Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-v9fdk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T10:23:32.845Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Neurobiology of Sexual Response in Men and Women

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 November 2014

David L. Rowland
David L. Rowland*
Affiliation:
Dr. Rowland is professor of psychology and dean of graduate studies at Valparaiso University and senior associate in the Department of Population and Family Health Sciences in the Bloomberg School of Public Health at, Johns Hopkins University.
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Sexual desire, arousal, and orgasm are mediated by complex—and as yet not fully understood—interactions of the somatic and autonomic nervous systems, operating at cerebral, spinal, and peripheral levels. Furthermore, neural activity within these systems is modulated by the presence of steroid and peptide hormones, which affect male and female response differentially. At the central level, dopaminergic and serotonergic systems appear to play a significant role in various components of sexual response, although adrenergic, cholinergic, nitergic, γ-aminobutyric acidergic, and other neuropeptide transmitter systems may contribute as well. At the peripheral level, adrenergic, cholinergic, and nitergic activation mechanisms control vascular changes that underlie vaginal lubrication and penile erection. In addition, these systems respond to descending brain and spinal influences that generate orgasmic response. Disruption of endocrine, neural, or vascular response—caused by aging, disease, surgery, or medication—has the potential to lead to sexual inadequacy. At the same time, psychological and relationship factors play an important role in healthy sexual response and may enhance or impair sexual functioning.

Type
Research Article
Information
CNS Spectrums , Volume 11 , Issue S9 , 2006 , pp. 6 - 12
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2006

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Masters, WH, Johnson, VE. Human Sexual Response. Boston, MA: Little, Brown; 1966.Google Scholar
2.Rosen, RC, Beck, JG. Patterns of Sexual Arousal: Psychophysiological Processes and Clinical Applications. New York, NY: Guilford Press; 1988.Google Scholar
3.Robinson, P. The Modernization of Sex. New York, NY: Harper & Row; 1976.Google Scholar
4.Kaplan, HS. The New Sex Therapy. New York, NY: Brunner/Mazel; 1974.Google Scholar
5.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 4th ed text rev. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2000.Google Scholar
6.Basson, R. A model of women's sexual arousal. J Sex Marital Ther. 2002;28:1–10.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7.Pfaus, JG, Kippin, TE, Coria-Avila, G. What can animal models tell us about human sexual response? Annu Rev Sex Res. 2003;14:1–63.Google ScholarPubMed
8.Bancroft, J. Human Sexuality and Its Problems. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; 1989.Google Scholar
9.Davidson, JM, Myers, L. Endocrine factors in sexual psychophysiology. In: Rosen, R, Beck, G, eds. Patterns of Sexual Arousal: Psychophysiological Processes and Clinical Applications. New York, NY: The Guilford Press; 1988:158–186.Google Scholar
10.Morales, A, Buvat, J, Gooren, L, et al.Endocrine aspects of men's sexual dysfunction. In: Lue, TF, Basson, R, Rosen, R, et al, eds. Sexual Medicine: Sexual Dysfunction in Men and Women. 2nd International Consultation on Sexual Dysfunctions. Paris: Health Publications; 2004:345–382.Google Scholar
11.Grio, R, Cellura, A, Porpiglia, M, Geranio, R, Piacentino, R. Sexuality in menopause: Importance of adequate replacement therapy. Minerva Gynecol. 1999;51(3):59–62.Google ScholarPubMed
12.Davis, SR. Testosterone deficiency in women. J Reprod Med. 2001;46:291–296.Google ScholarPubMed
13.Wallen, K. Sex and context: hormones and primate sexual motivation. Horm Behav. 2001;40:339–357.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14.Sherwin, BB, Gelfand, MM, Brender, W. Androgen enhances motivation of females: a prospective crossover study of sex steroid administration in the surgical menopause. Psychosom Med. 1985;47:339–351.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
15.Davis, SR, Guay, AT, Shifren, JL, et al.Endocrine aspects of female sexual dysfunction. In: Lue, TF, Basson, R, Rosen, R, et al, eds. Sexual Medicine: Sexual Dysfunction in Men and Women. 2nd International Consultation on  Sexual Dysfunctions. Paris: Health Publications; 2004:749–782.Google Scholar
16.Motofei, IG, Rowland, DL. Neurophysiology of ejaculation: developing perspectives. BJU Int. 2005;96:1333–1339.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
17.Pfaff, DW, Schwartz-Giblin, S. Cellular mechanisms of female reproductive behaviors. Knobil, E, Neill, J, eds. The Physiology of Reproduction. New York, NY: Raven Press; 1988:1487–1568.Google Scholar
18.Stoléru, S, Grégoire, MC, Gérard, D, et al.Neuroanatomical correlates of visually evoked sexual arousal in human males. Arch Sex Behav. 1999;28:1–21.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
19.Karama, S, Lecours, AR., Leroux, JM, et al.Areas of brain activation in males and females during viewing of erotic film excerpts. Hum Brain Map. 2002:16;1–13.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
20.Saenz, de Tajeda|I, Angulo, J, Cellek, N, et al.Physiology of erectile function and pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction. In: TF, Lue, Basson, R, Rosen, Ret al, eds. Sexual Medicine: Sexual Dysfunction in Men and Women. 2nd International Consultation Sexual Dysfunctions. Paris: Health Publications; 2004:289–343.Google Scholar
21.Meston, C, Levin, R, Sipski, M, et al.Women's orgasm. Annu Rev Sex Res. 2004;15:173–257.Google ScholarPubMed
22.Rowland, DL, Burnett, A. Pharmacotherapy in the treatment of male sexual dysfunction. J Sex Res. 2000;37:226–243.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
23.Padma-Nathan, H, Christ, G, Adaikan, G, et al.Pharmacotherapy for erectile dysfunction. In: Lue, TF, Basson, R, Rosen, R, et al, eds. Sexual Medicine: Sexual Dysfunctions in Men and Women. 2nd International Consultation Sexual Dysfunctions. Paris: Health Publications; 2004:505–565.Google Scholar
24.Giuliano, F, Clement, P. Neuroanatomy and physiology of ejaculation. Annu Rev Sex Res. 2005;16:190–216.Google ScholarPubMed
25.Carmichael, MS, Humbert, R, Dixen, J, et al.Oxytocin increase in human sexual response. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1987;64:27–31.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
26.Levin, RJ. Sexual arousal—its physiological role in human reproduction. Annu Rev Sex Res. 2005;16:154–189.Google Scholar
27.Darling, CA, Davidson, JK, Jennings, DA. The female sexual response revisited: understanding the multiorgasmic experience in women. Arch Sex Behav. 1991;20:527–540.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
28.Dunn, ME, Trost, JE. Male multiple orgasms: A descriptive study. Arch Sex Behav. 1989;18:377–388.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed