THE SEXUAL SELF

a. THE DEVELOPMENT OF SEX CHARACTERISTICS

Primary sexual characteristics refer to the reproductive organs themselves; e.g., the ovaries and testes.
Secondary sexual characteristics refer to other characteristic indicators of adult male and female bodies (e.g.,
body hair).

Secondary sexual characteristics are the result of hormonal changes in the body during puberty. These
changes are faster in girls than in boys. Some changes are common in both boys and girls while others are
specific to each gender

Females

In females, breasts are a manifestation of higher levels of estrogen; estrogen also widens the pelvis and
increases the amount of body fat in hips, thighs, buttocks, and breasts. Estrogen also induces growth of the
uterus, proliferation of the endometrium, and menstruation

Males

The increased secretion of testosterone from the testes during puberty causes the male secondary sexual
characteristics to be manifested. In males, testosterone directly increases size and mass of muscles, vocal cords,
and bones, deepening the voice, and changing the shape of the face and skeleton. Converted into
dihydrotestosterone in the skin.

b. THE HUMAN REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

The Male Reproductive System

Parts :

 Scrotum– A small muscular sac-like organ which is located below and behind the penis. It consists of
the testes and is mainly involved in maintaining the temperature required for the of sperm production.
 Testes – It is also called as testicles. They are a pair of oval-shaped organs which are mainly
responsible for the sperm production and synthesis of testosterone- male hormones.
 Penis– It is the primary sexual organ which serves as both reproductive organ as well as excretory
organ and used for the purpose of sexual intercourse. It is a cylindrical tube-like organ with a small
opening at the top and is extremely sensitive as it becomes vertical when a person is sexually aroused.
 Urethra– A narrow tube-like structure that conducts urine and semen from the urinary bladder to the
penis.
 Vas Deferens– It is a muscular tube that carries mature sperm produced in the testes to the urethra.

The Female Reproductive System

Parts:
 Ovaries– They is a pair of organs which are mainly responsible for the production.
 Uterus– It is commonly known as the womb. It is a pear-shaped muscular bag-like organ with a
strong muscular lining that holds the baby after fertilization. .
 Cervix– A cylinder ring-shaped tissue which is composed mainly of fibro muscular tissue.
 Vagina– – The primary sexual organ which serves as both excretory organ as well as
reproductive organ. It is a muscular and tubular part of the female genital tract that opens
outside the body and the opening of the vagina is called the vulva. .

HUMAN REPRODUCTION

The average menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, with the cycle’s first day considered to be the first day of
menstruation. During the first 14 days of the cycle, an egg matures in a woman’s ovaries. This maturation
process is stimulated by a hormone called follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). The ‘coat’ around the maturing
egg produces another hormone, estrogen, which makes the lining of the uterus prepare for pregnancy. The
uterus grows a nutrient-rich and secure bedding for the egg to settle into after fertilization.

1. Excitement Phase
 General characteristics of the excitement phase, which can last from a few
minutes to several hours, include the following:

 Muscle tension increases.

 Heart rate quickens
and breathing is 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.

2. Plateau Phase

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 walls 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.

3. Orgasm Phase

The orgasm is the climax of the sexual response cycle. It is the shortest of the phases
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 contractions 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.

4. Resolution Phase

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 wellbeing, 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 they cannot reach orgasm again. The duration of the refractory period varies among men
and usually lengthens with advancing age.

c. THE CHEMISTRY OF ATTRACTION, LOVE AND ATTACHMENT

1. Lust is driven by the desire for sexual gratification. The evolutionary basis for this stems from our need to
reproduce, a need shared among all living things. Through reproduction, organisms pass on their genes, and
thus contribute to the perpetuation of their species.
2. Attraction seems to be a distinct, though closely related, phenomenon. While we can certainly lust for
someone we are attracted to, and vice versa, one can happen without the other.

Dopamine is associated with motivation, reward, and goal-directed behavior—hence the drive to pursue your
loved one or create them in fantasy if you can’t be with them.

Norepinephrine is responsible for the extra surge of energy and "racing heart" that you feel, as well as the loss
of, in some cases, both your appetite and your desire for sleep.

