UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

CHAPTER 2: UNPACKING THE SELF

Miss KZ Ulboc
REFERENCE: Cierva, M
CHAPTER 2: LESSON 1
PHYSICAL SELF: THE BEAUTIFUL ME
Beginning of Life
Life begins at fertilization. It refers to the meeting of the female sex cell and the male sex cell.
These sex cells are developed in the reproductive organs called GONADS. The male sex cell called
spermatozoa [sing. –zoon] are produced in the male gonads called testes. On the other hand, the female
sex cells called ova are produced in the female gonads known ovaries. The fertilized egg cell known as
zygote contains all the hereditary potentials from the parents. This zygote goes to the uterus and
continues to grow during the gestation period of about 280 days or 36 weeks or 9 calendar months. Both
male and female chromosomes contain several thousands of genes –called deoxyribonucleic acid which
is the code of heredity. Maturation is the unfolding of the inherent traits.

Human Development
The formation of male or female structures depends on the presence of testosterone (A substance
called hormone that occurs naturally in men and male animals). The embryonic testes release
testosterone once formed and the formation of the duct system and external genitalia follows. The same
with female embryos that form ovaries, it will cause the development of the female ducts and external
genitalia since testosterone hormone is not produce.

Pseudo hermaphrodites are formed who is an individual having accessory reproductive structures that do
not “match” their gonads while true Hermaphrodites are individuals who possess both ovarian and
testicular tissues but this condition is rare in nature. Nowadays, many pseudo hermaphrodites undergo
sex change operation to have their outer selves fit with their inner serves (gonads).

Human Anatomy
Puberty is the period of life when the reproductive organs grow to their adult size
and become functional under the influence of rising levels of gonadal hormones [testosterone in male
and estrogen in female] and generally between the age of 10-15 years old. At the age of 13, male
puberty is characterized by the increase in the size of the reproductive organs followed by the
appearance of hair in the pubic area, axillary and face. The reproductive organs continue to grow for two
years until sexual maturation marked by the presence of mature semen in the testes. For the female, the
budding of their breasts usually occurring at the age of 11 as a sign of their puberty stage. Menarche is
the first menstrual period of females which happens two years after the start of puberty. Hormones play
an important role in the regulation of ovulation and fertility of females.
UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
CHAPTER 2: UNPACKING THE SELF
Miss KZ Ulboc
REFERENCE: Cierva, M

Factors in development of the physical self

The development of the individual is caused by two interacting forces: heredity and environment.
Heredity [nature] is the transmission of traits from parents to offspring it provides the raw materials of
which the individual is made up. While the environment [nurture] is the sum total of the forces or
experiences that a person undergoes from conception to old age. It includes family, friends, school,
nutrition and other agencies one is in contact with.

Diseases associated with the 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 those whose resistance to
diseases is low, like, Escherichia coli which spread through the digestive tract, the sexually transmitted
microorganisms such as syphilis, gonorrhea and herpes virus and yeast fungus. Pelvic inflammatory
disease and sterility are also the effect of vaginal infections.

For males, the most common inflammatory conditions are prostatitis, urethritis, and epididymitis,
STD, Orchiditis. Major treat to reproductive organs are Neoplasms, tumor of the breast and cervix
cancers in adult females and prostates cancer in adult males.

Most women hit the highest point of their reproductive abilities in their late 20‟s, i.e. irregular
ovulation and shorter menstrual periods – menopausal period. The production of estrogen may continue
after menopause but the ovaries finally stop functioning as endocrine organs. The reproductive organ
and breast begin to atrophy or shrink if estrogen is no longer released from the body. With this case, the
vaginal becomes dry that causes intercourse to become painful if frequent and the vaginal infections
become increasingly common. Signs of estrogen deficiency: irritability and mood changes [depression
in some]; intense vasodilation of the skin’s blood vessels, gradual thinning of skin and loss of bone
mass, slowing rising high blood levels etc..
UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
CHAPTER 2: UNPACKING THE SELF
Miss KZ Ulboc
REFERENCE: Cierva, M
Note: there is no counterpart for menopause in males. Although aging men show
a steady decline in testosterone section, their reproductive capability seems unending.
Healthy men are still able to father offspring well into their 80‟ and beyond.

Erogenous zones
It refers to part of the body that are primarily receptive and increase sexual arousal when touched
in a sexual manner. Examples: mouth, breast, genitals, anus. However, erogenous zones may vary from
one person to another. Some people may desire and enjoy being touched in certain area more than the
other area, like, neck, thighs, abdomen and feet.

Human Sexual Behavior

It defined as any activity – solitary, between two persons, or in a group – that induces/ brings
sexual arousal [Gebhard, P.H. 2017]. This behavior is classified according to gender and number of
participants.

