For an individual to be able to benefit from a good sexual health overall, it is important that the body’s system receive an adequate amount of neural signals that are sent to various areas of the body from the central nervous system. This involves a healthy balance of responses of relaxation, which is activated within the parasympathetic nervous system, and responses of stress, which are activated within the sympathetic nervous system. Each of these responses occurs within the area of the body that is known as the autonomic nervous system of the body. Penile erection and vaginal lubrication are processes that happen when sexual arousal is triggered in the neurovascular system, which is mediated by the autonomic nervous system. For normal sexual activity to occur adequate triggers of parasympathetic stimulation must occur, which promotes the muscles to become relaxed and smooth, and allows normal blood flow to the genital area of the penis.

This also includes tissue lubrication and engorgement of the vaginal tissue. Ejaculation and orgasm are achieved through a series of neuromuscular events, and before each of these can occur there must be a sufficient amount of stimulation to the central nervous system of each individual.