Unit 2: Unpacking The Self

INTRODUCTION

“Searching in all directions with one’s awareness, one finds no one dearer than oneself. In the same
way, others are fiercely dear to themselves. So one should not hurt others if one loves oneself.” – Raja Sutta

Self- understanding is vital to your ability to change and

grow – and to succeed as a person. With this vision,
this unit purposively aims to deepen your thoughts
and appreciation of yourself as a physical, sexual,
material, spiritual, political and digital being. As your
personal identity influences everything you do,
knowing about these different dimensions of yourself
is critical to harnessing your holistic character as a person,
as a friend, as a daughter or son and as a family member.
The lessons provided in this unit will give you the
opportunity to assess how unpacking of yourself is
challenged and shaped by the people you come into
contact with and the experiences you have.

The unit which entails 25 hours will also guide you towards your realization of your psychological needs which
are your primary source of motivation and which drive your values and behavior. These experiences will help
you see yourself from your own perspective and from others’ view so you will be able to fully realize the
qualities that make you and others unique.

More importantly, it will help you empower yourself to make changes and to build on your areas of strength as
well as identify areas where you would like to make improvements that could help you to respond to the
pressures of changes and transitions in your life.
https://www.vectorstock.com
LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this unit, the students will be able to:

1. identify the concepts, principles, and theories involved in all aspects of the self;
2. trace the development of the self in developing one’s own identity; and
3. examine issues and concerns regarding the self to better understand one’s self.

TOPIC 2: THE SEXUAL SELF

Gladys Lavarias, MA

“Sex is something you do. Sexuality is something you are.” – Anna Freud

Sexual self-concept refers to the totality of yourself as a

sexual being, including positive and negative concepts and
feelings.

Sexual self-concept in this unit will be described along three dimensions according to
theorists (1) sexual self-esteem, (2) sexual depression, and (3) sexual preoccupation.
Because attachment style moderates sense-of-self in general, and your expectations
https://www.rediff.com/getahead
about and strategies for approaching relationships, sexual self-concept may be a good indicator of what kinds of
relationships we tend to get into, and how we tend to behave within relationships, with an emphasis on sexual
satisfaction.

Interestingly, all of these will be unpacked for 6 hours.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

1. evaluate your sexual self in terms of differences in your primary and secondary sexual characteristics
from those of the opposite sex; naming the different parts/organs of the male and female
reproductive systems; identifying your erogenous zones in the body; how the brain controls sexual
arousal; establishing ways on how you can deal with – in appropriate ways, your sexual energies;
and identifying yourself among the different types of sexual behaviors;
2. characterize the four phases of the sexual response cycle;
3. enumerate the pros and cons of premarital sex;
4. illustrate ways on how the three levels of romantic love – lust, attraction, and attachment, differ
from each other by citing examples; and
5. produce a brochure for information dissemination on sexually transmitted diseases and methods of
contraception and family planning.

DEVELOPMENT OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SEXUAL CHARACTERISTICS

During sexual maturation (puberty growth spurt), there are two important physical changes that occur in your
body as you transition from being a child to that of being an adult: development of the primary sexual
characteristics and development of the secondary sexual characteristics.

Primary Sexual Characteristics

Primary sexual characteristics are the physical characteristics directly involved in reproduction, such as the sex
organs. Sex organs are a broad category that includes any gland, organ, or part that is necessary for
reproduction. (Study.com) The sex organs show a major physical change during puberty – its growth and
development make up the primary sexual characteristics. Primary sexual characteristics are there from birth (for
example, penises vs. vaginas). In mammals, sex is determined through hormonal events in utero that under
normal circumstances are controlled by the combination of X and Y chromosomes. If an egg is fertilized
with a sperm carrying the X chromosome, the gonads should develop into ovaries and the offspring will be
female; if the egg is fertilized with a sperm carrying the Y chromosome, the gonads should develop into
testes and the offspring will be male. (Reid, 2018).

https://www.google.com/sear
ch?
biw=1280&bih=689&tbm=isch&sa=
1&ei=afwOXYvHGJe_wAP476ABg
&q=male+reproductive+organs&oq=
male+reproductive+organs&gs

For the male: scrotum, testes, epididymis, vas deferens, prostate, seminal vesicles, urethra, and penis all qualify
as being part of the sex organs. (Study.com) The male gonads (testes), which are located in the scrotum (sac),
outside the body, are only approximately 10% of their mature size at the age of fourteen years. Rapid growth
occurs for a year or two, after which growth slows down; the testes are fully developed by the age of twenty or
twenty-one.

The penis accelerates in growth shortly after the rapid growth of the testes begins. At first, the growth is seen in
length, followed by a gradual increase in circumference. Nocturnal emissions (wet dreams) are spontaneous
orgasms during sleep that includes ejaculation for a male. They begin to occur when the male reproductive
organs have become developed in function. This can be seen when boys have a sexually exciting dream, when
they have a full bladder, are constipated, when wearing tight undergarments, or when they are too warmly
covered.
For the female: the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, vaginal canal, Bartholin’s and Skenes glands, vagina,
clitoris, and clitoral hood are all considered as sex organs. All parts of the female reproductive system grow
during puberty, but in different rates. The uterus weighs 5.3 grams with the average eleven- or twelve-year-old
girl; by the age of sixteen, the average weight is 43 grams. During this time, the sex organs grow rapidly. The
menarche, or first menstrual flow, is the first real sign of sexual maturation in girls. This starts a series of
regular discharges of blood, mucus, and broken-down cell tissue from the uterus that occurs every 28 days until
the menopause, in the late forties or early fifties.

https://www.google.com/search?
biw=1280&bih=689&tbm=isch&sa
=1&ei=4PsOXbf8EdOGoAT_hLm
ICA&q=female+reproductive+orga
ns&oq=female+reproductive+orga
ns&gs

Secondary Sexual Characteristics

Secondary sexual characteristics emerge at puberty. These physical characteristics are not used in sexual
reproduction, but are important for attracting a mate or being able to provide care for offspring - such as human
breasts. These features distinguish males from females and make members of one sex appealing to members of
the opposite sex. Hormones secreted through the hypothalamus initiate the development of classically male or
female secondary sexual traits (Reid, 2018). The appearance of secondary sexual characteristics makes one
“sexually appealing”. Changes caused by the gradual development of these characteristics, like other
developments at puberty, follows a predictable pattern. The following table shows the secondary sexual
characteristics of boys and girls:

Important Secondary Sex Characteristics:

BOYS GIRLS
Hair Hips
Pubic hair appears about one year after the testes and The hips become wider and rounder as a result of the
penis have started to increase in size. Axillary and enlargement of the pelvic bone and the development
facial hair appears when the pubic hair has almost of subcutaneous fat.
completed its growth, as does body hair. At first, all
hair is scanty, lightly pigmented, and fine in texture. Breasts
 Later it becomes darker, coarser, more luxuriant, and
slightly kinky.
Skin
The skin becomes coarser, less transparent, and
sallow in color, and the pores enlarge.
Glands
The sebaceous, or oil-producing, glands in the skin
enlarge and become more active, which may cause
acne. The apocrine glands in the armpits start to
function, and perspiration increases as puberty
progresses.
Shortly after the hips start to enlarge, the breasts
begin to develop. The nipples enlarge and protrude
and, as the mammary gland develops, the breast
become larger and rounder.
Hair
Pubic hair appears after hip and breast development is
well underway. Axillary hair begins to appear after
the menarche, as does facial hair. Body hair appears
on the limbs late in puberty. All hair except facial hair
is straight and slightly pigmented at first and then
becomes more luxuriant, coarser, darker, and slightly
kinky.

Muscles Skin
The muscles increase markedly in size and strength, The skin becomes coarser, thicker, and slightly
thus giving shape to the arms, legs, and shoulders. sallow, and the pores enlarge.

Voice
Voice changes begin after some pubic hair has
appeared. The voice becomes husky and later drops in
pitch, increases in volume, and acquires a pleasant
tone. Voice breaks are common when maturing is
rapid.
Breast Knots
Slight knobs around the male mammary glands
appear between the ages of twelve and fourteen.
These last for several weeks and then decreases in
number and size.
Glands
The sebaceous and apocrine glands become more
active as puberty progresses. Clogging of the
sebaceous glands can cause acne, while the apocrine
glands in the armpits produce perspiration, which is
especially heavy and pungent just before and during
menstrual period.
Muscles
The muscles increase in size and strength, especially
in the middle of puberty and toward the end, thus
giving shape to the shoulders, arms, and legs.

Voice
The voice becomes fuller and more melodious.
Huskiness and breaks in the voice are rare among
girls.

EROGENOUS ZONES OF THE HUMAN BODY

The previous topic introduced you to knowing and understanding your physical self in relation to self-esteem
and beauty. To deeply know yourself, this topic enables you to explore your sexual self. Sexual awakening
takes place through the different parts of your body where they lead to sexual stimulation due to their sensitivity
to touch. These body parts are known as erogenous zones – sensitive areas on the body that cause sexual
arousal when they are touched (Merriam-Webster). Your awareness of these body parts will lead you to being
responsible – as to know your limits and capabilities, and will give you control over your desires and sexual
urges.
 https://www.pinterest.at/pin/324188873171462719/

1. Clitoris – this is the female body part contributing most to sexual arousal. It is extremely sensitive due
to nerve endings. Research shows that stimulating the clitoris is the fastest and easiest way for many
women to achieve orgasm through pressure and vibration.

2. Vagina – it is where the “G-spot” is located. The interior of the vagina contain nerve endings, and
women report that deep stimulation leads to more intense orgasms. The outer edge of the vagina, on the
other hand, tends to respond to light touch.

3. Cervix – located at the lower end of the uterus, has its own feel-good nerve pathways. In fact, some
research suggests that the vagina, clitoris, and cervix all respond separately and distinctly to sexual
stimuli. Nerves in the cervix respond most to pressure stimulation, but light touch has been shown to
elicit a response as well.

4. Mouth and Lips – surveys found kissing to be more important in relationship-building than in sexual
arousal. Studies suggest that many women rank the lips and mouth highly as erogenous areas.

5. Neck - according to a large international survey of women, both the nape and back of the neck are
among the top 10 erogenous zones. One study found that the neck is very 61 sensitive to light touch,
especially among people with low body fat. Another study found that women with spinal cord injury can
get pretty turned on by neck stimulation alone.

6. Breasts and Nipples – both men and women have breasts for evolutionary purposes especially women;
and they play a role in sexual arousal as well. Nipple stimulation sets fireworks off in the same region of
the brain that processes sensations from the clitoris and vagina. Just as with the clitoris, pressure and
vibration stimulate them.

7. Ears – are super sensitive to touch, probably due to a large number of nerve endings.

https://www.pinterest.at/pin/604326843725439530/

1. Penis - both survey and lab-based scientific experiments demonstrate that penile stimulation
significantly contributes to sexual satisfaction. And while this can be a sensitive subject, circumcision
doesn’t appear to decrease sensation or sexual satisfaction.

2. Mouth and Lips – they are highly sensitive; male lips respond to light touch, temperature, or pressure.
Kissing also triggers a release of hormones involved in intimacy – especially oxytocin, the so-called
“love hormone.”
3. Scrotum - it is one of men’s most notable erogenous zones. Lots of nerves mean that this area is super-
sensitive to touch.
 4. Neck – while touching the neck doesn’t appear to be quite as much of a turn-on for men as for women,
it’s still ranked pretty highly on the erogenous zones list. The neck has great sensitivity to low-frequency
vibration, making it a prime spot for light erotic touch.

5. Nipples – as with women, men rank nipples as a definite hot spot. While male nipples don’t appear to
serve any real purpose (they’re basically by-products of evolution), that doesn’t mean they’re totally
useless – they still have plenty of nerve endings.

6. Perineum – is the area between the anus and scrotum and is hooked up to perineal nerves, which help
convey sensations of sexual pleasure from the genitals to the brain.

7. Ears – highly sensitive to touch because of a high number of sensory receptors on the skin, the ears are
ranked just behind the scrotum for body parts that help men orgasm when touched or otherwise
stimulated.
Source: https://greatist.com/play/guide-to-male-female-erogeneous-zones#7

The Sexual Response Cycle

Your sexual motivation – libido, is your overall sexual drive or desire for sexual activity. This is affected by
biological, psychological, and social factors. A person’s ability to engage in sexual behaviors is controlled and
influenced by sex

hormones, social factors – work and family, internal psychological factors – personality and stress, medical
conditions, medications, pregnancy, and relationship issues.

According to William Masters and Virginia Johnson, the sexual response cycle is a model that describes the
physiological responses that take place during sexual activity. According to the cycle, it consists of four phases:

1. Excitement – the intrinsic (inner) motivation to pursue sex arises; it includes increased heart rate,
blood pressure, and muscle tension;
2. Plateau – sets the stage for orgasm; heart rate quickens, blood pressure rises, muscle tension
increases, and breathing becomes faster;
3. Orgasm – the release of tension; also known as the “climax or peak” of the sexual excitement; heart
rate increases dramatically, blood pressure rise, breathing becomes rapid and shallow, muscles
throughout the body contract, and perspiration is evident; there is an intense, pleasant, or pleasurable
psychological feeling associated with the release of sexual tension; and
4. Resolution – the return to the unaroused state before the cycle begins again; heart rate, blood
pressure, and breathing return to normal state, and muscle tension decreases.

Now that you are aware of your body’s sexual responses and behaviors, your knowledge of these intimate
reactions should lead you to your appreciation of your body, mind, and sexuality. As teenagers, curious of your
body changes and sensations, you should be aware of your responsibilities to control and to not go beyond your
limits when it comes to the practice of engaging sexually. Sex is beautifully expressed and experienced in the
state of love, commitment, and marriage.

How do we prevent premarital sex?

Sex comes with responsibility. Premarital sex in young adults is an act out of curiosity, making them unaware
of the consequences of this behavior – committing a mortal sin with your God, early/unwanted pregnancy, the
gossips and condemnations from the community/society, and the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted
infections or HIV/AIDS. Adolescence should be a time to form oneself as a mature and responsible individual
being, and not at all a time to rush into procreation. So, how do we prevent premarital sex? Learn how to say
NO! One of the ways to prevent premarital sex is to start from educating and empowering yourself – learning
the truths about sex and evaluating the consequences of premarital sex. And it is through your parents and the
school that you should find and seek guidance and knowledge in this very sensitive and personal issue of how
you can prevent yourself from engaging in premarital sex. In the pleasure of a moment, you can be blinded by
your sexual desire. In the moment of lust and passion, your future can be destroyed. In the moment of
foolishness and self-gratification, your bright future can turn into darkness. Sex should be saved as a gift for
marriage. “Why save sex for marriage” is really a question of understanding God’s purpose and design for sex.
We can choose to do things God’s way, and experience the beauty of His plan, or we can choose to do things
our way, and experience harm and destruction (Proverbs 16:25).Sex is from God. He gave it to us as a gift. It's a
wedding gift.—Bill Shannon

THE CHEMISTRY OF LOVE: THE SCIENCE BEHIND LUST, ATTRACTION, AND

COMPANIONSHIP

What is LOVE? Who is your first crush?

Have you experienced feeling a rush of euphoria, embarrassed yet excited, awkward, or even tongue-tied when
you see your crush or someone you really find attractive, especially of the opposite sex? This topic will try to
explain LOVE through chemistry by exploring the science behind lust, attraction, and attachment. So, if there’s
really a “formula” for love, what is it, and what does it mean?

