The Physical and Sexual Self
• Sex chromosomes – define the sex (female or male) and their
secondary sexual characteristics.
• Gonads – reproductive glands that produce the gametes; testis
or ovary, begin to form until the 8th week of embryonic
development.
• Testerone – hormones that can be found in humans and
animals.
• Testicle – nagpo-produce ng testerone sa lalaki.
• Ovary – nagpo-produce ng testerone sa babae.
Early stages of human development
• The embryonic reproductive structures of males and females
are alike and are said to be in the indifferent stage.
• The formation of male or female structures depends on the
presence of testosterone.
• The embryonic testes release testosterone, and the formation
of the duct system and external genitalia follows.
• Female embryos that form ovaries will cause the development
of the female ducts and external genitalia since testosterone
hormone is not produced.
Any intervention with the normal pattern of sex hormone
production in the embryo results in strange abnormalities:
• Pseudohermaphrodites
• individuals having accessory reproductive structures that
do not "match" their gonads.
• Many individuals undergo sex change operations to have
their outer selves (external genitalia) fit with their inner
selves (gonads).
• Hermaphrodites – individuals who possess both ovarian and
testicular tissues but this condition is rare in nature.
• Cryptorchidism – usually occurs in young males and causes
sterility (which is also a risk factor for cancer of the testes).
• XO female – appears normal but lacks ovaries.
• YO male – dies during development.
• Phimosis – narrowing of the foreskin of the male reproductive
structure and misplaced urethral openings.
• Puberty – period of life, generally between the ages of 10 and
15 years old.
In males, as they reach the age of 13:
• increase in the size of the reproductive organs
• appearance of hair in the pubic area, axillary, and face
In females:
• budding of their breasts usually occurring at the age of 11
• Menarche – 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.
• Menopause – ovulation and menses stop entirely
Diseases Associated with the Reproductive System
In females:
• Infections – most common problems associated with the
reproductive system in adults.
• Vaginal Infections – more common in young and elderly women
and in those whose resistance to diseases is low
• Tumor of the breast and cervix – common reproductive cancers
in adult females.
• Escherichia coli – spread through the digestive tact
Bacteria sexually transmitted microorganisms:
• Syphilis – spread by sexual contact
• Gonorrhea – affects the urethra and increases the chance of
HIV
• Herpes virus – caused by HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus)
• Yeast (type of fungus)
• PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) – prolonged menstrual
period among women.
Common inflammatory conditions in males:
• Prostatitis – a disease of the prostate that resolves pain in the
groin, it is not curable and may lead to cancer.
• Urethritis – inflammation of the urethra, leading to difficulty in
urinating.
• Epididymitis
• Orchiditis – inflammation of the testes, it can cause sterility and
mumps in an adult male.
• Neoplasms – an abnormal mass of tissues that forms when cells
grow or divide more than they should.
• Prostate Cancer – common sequel to prostatic hypertrophy and
a widespread problem in adult males.
• Erogenous Zone
- parts of the body that are primarily receptive and increase
sexual arousal when touched sexually.
- Commonly known erogenous zone are the mouth, breasts,
genitals, anus, neck, thighs, abdomen and feet.
• Human Sexual Behavior – any activity between 2 person or in a
group that induces sexual arousal.
2 major factors that determine human sexual behavior:
1. The inherited sexual response patterns that have evolved as a
means of ensuring reproduction.
2. The degree of restraint or other types of influence exerted on
the individual by society in the expression of his sexuality.
Types of Behavior
▪ Classified according to gender and number of participants
1. Solitary Behavior – involving only one individual.
• Self-gratification – self-stimulation that leads to sexual
arousal and sexual climax. It usually takes place in private.
• Ejaculation – release of sperm cells and seminal plasma
from the male reproductive system.
2. Sociosexual Behavior
• Heterosexual behavior – occurs between only one male
and female.
• Petting – an expression of affection and regarded as a near-
universal human experience.
• Coitus – insertion of male reproductive structure into the
female reproductive organ.
Physiology of Human Sexual Response
1. Excitement phase – caused by increase in pulse and blood
pressure; increased skin temperature, flushing, and swelling
2. Plateau phase – if simulation is continued, orgasm usually
occurs.
3. Sexual Climax – marked by a feeling of abrupt, intense pleasure.
The sexual climax may last for a few seconds.
4. Resolution Phase – returning to a normal or subnormal
physiologic state.
Nervous System Factors
• Autonomic system – involved in controlling the involuntary
responses.
• Efferent cerebrospinal nerves – transmit the sensory message
to the brain. It also receives commands from the brain and
sends them to muscles.
• Brain – interprets the sensory message and dictates what will
be the immediate and appropriate response of the body.
• Spinal cord nerves – serves as a great transmission cable.
• Hypothalamus and Limbic system – responsible for regulating
the sexual response
2 sexual response patterns:
1. Mounting (masculine) behavior
2. Mounted (feminine) behavior
• Sex hormones – can intensify the mounting behavior of
individuals.
Sexual Problems
1. Physiological problems
- Only a small number of people suffer from diseases due to
abnormal development of the genitalia.
- Some common physiologic conditions that can disturb
sexual response are vaginal infections, retroverted uteri,
prostatitis, adrenal tumors, diabetes, senile changes of the
vagina, and cardiovascular problems.
2. Psychological problems
- Usually caused by socially induced inhibitions, maladaptive
attitudes, ignorance, and sexual myths held by society.
• Erectile impotence – psychological origins in males under
40
• Ejaculatory impotence – results from inability to ejaculate
in coitus. It is associated with memories of traumatic
experiences.
• Vaginismus – strong spasm of the pelvic musculature
constricting the female reproductive organ so that the
penetration is painful or impossible.
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
- Infections transmitted from an infected person to an
uninfected person through sexual contact.
- Can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
- caused by HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
• HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
- it attacks the immune system making the individual more
prone to infections and other diseases.
- It targets the T-cells (CD4 cells) of the immune system,
which serve as the regulators of the immune system.
List of Sexually Transmitted Diseases
1. Chlamydia
2. Gonorrhea
3. Syphilis
4. Chancroid – caused by infection with the bacterium
Haemophilus ducreyi.
5. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) – the most common sexually
transmitted infection in the United States.
6. Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) – most prevalent sexually
transmitted infection.
7. Trichomonas Vaginalis – common sexually transmitted
protozoal infection associated with adverse health outcomes.
Natural and Artificial Methods of Contraception
• Natural Contraception – does not involve any chemical or
foreign induction into the human body.
• OB-Gynecologist – physician for the female reproductive organ.
Natural Method
1. Abstinence – refraining from sexual intercourse and the most
effective natural birth control method with ideally 0% fail rate.
2. Calendar Method – also called rhythm method, it entails
withholding from coitus during days that the woman is fertile.
3. Basal Body Temperature (BBT) – indicates the woman’s
temperature at rest.
4. Cervical Mucus Method – the basis for this method is the
change in the cervical mucus during ovulation. During ovulation,
the cervical mucus is copious, thin, and watery.
5. Symptothermal Method – combination of BBT method and
cervical mucus method. The woman records her temperature
every morning and takes note of changes in her cervical mucus.
6. Ovulation Detection – it uses an over-the-counter kit that
requires the urine sample of the woman.
7. Coitus Interruptus – oldest method that prevents conception. A
couple still engage with coitus, but the man withdraws the
moment he ejaculates to emit the spermatozoa.
Artificial Methods
1. Oral Contraceptives – known as the pill, it contains synthetic
estrogen and progesterone.
2. Transdermal Patch – the woman should apply 1 patch every
week for 3 weeks on the following areas: upper outer arm,
upper torso, abdomen, or buttocks.
3. Vaginal Ring – the silicon ring is inserted into the female
reproductive organ and remains there for 3 weeks and then
removed on the 4th week.
4. Subdermal Implants – 2 rod-like implants inserted under the
skin of the female during her menses.
5. Hormonal Injections – the injection causes changes in the
endometrium and cervical mucus and can help prevent
ovulation.
6. Intrauterine Device (IUD) – small, T-shaped object inserted into
the uterus via the female reproductive organ.
7. Chemical Barriers – used to cause the death of sperm before
they can enter the cervix.
8. Diaphragm – circular, rubber disk that fits the cervix and should
be placed before coitus.
9. Cervical Cap – made of soft rubber and fitted on the rim of the
cervix. It is shaped like a thimble with a thin rim and can stay in
place for not more than 48 hours.
10. Male Condoms – latex or synthetic rubber placed on the erect
male reproductive organ before penetration.
11. Female Condoms – made up of latex rubber sheaths that are
pre-lubricated with spermicide. They are usually bound by 2
rings.
12. Surgical Methods – During vasectomy, a small incision is made
on each side of the scrotum. The vas deferens then tied,
cauterized, cut, or plugged to block the passage of the sperm.