TOPIC 2: THE SEXUAL SELF

Gladys Lavarias, MA

“Sex is something you do. Sexuality is something you are.” – Anna Freud

Sexual self-concept refers to the totality of yourself as a sexual

being, including positive and negative concepts and feelings.

Sexual self-concept in this unit will be described along three

dimensions according to theorists (1) sexual self-esteem, (2)
sexual depression, and (3) sexual preoccupation. Because
attachment style moderates sense-of-self in general, and your
expectations about and strategies for approaching relationships,
sexual self-concept may be a good indicator of what kinds of
relationships we tend to get into, and how we tend to behave
within relationships, with an emphasis on sexual satisfaction.
https://www.rediff.com/getahead

Interestingly, all of these will be unpacked for 6 hours.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

1. evaluate your sexual self in terms of differences in your primary and secondary sexual
characteristics from those of the opposite sex; naming the different parts/organs of the
male and female reproductive systems; identifying your erogenous zones in the body;
how the brain controls sexual arousal; establishing ways on how you can deal with – in
appropriate ways, your sexual energies; and identifying yourself among the different
types of sexual behaviors;
2. characterize the four phases of the sexual response cycle;
3. enumerate the pros and cons of premarital sex;
4. illustrate ways on how the three levels of romantic love – lust, attraction, and
attachment, differ from each other by citing examples; and
5. produce a brochure for information dissemination on sexually transmitted diseases and
methods of contraception and family planning.

LET’S LEARN

Do This! Iguhit mo Ako!

1. Divide the class into two groups. Assign one group to represent the MALE body and the
other group as the FEMALE body. Instruct the members of each group to draw an image
of a MALE/FEMALE (the sex assigned to them) showing all the primary and secondary

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 sex characteristics of each body. After 30 minutes, ask one representative to show their
output in class. Give 5-10 minutes for discussion after each presentation.

2. Make a Venn Diagram showing the Male and Female Primary and Secondary Sexual
Characteristics.

Female Male

Similarities

DEVELOPMENT OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SEXUAL CHARACTERISTICS

During sexual maturation (puberty growth spurt), there are two important physical changes that
occur in your body as you transition from being a child to that of being an adult: development of
the primary sexual characteristics and development of the secondary sexual characteristics.

Primary Sexual Characteristics

Primary sexual characteristics are the physical characteristics directly involved in reproduction,
such as the sex organs. Sex organs are a broad category that includes any gland, organ, or part that
is necessary for reproduction. (Study.com) The sex organs show a major physical change during
puberty – its growth and development make up the primary sexual characteristics. Primary sexual
characteristics are there from birth (for example, penises vs. vaginas). In mammals, sex is
determined through hormonal events in utero that under normal circumstances are controlled
by the combination of X and Y chromosomes. If an egg is fertilized with a sperm carrying the
X chromosome, the gonads should develop into ovaries and the offspring will be female; if the
egg is fertilized with a sperm carrying the Y chromosome, the gonads should develop into testes
and the offspring will be male. (Reid, 2018).

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https://www.google.com/search?biw=1280&bih=689&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=afwOXYvHGJe_wAP476ABg&q=male
+reproductive+organs&oq=male+reproductive+organs&gs

For the male: scrotum, testes, epididymis, vas deferens, prostate, seminal vesicles, urethra, and
penis all qualify as being part of the sex organs. (Study.com) The male gonads (testes), which are
located in the scrotum (sac), outside the body, are only approximately 10% of their mature size at
the age of fourteen years. Rapid growth occurs for a year or two, after which growth slows down;
the testes are fully developed by the age of twenty or twenty-one.

The penis accelerates in growth shortly after the rapid growth of the testes begins. At first, the
growth is seen in length, followed by a gradual increase in circumference. Nocturnal emissions
(wet dreams) are spontaneous orgasms during sleep that includes ejaculation for a male. They
begin to occur when the male reproductive organs have become developed in function. This can
be seen when boys have a sexually exciting dream, when they have a full bladder, are constipated,
when wearing tight undergarments, or when they are too warmly covered.
For the female: the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, vaginal canal, Bartholin’s and Skenes
glands, vagina, clitoris, and clitoral hood are all considered as sex organs. All parts of the female
reproductive system grow during puberty, but in different rates. The uterus weighs 5.3 grams with
the average eleven- or twelve-year-old girl; by the age of sixteen, the average weight is 43 grams.
During this time, the sex organs grow rapidly. The menarche, or first menstrual flow, is the first
real sign of sexual maturation in girls. This starts a series of regular discharges of blood, mucus,
and broken-down cell tissue from the uterus that occurs every 28 days until the menopause, in the
late forties or early fifties.

