10 Physical Signs of Female Arousal

Have you ever wondered what happens to a woman’s body when she is turned on? If so, this article will take you through 10 physical signs of female arousal.

When sexually aroused, blood flows to the genital area which causes the clitoris and vaginal walls to swell and become dilated. The muscles throughout the body also tense up and breathing and heart rate increases.

Increased Muscle Tension

When a woman is sexually aroused, her muscles tighten in preparation for sex. This can be noticeable when stroking or caressing her body. The skin will also feel warmer, and her breath may smell different due to the secretion of pheromones (chemicals that send olfactory signals).

Increased heart rate is another physical sign of female arousal. The body releases hormones that cause the blood vessels to dilate and the heart to beat faster. This is to prepare the body for sexual activity and increase pleasure during sex.

The clitoris will become engorged and swollen, which increases its sensitivity to touch. This is a normal part of the arousal process and helps ensure comfortable penetration. Vaginal lubrication is another common sign of female arousal. The vagina will produce a slippery substance to make it easier to penetrate the penis and other organs.

The clitoral stimulation is a key component of orgasm, which is why women who struggle with sexual desire have started “The Clit Test” movement to pressure Hollywood to focus more on clitoral stimulation in their movies. Once orgasm occurs, the anatomic and physiologic changes associated with arousal will reverse. The orgasmic platform will disappear, the uterus will move back into the true pelvis, and the vagina will shorten and narrow.

Sensitivity to Touch

A woman’s skin will become more sensitive to touch as she becomes sexually aroused. This increased sensitivity can enhance pleasure during intimate encounters.

Another physical sign of female arousal is an increase in vaginal lubrication. This lubrication is a natural response to sexual excitement and helps facilitate comfortable penetration during foreplay.

The muscles in the clitoris will also become more sensitive. This sensitivity can make the climax more intense. A woman’s natural lubrication may also change consistency or have a distinctive smell during this stage of arousal.

A woman’s heart rate will also increase during sexual arousal. This increased heart rate is a result of hormones released by the body as it prepares for sexual activity. Other signs of sexual arousal include her verbally making suggestive or kinky comments, touching normally untouched parts of her body, and displaying lingering sexy eyes. While empirical tests have confirmed sexual arousal models for male responses, they have largely disconfirmed the Masters and Johnson and Barlow conceptualizations of female arousal (e.g., eliciting anxiety inhibits physiological arousal, parasympathetic predominance for initial arousal, and arousal is influenced by demand). However, results do support that the mechanoreceptive afferent physiology of different skin sites influences tactile pleasantness ratings.

Moans and Groans

In sexually aroused women, the nipples may swell and the breast tissue can become hard. In addition, the clitoris and labia can bulge as blood flows to these areas due to the dilation of blood vessels. The woman’s breathing will quicken and she may become flushed in the cheeks. The sounds of moaning and groaning are clear signs that she is getting turned on and ready for sex.

Moans can sound like grumbles or complaints, but when used as a sexual signal, moans are usually soft and sweet. Groans, on the other hand, are deeper and more inarticulate.

These physical signs of female arousal can help men better understand their partners’ needs and desires. But it’s important to remember that just because she’s physically aroused doesn’t mean she wants sex. Always practice enthusiastic consent, and never take a woman’s sexual arousal for granted. Symptoms of female sexual interest disorder (FSAD) include desire disorders, which can manifest as not wanting sex or low libido, and arousal disorders, which involve trouble getting physically aroused. These symptoms can be very serious and should be treated by a medical professional.

Flexing or Tensing of the Pelvic Muscles

The pelvic floor muscles are responsible for supporting the reproductive organs, bladder and passage of stools. Normally, they tense and relax as needed. However, when they become tense for a prolonged period of time, other muscles, including the abdominal and back muscles, have to work harder than they are meant to and this can lead to pain and dysfunction.

When a woman feels sexually aroused, the brain sends signals to the pelvic muscles. The resulting response is the flexing or tensing of these muscles, which can cause the nipples, vulva and clitoris to enlarge. The vulva and clitoris may also become wet to help lubricate the area for comfortable penetration.

Other physical signs of female arousal include flushed skin and increased sensitivity to touch. Some women may even feel like their genital area is “throbbing” or “pounding.” This heightened sensation can enhance pleasure during sexual activity. Sexual arousal reaches its peak during orgasm. After the orgasm, the muscles revert to their normal state. During orgasm, the muscles of the genital region tighten and release in a rhythmical pattern.

Orgasm

For both males and females, sexual arousal reaches a peak during an orgasm. This is a period of intense pleasure characterized by rhythmic muscular contractions and increased blood flow to the clitoris, vulva and anus. The outer one-third of the vagina becomes particularly engorged, creating what researchers call an orgasmic platform. During this time, the focus is exclusively on sexual stimulation, which can be done by either penetration or simply touching erogenous zones such as the anus or clitoral hood.

During an orgasm, the brain releases dopamine and oxytocin, which are both known to increase feelings of pleasure. It’s also believed that orgasms can help create a more receptive environment for sperm, which may aid in fertility.

If you find that reaching orgasm is a struggle for you, talk to your doctor about it. It could be a sign of a condition called anorgasmia, which is characterized by infrequent or nonexistent orgasms after sexual arousal. Your doctor may refer you to a sex therapist or other specialist for further help and treatment. A pill called flibanserin (Addyi) is now available to treat this condition.