THE SEXUAL SELF

THE SEXUAL SELF

Development of Secondary Sex Characteristics and the Human
Reproductive System
Soon after the fertilization of an egg, the development of the
reproductive system begins.
Development of the Sexual Organs in the Embryo and Fetus
For a fertilized egg to become male, a cascade of chemical
reactions must be present initiated by a single gene in the male Y
chromosome called the SRY (Sex-determining Region of the Y
chromosome).
 THE SEXUAL SELF
Further Sexual Development Occurs at Puberty
Puberty is the stage of development at which individuals become
sexually mature.
Stages of Puberty Boys Girls
Stage One Approximately between the Approximately between the
ages of 9 and 12 ages of 8 and 11
no sexual development but ovaries enlarge and hormone
hormones become more production starts
active
Growth spurt begins at this
time
 FIVE STAGES OF PUBERTY
Stages Boys Girls
Stage Two ages 9 to 15 ages 8 to 14
height increases and body shape breast develops; nipples begin to
changes tender and become elevated
muscle tissue and fats develop the aureole begins to increase in size

the aureole darkens and pubic hair grows(coarse and curly/fine

increases in size or straight)
testicles and scrotum grows but height and weigh increase and body
penis does not becomes rounder and curvier
pubic hair begins to grow
 FIVE STAGES OF PUBERTY
Stages Boys Girls
Stage Three ages 11 to 16 ages 9 to 15
penis starts to enlarge Breast growth continues and pubic hair
gets coarser and darker
Pubic hair is getting coarser and Whitish discharge from the vagina may be
darker present
Continue to grow in height and face Menarche begins
begins to mature
Shoulders broaden
Muscle tissue increases and voice starts
to change and deepen
Mustache begins to develop
 FIVE STAGES OF PUBERTY
Stages Boys Girls
Stage Four ages 11 to 17 ages 10 to 16
Penis starts to grow in width; Aureoles become darker and pubic
testicles and scrotum continue to hair with triangular pattern of
grow growth
Hair begin to grow in the anus; Start of ovulation
penis become more adult looking
Facial and under arm hair
increases
Ejaculation appears and voice
continue to deepen
 FIVE STAGES OF PUBERTY
Stages Boys Girls

Stage five Approximately 14 to 18 Approximately 12 to 19

Full adult height is Full height is reached with
reached regular ovulation
Pubic hair and genitals Pubic hair is filled in and
have an adult body is fully developed
appearance

SOURCE : Child Development Institute. http://www.childdevelopmentinfo.com. 2005.

 EROGENOUS ZONES OF THE BODY
Erogenous Zones are areas of the body that are highly sensitive to stimuli and are often
sexually exciting.
The skin serves as the primary erotic stimulus with two types of erogenous zones:
A. Nonspecific Type
1. Similar to any other portion of the usual haired skin
2. Nerves supplying it are composed of the usual density of dermal-nerve networks and hair
follicle networks
3. Amplified sensation is produced when learned and anticipated pleasurable sensations are
stimulated
4. Pleasurable sensation felt is considered as an exaggerated form of tickle
5. Examples of this skin are back and sides of the neck, axilla and side of the thorax .
 EROGENOUS ZONES OF THE BODY
B. Specific Type
1. It is formed in the mucocutaneous regions
of the body
2. Region which favors acute sensation
3. Genital regions:
Prepuce -foreskin on the top of the penis and
skin covering the top of the clitoris
Penis -erectile organ of copulation where
urine and semen are ejected—orifice)
 EROGENOUS ZONES OF THE BODY
Female external genitalia (vulva) include:
 mons pubis -fatty tissue on the pubic
symphysis
 clitoris -female sexual organ that is small,
sensitive and located in front of opening of
the vagina
 Labia majora -fleshly outer lips around the
vagina
 Labia minora -inner lips situated between
the labia majora
 Vaginal introitus -opening of the vulva
 Hymen -membrane that surrounds or covers
the external vaginal opening)
EROGENOUS ZONES OF THE BODY
Perianal skin is the area surrounding the anus; very
sensitive, thus susceptible to damage and injury.
Lips are soft and movable skin; can be an erogenous zone
when used in kissing.
Nipples are the raised regions of tissue on the surface of
the breast.
UNDERSTANDING HUMAN SEXUAL RESPONSE
Sexual Response Cycle (SRC) refers to the sequence of physical and
emotional occurrences when the person is participating in a sexuality
stimulating activity such as intercourse or masturbation.
UNDERSTANDING HUMAN SEXUAL RESPONSE
Four Phases of Human SRC
Excitement Muscle tension increases.
Heart rate quickens and breathing is accelerated.
Nipples become hardened and erect.
Blood flow to the genitals increases, resulting in swelling of
the woman’s clitoris and labia minora, and erection of
man’s penis.
Vaginal lubrication begins
The man’s testicles swell, his scrotum tightens, and he begins
secreting a lubricating fluid.
UNDERSTANDING HUMAN SEXUAL RESPONSE
Four Phases of Human SRC
Plateau The vagina continues to swell from increased blood
flow, and the vaginal walls turn to a dark purple.
Clitoris become highly sensitive and man’s testicles
are withdrawn up into the scrotum.
Muscle spasms may begin in the feet, face and
hands.
Tension in the muscle increases.
UNDERSTANDING HUMAN SEXUAL RESPONSE
Four Phases of Human SRC
Orgasm Involuntary muscle contractions begin.
Blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing begin 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 muscle of the vagina contract. The uterus also undergoes
rhythmic contractions.
In men, rhythmic contractions of the muscles at the base of the penis
result in the ejaculation of semen.
UNDERSTANDING HUMAN SEXUAL RESPONSE
Four Phases of Human SRC
Resolution Body slowly returns to its normal functioning level.
The swelled and erect body parts return to their previous
size and color. Marked by general sense of well-being;
often fatigue sets in.