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https://www.google.com/search?biw=1280&bih=689&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=4PsOXbf8EdOGoAT_hLmICA&q=fem
ale+reproductive+organs&oq=female+reproductive+organs&gs

Secondary Sexual Characteristics

Secondary sexual characteristics emerge at puberty. These physical characteristics are not used in
sexual reproduction, but are important for attracting a mate or being able to provide care for
offspring - such as human breasts. These features distinguish males from females and make
members of one sex appealing to members of the opposite sex. Hormones secreted through the
hypothalamus initiate the development of classically male or female secondary sexual traits (Reid,
2018). The appearance of secondary sexual characteristics makes one “sexually appealing”.
Changes caused by the gradual development of these characteristics, like other developments at
puberty, follows a predictable pattern. The following table shows the secondary sexual
characteristics of boys and girls:

Important Secondary Sex Characteristics:

BOYS
Hair
Pubic hair appears about one year after the testes and
penis have started to increase in size. Axillary and
facial hair appears when the pubic hair has almost
completed its growth, as does body hair. At first, all
hair is scanty, lightly pigmented, and fine in texture.
Later it becomes darker, coarser, more luxuriant, and
slightly kinky.
Skin
The skin becomes coarser, less transparent, and
sallow in color, and the pores enlarge.
Glands
The sebaceous, or oil-producing, glands in the skin
enlarge and become more active, which may cause
acne. The apocrine glands in the armpits start to
GIRLS
Hips
The hips become wider and rounder as a result of the
enlargement of the pelvic bone and the development
of subcutaneous fat.
Breasts
Shortly after the hips start to enlarge, the breasts
begin to develop. The nipples enlarge and protrude
and, as the mammary gland develops, the breast
become larger and rounder.
Hair
Pubic hair appears after hip and breast development
is well underway. Axillary hair begins to appear after
the menarche, as does facial hair. Body hair appears
on the limbs late in puberty. All hair except facial hair
is straight and slightly pigmented at first and then

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 function, and perspiration increases as puberty becomes more luxuriant, coarser, darker, and slightly
progresses. kinky.

Muscles Skin
The muscles increase markedly in size and strength, The skin becomes coarser, thicker, and slightly
thus giving shape to the arms, legs, and shoulders. sallow, and the pores enlarge.

Voice
Voice changes begin after some pubic hair has
appeared. The voice becomes husky and later drops
in pitch, increases in volume, and acquires a pleasant
tone. Voice breaks are common when maturing is
rapid.
Breast Knots
Slight knobs around the male mammary glands
appear between the ages of twelve and fourteen.
These last for several weeks and then decreases in
number and size.
Glands
The sebaceous and apocrine glands become more
active as puberty progresses. Clogging of the
sebaceous glands can cause acne, while the apocrine
glands in the armpits produce perspiration, which is
especially heavy and pungent just before and during
menstrual period.
Muscles
The muscles increase in size and strength, especially
in the middle of puberty and toward the end, thus
giving shape to the shoulders, arms, and legs.

Voice
The voice becomes fuller and more melodious.
Huskiness and breaks in the voice are rare among
girls.

EROGENOUS ZONES OF THE HUMAN BODY

The previous topic introduced you to knowing and understanding your physical self in relation to
self-esteem and beauty. To deeply know yourself, this topic enables you to explore your sexual
self. Sexual awakening takes place through the different parts of your body where they lead to
sexual stimulation due to their sensitivity to touch. These body parts are known as erogenous
zones – sensitive areas on the body that cause sexual arousal when they are touched (Merriam-
Webster). Your awareness of these body parts will lead you to being responsible – as to know your
limits and capabilities, and will give you control over your desires and sexual urges.

https://www.pinterest.at/pin/324188873171462719/

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 1. Clitoris – this is the female body part contributing most to sexual arousal. It is extremely
sensitive due to nerve endings. Research shows that stimulating the clitoris is the fastest
and easiest way for many women to achieve orgasm through pressure and vibration.

2. Vagina – it is where the “G-spot” is located. The interior of the vagina contain nerve
endings, and women report that deep stimulation leads to more intense orgasms. The outer
edge of the vagina, on the other hand, tends to respond to light touch.

3. Cervix – located at the lower end of the uterus, has its own feel-good nerve pathways. In
fact, some research suggests that the vagina, clitoris, and cervix all respond separately and
distinctly to sexual stimuli. Nerves in the cervix respond most to pressure stimulation, but
light touch has been shown to elicit a response as well.

4. Mouth and Lips – surveys found kissing to be more important in relationship-building

than in sexual arousal. Studies suggest that many women rank the lips and mouth highly
as erogenous areas.

5. Neck - according to a large international survey of women, both the nape and back of the
neck are among the top 10 erogenous zones. One study found that the neck is very sensitive
to light touch, especially among people with low body fat. Another study found that women
with spinal cord injury can get pretty turned on by neck stimulation alone.

6. Breasts and Nipples – both men and women have breasts for evolutionary purposes
especially women; and they play a role in sexual arousal as well. Nipple stimulation sets
fireworks off in the same region of the brain that processes sensations from the clitoris and
vagina. Just as with the clitoris, pressure and vibration stimulate them.

7. Ears – are super sensitive to touch, probably due to a large number of nerve endings.

https://www.pinterest.at/pin/604326843725439530/

1. Penis - both survey and lab-based scientific experiments demonstrate that penile
stimulation significantly contributes to sexual satisfaction. And while this can be a sensitive
subject, circumcision doesn’t appear to decrease sensation or sexual satisfaction.

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 2. Mouth and Lips – they are highly sensitive; male lips respond to light touch, temperature,
or pressure. Kissing also triggers a release of hormones involved in intimacy – especially
oxytocin, the so-called “love hormone.”
3. Scrotum - it is one of men’s most notable erogenous zones. Lots of nerves mean that this
area is super-sensitive to touch.

4. Neck – while touching the neck doesn’t appear to be quite as much of a turn-on for men as
for women, it’s still ranked pretty highly on the erogenous zones list. The neck has great
sensitivity to low-frequency vibration, making it a prime spot for light erotic touch.

5. Nipples – as with women, men rank nipples as a definite hot spot. While male nipples
don’t appear to serve any real purpose (they’re basically by-products of evolution), that
doesn’t mean they’re totally useless – they still have plenty of nerve endings.

6. Perineum – is the area between the anus and scrotum and is hooked up to perineal nerves,
which help convey sensations of sexual pleasure from the genitals to the brain.

7. Ears – highly sensitive to touch because of a high number of sensory receptors on the skin,
the ears are ranked just behind the scrotum for body parts that help men orgasm when
touched or otherwise stimulated.
Source: https://greatist.com/play/guide-to-male-female-erogeneous-zones#7

UNDERSTANDING THE HUMAN SEXUAL RESPONSE

What turns you on? What attracts you the most? Are you aware of your body’s reaction whenever
you see intimate scenes in movies, videos, television shows, or in advertisements or books that
you happen to see or read?

Your answer would be a yes – and this is a sign that you are a normal person who is considered as
a sexual being. Your reaction speaks of the human sexual response. But if you happen to have no
reaction at all, then you may be asexual – having no sexual feelings at all.

The body reacts when something is perceived to be sexually pleasurable. All human beings have
desires. Desiring for somebody is normal, and it leads to sexual intimacy that may lead to sexual
reproduction. As sexual beings, humans have desires for sexual pleasure and satisfaction.

Desire and sexuality cannot be separated. Libido is a person's overall sexual drive or desire for
sexual activity. Libido is influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors (Wikipedia).
Understanding your sexual self will lead you to a better view of your sexuality – making you
responsible and educated with your actions and decisions.

The Brain – Its Role and Function in the Human Sexual Response

Our brains are involved in all steps of sexual behavior and in all its variations, from feelings of
sexual desire and partner choice, to arousal, orgasm and even post-coital cuddling (Clark, 2014).

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The brain impacts the sequence of physical and emotional changes that occur as a person
participates in sexually stimulating activities (Wiley, 2015).

The brain is responsible in translating nerve impulses from the skin into pleasurable sensations. It
controls nerves and muscles used during sexual activity. It regulates the release of hormones,
which are believed to be the physiological origin of sexual desire. The adult human brain weighs
between 1300 and 1400 grams and is divided into two parts, or hemispheres, connected by a thick
bundle of nerves called the corpus collosum. As described by Rita Carter (1999, p.6) “the human
brain is as big as a coconut, the shape of a walnut, the color of uncooked liver, and the consistency
of chilled butter”

The human brain is the most complex organ in the body. It is divided into four hierarchically
organized, interacting levels:

1. The brain stem

The evolutionarily oldest structure; controls primitive responses associated with sexual
behaviour and facial expressions; contains circuits for many emotions, including
love/attachment, joy, and sexual excitement (Lewis, 2005).

http://www.neurosurgerypa.com/anatomy/neuro_br_brainstem.html

2. The hypothalamus

It controls most body systems by regulating the production of hormones in response to both
internal and environmental events; it controls the pituitary gland, which is the master gland
that controls all the other endocrine glands in the body; the hypothalamus plays a key role
in connecting the endocrine system with the nervous system.

