TOPIC 6: The Sexual Self under your arms and on your legs.

Many women remove this hair.

What is your sexual self?
 Skin – Your skin may become oilier.
- The Sexual Self pertains to your sexual development,
You may sweat more, producing
sexual health, sexual orientation, gender identity and
body odor, so it is important to wash
expression, and values around sexuality (Villafuerte,
regularly. You may get spots on
Quillope, Tunac, and Borja, 2018).
your face; this is completely natural
3 Sections of the Sexual Self:
and can be kept under control.
Sexual Development
 Menstruation – Your menstruation
- Life long process that starts at the moment of
cycle, or period, usually starts
conception.
between the ages of 9 and 14.
- Human beings are all sexual beings. Sexual
During puberty your ovaries begin
development takes place when humans are still inside
to release eggs. A layer of blood and
the womb of their mothers.
tissue builds up in the uterus. This
- Sex – is a biological component determined on the
tissue is not needed until you have
basis of primary sex characteristics.
children and is discharged once a
- Puberty – is the stage of development at which
month.
individuals become sexually mature. (10-14 for girls,
 Breasts – In most girls, puberty
12-16 for boys)
starts with breast growth. It is not
o Puberty in Boys:
unusual for one breast to be larger
 Body size and voice – Arms, legs,
than the other. They will even out
hands, and feet may grow faster than
when they reach their final shape
the rest of your body. Your voice
and size. As your breasts develop
will get deeper.
you may need to wear a bra.
 Hair – Hair will appear under your
 Body Shape – Hips get wider. Waist
arms, legs, and face, and also above
gets smaller. You will put on weight
your penis. Some men also grow
– this is normal and there is no need
hair on their chest.
to diet.
 Skin – Skin may become oilier. You
- During the stage of puberty, your sexual behavior
may sweat more, producing body
begin to develop. Adolescent is where the phase of
odor, so it is important to wash
dating and courtship. Although it is fun, you must be
regularly. You may get spots on
highly cautious in considering the following: early
your face; this is completely natural
pregnancy, acquiring STDs, and early motivation to
and can be kept under control.
sexual activities.
 Penis – Your penis will get longer
- Have you ever wondered what is the most important
and ticker and your testicles will get
sex organ is? It is in the brain, most specifically the
larger. You will have erections due
hypothalamus which influences your sex hormones
to an increase in hormones.
that results to arousal.
Erections are when the penis gets
- What is the difference between how male and female
stiff and hard.
experience arousal?
 Sperm – Your body will begin to
o Males tend to think more of sex due to sexual
produce sperm. This means during
fantasies and desires and are most aroused
an erection you may also experience
with visual stimulus.
ejaculation. This when semen is
o Females on the other hand, tend to place more
released through the penis. This
emphasis on emotional closeness with a lover
may happen when you’re asleep.
or someone they seem to be attracted to. They
This is known as a wet dream.
experience greater arousal than usual –
 Body Shape – Your body will
before, after, or during their menstrual cycle.
change shape, and you will become
- Now what happens to your body when you engage to
taller, heavier, and broader.
sexual activity? According to William Master and
o Puberty in Girls:
Virginia Johnson, the human experiences four stages:
 Body Size – Arms, legs, hands, and
o Stage 1: Excitement – General characteristics
feet may grow faster than the rest of
of this excitement phase, which can last from
your body.
a few minutes to several hours, include the ff:
 Hair – Hair will start to grow in the
 Muscle tension increases
pubic region (the area between your
 Heart rate quickens and breathing is
legs). You may also notice hair
accelerated.
  Skin may become flushed (blotches
of redness appear on the chest and
back).
 Nipples become hardened or erect.
 Blood flow to the genitals increases,
resulting in swelling of the woman’s
clitoris and labia minora (inner lips),
and erection of the man’s penis.
 Vaginal lubrication begins.
 The woman’s breasts become fuller
and the vaginal walls begin to swell.
 The man’s testicles swell, his
scrotum tightens, and he begins
secreting a lubricating liquid.
o Stage 2: Plateau – General characteristics of
the plateau phase, which extends to the brink
of orgasm, include the following:
 The changes begun in phase 1 are
intensified.
 The vagina continues to swell from
increased blood flow, and the
vaginal wall turn a dark purple.
 The woman’s clitoris becomes
highly sensitive (may even be
painful to touch) and retracts under
the clitoral hood to avoid direct
stimulation from the penis.