Types of behavior: Solitary behavior [involving one individual]; and Socio-sexual behavior [more than
one individual]

Solitary behavior
Self – gratification [begins at or b4 puberty] means self –stimulation that leads to sexual arousal
and generally, sexual climax. This takes place in personal and private as an end in itself, but can also be
done in a socio-sexual relationship. This is common for males but becomes less frequent or is
abandoned when socio-sexual activity is available. Therefore, self-gratification is most frequent among
the unmarried. However this self-gratification usually decreases as soon as an individual develop socio-
sexual relationship.
Nowadays, human are frequently being exposed to sexual stimuli esp. from advertising and
social media. Some adolescents become so much aggressive when responding to such stimuli.
The rate of teenage pregnancy is recently increasing. The challenge is to develop self-control so that to
balance suppression and free expression. Why? To prevent premarital sex and acquire STD.
Socio-sexual behavior
It is the greatest amount of socio-sexual behavior that occurs b/w only one male and one female.
This usually begins in childhood and may be motivated by curiosity, such as showing or examining
genitalia. Physical contact involving necking and petting is considered as an ingredient of the learning
process and eventually of courtship and selection of a marriage partner. Petting differs from hugging,
kissing and generalized caresses of the clothed body to produce stimulation of the genitals. This is done
due to affection as source of pleasure, preliminary to coitus [this is an insertion of male reproductive
organ into female organ]. This is regarded as an important aspect in selecting partner but also a way of
learning how to interact with another person sexually.

A behavior may be interpreted by society or individual as erotic depending on the context in which the
behavior occurs. Example, kissing as a gesture of intimacy b/w couples while other sees this as respect
and reverence.

Physiology of human sexual response

Sexual response follows a pattern of sequential stages or phases when sexual activity is continued.
1. 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 and female reproductive system, rapid
breathing, secretion of genital fluids, vaginal expansion, and a general increase in muscle tension.
2. Plateau phase = it is generally of brief duration. If stimulation is continued, orgasm usually occurs.
3. Sexual climax = a feeling of abrupt, intense pleasure, and 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 that last only for few seconds normally not over ten.
4. Resolution phase = it refers to the return to a normal or subnormal physiological state. Whereas
males return to normal even if stimulation continues, but continued stimulations can produce additional
orgasms in females. Females are physically capable of repeated orgasms without the intervening “rest
period” required by males.
UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
CHAPTER 2: UNPACKING THE SELF
Miss KZ Ulboc
REFERENCE: Cierva, M
Nervous system factors
The nervous system plays a significant role during sexual response. The autonomic system is involved in
controlling the involuntary responses.
The efferent cerebrospinal nerves transmit the sensory messages to the brain to create stimulus and later
initiating a sexual response. The brain will interpret the sensory message and dictate what will be the immediate
and appropriate response of the body. The muscles contract in response to the signal coming from the motor
nerve fibers while glad secretes their respective product. So, sexual response is dependent the activity of the
nervous System.
Hypothalamus and limbic system are part 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 is the reflex. This reflex is mediated by the lower spinal cord that leads to
erection and ejaculation for male, vaginal discharges and lubricant for female when the genital areas are
stimulated. But still, the brain can overrule and suppress such reflex activity, when sexual response is socially
inappropriate.

Sexual problems
These may be classified as physiological, psychological and social in origin. Physiological problems are the
least among the three categories. Small number of people suffering from diseases due to abnormal development
of the genitalia or that part of the neurophysiology controlling sexual response. Example: vaginal infection,
retroverted uteri, prostatitis, adrenal tumors, diabetes, senile changes of the vagina and cardiovascular problems.

Sexual Reproductive diseases are the following:

1. Chlamydia
2. Gonorrhea
3. Syphilis
4. Chancroid
5. Human Papillomavirus
6. Herpes simplex virus
7. Trichomonas vaginalis

Natural and artificial methods are the following:

NATURAL METHODS:
1. Abstinence
2. Calendar method
3. Basal body temperature
4. Cervical mucus method
5. Symptothermal method
6. Ovulation detection
7. Coitus interruptus
ARTIFICIAL METHODS ARE THE FOLLOWING:
1. Oral contraceptive
2. Transdermal patch
3. Vaginal ring
4. Subdermal implants
5. Hormonal injections
6. Intrauterine device
7. Chemical barriers
8. Diaphragm
9. Cervical cap
10. Male condoms
11. Female condoms
12. Surgical methods (vasectomy and ligation)
UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
CHAPTER 2: UNPACKING THE SELF
Miss KZ Ulboc
REFERENCE: Cierva, M
CHAPTER 2: LESSON 1 ACTIVITY
PJYSICAL SELF
A.

Make a slogan that will raise the awareness of the

college students and to help
eliminate sexually transmitted diseases especially
among the youth.
Criteria:
Relevance of Content – 15 points
Creativity – 5 points

B.

Agree? or Disagree?
Are you in favor of legalizing marriage among LGBTQ+?
WHY or WHY NOT?

Method of answering:
RECORD/TAKE A VIDEO OF yourself while you answer this question.
Maximum of 2 minutes answer.

SEND IT TO OUR PAGE MESSENGER.