What REALLY happens to your body during sex in 5 simple steps

What happens to your body when you're turned on and how does it react to orgasms?

From kissing to the post-coital slump, we reveal what really goes on inside your body before, during and after sex.

Step 1: Foreplay

Just 10-30 seconds of erotic stimulation such as kissing puts your body into excitement mode.

At this point men can become erect and their nipples can harden. A woman's vagina also grows as the blood vessels in her genitals dilate

The vagina also begins to lubricate itself – this is the body's way of preparing for sex.

A woman may also become flushed, especially on the chest and neck, due to the blood vessels dilating.

Step 2: Plateau stage

While a man's schlong continues to grow during sex, his testicles actually pull back into the scrotum as you get more turned on.

The lips of the vagina grow in size as the inside begins to narrow.

If a woman has never given birth, her vagina lips turn brighter than their normal colour.

A woman’s breasts may also increase in size by up to 25%, and blood flow to the area around the nipple (the areola) increases, making the nipples look less erect.

Step 3 (sometimes): The male orgasm

As the climax cycle begins for a man his urethral bulb begins to collect seminal fluid. When he reaches orgasm this is ejaculated from the penis.

The penis continuously contracts during this phase, creating the sensitive sensation most men experience. The muscle tension and blood vessel engorgement begin to reach a peak.

Step 4: The female orgasm

As she comes close to reaching the big-O the clitoris pulls back against the pubic bone and seems to disappear. Continuous stimulation is needed in this phase to build up enough sexual excitement for orgasm.

When she does reach climax, her vaginal wall contracts in a rhythmic pattern every eight-tenths of a second,

Her pulse, breathing and blood pressure also rise vigorously during this time. Unlike men, if a woman's carries on being stimulated they can actually have a multiple orgasm.

Step 5: The recovery

The post-coital slump is actually a real thing. After you've done the deed your body can take up to 30 minutes before it returns back to it's resting state of being.

For men, this period might last a bit longer and you won't be able to start round two until your body has recuperated.

Age and physical fitness have a huge impact on just how long your recover stage is.

For women, the uterus and clitoris begin returning to their original state, as swelling recedes and your muscle tension disappears.