 The man’s testicles are withdrawn
up into the scrotum.
 Breathing, heart rate, and blood
pressure continue to increase.
 Muscle spasms may begin in the
feet, face, and hands.
 Muscle tension increases.
o Stage 3: Orgasm – The orgasm is the climax
of the sexual response cycle. It is the shortest
phase and generally lasts only a few seconds.
General characteristics of this phase include
the following:
 Involuntary muscle contractions
begin.
 Blood pressure, heart rate, and
breathing are at their highest rates,
with a rapid intake of oxygen.
 Muscles in the feet spasm.
 There is a sudden, forceful release
of sexual tension.
 In women, the muscles of the vagina
contract. The uterus also undergoes
rhythmic contractions.
 In men, rhythmic contraction of the
muscles at the base of the penis
result in the ejaculation of semen.
 A rash, or “sex flush” may appear
over the entire body.
o Stage 4: Resolution
 During resolution, the body slowly
returns to its normal level of
functioning, and swelled, and erect
body parts return to their previous
size and color.
 This phase is marked by a general
sense of well-being, enhanced
intimacy and, often, fatigue.
 Some women are capable of a rapid
return to the orgasm phase with
further sexual stimulation and may
experience multiple orgasms.
 Men need recovery time after
orgasm, called a refractory period,
during which cannot reach orgasm
again. The duration of the refractory
period varies among men and
usually lengthens with advancing
age.
Human Sexuality
- Sexuality is much more than a sexual feeling or sexual
intercourse. It is an important part of who a person is
and what they will become. It includes also the
feelings, thoughts, and behaviors associated with
being male or female. Being attractive and being in
love as well as being in relationship that includes
sexual intimacy, sensual and sexual activities.
- Brain is primarily responsible to our bodily arousal.
- Understanding the Chemistry of Lust, Love, and
Attachment
- According to the anthropologist Helen Fisher, there
are three stages of falling in love and for each stage, a
different set of chemicals run the show.
o Lust
 Oestrogen + Testosterone
 These sex hormones, present in both
males and females, motivate
individuals to find a mate – being
the main hormones responsible for
“sex drive”. Indeed, experiments
have shown that altering levels of
these hormones has implications
upon sexual desire.
 Marked by physical attraction.
 You want to seduce and be seduced
by your object of affection
 Will not guarantee, however, that
the couple will fall in love in any
lasting way.
o Attraction
 This “infatuation” stage is driven
mainly by dopamine and
norepinephrine (noradrenaline),
coupled with a decrease in serotonin
levels. This cocktail of chemicals
causes increased alertness and
arousal of the body when somebody
is attracted to another, inducing a
feel-good reward pathway
associated with the person –
 increasing the desire to spend more
time with them.
 It is being in the state of love-struck
in which, it involves three main
neurotransmitters: norepinephrine,
dopamine, and serotonin
 It is one heck of a roller-coaster ride
through your emotions, but it is
what makes it as one of the most
beautiful aspects of human life.
o Attachment
 Oxytocin + Vasopressin
 Long term attachment between two
people involves the hormone
oxytocin (known as the “love
hormone” or “cuddle chemical”)
and vasopressin. Concentrations of
these in the body increase following
orgasm in both men and women –
the release of these hormones is
believed to be important factor in
long term attraction and love.
 Involves the desire to have lasting
commitment with your significant
other.
- Risk Factors of Engaging in Genital Sex Behavior
o Acquiring of Sexually Transmitted Diseases/
Infections
 They are passed through sexual
contact or genital – through vaginal
intercourse, oral sex, and anal sex.
 Common Types of STDs (Curable):
 Chlamydia
 Gonorrhea
 Trichomoniasis
 Genital warts
 Pubic lice
 Scabies
 Syphilis
 Common Symptoms of STD
 Unusual discharge from
the vagina, penis, or anus
 Pain when peeing
 Lumps or skin growths
around the genitals or anus
 A rash
 Unusual vaginal bleeding
 Itchy genitals or anus
 Blisters and sores around
the genitals or anus
 HIV-AIDS (Non – Curable)
 Human Immunodeficiency
Virus (HIV) is a virus that
causes AIDS (Acquired
Immune Deficiency
Syndrome).
 It is present in blood,
vaginal secretions, semen,
and breast milk. HIV can
be spread through vaginal,
oral, or anal sex without a
condom.
 This virus causes the
body’s immune system to
weaken or become
deficient.
