043106_1_5.0143190.pdf (2.84 MB)
Sex, ducks, and rock "n" roll: mathematical model of sexual response
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-10, 07:01 authored by Konstantin BlyussKonstantin Blyuss, Yuliya KyrychkoYuliya KyrychkoIn 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
ChaosISSN
1054-1500Publisher
AIP PublishingExternal DOI
Volume
33Page range
a043106 1-19Department affiliated with
- Mathematics Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2023-05-09First Open Access (FOA) Date
2023-05-09First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2023-05-06Usage metrics
Categories
No categories selectedKeywords
Licence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC