Sexual arousal generally progresses in 3 stages & these stages are remarkably similar for men & women. Arousal is heightened by the imagination, bodily contact & deliberate physical stimulation of sex organs. Stage 1 normally coincides with commencement of {foreplay}, & stage 3 with reaching {orgasm}:
STAGE 1
Large increase in flow of blood into sex organs.
MEN: {Penis} enlarges, lifts & hardens into {erection}.
MEN: {Penis} enters vagina, thrusting in & out begins, penis reaches max. size, {testicles} lift.
WOMEN: Muscular contractions of {vagina} help grip penis. {Uterus} rises, {clitoris} pulls back beneath hood of skin. Breasts may become sensitive & enlarged.
STAGE 3
MEN: Muscular contraction in {penis} causes {ejaculation} of {semen}, accompanied by extremely erotic pleasurable sensations.
WOMEN: Walls of outer {vagina} contract rhythmically & strongly several times, & intense erotic pleasurable sensations spread from {clitoris} through body.
RECOVERY PERIOD
MEN: {Penis} returns to half erect & {testicles} descend. The length of time before a 2nd erection varies from minutes to hours (generally dependent on age).
WOMEN: {Clitoris} subsides & gradually {vagina} relaxes & {uterus} falls. Women often remain fully aroused & may be capable of a series of {orgasms}.