 Many people living with
HIV look and feel healthy
and do not think they are at
risk for becoming sick or
passing HIV to others.
 Once infected with HIV,
they are very mild
symptoms or none at all
 After 5-10 years, the
body’s immune system
becomes too weak to fight
off infections – this
syndrome of having many
infections at the same time
because of a weakened
immune system is called
AIDS (Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome)
 NO cure.
o Teenage Pregnancy
 Effects and Risks
 Education Interrupted
 Health Risks
o Obstetric Fistula
 Maternal Mortality
 Premature Birth
 Still Birth
 Factors that need to keep in mind
 Financial
 Biological
 Emotional/Psychological
- Having sex isn’t always a healthy choice. Impulsive
decisions can lead to lifelong problems; such as
disease or pregnancy.
Diversity of Human Sexuality
SEX GENDER
- refers to the biological and - refers to the social and
physiological differences cultural differences between
between men and women. men and women.
- has two main categories: - has two main categories:
male and female. masculine and feminine.
- sex remains the same - gender roles, expectations
regardless of time and may differ across time and
culture. culture.
- created by the reproduction
- gender distinctions are
needs, that is, biological
created by gender norms.
features.
- Gender identity – is how you think about yourself.
Chemistry that composes you and how you interpret
what it means.
o Woman, Genderqueer, Man
- Gender expression – is how you demonstrate your
gender (based in traditional gender roles) through the
ways you act, dress, behave, and interact.
o Feminine, Androgynous, Masculine
- Biological sex – refers to the objectively measurable
organs, hormones, and chromosomes.
o Female = vagina, ovaries, XX chromosomes;
Male = penis, testes, XY chromosomes;
intersex = combination of the two
- Sexual orientation – is who you are physically,
spiritually, and emotionally attracted to, based on their
sex/gender in relation to your own.
o Heterosexual, Bisexual, Homosexual
Terms Definition
LGBTQ+ An umbrella term for a wide
spectrum of gender identities,
sexual orientations, and romantic
orientations.
Lesbian Females who are exclusively
attracted to women.
Gay Males who are exclusively
attracted to any other males. It
can also refer to anyone who is
attracted to his or her same
gender.
Bisexual Someone who is
sexually/romantically attracted
to both men and women.
Transgender An umbrella term for people who
do not identify with the gender
assigned to them at birth. Trans
woman is an identity label
adapted by male to female trans
people to signify that they
identify themselves as women. A
trans man is an identity label
adapted by female to male trans
people to signify that they
identify themselves as men.
Transsexualism People who believe they were
born with the body of the other
gender. Transsexuals sometimes
seek sex-change operations.
Queer/ A useful term for those who are
Questioning questioning their identities and
are unsure about using more
specific terms, or those who do
not simply wish to label
themselves and prefer to use a
broader umbrella term.
Intersex People who are born with a mix
of male and female biological
traits that can make it hard for
doctors to assign them a male or
female sex.
Asexual A person who is not interested in
or does not desire sexual activity.
Pansexual People who are attracted to
others regardless of their sex or
gender.
- There is preliminary empirical research that strongly
suggests sexual orientation is not a choice. Just as the
majority of the heterosexual people do not choose to
be attracted to the opposite sex, the large majority of
the LGBTQ+ people do not choose theirs. The only
real choice that the LGBTQ+ community has to deal
with is whether to be open about their orientation.
SHORT RECAP:
- The sexual self is an overview of your sexual
development especially in the transitional stage of
adolescence wherein your sexual awareness is awaken
and begin to manifest sexual behaviors that are
influenced by Biological Factors and Cognitive
Factors where your Brain is the most important sex
organ that mainly controls the production of sex
hormones that affect how a person experience arousal
in nature.
- The Chemistry explained as to what and how your
neurotransmitters and hormones result you to
experience Lust (testosterone and estrogen); Love
(norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin); and
Attraction (oxytocin and vasopressin). Though there is
no definite answer as how love works. But as we
mature we may experience strong emotional
attachments to romantic partner and find it natural to
express their feelings within sexual relationship, thus
engaging such activities may have a permanent
consequence such as acquiring STD or early
pregnancy, which is why we must be cautious and
think before we act and follow our bodily desires.
- Lastly, we also talked about the Diversity of Human
Sexuality opens a deeper understanding about your
Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression
along with their various types where you will see a
wider scope of each concept which allows you to have
acknowledgement of who you really are in terms of
your sexuality and the different types of people.