Refractory period
Recovery time after orgasm among men.
SEX AND THE BRAIN
Roles of the Brain in sexual activity:
1. It is responsible for translating the nerve impulses sensed by the skin
into pleasurable sensations
2. It controls the nerves and muscles used in sexual activities
3. It theorizes sexual thoughts and fantasies (cerebral cortex)
4. It has limbic system in regulating emotions and feelings
5. It releases hormones considered as physiological origin of sexual
desire.
SEX AND THE BRAIN
Roles of Hormones in sexual activity:
Hypothalamus is the part of the brain playing an important role for
sexual functioning responsible in regulating endocrine activities.
1. Oxytocin
”love hormone” which is involved in our desire to maintain close
relationship.
released during sexual intercourse when orgasm is achieved.
2. Follicle-stimulating Hormone (FSH)
•responsible for ovulation in females where sexual activity become
more frequent.
SEX AND THE BRAIN
3. Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
crucial in regulating the testes in men in producing testosterone
in women, it stimulates ovaries in producing estrogen.
4. Vasopressin
involved in males arousal phase and believed to increase male’s sexual
activity.
5. Estrogen and progesterone
women’s hormone that typically regulate motivation to engage in sexual
behavior
Estrogen increases sexual motivation; progesterone decreases sexual
desire.
UNDERSTANDING THE CHEMISTRY OF LUST, LOVE AND ATTACHMENT
Three Stages in Falling in love ( Helen Fisher)
1. Lust (erotic passion)
 marked by physical attraction driven by testosterone and estrogen
 couples are not expected to fall in love in a lasting way

2. Attraction (romantic passion)

 craving for partner’s presence where there is excitement and energy in fantasizing the things you could
do together as couples triggered by:

A. Norepinephrine -responsible for extra surge of energy.

B. Dopamine -motivation and goal-directed behavior—feeling proud in having the
person as to his admirable qualities.
C. Serotonin -cause obsessive thought and believed to be low with OCD.
UNDERSTANDING THE CHEMISTRY OF LUST, LOVE AND ATTACHMENT
3. Attachment (commitment)
 stage where you want to get married and have
children.

Psychological aspect of sexual behavior:

1. Sexual desire is sometimes
accompanied by genital arousal
2. Sexual desire can be triggered by
variety of cues and situations (thoughts,
feelings, fantasies, erotic materials).
FACTORS THAT INFLUENCES GENDER DIFFERENCES ON SEXUAL DESIRE
1. Culture
2. Social environment
3. Political situations
PHYSIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR MOTIVATION:
Amygdala
--integrative center for emotions, emotional
behavior and motivation

Nucleus accumbens
--pleasure center of the brain
--plays an important role in motivation and
cognitive processing of aversion
--it plays role in response to reward and
reinforcing effects, translating emotional
stimulus into behaviors.
 DIVERSITY OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR

Sexual orientation refers to a person’s general sexual disposition toward

partners of the same sex, the opposite sex or both sexes.
Heterosexuality refers to the sexual preference for members of the
opposite sex.
Homosexuality refers to the sexual preference for members of the same
sex.
Bisexuality refers to the sexual preference for members of both sexes.
Asexuality refers to indifference toward or lack of attraction to either sex.
Gender Identity refers to one’s sense of being male or female
 WHAT IS LGBTQQIP2SAA
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning,
queer, intersex, pansexual, two-spirit (2S),
androgynous, and asexual
 THE “THIRD GENDER”
Hermaphrodites
---people born with genitalia that is neither clearly male
or female.
Transgender
-describes a person who dresses, behaves or presents in a
way that is different from their gender norm.
-Is the state of one’s gender identity or gender expression
not matching one’s assigned sex.
 THE “THIRD GENDER”
Intersex
--describes a person, male or female, born with a reproductive
or sexual anatomy that doesn't seem to fit the typical definitions of
female or male.
Transsexual
A person who strongly identifies with the opposite sex and may seek
to live as a member of this sex especially by undergoing surgery and
hormone therapy to obtain necessary physical appearance.
Transvestite
--cross-dresser(people who dress in clothes of the opposite sex)
 THE “THIRD GENDER”
Two-Spirit 2S (also two spirit or, occasionally, two spirited)
A modern, pan-Indian, umbrella term used by some indigenous North Americans to
describe certain people in their communities who fulfill a traditional third-gender (or
other gender-variant) ceremonial role in their cultures.
Queer
An umbrella term for sexual and gender minorities who are not heterosexual or
cisgender.
Cisgender
A term used to describe people whose gender identity matches the sex that they were
assigned at birth.
 THE “THIRD GENDER”
Questioning
Questioning of one's gender, sexual identity, sexual orientation, or all three is a
process of exploration by people who may be unsure, still exploring, and
concerned about applying a social label to themselves for various reasons.

Bisexuality
Due to the prefix bi-, is sexual or romantic attraction to two sexes (males and
females), or to two genders (men and women).

Pansexuality
however, composed with the prefix pan-, is the sexual attraction to a person of
any sex or gender.
THE “THIRD GENDER”
Androgyny
The combination of masculine and feminine characteristics. Usually used to describe
characters or people who have no specific gender, gender ambiguity may also be
found in fashion, gender identity, sexual identity, or sexual lifestyle.
SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY ISSUES

Sex
a collective word signifying one of the two divisions of any
organism…the male and the female
refers to biological differences of male and female
Sexuality
the fundamental driving force that refers to the biological,
physiological and socio-psychological characteristics of human
beings.
 SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY ISSUES

Gender
the cultural construction of male & female characteristics
refers to the ways members of the two sexes are perceived,
evaluated and expected to behave.
Sexual dimorphism
refers to marked differences in male and female biology besides
the primary and secondary sexual features.
SOCIOCULTURAL FACTORS
In Philippines and other SE Asian countries, they view
homosexuality as the norm, either a male or a female.
In PNG, young boys are expected to engage in sexual
behavior with any other boys for a given period for them
to become men.
In Thailand, a person is categorized more than two
categories—male, female and kathoey (transgender)
SOCIOCULTURAL FACTORS
Family Influence
--children’s upbringing and social environment influences their
gender identity development.
--parents can greatly influence their children self-concept in
terms of their interests, preferences, and behaviors.
Urban setting
In a study, it was found out that homosexuality had a positive
correlation with urbanization.
 FAMILY PLANNING
The concept of Family Planning in the Philippines is contraception
and planned or responsible parenthood.

Contraception means prevention of unwanted pregnancy.

Responsible parenthood means purposeful procreation and

socialization of children.
 THINGS TO CONSIDER IN PRACTICING CONTRACEPTION:
Safety. The methods should be free from harmful side effects both for the
person using the method and for the sexual partner.

Effectiveness. It must be effective in preventing an unwanted pregnancy.

Ease of administration. It is to be applied by the person like the chemicals or

mechanical devices, it has to be simple and easy.

