figshare
Browse

Sex, ducks, and rock "n" roll: mathematical model of sexual response

Download (2.84 MB)
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-10, 07:01 authored by Konstantin BlyussKonstantin Blyuss, Yuliya KyrychkoYuliya Kyrychko
In this paper, we derive and analyze a mathematical model of a sexual response. As a starting point, we discuss two studies that proposed a connection between a sexual response cycle and a cusp catastrophe and explain why that connection is incorrect but suggests an analogy with excitable systems. This then serves as a basis for derivation of a phenomenological mathematical model of a sexual response, in which the variables represent levels of physiological and psychological arousal. Bifurcation analysis is performed to identify stability properties of the model's steady state, and numerical simulations are performed to illustrate different types of behavior that can be observed in the model. Solutions corresponding to the dynamics associated with the Masters-Johnson sexual response cycle are represented by "canard"-like trajectories that follow an unstable slow manifold before making a large excursion in the phase space. We also consider a stochastic version of the model, for which spectrum, variance, and coherence of stochastic oscillations around a deterministically stable steady state are found analytically, and confidence regions are computed. Large deviation theory is used to explore the possibility of stochastic escape from the neighborhood of the deterministically stable steady state, and the methods of an action plot and quasi-potential are employed to compute most probable escape paths. We discuss implications of the results for facilitating better quantitative understanding of the dynamics of a human sexual response and for improving clinical practice.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Chaos

ISSN

1054-1500

Publisher

AIP Publishing

Volume

33

Page range

a043106 1-19

Department affiliated with

  • Mathematics Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2023-05-09

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2023-05-09

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2023-05-06

Usage metrics

    University of Sussex (Publications)

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Licence

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC