The Sexual Self

UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

 Learning Outcomes
• At the end of the chapter, students should be able to;
• Explain the development of sex characteristics and the
human reproductive system.
• Distinguish between attraction, love, and attachment;
• Explain sexual orientation and identity.
• Identify the causes and consequences of sexually
transmitted infections and early pregnancy.
• Reflect on the importance of contraception.
 The Sexual Self
• A vital aspect of ones identity encompassing biological,
physical, emotional, and social domains
• It is initially rooted in the distinguishing physical
attributes found in men (penis) and women (vagina)
• Bodily transformations and development of secondary
sexual characteristics during adolescence would
eventually trigger physiological responses.
• Reading to beliefs and behaviors associated with sex
 Sexuality
• Commonly defined as the “ the ways people experience
and express themselves as sexual beings”
• According to WHO, is a central aspect of being human
throughout life encompasses sex, gender identities, roles,
sexual orientation, eroticism, pleasure, intimacy, and
reproduction
• It is experienced and expressed in thoughts, fantasies,
desires, beliefs, attitudes, values, behaviors, practices,
roles, and relationship.
 Sex and Gender
• SEX – refers to a person’s characterization as female or
male at birth, typically based on the appearance of
external genitalia or other biological characteristics
including chromosomes.

• GENDER – refers to social characteristics that may be [ or

not be] aligned with a person’s sex and adopted by an
individual as their gender identity.
 THE BIOLOGICAL OF SEX
• Assigned Sex – is a label that you are given at birth based
on medical factors, including your hormones,
chromosomes and genitals
• Most people are assigned male or female.
• Instead of saying “biological sex”, some people use the
phrase “ Assigned male at birth” or “Assigned female at
birth”
• The assignment of biological sex may or may not align
with what is going on with a person’s body, how they
feel, or how they identify.
• The factors that determine our assigned sex begin as early
as fertilization.
• Each sperm cell has either an X or a Y chromosome in it.
All egg cell have an chromosome.
• When the sperm cell fertilities an egg cell, its X or Y
chromosome combines with the X chromosome of the egg
cell.
• A person with XX chromosome usually has female sex and
reproductive organs
• A person with XY chromosomes usually has Male Sex and
reproductive organs.
DEVELOPMENT OF SEX CHARACTERISTICS

• The beginning of adolescence is marked by

rapid physical changes, including the
maturation of the reproductive system and
the development of primary and secondary
sex characteristics.
 Primary sex Characteristics
• Are those that are present at birth and are determined by
chromosomes.
• These are the characteristics that distinguish male from female.

• In Females, it includes: In males, it includes;

Vagina - Penis
- Ovaries - Testes/ Testicle
- Uterus - Scrotum
- Ceruix - Prostate Gland
- Fallopian tubes
SECONDARY SEX CHARACTERISTICS
• Appear during puberty
• These characteristics are not used in sexual reproduction, but are
important for attracting male
• In Females, the secondary characteristics includes:
 Onset on menstruation
 Enlargement of the breast
 Widening of the hips
 Enlargement of the buttocks
 Growth of public hair
• In Males, the secondary sex characteristics include:
 Testicular growth
 Sperm cell reproduction
 Appearance of facial, pubic, and other body hair
 Deepening of voice
SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER
IDENTITY
• Sexual Orientation- refers to our sexual
preferences towards males and females, or both
• Gender Identity- is one’s concept of being male,
female, both, or neither and is “ entirely
determined by socialization ( nurture), not
biological factor ( nature)
 TYPES OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION

HOMOSEXUAL – Sexuality attracted to members of the same

sex.
HETEROSEXUAL – Sexuality attracted to members of the
opposite sex
BISEXUAL – Sexually attracted to people of both sexes.
PANSEXUAL/OMNISEXUAL – Can be sexually attracted to any
sex or gender identity
A SEXUAL – Not sexually attracted to any sex or gender
 TYPES OF GENDER IDENTITY
CISGENDER/CIS – Gender identity consistent is with
sex they were assigned at birth
TRANSGENDER/TRANS – Gender identity does not
match the sex they were assigned at birth.
A GENDER – People who do not identify with any
gender
NON- BINARY – People who do not identify strictly
as a boy or a girl, they could identify as both, or
neither, or as another gender entirely
EROGENOUS ZONES
 Are the surface areas of the body that, when stimulated produce erotic
or sexual sensations and reactions.
 These sensations are a “hard wired” part of the human nervous system
that responds to stimulation, even when that contact is unwanted or
forced.
 The erogenous zones of the human body includes;
 Mouth/Lips
 Ears
 Back of the neck
 Navel
 Breast/Nipples
 Genitals
 Anus
 Lower back of body
SEXUAL RESPONSE CYCLE

 Masters and Johnson identified four stages of a sexual response cycle in their
ground breaking research.
 Although these stages are similar in both men and women, there are some
differences.
 Also, the transition between the stages is not necessarily as well define as the
descriptions of the stages might seem to describe, and the length of the time
spent in any one phase can vary from experience to experience and person to
person.
PHASES OF SEXUAL RESPONSE CYCLE
DESIRE/EXCITEMENT PHASE - is the beginning of sexual
arousal and can last from one minute to several hours.
DURING THIS PHASE;
 Pulse rate increases
 Blood pressure rises
 Breathing quickens
 The skin shows a rosy flush particularly on the chest and
breast area
 The nipples harden in both men and women
IN MEN:
 The penis become erect
 The skin of the scrotum thickens
 The testes increase in size
IN WOMEN:
 The clitoris swells
 The lips of the vagina open and its inside
becomes wet in preparation for sexual
intercourse
 PLATEAU PHASE
IN MEN:
 The penis becomes more erect
 The circumference of its head increases
 Few drops of liquid are released
IN WOMEN:
 The outer part of the vagina swells with the surge of increased
amounts of blood to that area.
 The clitoris retracts under the clitorical hood but remains highly
sensitive.
 The outer lips of the vagina becomes radder in color
 Breathing becomes more rapid.
 Heart rate increases
 Body temperature rises.
 ORGASMIC PHASE
In Men:
 Contractions of the muscles in and around the penis
stimulate the release of the semen which contains the
sperm cell.
 Men usually achieve one intense orgasm during sexual
intercourse
In Women:
 Orgasm involves the contraction of the pelvic muscles
that surrounds the vaginal wall and can happen multiple
times.
 RESOLUTION PHASE