Cost and availability. The method should not only be cheap but should be
readily available.
TYPES OF BIRTH CONTROL
Natural family planning is a way to help a couple
determine when sexual intercourse can and cannot
result in pregnancy.
RHYTHM METHOD
CERVICAL MUCUS METHOD SYMTOTHERMAL
TYPES OF BIRTH CONTROL
Artificial Method is a way to help a couple to
control union of cells using artificial methods.
CERVICAL CAP
A soft, deep rubber cup
(like a thimble) with a
firm, round rim that fits
snugly over the cervix.
The groove along the
inner rim improves the
seal between the inner rim
of the cap and the
surface of the cervix.
 MALE CONDOMS
A thin sheath made of
latex or other materials.
Latex condoms protect
against pregnancy and
sexually transmitted
infections (STIs), including
HIV infection.
 FEMALE CONDOM
A thin, loose-fitting covering made of polyurethane plastic that forms a
pouch lining the vagina. It has two flexible rings.
 DIAPHRAGM
A diaphragm is a shallow rubber
cup.
Birth Control Pills
Pills can be taken to prevent pregnancy
Pills are safe and effective when taken properly
Pills are over 99% effective
 POSITIVE BENEFITS OF BIRTH CONTROL PILLS

Prevents pregnancy Decreases incidence of

Eases menstrual cramps ovarian cysts
Shortens period Prevents ovarian and
Regulates period uterine cancer
Decreases acne
SIDE-EFFECTS
Breast tenderness Moodiness
Nausea Weight
Increase in change
headaches
Spotting
TAKING THE PILL
Once a day at the same time everyday
Use condoms for first month
Use condoms when on antibiotics
Use condoms for 1 week if you miss a pill or take
one late
The pill offers no protection from STD’s
DEPO-PROVERA
Birth control shot given
once every three months to
prevent pregnancy

99.7% effective
preventing pregnancy

No daily pills to remember

 SIDE EFFECTS
Extremely irregular menstrual bleeding and spotting for 3-6 months!
NO PERIOD  after 3-6 months
Weight change
Breast tenderness
Mood change

*NOT EVERY WOMAN EXPERIENCES SIDE-EFFECTS!

IMPLANTS
Implants are placed in the body filled with hormone
that prevents pregnancy
Physically inserted in simple 15 minute outpatient
procedure
Plastic capsules the size of paper matchsticks
inserted under the skin in the arm
99.95% effectiveness rate
NORPLANT I VS. NORPLANT II

Six Two
capsules capsules
Five years Three
years
NORPLANT IMPLANT
NORPLANT CONSIDERATIONS

Should be considered long term birth

control
Requires no upkeep 
Extremely effective in pregnancy
prevention > 99%
INTRAUTERINE DEVICES (IUD)
T-shaped object placed in the uterus
to prevent pregnancy
Must be on period during insertion
A Natural childbirth required to use
IUD
Extremely effective without using
hormones > 97 %
Must be in monogamous relationship
COPPER T VERSUS PROGESTASERT
10 years 1 year
99.2 % effective 98% effective
Copper on IUD acts as T shaped plastic that releases
spermicide, IUD blocks hormones over a one year
time frame
egg from implanting
Thickens mucus, blocking egg
Must check string before
sex and after shedding of Check string before sex &
after shedding of uterine
uterine lining. lining.
STERILIZATION

Procedure performed on a man or a

woman permanently sterilizes
Female = Tubal Ligation
Male = Vasectomy
TUBAL LIGATION
Surgical procedure performed on a woman
Fallopian tubes are cut, tied, cauterized,
prevents eggs from reaching sperm
Failure rates vary by procedure, from 0.8%-
3.7%
May experience heavier periods
LAPAROSCOPY-’BAND-AID’ STERILIZATION
VASECTOMY
Male sterilization procedure
Ligation of Vas Deferens tube
No-scalpel technique available
Faster and easier recovery than a tubal ligation
Failure rate = 0.1%, more effective than female
sterilization
VASECTOMY
METHODS BASED ON INFORMATION
Withdrawal (coitus iterruptus)
Natural Family Planning
Fertility Awareness Method
Abstinence
WITHDRAWAL
Removal of penis from the vagina before ejaculation occurs
NOT a sufficient method of birth control by itself
Effectiveness rate is 80% (very unpredictable in teens, wide
variation)
1 of 5 women practicing withdrawal become pregnant
Very difficult for a male to ‘control’
ABSTINENCE
Only 100% method of birth control
Abstinence is when partners do not
engage in sexual intercourse
Communication between partners is
important for those practicing abstinence
to be successful