Serotonin probably decreases at this stage, but more studies need to be done. Low levels of serotonin are found
in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and are thought to cause obsessive thinking.

3. Attachment involves wanting to make a more lasting commitment to your loved one. This is the point at
which you may move in together, get married, and/or have children.

d. SEXUAL HEALTH AND SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES/ INFECTIONS

Sexually Transmitted Disease

The term sexually transmitted disease (STD) is used to refer to a condition passed from one person to another
through sexual contact.

Teenage Pregnancy

Teenage pregnancies and teenage motherhood are a cause for concern worldwide. Teenage pregnancy, also
called adolescent pregnancy, refers to pregnancies by women, aged 19 years and below.

Sexuality Education in the Philippines

The 2012 Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act includes a provision that mandates the
Department of Education to implement age and development-appropriate Comprehensive Sexuality Education
(CSE) in formal and non-formal education settings.

f. FAMILY PLANNING AND RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD

Family Planning (FP) is having the desired number of children and when you want to have them by using safe
and effective modern methods. Proper birth spacing is having children 3 to 5 years apart, which is best for the
health of the mother, her child, and the family.

FAMILY PLANNING METHODS

Natural Family Planning (NFP) refers to a variety of methods used to prevent or

plan pregnancy, based on identifying a woman’s fertile days.

g. NATURAL CONTRACEPTIVE OPTIONS

Abstinence

Refraining from penetrative sex provides 100% protection from pregnancy, and offers effective prevention of
transmission of sexually transmitted infections as well

Withdrawal or Coitus interruptus

The withdrawal method of family planning is unlike other natural methods in that it is malecontrolled.
Withdrawal has been used for centuries, following the discovery that ejaculation into the vagina leads to
pregnancy; this method prevents pregnancy by preventing contact between the sperm and the egg

Calendar methods - based on calculations of cycle length

In calendar rhythm method, a woman makes an estimate of the days she is fertile based on past menstrual cycle
length. She does this with the expectation that the length of her current cycle, and thus the time of her fertile
phase, will not vary greatly from previous menstrual cycles.
Locational Amenorrhea Method (LAM)

Research has confirmed that a form of breastfeeding to achieve contraception, called the lactation amenorrhea
method, or LAM, is more than 98% effective during the first 6 months following delivery. During
breastfeeding, ovulation is inhibited by a series of physiological responses to nipple stimulation.

Oral Contraceptives

This is a series of pills that a woman takes once each day for a month. At the end of the month, she starts a new
package of pills.
Depo-Provera

A method of birth control given in the form of a shot. The shot gives protection for up to 12 weeks.

Contraceptive Patch

A method of birth control that is a small, thin and smooth patch and is put on a woman's skin. The woman can
choose where she wears the patch: the buttocks, the shoulder, the upper arm, front or back, but not on the
breasts.

Contraceptive Ring

A method of birth control in the form of a soft ring that fits deep insidethe vagina. It releases low-dose
hormones everyday for three weeks so the woman's ovaries don't produce eggs.

Intrauterine Device (IUD)

A small device made of plastic. Some contain copper, or a hormone.

Implanon

Implanon is a small, thin, implantable hormonal contraceptive that provides effective protection for up to three
years.

Diaphragm/Cervical Cap

A soft rubber barrier in a woman's vagina, used with a contraceptive cream or jelly.

Male Condom

It is a sheath of latex that a man can wear over his penis during intercourse.

Female Condom

It is a loose-fitting sheath that fits inside the woman's vagina.

QUESTIONS:

1. The climax of the sexual response cycle. It is the shortest of the phases and generally lasts only a few
seconds.

A. Resolution Phase C. Orgasm Phase

B. Plateau Phase D. Excitement Phase

2. It is a cylindrical tube-like organ with a small opening at the top and is extremely sensitive as it becomes
vertical when a person is sexually aroused.

A. Penis

B. Testes-– It is also called as testicles. They are a pair of oval-shaped organs which are mainly responsible for
the sperm production.

c. Scrotum- A small muscular sac-like organ which is located below and behind the penis.

d. Urethra - A narrow tube-like structure that conducts urine and semen from the urinary bladder to the penis.