Physiological changes during orgasm and the scientific explanation of the refractory period

3. Climax period

Based on the duration of intercourse, if sexual stimulation has intensified, orgasm can be triggered. The period of peak sexual activity, accompanied by intense euphoria, lasts 3–15 seconds. The penis and urethra contract throughout the ejaculation process; initially, the contractions are spaced 0.8 seconds apart, with 3–4 contractions in total. The frequency and amplitude of these contractions decrease until they cease. With these contractions, ejaculation is completed.

During ejaculation, the scrotal skin undergoes significant contraction and thickening. The testicles remain in an elevated position. Body flushing becomes more pronounced. Muscles contract to varying degrees, sometimes even spasming; occasionally, the arrector pili muscles contract, causing a momentary "goosebumps" on the skin. The rectal and anal sphincter muscles also experience involuntary contractions at intervals of approximately 0.8 seconds. The heart rate can reach 110–180 beats per minute. Blood pressure rises, with systolic pressure increasing by 40–100 mmHg. Respiration accelerates, exceeding 40 breaths per minute. Sweating occurs in the palms and soles. Psychologically, sexual climax and satisfaction are achieved.

4. Regression period

After ejaculation, the male quickly enters the resolution phase. The penis begins to soften, the scrotum relaxes, and the scrotum reverts to its unstimulated state, with the skin appearing wrinkled. The congestion and swelling of the testicles disappear, and they fully descend into the relaxed scrotum. Nipples erection subsides, sexual flushing disappears rapidly, and all muscles relax. Heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration gradually calm down. Slight sweating may still occur in the palms and soles. Psychological satisfaction and emotional calm are achieved.

At this time, the man does not respond to sexual stimulation; his libido completely disappears, he cannot experience sexual arousal or erection, and he may feel discomfort or even pain from such stimulation. This stage is called the refractory period. Essentially, it is a natural mechanism of the body, beneficial for physical recovery and semen accumulation to ensure the smooth progress of the next sexual response cycle. Only after the refractory period ends can the body re-enter a new sexual response cycle under effective sexual stimulation.

Therefore, a man can only experience one orgasm and one ejaculation during a single sexual encounter. The refractory period typically lasts about 30 minutes, but there are individual differences, and it is also closely related to age; the older the man, the longer the refractory period.

The duration of the entire sexual response cycle varies considerably among individuals. Normally, most men ejaculate 2-6 minutes after penile penetration, while a few may ejaculate within 10-30 minutes. The intensity of the sexual response is related to the intensity of the sexual stimulation, the individual's sensitivity to the stimulation, and the strength of their own sexual response. Because humans are social animals with their own emotions and consciousness, any external environmental stimuli, the partner's reaction, and the individual's own psychological or physical factors can all have a positive or negative impact on the sexual response cycle.

Male sexual function is a complex physiological process that requires the coordinated action of the nervous, vascular, endocrine, and reproductive systems, as well as a healthy mental and psychological state. If any of these processes malfunctions, it can affect the successful completion of sexual intercourse, generally referred to as sexual dysfunction. Male sexual dysfunction can be classified into two types based on its causes: organic and psychological. For disorders caused by psychological factors, psychotherapy should also be administered.

**Miraculous Healing Techniques: Traditional Chinese Medicine Can Bring the “Dead” Back to Life**

Throughout my country's long history, the cultural and historical treasures of traditional Chinese medicine have been passed down for centuries. These stories and anecdotes about traditional Chinese medicine have been passed down from generation to generation, and they contain extraordinary meanings that are worthy of reflection by modern people.

Legend has it that once, when Bian Que passed through the State of Guo, he saw the entire country holding prayers. Upon inquiring, he learned that the Crown Prince of Guo had died. The prince's attendants told him that the Crown Prince had suddenly died at dawn.

Bian Que asked, "Has it been buried yet?"

The attendant replied, "Not yet. The Crown Prince has only been dead for half a day!"

Bian Que requested to go in and take a look, saying that the Crown Prince of Guo might still have a chance of survival.

The king was astonished upon hearing this and hurriedly welcomed Bian Que into the palace, weeping bitterly as he said, "I have long admired your superb medical skills, and I am fortunate to have your help today. Otherwise, my son's life would have been over."

