People can be sexually aroused by different things and in a variety of situations. An arousal may be physical or mental in nature. A person may be sexually aroused by another person or by particular aspects of that person (eg.: hair color, build, smell, smile, etc) or by a non-human object.
When a person is sexually aroused by another person, it may be seen as an indicator of that person's sexual orientation. When sexual arousal is achieved by or dependent on the use of objects, it is referred to as sexual fetishism. This also includes sexual arousal which arises from another person's body part.
Most people are sexually aroused by a physical stimulation of an erogenous area, especially if it is accompanied with the anticipation of imminent sexual activity.
In addition, some people may find nudity, erotica and pornography sexually arousing, though what aspect different people find arousing will vary. Most heterosexual males are visually stimulated by female nudity or partial nudity, while some heterosexual females are stimulated by the state of romance with their partner.[1] According to the marital and sex therapist, David Schnarch, intimacy, the honest portrayal of the two people joining in the sexual act, may lead to a heightened state of passion in sex, including sexual arousal.[2] Such sexual arousal may not lead to an actual sexual activity, beyond a mental arousal. In a 2004 study at Northwestern University, the female participants (both heterosexual and homosexual women) became sexually aroused when they viewed straight as well as lesbian erotic films. Among the male participants, however, the heterosexual men were turned on only by erotic films showing women; the gay males were aroused only by films showing men. The study's senior researcher said that women's sexual desire is less rigidly directed toward a particular gender, as compared with men's; and women's desire is more changeable over time.[3]
Sexual arousal may also be assisted by a romantic setting, music, or other soothing situations.
Given the right stimulation, sexual arousal in humans will typically end in an orgasm, but may be pursued for its own sake, even in the absence of an orgasm.
Some people may experience a sexual arousal disorder. This may be characterized as a lack or absence of sexual fantasies and desire for sexual activity for a period of time. This may be caused by a mental disorder, such as depression, a drug (legal or illegal), or some other medical condition. The lack of sexual arousal may be due to a general lack of sexual desire or due to a lack of sexual desire for the current partner. The lack of desire may be acquired (i.e. it may have started after a period of normal sexual functioning) or life-long (the person has always had no/low sexual desire).
Unlike most animals, human beings of both sexes are potentially capable of sexual arousal throughout the year; therefore, there is no human mating season.
Sexual arousal for a man is usually indicated by the swelling and erection of the penis. This is usually the most prominent and reliable sign of sexual arousal in males; however, adolescent males experience 'non-sexual' erections stemming from high levels of testosterone.
In a woman, sexual arousal usually leads to vaginal lubrication in anticipation of sexual intercourse. Sexual arousal causes different physical changes.
Female sexual arousal. In the left image female genitalia are in normal state. In the right image the female is sexually aroused, the vulva is wet and the labia are slightly engorged.
- Increase in breast size
- Erection of nipples[4]
- Vaginal lubrication
- Vasocongestion of the vaginal walls
- Tumescence and erection of the clitoris and labia
- Elevation of the cervix and uterus, and expansion of the back of the vagina
- Change in shape, color and size of the labia majora and labia minora
- Pupil dilation
Male sexual arousal.
- Penile tumescence and erection
- The veins in the penis may become more prominent
- Retraction and tightening of the foreskin, often exposing the glans penis if not normally exposed (unless the particular male is circumcised)
- Emission of pre-ejaculatory fluid
- Swelling of the testes
- Ascension of the testes
- Tensing and thickening of the scrotum
- Pupil dilation
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