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Sexuality & Relationships (Expert Forum)
Female Sexual Arousal
Answered by
Janice M Epp, PhD - Female sexual issues, Adolescent sexuality, Male sexual issues
Private Practice
Palo Alto - CA
This forum is for questions and support regarding relationship issues such as: Abstinence, Arousal Problems, Birth Control, Cohabitation, Commitment, Communication, Couples Counseling, Desire /Lack of Desire, Sexual Technique.
Female Sexual Arousal
by anony_mouse, Jun 08, 2008 07:43PM
Do women typically feel aroused in different ways depending on the context of what is arousing them? Does a woman need to feel certain sensations during sexual arousal? If a woman doesn't feel certain sensations, is she then not considered aroused technically?
I find that when I feel sexual desire while fantasizing or while intimate with my partner, I feel a warm, somewhat tingly sensation and my whole crotch area feels "full". I could feel this "full" feeling with or without even touching myself or stimulation involved. I suppose this is because of vasocongestion?
But if I am looking at porn, I tend to feel mainly a pulsing sensation. Although I much enjoy the warm, full, tingly sensations, I don't understand why I tend to feel pulsing mainly with porn. Does pulsing signify higher or lower arousal or is it just a variance?
I do not understand why the sensations I feel from porn feel different.
I find that when I feel sexual desire while fantasizing or while intimate with my partner, I feel a warm, somewhat tingly sensation and my whole crotch area feels "full". I could feel this "full" feeling with or without even touching myself or stimulation involved. I suppose this is because of vasocongestion?
But if I am looking at porn, I tend to feel mainly a pulsing sensation. Although I much enjoy the warm, full, tingly sensations, I don't understand why I tend to feel pulsing mainly with porn. Does pulsing signify higher or lower arousal or is it just a variance?
I do not understand why the sensations I feel from porn feel different.
Doctor's Answer
by Janice M Epp, PhD, Jun 10, 2008 07:25PM
, Jun 10, 2008 07:25PM
To: anony_mouse
Dear anony_mouse:
Whatever sensations you’re feeling are unique to you—part of your own response to pleasurable stimulation. There is no “right” way to feel; there’s only what you feel and what makes you happy. And, yes, the “full” feeling you have in your crotch is because of vasocongestion. During sexual arousal, blood flows to the crotch area, causing pleasurable sensations and that “full” feeling.
The “pulsing” you describe sounds like the beginning of orgasmic contractions. When you experience these, are you stimulating yourself physically, or just mentally? Many women report they can orgasm merely by “thinking off,” that is, just by being visually or mentally stimulated, with no direct touch. However, the orgasm may be faint or brief due to the fact that there’s no direct physical stimulation. Does this sound like what’s happening for you? If so, you may be experiencing the beginning of orgasmic contractions.
Both of these sound like fun, don’t they? So stop worrying and comparing and enjoy the sensations for what they are: pleasurable variations. With Pleasure, Dr. J
Whatever sensations you’re feeling are unique to you—part of your own response to pleasurable stimulation. There is no “right” way to feel; there’s only what you feel and what makes you happy. And, yes, the “full” feeling you have in your crotch is because of vasocongestion. During sexual arousal, blood flows to the crotch area, causing pleasurable sensations and that “full” feeling.
The “pulsing” you describe sounds like the beginning of orgasmic contractions. When you experience these, are you stimulating yourself physically, or just mentally? Many women report they can orgasm merely by “thinking off,” that is, just by being visually or mentally stimulated, with no direct touch. However, the orgasm may be faint or brief due to the fact that there’s no direct physical stimulation. Does this sound like what’s happening for you? If so, you may be experiencing the beginning of orgasmic contractions.
Both of these sound like fun, don’t they? So stop worrying and comparing and enjoy the sensations for what they are: pleasurable variations. With Pleasure, Dr. J
Member Comments (2)
by jml1986, Jun 09, 2008 05:14PM
All women are different. What arouses one woman, may not arouse another woman. How your body reacts to sexual arousal is also different in every woman. As long as it all feels good to you, I wouldn't worry about it.
