Abstract
According to Masters and Johnson1, the human sexual response cycle is divided into four phases: excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution. Since the initial publication of the Masters and Johnson material, more and more patients seek therapy for disturbances in the “excitement” phase. A number of patients who have difficulty with feeling sexual desire have trouble making the transition from a nonsexual state of being to a sexual state of being. This paper concerns itself with this transition. Transitions in general are discussed, followed by a description of both the ways in which people become ready for transition and of the transitions themselves. Finally, disturbances in transition are described, and recommendations for treatment of these disturbances are outlined.