Getting turned on isn’t just a feeling, it’s a full-blown, full-body physiological response.
You know how it feels when you’re aroused—you get wet, your heart rate increases, and you want more. But do you know what goes on behind the scenes?
Read on for a deeper look to learn what happens in your body to fuel arousal and your overall sexual responses.
What happens in the body as arousal builds? A look inside the physiology
From your brain and nervous system to your cardiovascular system and genitals, sexual arousal sets off a whole-body cascade of physiological changes. Here’s what’s happening beneath the surface, making pleasure possible.
Arousal starts in the brain and nervous system
Arousal requires the parasympathetic nervous system, also known as the “rest and digest” version of the nervous system, explains Dr. Nan Wise, neuroscientist and sex therapist. The parasympathetic nervous system helps stimulate the release of nitric oxide (more on that later!) which is key for the sexual response.
The brain also produces the neurotransmitter (AKA chemical messenger) dopamine—which is associated with pleasure, motivation, and reward. Dr. Wise jokingly calls dopamine the “slutty neurotransmitter,” since it’s released for reinforcement. Basically, the dopamine that’s released keeps you wanting more, and in the case of sex, it keeps you wanting more arousal, more stimulation, and more pleasure.
Blood flow to the genitals increases
A major component of arousal is blood flow. Nitric oxide is a natural gas molecule your body produces (again, triggered by the parasympathetic nervous system). During arousal, nitric oxide triggers blood flow to the genitals, making it so blood flows in faster than it flows out, resulting in a “vasocongestion party” in your genitals, Dr. Wise says. This means that blood pools in the genital tissues, causing them to swell and become more sensitive.
The clitoris becomes engorged
Thanks to the increased blood flow to your genitals, your clitoris becomes engorged and erect, meaning the external part of it may appear swollen and feel more firm to the touch.
Remember: the clitoris is way more than just what you see on the outside. Your clitoris contains erectile tissue in its internal parts, including the vestibular bulbs of the clitoris, which also become engorged with blood, Dr. Wise says. The labia minora become engorged and swell, too.
By the way, the increased blood flow and all of this engorgement are what’s responsible for the increased sensitivity you feel. Basically, as arousal builds, your body becomes more responsive and sensitive. “The engorgement brings the nerve endings closer to the surface, lowering the threshold for stimulation,” Dr. Wise says.
This is why it may not feel like much if you touch your clitoris when you aren’t turned on, but it feels much more sensitive, receptive to touch, and pleasurable when you are turned on.
The vagina expands
As arousal builds, your vagina expands to make room for penetration (how amazing is that!?). This is referred to as “vaginal tenting.”
The smooth muscle in the vaginal walls relaxes, while increased blood flow causes the tissues to become engorged. Together, these changes allow the vagina to lengthen and widen.
Thanks to smooth muscle relaxation, the vaginal cavity gets longer and wider. Additionally, the uterus and cervix rise upwards, making the internal length even longer.
Pro tip: if you’re someone who sometimes struggles with painful penetration, make sure you take plenty of time to get aroused and warmed up with foreplay. This ensures that the smooth muscle has time to relax and the vagina has time to expand and get ready for penetration. But if painful penetration is the norm for you, don’t hesitate to bring this up to your healthcare provider.
Vaginal lubrication increases
Increased blood flow is what makes way for your vagina’s natural lubrication, which also facilitates penetration.
“With the vasocongestion, all the fluid builds up, and all of the blood pushes the fluid through the wall of the vagina, almost like sweating,” says Dr. Wise. Additionally, the Bartholin's glands and the Skene’s glands add a bit more lubrication, too, Dr. Wise adds.
An important note: vaginal lubrication isn’t a perfect measure of how aroused you are. “You can be very turned on and not really be very wet, or wet and not really turned on,” Dr. Wise explains.
Additionally, many things can influence vaginal lubrication, outside of arousal. For example, many perimenopausal or menopausal women experience vaginal dryness, and notice they don’t get as wet when they’re aroused. Some other causes for vaginal dryness during arousal include being postpartum, breastfeeding, medications such as antidepressants, hormonal birth control, stress, or simply where you are in your menstrual cycle.
That’s where a good lubricant comes in. Vella’s lube, Everslide™, provides hydration for effortless glide and less friction, allowing for more comfortable and pleasurable penetration—whether that’s with fingers, sex toys, or a penis.
Your whole body gets involved
“Sex is a whole body event,” Dr. Wise says. “There's just so much stimulation. It's sensory, it's vascular, it's motor, and it's reward. It's a lot of stimulation activating the whole brain and a lot of the body.”
Here are some of the other changes you might experience in your body during arousal:
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Increased muscle tension
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Skin flushing, AKA the “sex flush” (particularly on your throat, chest, and face)
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Breasts become fuller
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Nipples become erect (some women can even have nipple orgasms!)
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More rapid breathing
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Heart rate quickens
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Blood pressure increases
The pinnacle: arousal peaks
At this point, nerve signaling, circulation, and sensory responsiveness reach their highest levels. Anticipation and sensations intensify. As arousal builds more and more, your body works its way toward orgasm—however, building arousal doesn’t always result in an orgasm, and remember, female arousal isn’t linear!
But in the case that you do have an orgasm, here’s what happens:
“As you get closer to orgasm, the muscular tension is building, the blood pressure is building, the sensations are building,” Dr. Wise says. “Then there’s that place where it goes over into orgasm with the release of the tension. The body begins to let go of the tension, including the pelvic floor contractions.”
Before the contractions start, your vagina swells. Then, the contractions lead to the big release. These contractions are rhythmic and involuntary, Dr. Wise adds, and this is what you feel when your vagina (and even anus) are pleasurably squeezing and releasing when you orgasm.
There’s also a big change in your hormones. For example, the brain produces oxytocin, a hormone that helps you feel relaxed and more bonded with your partner. Your body also produces endogenous opioids which contribute to pain relief, relaxation, and a boosted mood. Serotonin, another feel-good neurotransmitter is released, too, leading to feelings of satisfaction. Lastly, dopamine, which increases during arousal, decreases post-orgasm.
(And by the way, if you struggle with orgasms, we suggest trying an arousal lotion like Pleasurewave™. This cream is scientifically proven to help women achieve orgasms more easily, and when they do orgasm, it’s even more satisfying. Bye, bye, weak orgasms!)
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So, the next time you’re aroused, you’ll know how amazing your body is for making all of this happen. After all, our bodies are designed to feel pleasure.
And if you want to learn even more about your body’s sexual response, check out The Vella Pleasure Continuum™ to understand arousal and unlock pleasure.