According to anthropology professor Helen Fisher, there are three stages of falling in love. In each stage,
different brain chemicals influence your brain chemistry - the neurotransmitters that get you all excited and the
hormones that carry the feeling all throughout your body.

1. Lust - driven by the desire for sexual gratification; evolutionary basis for this is our need to
reproduce; through reproduction, organisms pass on their genes, and thus contribute to the
perpetuation of their species.

The hypothalamus of the brain plays a big role by stimulating the production of the sex hormones:
a. Testosterone – from the testes; being “male”; increases libido
b. Estrogen – from the ovaries; being “female”; increases sexual motivation in women during
ovulation (peak of estrogen production)

2. Attraction (Falling in love) – involves romantic or passionate love,characterized by euphoria;

physical symptoms of falling in love include loss of appetite, inability to sleep, lack of concentration,
wet palms, and butterflies in the stomach.

These symptoms are caused by surging brain chemicals called monoamines:

a. Dopamine - produced by the hypothalamus, released when we do things that feel good to us like
spending time with loved ones and having sex.

b. Norepinephrine – high dosage are released during attraction; these chemicals make us giddy,
energetic, and euphoric, even leading to decreased appetite and insomnia; also known as
noradrenalin, it plays a large role in the “fight or flight” response, which kicks into high gear
when we’re stressed and keeps us alert.

c. Phenylethylamine – a natural amphetamine; gives the feeling of being on-top-of-the-world that

attraction can bring; and gives the energy to stay up day and night when in love.
 d. Serotonin – a hormone that’s known to be involved in appetite and mood; this gives the
overpowering infatuation that characterizes the beginning stages of love.

3. Attachment (Staying together) - the predominant factor in long-term relationships. While lust and
attraction are pretty much exclusive to romantic entanglements, attachment mediates friendships,
parent-infant bonding, social cordiality, and many other intimacies as well.

The two primary hormones here appear to be

a. Oxytocin - often nicknamed as “cuddle hormone”; it is produced by the hypothalamus and
released in large quantities during sex (peaks during orgasm), breastfeeding, and childbirth, all of
these events are precursors to bonding.

b. Vasopressin – also called the “monogamy chemical”; researchers have found out that
suppression of vasopressin can cause male prairie voles to neglect their partners and not fight off
other male voles who try to mate with their partners.

c. Endorphins - are chemicals produced naturally by the nervous system to cope with pain or
stress; are often called "feel-good" chemicals because they can act as a pain reliever and
happiness booster.

Figure 1. Love can be distilled into three categories: lust, attraction, and attachment. Though there are overlaps
and subtleties to each, each type is characterized by its own set of hormones. Testosterone and estrogen drive
lust; dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin create attraction; and oxytocin and vasopressin mediate
attachment.
http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2017/love-actually-science-behind-lust-attraction-companionship/
A: The testes and ovaries secrete the sex hormones testosterone and estrogen, driving sexual desire. B and C:
Dopamine, oxytocin, and vasopressin are all made in the hypothalamus, a region of the brain that controls many
vital functions as well as emotion. D: Several of the regions of the brain that affect love. Lust and attraction shut
off the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which includes rational behavior.
http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2017/love-actually-science-behind-lust-attraction-companionship/

DIVERSITY OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR

Gender and sexual diversity (GSD), or simply sexual diversity, refers to all the diversities of sex characteristics,
sexual orientations and gender identities, without the need to specify each of the identities, behaviors, or
characteristics that form this plurality.

Sexual Orientation

a. Heterosexuals - sexually attracted to people of the opposite sex; commonly referred to as

straight;

b. Homosexuals - sexually attracted to people of their own sex; gay or lesbian;

c. Bisexuals - sexually attracted not exclusively to people of one particular gender; attracted to
both men and women;

Gender identity
a. Transgender - denoting or relating to a person whose sense of personal identity and gender
does not correspond with their birth sex;

b. Cisgender - denoting or relating to a person whose sense of personal identity and gender
corresponds with their birth sex;

Related minorities – intersex, gathered under the acronyms:

a. LGBT or LGBTI – lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/transsexual people, and sometimes

intersex people

Kinsey Scale

The Kinsey scale, also called the Heterosexual–Homosexual Rating Scale, is used in research to describe a
person's sexual orientation based on one’s experience or response at a given time. The scale typically ranges
from 0, meaning exclusively heterosexual, to a 6, meaning exclusively homosexual.

In both the male and female volumes of the Kinsey Reports, an additional grade, listed as "X", indicated "no
socio-sexual contacts or reactions".

The reports were first published in Sexual Behavior in the Human Male (1948) by Alfred Kinsey, Wardell
Pomeroy, and others, and were also prominent in the complementary work Sexual Behavior in the Human
Female (1953).
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinsey_scale#/media/File:Kinsey_Scale.svg

UNDERSTANDING SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections that are passed from person to person through sexual
contact. HIV is an STI. There are more than 25 other sexually transmitted infections that are mainly spread by
sexual contact such as vaginal, anal, and oral sex.

Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than one million people get an STI every
day. STIs are also sometimes called sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). While “STD” is often used
interchangeably with “STI”, they are not exactly the same.

A “disease” is usually an obvious medical problem with clear signs and symptoms. “Infection” with an STI may
or may not result in disease. This is why many individuals and organizations working in health are moving
toward using the term “sexually transmitted infection” more than “sexually transmitted disease”. Most people
with STIs do not have any symptoms and are therefore often unaware of their ability to pass the infection on to
their sexual partner(s).

If left untreated, STIs can cause serious health problems including cervical cancer, liver disease, pelvic
inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, and pregnancy problems. Having some STIs (such as chancroid, herpes,
syphilis, and trichomoniasis) can increase the risk of your getting HIV if you are HIV-negative and get exposed
to HIV.

People living with HIV may also be at greater risk of getting or passing on other STIs. If and when people
living with HIV get STIs, they can experience more serious problems from them or have greater difficulty
getting rid of the infections.

https://www.thewellproject.org/hiv-information/sexually-transmitted-infections-or-diseases-stis-or-stds?
gclid=Cj0KCQjw6cHoBRDdARIsADiTTzY2UKHBgftBg1woKuo-rOS_1S75qTZ4AILQ5l9vAWmnXtCU1-
D_CpEaAuLAEALw_wcB

1. CLAMYDIA

Definition/ Symptom/ Treatment How it looks like

 - one of the most common STIs; caused by a bacterium that
exists in vaginal secretions and semen (“cum”); can be
spread by vaginal, oral, or anal sex without a condom or
latex/polyurethane barrier; pregnant women can pass it on
to their babies during delivery.
Symptoms: may include vaginal discharge and burning
during urination, but most women do not have any
symptoms
Treatment: with antibiotics; if left untreated, it can spread
to a woman's upper, internal reproductive organs (ovaries
and fallopian tubes) and cause pelvic inflammatory
disease (PID); PID can lead to infertility and make it
difficult or impossible to become pregnant.

https://www.google.com/search?
q=chlamydia+examples&tbm=isch&tbs=rimg:CavNpFMbCAVlIjipCJL85TJJof12EGwMA4Ejhxo2pwaGDMuLyESR_108tAXW5Srcd7wie77LKF
POrFVhvncPy7M_1euCoSCakIkvzlMkmhEZYWzqCWk4BtKhIJ_

2. GENITAL WARTS

Definition/ Symptom/ Treatment How it looks like

- are caused by viruses; HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is the
name of a large group of viruses; certain types of HPV
cause warts on the hands or feet; other types cause
infections in the genital area that can lead to genital warts,
cervical cancer, or cancer of the vulva, vagina, anus, and
penis;; people living with HIV are more likely to be
infected with HPV than HIV-negative people; people living
with HIV and HPV are also more likely to develop genital
warts, as well as cervical or anal cancer;
Treatment: regular cervical screening tests are a good way to
check for HPV; there are also three effective HPV vaccines

https://www.google.com/search?
biw=1264&bih=672&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=cMUQXZ36BtumoATPwo6YAw&q=genital+warts+examples&oq=genital+warts+exampl
es&gs_l=img.3...239996.24..gws-wiz-img.......0i7i30j0i7i5i30j0i8i7i30.2dL9m2SWYTI#imgrc=FFi8S46yRu1hTM:

3. GONORRHEA

Definition/ Symptom/ Treatment How it looks like

 - often called “the clap”, this bacterial sexually transmitted
infection exists in vaginal secretions and semen; it can be
spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex without a condom
or latex/polyurethane barrier
Symptoms: may include a yellowish or greenish vaginal
discharge and a burning feeling when urinating; can also
affect the anus and the throat.
Treatment: with antibiotics If left untreated, it can cause
PID and infertility.

https://www.medicinenet.com/image-collection/the_clap_gonorrhea_picture/picture.htm

4. HERPES

Definition/ Symptom/ Treatment How it looks like

- caused by a virus that lives in the nerves.
There are two common types:
a) Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) - usually causes cold sores
around the mouth
b) Herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) - usually causes sores in the
genital area.
it is possible to get HSV-2 in the mouth and HSV-1 in the genital
area.
Symptoms: include itchy or painful blisters; spread through skin-
to-skin contact with sores, but it may also spread even before sores
can be seen on the infected person.
Genital HSV-2 infection is more common in women than men.
There is no cure for herpes, but the antiviral drugs Zovirax
(acyclovir), Valtrex (valacyclovir), and Famvir (famciclovir) can
reduce the number of outbreaks if taken daily and can shorten
outbreaks and make them less severe if taken as soon as symptoms
begin. Valtrex has also been shown to lower your risk of passing
the infection to someone else. Pregnant women can pass herpes to
their babies.
https://www.medicinenet.com/image-collection/herpes_simplex_virus_type_1_picture/picture.htm

5. HIV (HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS)

Definition/ Symptom/ Treatment How it looks like

 - The virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency
Syndrome); present in blood, vaginal secretions, semen,
and breast milk; can be spread through vaginal, oral, or
anal sex without a condom or latex/polyurethane barrier;
getting tested for HIV is part of routine medical care;

https://www.medicinenet.com/image-collection/hivaids_picture/picture.htm

6. SYPHILIS

Definition/ Symptom/ Treatment How it looks like

- caused by a bacterium; it can be spread by vaginal, anal,
or oral sex without a condom or latex/polyurethane
barrier.
- The disease has several phases
.
- a) primary syphilis (early disease) may have pain-free
open sores, called chancres, in the genital or anal area or
around the mouth; the sores usually heal on their own in
three to six weeks.
- b) secondary syphilis (a later stage of the disease) often
have a rash and/or hair loss.
- c) latent stage during which it may have no visible
symptoms but can cause damage to the heart, brain, and
other organs.

Treatment: can be successfully treated with antibiotics;

without treatment, it can hurt your body's organs, leading
to severe illness and even death.
Pregnant women can pass syphilis to their babies during
pregnancy and childbirth, so it is important that
pregnant women get tested for syphilis.

https://www.medicinenet.com/image-collection/syphilis_picture/picture.htm

7. OTHER SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

a. Chancroid
 Definition/ Symptom/ Treatment How it looks like

- caused by a bacterium; it can be spread by vaginal or

anal sex or skin-to-skin contact with sores.

- Symptoms: may include genital sores, vaginal

discharge, a burning feeling when urinating, and
swollen lymph nodes in the groin. Treatment: can be
treated with antibiotics

https://www.medicinenet.com/image-collection/chancroid_picture/picture.htm

b. Hepatitis

Definition/ Symptom/ Treatment How it looks like

- an inflammation (irritation) of the

liver; some types of hepatitis are caused by viruses
that exist in blood, vaginal secretions, semen, and
breast milk; these include hepatitis A (HAV),
hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C (HCV), all of
which can be sexually transmitted.

- Treatment: there is a vaccine to prevent HAV and

HBV, but not for HCV. HAV goes away on its own,
but HBV and HCV can become chronic (long-term)
and very serious.

https://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/ss/slideshow-hepatitis-overview

c. Pubic Lice

Definition/ Symptom/ Treatment How it looks like

 - they live in the pubic hair and can be transmitted by skin-
to-skin contact; they can also be spread through infected
clothes and bedding.
Symptoms: may include intense itching and seeing lice or
eggs in the hair. Treatment: can be treated with over-the-
counter medications; contaminated clothes, sheets,
pillowcases, blankets, and towels should be washed in hot
water and laundry soap to kill lice and eggs and to prevent
being infected again.

https://www.google.com/search?q=pubic+lice+images&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa

d. Trichomoniasis

Definition/ Symptom/ Treatment How it looks like

- caused by a single-celled germ called a protozoa; can
be spread during vaginal, oral, or anal sex without a
condom or latex/polyurethane barrier; common cause
of vaginal infections.
Symptoms: may include a foamy, foul-smelling
vaginal discharge and itching
Treatment: with antibiotics

https://www.google.com/search?
biw=1262&bih=672&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=nswQXZWsOJvAoATvmK3gCg&q=trichomoniasis+images&oq=trichomoniasis+images
&gs_l=img.1.0.0j0i7i30l4j0i8

FAMILY PLANNING AND CONTRACEPTION

(Source: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/family-planning-contraception)

Key facts from the World Health Organization (As of 8 February 2018)

a. 214 million women of reproductive age in developing countries who want to avoid pregnancy are not
using a modern contraceptive method
b. Some family planning methods, such as condoms, help prevent the transmission of HIV and other
sexually transmitted infections

c. Family planning/contraception reduces the need for abortion, especially unsafe abortion
d. Family planning reinforces people’s rights to determine the number and spacing of their children
e. By preventing unintended pregnancy, family planning/contraception prevents deaths of mothers and
children

Family planning allows people to attain their desired number of children and determine the spacing of
pregnancies. It is achieved through use of contraceptive methods and the treatment of infertility (this fact sheet
focuses on contraception).

Benefits of Family Planning/Contraception

Promotion of family planning – and ensuring access to preferred contraceptive methods for women and couples
– is essential to securing the well-being and autonomy of women, while supporting the health and development
of communities.

Preventing Pregnancy-Related Health Risks in Women

A woman’s ability to choose if and when to become pregnant has a direct impact on her health and well-being.
Family planning allows spacing of pregnancies and can delay pregnancies in young women at increased risk of
health problems and death from early childbearing. It prevents unintended pregnancies, including those of older
women who face increased risks related to pregnancy. Family planning enables women who wish to limit the
size of their families to do so. Evidence suggests that women who have more than 4 children are at increased
risk of maternal mortality.

By reducing rates of unintended pregnancies, family planning also reduces the need for unsafe abortion.

Reducing Infant Mortality

Family planning can prevent closely spaced and ill-timed pregnancies and births, which contribute to some of
the world’s highest infant mortality rates. Infants of mothers who die as a result of giving birth also have a
greater risk of death and poor health.

Helping to Prevent HIV/AIDS

Family planning reduces the risk of unintended pregnancies among women living with HIV, resulting in fewer
infected babies and orphans. In addition, male and female condoms provide dual protection against unintended
pregnancies and against STIs including HIV.

Empowering People and Enhancing Education

Family planning enables people to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health. Family
planning represents an opportunity for women to pursue additional education and participate in public life,
including paid employment in non-family organizations.

