During the plateau phase, some time will be long held an individually different levels of arousal, with the muscle tension is intensified and increase heart rate and blood pressure. The outer lips of the woman to swell and a vaginal transudate, which occurs in vaginal secretions, and the Bartholin's glands give her clear liquids until late into this phase, while men emit a secretion from the Cowper's glands.

In the third phase, the orgasm, the pleasure will be felt for a few seconds at most. The skin blood flow increases to a maximum, the frequency of the heartbeat can be doubled, the blood pressure increases and breathing speeds up, which can even lead to a brief loss of consciousness. Meanwhile, there will be involuntary, rhythmic muscle contractions in the genital and anal area.