The meaning of life, part 1: the female orgasm

Picture on the left: "Three representational variations of female sexual response. Pattern 1 shows multiple orgasm; pattern 2 shows arousal that reaches the plateau level without going on to orgasm (note the resolution occurs more slowly); and pattern 3 shows several brief drops in the excitement phase followed by an even more rapid resolution phase."

"Sexologists have broken the sexual response cycle into four phases, excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution. These are arbitrary definitions and a person is not likely to be aware of their body experiencing each individual phase. The amount of time a person spends in each phase, and even the order in which they experience them may vary. A woman on a date may become sexually aroused several times, even without her knowing, without her ever reaching the plateau phase.
She may experience arousal and the plateau phase during an intense session of dancing, but return to her un-aroused state during the ride home. Once home she may quickly experience arousal and orgasm, as the result of direct genital stimulation without experiencing the plateau phase.
The manner in which a person experiences each phase is unique to them, and even this will change depending on their mood and who they are with."

"Arousal may be accompanied by these physical responses to mental and/or physical stimuli:
Vaginal lubrication begins first, within 10-30 seconds.
- The inner two thirds of the vagina expands.
- The uterus and cervix are pulled upwards.
- The labia majora flatten and spread apart.
- The labia minora increase in size.
- The clitoris increases in size.
- The nipples may become erect as the result of muscle contractions.
- When highly aroused the breasts may increase in size."

From the book Masters and Johnson on Sex and Human Loving Page 58 Copyright 1982, 1985, 1986 By William H. Masters, Virginia E Johnson, and Robert C. Kolodny.