GEC 1- Understanding the Self

CHAPTER 2: MANAGING AND CARING THE SELF

Lesson 1:
The Physical and Sexual Self

Intended Learning Outcomes

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

1. Understand the different physical and sexual characteristics of both males and
females.
2. Describe the different diseases associated with the reproductive organs.
3. Explain the different methods of contraception.

Introduction

Physical Self

 Physical self refers to the body, this marvelous container and complex, finely tuned,
machine with which we interface with our environment and fellow beings.
 The Physical Self is the concrete dimension, the tangible aspect of the person that
can be directly observed and examined.

Sexual Self

- Sex chromosomes of human define sex and their secondary sex characteristics.

- From childhood we are controlled by our genetic make-up

- However there are individuals who do not accept their innate sexual characteristics
and tend to change their organs thru surgeries and medications.
- Aside from genes, society helps us shape ourselves.

Discussion

Developmental Aspects of the Reproductive System

- Although the sex of an individual is determined in time of fertilization, the gonads do

not begin to form until the eight week of embryonic development.

- Prior to this time, the embryonic reproductive structures of male and females are
identical and are said to be indifferent stage.

- After gonads have formed, development of the accessory structures and external
genitalia begins.

- Although the sex of an individual is determined in time of fertilization, the gonads do

not begin to form until the eight week of embryonic development.

- After gonads have formed, development of the accessory structures and external
genitalia begins.
- Whether male or female structure will form depends entirely on the presence or
absence of testosterone.

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BIZZARE ABNORMALITIES

- Any interference to the normal pattern of sex hormone production in the embryo
results to bizzare abnormalities.

- If the embryonic testes fail to produce testosterone, a genetic male develops the
female genitalia structures. Vice – versa
- If genetic female is exposed to testosterone, the embryonic ovaries may develop
male accessory and an empty scrotum.

PSEUDOHERMAPHRODITES
A condition in which the individual has a single chromosomal and gonadal sex but
combines features of both sexes in the external genitalia, causing doubt as to the true sex.

HERMAPHRODITES
The condition of having both male and female reproductive organs.

CRYPTORCHIDISM
A condition seen in newborns when one or both of the male testes have not passed
down into the scrotal sac. and cause sterility.

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PHIMOSIS
Narrowing of the foreskin of the male reproductive structure and misplaced urethral
openings.

PUBERTY

A period of life, generally between the ages 10 to 15 years old, when the reproductive
organs grow to their adult size and become functional under the influence of rising levels of
gonodal hormones.

The reproductive organs continue to grow for two years until sexual maturation marked by
the presence of mature semen in the testes.

In females, the budding of their breast usually occur at the age of 11, signals their puberty
stage.

DISEASES ASSOCIATED WITH REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM.

 Infections are the most common problems associated with the reproductive system in
adults.
 Vaginal infections are more common in young and elderly women and in those
whose resistance to diseases is low.

DISEASES OF MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Prostatitis
The inflammation (swelling) of the prostate gland. It can be very painful and
distressing.

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Urethritis
An inflammation of the urethra. That's the tube that carries urine from the bladder to
outside the body. Pain with urination is the main symptom of urethritis. Urethritis is
commonly due to infection by bacteria.

Tumors (a mass of abnormal tissue) of the breast and cervix are the most common
reproductive cancers in adult females, and prostate cancer is a widespread problem in adult
male.

IN WOMEN

Reach peak reproductive abilities in their late 20’s, in which after natural ovarian
function decreases.

As estrogen production declines, ovulation becomes irregular and menstrual periods

become scanty and shorter in length wherein ovulation and menses ceases entirely, ending
child – rearing ability; “menopause”

Although estrogen production continues even at menopause, the ovaries stop

functioning.

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Deprivation of estrogen, causes the breast to begin atrophy, vagina becomes dry,
intercourse may become painful (particularly if frequent) and vaginal infections become
increasingly common.

Other effects of Estrogen deficit

• Irritability

• Mood Changes (depression in some)

• Intense vasodilation of skin’s blood vessels which causes sweat – drenching “hot
flashes”

• Gradual thinning of skin

• Loss of bone mass

• Slowly rising blood cholesterol levels which risks women to cardiovascular disorders.

*Physicians prescribe low-dose of estrogen-progestin preparations to help through difficult

period and to prevent skeletal and cardiovascular complications.

IN MEN

• Has no equivalent menopause

• Although aging men exhibit decline in testosterone secretion

• Reproductive capability is unending

• If living healthy, men are able to father offspring well in their 80’s and beyond

EROGENOUS ZONES

 Refer to parts of the body that are primarily receptive and increase sexual arousal
when touched in a sexual manner.
 Some of the commonly known erogenous zones are the mouth, breasts, genitals,
and anus. Erogenous zones may vary from one person to another
 Some people may enjoy being touched in a certain area more than the other areas.
Other common areas of the body that can be aroused easily may include the neck,
thighs, abdomen, and feet.

HUMAN SEXUAL BEHAVIOR

SOLITARY BEHAVIOR

 Self-gratification means self-stimulation that leads to sexual arousal and generally,

sexual climax. Usually, most self-gratification takes place in private as an end in
itself, but can also be done in a sociosexual relationship.

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 Self-gratification, generally beginning at or before puberty. There are more males

who perform acts of self-gratification than females.

SOCIOSEXUAL BEHAVIOR

 Heterosexual behavior is the greatest amount of sociosexual behavior that occurs

between only one male and one female. It usually begins in childhood and may be
motivated by curiosity, such as showing or examining genitalia.

COITUS- the insertion of the male reproductive structure into the female reproductive organ.

 Premarital Coitus- more likely to be tolerated in Western society but not encouraged
if the individuals intend marriage.
 Marital coitus - usually regarded as an obligation in most societies.
 Extramarital coitus- particularly by wives, is generally condemned and, if permitted, is
allowed only under exceptional conditions or with specified persons. Societies tend to
be more lenient toward males than females regarding extramarital coitus.
 Postmarital coitus - (i.e., coitus by separated, divorced or widowed persons) is almost
always ignored. Even societies that try to confine coitus to marriage recognize the
difficulty of trying to force abstinence upon sexually experienced and usually older
persons.

PHYSIOLOGY OF HUMAN SEXUAL RESPONSE

EXCITEMENT PHASE

 It is caused by increase in pulse and blood pressure; a sudden rise in blood supply to
the surface of the body resulting in increased skin temperature, flushing, and swelling
of all distensible body parts (particularly noticeable in the male reproductive structure
and female breasts), more rapid breathing, the secretion of genital fluids, vaginal
expansion, and a general increase in muscle tension.

 These symptoms of arousal eventually increase to a near maximal physiological level

that leads to the next stage.

PLATEAU PHASE
It is generally of brief duration. If stimulation is continued, orgasm usually occurs.

SEXUAL CLIMAX
It is marked by a feeling of abrupt, intense pleasure, a rapid increase in pulse rate and blood
pressure, and spasms of the pelvic muscles causing contractions of the female reproductive
organ and ejaculation by the male.

RESOLUTION PHASE

 It is the last stage that refers to the return to a normal or subnormal physiological
state. Males and females are similar in their response sequence.
 Whereas males return to a normal even if simulation continues, but continued
stimulation can produce additional orgasms in females. Females are physically
capable of repeated orgasms without the intervening “rest period” required by males

NERVOUS SYSTEM

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 The entire nervous system plays a significant role during sexual responses.
 The autonomic system involved in controlling the involuntary responses.
 In the presence of a stimulus capable enough of initiating a sexual response, the
efferent cerebrospinal nerves transmit the sensory messages to the brain.
 The brain will interpret the sensory message and dictate what will be the immediate
and appropriate response of the body.
 The hypothalamus and the limbic system are the parts of the brain believed to be
responsible for regulating the sexual response, but there is no specialized “sex
center” that has been located in the human brain.
 Apart from brain-controlled sexual responses, there is some reflex (not brain-
controlled) sexual response. This reflex is mediated by the lower spinal cord and
leads to erection and ejaculation for male, vaginal discharges and lubrication for
female, when the genital and perineal areas are stimulated.

SEXUAL PROBLEMS

PREMATURE EMISSION OF SEMEN

This is a common problem, especially for young males. Sometimes this is not the
consequence of any psychological problem but natural result of excessive tension in a male
who has been sexually deprived.

EJACULATORY IMPOTENCE

It results from the inability to ejaculate in coitus, is uncommon and is usually of

psychogenic origin.

VAGINISMUS

A strong spasm of the pelvic musculature constricting the female reproductive organ
so that penetration is painful or impossible

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)

A retrovirus that infects the vital organs and cells of the human immune system.

AIDS

A disease in which there is a severe loss of the body's cellular immunity, greatly
lowering the resistance to infection and malignancy.

CHLAMYDIA

A very small parasitic bacterium that, like a virus, requires the biochemical
mechanisms of another cell in order to reproduce.

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GONORRHEA

A venereal disease involving inflammatory discharge from the urethra or vagina.

SYPHILIS

A chronic bacterial disease that is contracted chiefly by infection during sexual

intercourse, but also congenitally by infection of a developing fetus.

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CHANCROID

Bacterial infection that causes open sores on or around the genitals of men and
women.

HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS

A viral infection that is passed between people through skin to skin contact.

HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS

It is spread from skin to skin contact with infected areas, often during vaginal sex,
oral sex, anal sex, and kissing. Herpes causes outbreaks of itchy, painful blisters or sores
that come and go.

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TRICHOMONAS VAGINALIS

A very common sexually transmitted disease (STD), it is caused by infection with a

protozoan parasite called trichonomas vaginalis.

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NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL METHODS OF CONTRACEPTION

A. NATURAL METHOD

ABSTINENCE

This natural method involves refraining from sexual intercourse and is the most
effective natural birth control method with ideally 0% fail rate.

CALENDAR METHOD

This method is also called as the rhythm method. It entails withholding from coitus
during the days that the woman is fertile.

BASAL BODY TEMPERATURE

It indicates the woman’s temperature at rest. Before the day of ovulation and during
ovulation, BBT falls at 0.5F; it increases to a full degree because of progesterone and
maintains its level throughout the menstrual cycle.

CERVICAL MUCUS METHOD

The change in the cervical mucus during ovulation is the basis for this method.
During ovulation, the cervical mucus is copious, thin, and watery.

SYMPTOTHERMAL METHOD

basically a combination of the BBT method and the cervical mucus method. The woman
records her temperature every morning and also takes note of changes in her cervical
mucus.

OVULATION DETECTION

It uses an over-the-counter kit that requires the urine sample of the woman. The kit
can predict ovulation through the surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) that happens 12 to 24
hours before ovulation.

COITUS INTERRUPTS

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One of the oldest methods that prevents conception. A couple still goes in with
coitus, but the man withdraws the moment he ejaculates to emit the spermatozoa outside of
the female reproductive organ.

B. ARTIFICIAL METHODS

ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES

Also known as the pill, oral contraceptives contain synthetic estrogen and
progesterone.

TRANSDERMAL PATCH

It contains both estrogen and progesterone. The woman should apply one patch
every week for three weeks on the following areas: upper outer arm, upper torso, abdomen,
or buttocks.

VAGINAL RING

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It releases a combination of estrogen and progesterone and it surrounds the cervix.

This silicon ring is inserted into the female reproductive organ and remains there for three
weeks and then removed on the fourth week, as menstrual flow would occur.

SUBDERMAL IMPLANTS

These are are two rod-like implants inserted under the skin of the female during her
menses or on the seventh day of her menstruation to make sure that she will not get
pregnant.

HORMONAL INJECTIONS

It contains medroxyprogesterone, a progesterone, and is usually given once every 12

weeks intramusculalry. The injection causes charges in the endometrium and cervical mucus
and can help prevent ovulation.

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INTRAUTERINE DEVICE

This is a small, T-shaped object containing progesterone that is inserted into the uterus via
the female reproductive organ. It prevents fertilization by creating a local sterile inflammatory
condition to prevent implantation of the zygote.

CHEMICAL BARRIERS

Such as spermicides, vaginal gels and creams, and glycerin films are used to caused
the death of sperm before they can enter the cervix and to lower the pH level of the female
reproductive organ so it will not become conducive for the sperm.

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DIAPHRAGM

It is a circular, rubber disk that fits the cervix and should be placed before coitus. It
works by inhibiting the entrance of the sperm into the female reproductive organ and it works
better when used together with a spermicide

CERVICAL CAP

It is made of soft rubber and fitted on the rim of the cervix. It is shaped like a thimble
with a thin rim, and could stay in place for not more than 48 hours.

MALE CONDOMS

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This is a latex or synthetic rubber sheath that is placed on the erect male
reproductive organ before penetration into the female reproductive organ to trap the sperm
during ejaculation.

FEMALE CONDOMS

These are made up of latex rubber sheaths that are pre-lubricated with spermicide.
They are usually bound by two rings. The outer ring is first inserted against the opening of
the female reproductive organ and the inner ring covers the cervix.

SURGICAL METHODS

During vasectomy, a small incision is made on each side of the scrotum. The vas
deferens is then tied, cauterized, cut, or plugged to block the passage of the sperm. In
women, tubal ligation is performed after menstruation and before ovulation.

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