Additionally, having smaller families allows parents to invest more in each child. Children with fewer siblings
tend to stay in school longer than those with many siblings.

Reducing Adolescent Pregnancies

Pregnant adolescents are more likely to have preterm or low birth-weight babies. Babies born to adolescents
have higher rates of neonatal mortality. Many adolescent girls who become pregnant have to leave school. This
has long-term implications for them as individuals, their families and communities.

Slowing Population Growth

Family planning is key to slowing unsustainable population growth and the resulting negative impacts on the
economy, environment, and national and regional development efforts.

WHO PROVIDES FAMILY PLANNING/CONTRACEPTIVES?

It is important that family planning is widely available and easily accessible through midwives and other trained
health workers to anyone who is sexually active, including adolescents. Midwives are trained to provide (where
authorised) locally available and culturally acceptable contraceptive methods.

Other trained health workers, for example community health workers, also provide counselling and some family
planning methods, for example pills and condoms. For methods such as sterilization, women and men need to
be referred to a clinician.

CONTRACEPTIVE USE

Contraceptive use has increased in many parts of the world, especially in Asia and Latin America, but continues
to be low in sub-Saharan Africa. Globally, use of modern contraception has risen slightly, from 54% in 1990 to
57.4% in 2015. Regionally, the proportion of women aged 15–49 reporting use of a modern contraceptive
method has risen minimally or plateaued between 2008 and 2015. In Africa it went from 23.6% to 28.5%, in
Asia it has risen slightly from 60.9% to 61.8%, and in Latin America and the Caribbean it has remained stable
at 66.7%.

Use of contraception by men makes up a relatively small subset of the above prevalence rates. The modern
contraceptive methods for men are limited to male condoms and sterilization (vasectomy).

CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS

Modern methods:

Method Description How it works Effectiveness to prevent Comments

pregnancy
Combined oral Contains two Prevents the >99% with correct and consistent Reduces risk of
contraceptives hormones release of eggs use endometrial and
(COCs) or “the (estrogen and from the ovaries ovarian cancer
pill” progestogen) (ovulation)
92% as commonly used

Progestogen- Contains only Thickens cervical 99% with correct and consistent Can be used while
only pills progestogen mucus to block use breastfeeding; must
(POPs) or "the hormone, not sperm and egg 90–97% as commonly used be taken at the same
minipill" estrogen from meeting and time each day
prevents ovulation

Implants Small, flexible Thickens cervical >99% Health-care provider

rods or capsules mucus to block must insert and
placed under the sperm and egg remove; can be used
skin of the upper from meeting and for 3–5 years
arm; contains prevents ovulation depending on
progestogen implant; irregular
hormone only vaginal bleeding
common but not
Method Description How it works Effectiveness to prevent Comments
pregnancy
harmful
Progestogen Injected into the Thickens cervical >99% with correct and consistent Delayed return to
only injectables muscle or under mucus to block use fertility (about 1–4
the skin every 2 sperm and egg months on the
or 3 months, from meeting and average) after use;
depending on prevents ovulation 97% as commonly used irregular vaginal
product bleeding common,
but not harmful
Monthly Injected monthly Prevents the >99% with correct and consistent Irregular vaginal
injectables or into the muscle, release of eggs use bleeding common,
combined contains estrogen from the ovaries but not harmful
injectable and progestogen (ovulation)
contraceptives
(CIC) 97% as commonly used
Combined Continuously Prevents the The patch and the CVR are new The Patch and the
contraceptive releases 2 release of eggs and research on effectiveness is CVR provide a
patch and hormones – a from the ovaries limited. Effectiveness studies comparable safety
combined progestin and an (ovulation) report that it may be more and pharmacokinetic
contraceptive estrogen- directly effective than the COCs, both as profile to COCs with
vaginal ring through the skin commonly and consistent or hormone
(CVR) (patch) or from correct use. formulations.
the ring.
Intrauterine Small flexible Copper >99% Longer and heavier
device (IUD): plastic device component periods during first
copper containing copper damages sperm months of use 84 are
containing sleeves or wire and prevents it common but not
that is inserted from meeting the harmful; can also be
into the uterus egg used as emergency
contraception
Intrauterine A T-shaped Thickens cervical >99% Decreases amount of
device (IUD) plastic device mucus to block blood lost with
levonorgestrel inserted into the sperm and egg menstruation over
uterus that from meeting time; Reduces
steadily releases menstrual cramps
small amounts of and symptoms of
levonorgestrel endometriosis;
each day amenorrhea (no
menstrual bleeding)
in a group of users
Male condoms Sheaths or Forms a barrier to 98% with correct and consistent Also protects against
coverings that fit prevent sperm and use sexually transmitted
over a man's erect egg from meeting infections, including
penis HIV
85% as commonly used
Female Sheaths, or Forms a barrier to 90% with correct and consistent Also protects against
condoms linings, that fit prevent sperm and use sexually transmitted
loosely inside a egg from meeting infections, including
Method Description How it works Effectiveness to prevent Comments
pregnancy
woman's vagina, 79% as commonly used HIV
made of thin,
transparent, soft
plastic film
Male Permanent Keeps sperm out >99% after 3 months semen 3 months delay in
sterilization contraception to of ejaculated evaluation 85
taking effect while
(vasectomy) block or cut the semen stored sperm is still
vas deferens tubes present; does not
that carry sperm 97–98% with no semen affect male sexual
from the testicles evaluation performance;
voluntary and
informed choice is
essential
Female Permanent Eggs are blocked >99% Voluntary and
sterilization contraception to from meeting informed choice is
(tubal ligation) block or cut the sperm essential
fallopian tubes

