Sexual desire

Sexual desire sometimes develops slowly in women

They may not reach sexual maturity until they have been married for some time. The awakening may be gradual or may take place suddenly. Women tend to be less quickly and spontaneously aroused than men. Both partners should understand this. A woman should not feel that her husband is oversexed or "crude" if he desires intercourse because he has seen her partially undressed or because she has kissed him affectionately. A man should not consider himself rejected or decide that his wife is cold if she fails to be aroused so readily. 394 I Family Preventive Care Many women need a warming-up period, both to feel desire and Lo be physically ready for intercourse.

When a woman is sufficiently aroused, her vagina is well lubricated and naturally receptive to insertion of the penis. Many women respond best to lovemaking that begins with verbal expressions of affection, kisses, and gentle caresses and proceeds to stimulation of the breasts, the nipples, the clitoris (the small projection outside the vagina, which is composed of erectile tissue similar to the penis), and the vagina itself. Each husband should learn to know the degree to which his wife is excited by caresses of different parts of the body. If the husband is skillful, will a wife always achieve sexual satisfaction? Even under the most favorable circumstances, some women do not experience an orgasm, or climax. 

Some experience an orgasm only after they have been married for some time.

Some experience it only occasionally, perhaps only at certain periods of the month, as their desire may be of a cyclical nature, peaking before, during, or after the menstrual period. In 'men, the orgasm is clearly defined; in women it may be vague or diffuse. Its intensity varies. It may center in the clitoris or may appear to involve the internal portion of the vagina, or a woman may experience both types of orgasm. Often, failure to achieve orgasm does' not prevent a woman from having pleasure from the sexual act; failure does not necessarily make her tense and frustrated; this, too, varies in individual women. It is important for a man to help his wife experience the sexual satisfaction he enjoys.

 Men often reach climax more rapidly than women. This can usually be compensated for by making certain that the woman is highly stimulated before actual intercourse begins. While many couples find it particularly satisfying to reach orgasm simultaneously, others see no objection to having the woman reach it first. Generally, a woman's desire fades rather slowly after orgasm, whereas that of a man tends to vanish rapidly. It is not unusual, especially if a man is young or greatly excited, for him occasionally to have an orgasm almost immediately upon beginning the sexual act; this is called premature ejaculation. However, if it occurs habitually, he should consult a doctor. 

Often premature ejaculation is due to early, furtive, hurried sex experiences. As a result, a man may not have learned to enjoy a leisurely sexual pace and to adapt to his partner's needs.