IN MEN
 The erection is lost
 The testes decrease in size
 The skin of the scrotum thins again
IN WOMEN
 The clitoris retracts
 The color of the vaginal lips returns to normal
 The lips of the vagina close one more
 The heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing all reduce to normal
LOVE AND SEX

 This topic will focus on attitude about sex particularly the relationship of
love and sex.
 Under certain circumstances, for some people, sex without love maybe
enjoyable in its own rights. However in reality a great deal depends on the
individual involved, especially their values system.
 The affection and commitment to people enjoy in their relationship can
enhance their overall pleasure.
 Compensating somewhat for the lost of sensual excitement that can occurred
after years in committed relationship.
 ROMANTIC LOVE – which consists of infirmary
or emotional closeness and passion which may
lead to satisfying sex at least for a while
although the satisfaction may soon diminish as
romantic ardor cools.
 COMPANIONATE LOVE – based primarily on
infirmary or emotional closeness and
commitment.
 CONSUMMATE LOVE – characterized by
infirmary, passion and commitment between
partners
 THE 3 STAGES OF LOVE

STAGE 1: LUST
 This is the first stage of love and id driven by the sex
hormones testosterone and estrogen in both men and
women.
 Estrogen and Testosterone are the two basic types of
hormones present equally in men and women’s body that
excites the feeling of lust within the brain.
STAGE 2: ATTRACTION
 This stage is said to be one of the beautiful
moments of life. This is the stage when a person
actually starts to feel the love.
 This is the amazing time when you are truly love
struck and can think of little else.
 Scientists think that three main neurotransmitters
are involved in this stage adrenaline, dopamine
and serotonin
ADRENALINE – The initial stages of falling for someone
activates your stress response, increasing your blood levels
of adrenalin and cortisol
 This has the charming effect that when you unexpectedly
bump into your love one, you start to sweat, your heart
races and your mouth goes dry.

DOPOMINE – This chemical stimulates desire and reward by

triggering on intense rush on pleasure
• Helen fisher suggests “couples often show the signs of
surging dopamine: increased energy less need for sleep or
food, focused attention and exquisite delight in smallest
details of this novel relationship”.
SERATONIN – and finally, serotonin one of love’s most
important chemicals that may explain why when you’re
falling in love, your new lover keeps popping into your
thoughts.

STAGE 3: ATTACHMENT
 When a couple passes through the above two stages of
love successfully, the time of bonding with each other
becomes powerful.
 Attachment is bond helping the couple to take their
relationship to advanced levels. It instigates the feeling of
bearing children and falling in love with them
wholeheartedly.
OXYTOCIN - also known as “ the cuddle hormone” is a
powerful hormone released by men and women during
organism.
 Oxytocin also seems to help cement the strong bond
between mom and baby and is released during childbirth
VASOPRESSIN - is another important hormone in the long
term commitment stage and is released after sex.
 Vasopressin ( also called anti- diuretic hormone) works
with your kidneys to control thirst.
THE CONSEQUENCE OF SEXUAL CHOICE
SEXUAL INTERCOUSE – also known as copulation and coitus; is
the reproductive act wherein male organ or penis enters the
female reproductive organ or vagina.
CONSWQUENCS OF SEXUAL INTERCOURSE
Early Pregnancy
 Risk of miscarriage
 Emotional stress
 Health risks to both mother and infant
 Dropping out of school
 alienation
Risk of acquiring sexually transmitted
diseases
GONORRHEA – is a common sexually transmitted bacterial
infection that sometimes produces a cloudy ,smelly
discharge and a burning sensation upon urination
CHLAMYDIA – a bacterium that is spread by sexual contact
and that affects both males and females.
HIV ( HUMAN IMMUNODEFIENCY VIRUS) – a virus that can be
transmitted by anal, oral or vaginal sex with infected
person, through breastmilk during childbirth, and contact
with blood with HIV.
FAMILY PLANNING AND CONTRACEPTION
FAMILY PLANNING
 According to WHO: Is an opportunity of 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.
 According to DOH: Having the desired number of children of the
couple and when they want to have them by using safe and effective
modern methods.
CONTRACEPTION
 Is the deliberate use of artificial methods or other techniques to
prevent pregnancy as a consequence of sexual intercourse.
MAJOR FORMS OF ARTIFICIAL FAMILY
PLANNING METHOD
 Barrier Method (Condom)
 Contraceptive pills
 Injectable
 Intra Uterine Device (IUD)
 Male or Female Sterilization
MAJOR FORMS OF NATURAL FAMILY
PLANNING METHOD

 Abstinence
 Calendar Method
 Basal Body Temperature
 Cervical Mucus Method
 Ovulation Detection Method
 Lactation Amenorrhea Method
Sexuality is one of the ways that we
become enlightened, actually,
because it leads us to self
knowledge.
Alice Walker