Lactational Temporary Prevents the 99% with correct and consistent A temporary family
amenorrhea contraception for release of eggs use planning method
method (LAM) new mothers from the ovaries based on the natural
whose monthly (ovulation) effect of
bleeding has not 98% as commonly used breastfeeding on
returned; requires fertility
exclusive or full
breastfeeding day
and night of an
infant less than 6
months old
Emergency Pills taken to Delays ovulation If all 100 women used progestin- Does not disrupt an
contraception prevent only emergency contraception, already existing
pills (ulipristal pregnancy up to 5 one would likely become pregnancy
acetate 30 mg or days after pregnant. 86
levonorgestrel unprotected sex
1.5 mg)
Standard Days Women track Prevents 95% with consistent and correct Can be used to
Method or SDM their fertile pregnancy by use. identify fertile days
periods (usually avoiding by both women who
days 8 to 19 of unprotected want to become
Method Description How it works Effectiveness to prevent Comments
pregnancy
each 26 to 32 day vaginal sex during pregnant and women
cycle) using cycle most fertile days. who want to avoid
beads or other pregnancy. Correct,
aids consistent use
requires partner
cooperation.
88% with common use (Arevalo
et al 2002)

Basal Body Woman takes her Prevents 99% effective with correct and If the BBT has risen
Temperature body temperature pregnancy by consistent use. and has stayed higher
(BBT) Method at the same time avoiding 75% with typical use of FABM for 3 full days,
each morning unprotected (Trussell, 2009) ovulation has
before getting out vaginal sex during occurred and the
of bed observing fertile days fertile period has
for an increase of passed. Sex can
0.2 to 0.5 degrees resume on the 4th
C. day until her next
monthly bleeding.
TwoDay Women track Prevents 96% with correct and consistent Difficult to use if a
Method their fertile pregnancy by use. woman has a vaginal
periods by avoiding 86% with typical or common infection or another
observing unprotected use. (Arevalo, 2004) condition that
presence of vaginal sex during changes cervical
cervical mucus (if most fertile days, mucus. Unprotected
any type color or coitus may be
consistency) resumed after 2
consecutive dry days
(or without
secretions)
Sympto-thermal Women track Prevents 98% with correct and consistent May have to be used
Method their fertile pregnancy by use. with caution after an
periods by avoiding Reported 98% with typical use abortion, around
observing unprotected (Manhart et al, 2013) menarche or
changes in the vaginal sex during menopause, and in
cervical mucus most fertile conditions which
(clear texture) , may increase body
body temperature temperature.
(slight increase)
and consistency
of the cervix
(softening).
Traditional methods

Traditional Effectiveness to prevent

Description How it Works Comments
Methods pregnancy

Women monitor 91% with correct and consistent

The couple
their pattern of use.
prevents May need to delay or
menstrual cycle
pregnancy by use with caution
over 6 months,
avoiding when using drugs
subtracts 18 from
Calendar unprotected (such as anxiolytics,
shortest cycle
method or vaginal sex during antidepressants,
length (estimated
rhythm method the 1st and last 75% with common use NSAIDS, or certain
1st fertile day) and
estimated fertile antibiotics) which
subtracts 11 from
days, by may affect timing of
longest cycle
abstaining or ovulation.
length (estimated
using a condom.
last fertile day)
96% with correct and consistent One of the least
Man withdraws
use effective methods,
his penis from his
Tries to keep 73% as commonly used because proper
partner's vagina,
Withdrawal sperm out of the (Trussell, 2009) timing of withdrawal
and ejaculates
(coitus woman's body, is often difficult to
outside the vagina,
interruptus) preventing determine, leading to
keeping semen
fertilization the risk of ejaculating
away from her
while inside the
external genitalia
vagina.

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO) RESPONSE

WHO is working to promote family planning by producing evidence-based guidelines on safety and service
delivery of contraceptive methods, developing quality standards and providing pre-qualification of
contraceptive commodities, and helping countries introduce, adapt and implement these tools to meet needs.

LET’S ASSESS
 1. Make a Venn Diagram showing the Male and Female Primary and Secondary Sexual Characteristics.

Female Male

Similarities

2. Identify and describe 1 sexually transmitted disease then give its signs and symptoms.

3. Name one method of contraception. Classify its type whether it is traditional or modern method. Simply
discuss how it is used/applied.

4. Are you in favour of family planning? Why or why not? Support your answer by citing pros and cons of
family planning.

Rubrics:

ORGANIZATION 5 4 3 2 1 0
-clear objectives
-logical structure/sequence
-presentation is appropriate for the topic and audience
-with references

CONTENT 5 4 3 2 1 0
- technical terms are well-defined
- contains accurate information
- material is relevant to the overall message/purpose

OVERALL IMPRESSION 5 4 3 2 1 0
-very interesting
-pleasant to listen to/look at/read the material
-very good information relay