What are the four phases of the human sexual response pattern? Describe the characteristics of each phase and list the phases in the proper sequential order.

The human sexual response pattern consists of four phases-excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution.The excitement phase begins the process of erotic responsiveness; it lasts from several minutes to several hours, depending on the nature of the sex play involved.Engorgement of blood vessels and increased blood flow in genital areas and muscle tension characterize the excitement phase.The second phase of the human sexual response, the plateau phase, is a continuation and heightening of the arousal begun in the excitement phase.The increases in breathing, pulse rate, and blood pressure that occurred during the excitement phase become more intense, penile erection and vaginal lubrication are more complete, and orgasm is closer.The third phase of the human sexual response cycle is orgasm.Orgasm involves an explosive discharge of neuromuscular tension and an intensely pleasurable feeling.
Following orgasm, the individual enters the resolution phase, in which blood vessels return to their normal state.A sex difference in this phase is that females may be stimulated to orgasm again without delay.Males enter a refractory period in which they cannot have another orgasm.