrist is
highly sensitive.
Palm of hands and fingertips- The fingertips
are the part of the body most sensitive to touch,
and your palms aren’t far behind.
Behind the knee- This is another often
neglected area that’s incredibly sensitive to any
kind of touch. It’s even ticklish for some.
The ones you might have suspected.
Areola and nipples- Nipple stimulation lights up
the same area in the brain as the genitals.
Mouth and lips
Neck- When it comes to the neck, even the
slightest touch can make your entire body tingle.
Inner thighs- The inner thighs are so sensitive
and oh-so-close to the ultimate erogenous zone
that even just a graze can set your loins ablaze.
Bottom of feet and toes- Pressure points in the
bottom of the feet can increase blood flow and
enhance feelings of arousal when manipulated
just right.
The ones you’re definitely aware of.
Vaginal region
Pubic mound- The mons pubis, the fleshy
mound just above the clitoris, is rich in nerve
endings that are connected to the genitals.
Clitoris- This small pleasure bud contains over
8,000 nerve endings and is covered by a hood.
A-spot- The lower part of the vaginal opening is
full of erotically charged nerve endings and
home to the anterior fornix (A-spot).
G-spot- The G-spot is an area capable of
causing what’s known as female ejaculation.
Cervix
Penile region
Glans- The glans penis is what’s known as the
head. Thanks to 4,000 nerve endings, it’s the
most sensitive part of the penis.
Frenulum- This is the elastic piece of skin on the
underside of the penis, where the shaft meets
the head.
Foreskin- The foreskin is filled with nerve
endings that actually enhance pleasure for those
with uncircumcised penises.
Scrotum and testicles- The coin purse is filled
with super-sensitive nerves waiting to be
enjoyed.
Perineum- This sensitive patch of skin lies
between the scrotum and anus.
Prostate- This walnut-sized gland sits at the root
of the penis and can lead to powerful,
sheettwisting orgasms.
Understanding the Human
Sexual Response
Sex is emotion in motion.” Mae West
Sexual Response- A biochemical and physiological
response/reaction to sexual stimulation that occurs in
men and women after puberty.
Human Sexual Response Cycle
The sexual response cycle refers to the sequence of
physical and emotional changes that occur as a person
becomes sexually aroused and participates in sexually
stimulating activities, including intercourse and
masturbation. Knowing how your body responds during
each phase of the cycle can enhance your relationship
and help you pinpoint the cause of sexual dysfunction.
It is not the only model of a sexual response cycle, but
it is the best known one.
The study of human sexual response comes
from the pioneering work of William Masters and Virginia
Johnson (1966). These investigators were the first to
examine physical responses to sexual stimulation in the
laboratory. Masters and Johnson found that
physiological patterns of sexual response are very
similar in women and men. For both sexes, there are four
stages of sexual arousal. Pleasure and sexual
satisfaction are directly related to the phases of the
human sexual response cycle, consisting of a set of
somatic and psychological changes that are triggered by
a certain stimulation. Both men and women experience
these phases, although the timing usually is different. For
example, it is unlikely that both partners will reach
orgasm at the same time. In addition, the intensity of the
response and the time spent in each phase varies from
person to person. Many women will not go through the
sexual phases in this order. Some of these stages may
be absent during some sexual encounters, or out of
sequence in others. A desire for intimacy may be a
motivation for sexual activity in some individuals.
Understanding these differences may help partners
better understand one another’s bodies and responses,
and enhance the sexual experience.
Several physiologic changes may occur during
different stages of sexual activity. Individuals may
experience some, all, or none of these changes.
Although men and women share these basic
stages of sexual response, there are a few differences in
their physiological reactions. Women do not ejaculate,
although women’s orgasms may in some cases be
accompanied by a release of fluid from the urethra.
Masters and Johnson also found that the same
kinds of orgasms can be achieved through masturbation,
intercourse, or in some cases even fantasy. The fact that
an erotic novel or vivid sexual fantasy can prompt the
same sexual response as direct genital stimulation
highlights a fundamental fact about our sexuality: for
humans, sex is as much psychological as it is physical
as much in the head as in the genitals.
Sexual partners may also bring nonsexual
problems to the bedroom: it may be hard to enjoy sex if
you’re exhausted, angry at your partner, or preoccupied
with work. Recently, attention has also been given to the
ways in, which experiences of rape and child sexual
abuse can make it hard for a person to be sexually
trusting and responsive.
SEXUAL RESPONSE CYCLE
Phases of Sexual Response Cycle
1. Excitement/Desire Phase- It can be initiated by
physical factors (such as genital stimulation) or
by psychological factors (such as sexual
fantasies). General characteristics of this phase,
which can last from a few minutes to several
hours, include the following:
Muscle tension increases.
Heart rate quickens and breathing is
accelerated.
Skin may become flushed (blotches of
redness appear on the chest and back).
Nipples become hardened or erect.
Blood flow to the genitals increases,
resulting in swelling of the woman’s
clitoris and labia minora (inner lips), and
erection of the man’s penis.
Vaginal lubrication begins.
The woman’s breasts become fuller and
the vaginal walls begin to swell.
The man’s testicles swell, his scrotum
tightens, and he begins secreting a
lubricating liquid.
2. Plateau/Arousal Phase- If erotic stimulation
continues, the plateau phase begins. General
characteristics of this phase, which extends to
the brink of orgasm, include the following:
The changes begun in phase 1 are
intensified.
The vagina continues to swell from
increased blood flow, and the vaginal
walls turn dark purple.
The woman’s clitoris becomes highly
sensitive (may even be painful to touch)
and retracts under the clitoral hood to
avoid direct stimulation from the penis.
The man’s testicles are withdrawn up
into the scrotum.
Breathing, heart rate and blood
pressure continue to increase.
Muscle spasms may begin in the feet,
face and hands
Tension in the muscle increases.
3. Orgasm Phase- This phase is the climax of the
sexual response cycle. It is the shortest of the
phases and generally lasts only a few seconds.
General characteristics of this phase include the
following:
Involuntary muscle contractions begin.
Blood pressure, heart rate and
breathing are at their highest rates, with
a rapid intake of oxygen.
Muscles in the feet spasm.
There is a sudden, forceful release of
sexual tension.
In women, the muscles of the vagina
contract. The uterus also undergoes
rhythmic contractions.
In men, rhythmic contractions of the
muscles at the base of the penis result
in the ejaculation of semen.
A rash or "sex flush" may appear over
the entire body.
4. Resolution Phase- During this phase, the body
slowly returns to its normal level of functioning,
and swelled and erect body parts return to their
previous size and color. This phase is marked
by a general sense of well-being and, often,
fatigue. Some women are capable of a rapid
return to the orgasm phase with further sexual
stimulation and may experience multiple
orgasms. Men need recovery time after orgasm,
called a refractory period, during which they
cannot reach orgasm again. The duration of the
refractory period varies among men and
changes with age.