The sexual response cycle is commonly depicted on a graph that plots the level of arousal against time. This visualization shows how arousal changes through the four distinct phases. During the excitement phase, arousal steadily increases from a baseline to a moderate level. In the plateau phase, this arousal level is maintained and may increase slightly. The orgasm phase is characterized by a rapid spike in arousal to its peak, followed by a sharp decline back to the plateau level. Finally, during the resolution phase, the arousal level returns from the plateau level back to the baseline.