human sexual response cycle phase excitement phase https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_sexual_response_cycle#Excitement_phase The first stage of the human sexual response cycle, which occurs as a result of physical or mental erotic stimuli, such as kissing, making out, or viewing erotic images, that leads to sexual arousal. During this stage, the body prepares for sexual intercourse, initially leading to the plateau phase. arousal phase excitement stage initial excitement phase plateau phase The Complete Dictionary of Sexology