While comforting the king, Bian Que instructed his disciple Zi Yang to grind stone needles and prick the Baihui acupoint on the crown of the prince's head. After a while, the prince gradually regained consciousness. Bian Que then instructed his disciple Zi Bao to use medicinal moxibustion on the prince's sides, and the prince was able to slowly sit up! With further treatment with traditional Chinese medicine, he recovered completely in about twenty days.

Later, people often used the phrase "bringing the dead back to life" to describe the superb skills of traditional Chinese medicine. In fact, only by prescribing the right medicine for the right condition can a doctor bring the dead back to life.

The so-called "treating the symptoms" means understanding the cause and origin of the patient's illness. For example, a male patient's physiological condition differs greatly from that of a female patient; therefore, even if they have the same disease, they cannot be treated with the same methods. This can also be seen as a difference between men and women.

The fundamental difference between men and women lies in their different reproductive systems and distinct physiological characteristics. Men possess reproductive organs such as the testes, penis, and prostate, and have four main physiological functions: sperm production, sperm storage, sperm ejaculation, and fertility. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) explains male physiological characteristics through theories such as "the kidney governs reproduction." TCM believes that the kidney stores essence and governs reproduction, playing a crucial role in male growth, development, and reproductive physiology. Normal kidney function determines the normal development of male physiological functions, and normal kidney function depends on the normal and coordinated functions of other organs. Imbalances in the kidney's yin and yang, dysfunction of other organs, or disruption of their coordination with the kidney can all affect male physiological functions.

my country's earliest medical text, the *Huangdi Neijing*, provides a highly detailed summary of male physiological characteristics. For example, the *Suwen* (Plain Questions) chapter "On the Primordial Innocence of Antiquity" states: "At eight years old, a man's kidney qi is abundant, his hair grows long, and his teeth change; at sixteen, his kidney qi is at its peak, his *tiankui* (menstrual blood) arrives, his essence overflows, yin and yang are in harmony, thus he can conceive; at twenty-eight, his kidney qi is balanced, his tendons and bones are strong, thus his permanent teeth grow and reach their full length; at twenty-four, his tendons and bones are robust, and his muscles are full and strong; at thirty-five, his kidney qi declines, his hair falls out, and his teeth become brittle; at forty, his yang qi is exhausted in the upper body, his face becomes sallow, and his hair and temples turn gray; at forty, his liver qi declines, his tendons cannot move, and his *tiankui*..." "When the kidneys are depleted, the essence is scarce, and the body reaches its limit; at eighty-eight, the teeth and hair fall out. The kidneys govern water, receiving and storing the essence of the five viscera and six bowels. Therefore, when the five viscera are flourishing, they can excrete it; now that the five viscera are all declining, the tendons and bones are weakening, and the essence of heaven is exhausted. Therefore, the hair turns white, the body becomes heavy, the gait becomes unsteady, and one cannot bear children." This book uses an eight-year cycle to describe the characteristics of the physiological changes in males during growth, development, and the maturation and decline of reproductive function, highlighting the important roles of kidney qi, tiankui (menstrual blood), and jing (essence) in human physiological activities and reproductive function.

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the development of the male reproductive system and its functions such as sperm production and conception are closely related to kidney qi, and the strength or weakness of kidney qi is directly related to the arrival and depletion of Tian Gui (a concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine). Kidney qi deficiency can lead to delayed or premature Tian Gui. Delayed Tian Gui results in impaired sexual function, while premature Tian Gui leads to premature decline in sexual function. Those with kidney qi deficiency often experience low sexual function, or may suffer from azoospermia, oligospermia, or infertility. Around the age of 16, during puberty, a man's kidney qi begins to flourish, Tian Gui is abundant, and development is rapid, especially in the development of sexual organs and secondary sexual characteristics. Sexual function and reproductive capacity tend to mature, and ejaculation begins, indicating the initial ability to reproduce. The period between 24 and 30 years old is the peak of male development. At this time, kidney qi is abundant, and Tian Gui is plentiful, making it the optimal age for reproduction. Hence, the *I Ching* states, "A man should marry at thirty." Around the age of 56, kidney qi begins to decline, Tian Gui gradually depletes, and sexual function and reproductive capacity gradually decline. Around age 65, sexual ability declines significantly, and generally, fertility ceases. A few individuals skilled in health preservation and with abundant innate endowment may still be able to father children, because "those who follow the Dao can reverse aging and preserve their form; though their lives may be long, they can still have offspring."