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http://brainmadesimple.com/hypothalamus.html

3. The limbic system

It mediates learning, memory, and emotion; it contains the:

a. Amygdala – helps generate associations between experiences and emotions – Was

this an experience that felt good, that resulted in a good meal, or a loving touch?
Or was this an experience that produced fear or pain?

http://brainmadesimple.com/hypothalamus.html
b. Hippocampus – located near the amygdala, it plays an important role in organizing
and storing memories for events.

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 *** The amygdala and hippocampus seem to work together, so that emotions
associated with past experiences influence the storage and retrieval of specific
memories.

http://brainmadesimple.com/hypothalamus.html

4. The cerebral cortex

Sometimes referred to as the neocortex (neo means “new”, a relative latecomer,

evolutionarily speaking (MacLean, 1990). It is the outermost layer of the brain; its function
is responsible for thinking and processing information from the five senses.

The Cerebral Cortex is made up of tightly packed neurons and is the wrinkly, outermost
layer that surrounds the brain. It is also responsible for higher thought processes including
speech and decision making.

The cortex is divided into four different lobes:

a. frontal lobe – for cognitive functions and control of voluntary movement/activity

b. parietal lobe – processes information about temperature, taste, touch and
movement
c. temporal lobe – processes memories, integrating them with sensations of taste,
sound, sight and touch
d. occipital lobe – primarily responsible for vision

*** Each area is responsible for processing different types of sensory information.

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http://brainmadesimple.com/cortex-and-lobes-of-the-brain.html

https://www.mayoclinic.org/brain-lobes/img-20008887

The Sexual Response Cycle

Your sexual motivation – libido, is your overall sexual drive or desire for sexual activity. This is
affected by biological, psychological, and social factors. A person’s ability to engage in sexual
behaviors is controlled and influenced by sex

hormones, social factors – work and family, internal psychological factors – personality and stress,
medical conditions, medications, pregnancy, and relationship issues.

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According to William Masters and Virginia Johnson, the sexual response cycle is a model that
describes the physiological responses that take place during sexual activity. According to the cycle,
it consists of four phases:

1. Excitement – the intrinsic (inner) motivation to pursue sex arises; it includes increased
heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension;
2. Plateau – sets the stage for orgasm; heart rate quickens, blood pressure rises, muscle
tension increases, and breathing becomes faster;
3. Orgasm – the release of tension; also known as the “climax or peak” of the sexual
excitement; heart rate increases dramatically, blood pressure rise, breathing becomes
rapid and shallow, muscles throughout the body contract, and perspiration is evident;
there is an intense, pleasant, or pleasurable psychological feeling associated with the
release of sexual tension; and
4. Resolution – the return to the unaroused state before the cycle begins again; heart rate,
blood pressure, and breathing return to normal state, and muscle tension decreases.

Now that you are aware of your body’s sexual responses and behaviors, your knowledge of these
intimate reactions should lead you to your appreciation of your body, mind, and sexuality. As
teenagers, curious of your body changes and sensations, you should be aware of your
responsibilities to control and to not go beyond your limits when it comes to the practice of
engaging sexually. Sex is beautifully expressed and experienced in the state of love, commitment,
and marriage.

Ways of Dealing with Sexual Energies

Sexual energy is a life-energy. Your sexual impulses have the power to influence so much of what
you do, how you act, and the choices that you make. It takes part in your everyday dealings in the
field of human interaction. Sex, as one of the greatest motivational forces in life, if not properly
controlled, can lead to great destruction. The aim of this topic in knowing your sexual self is to
empower you to put into good "use" and avoid "abuse" in all your male and female relationships
and interactions. More so, sex, is not the only method of releasing your sexual energy. You can
convert your sexual energy into productive energy.

The following are ways on how to deal with your sexual energies:

1. Repression – involves keeping certain thoughts, feelings, or urges out of conscious

awareness. The goal of this is to keep unacceptable

desires or thoughts out of the conscious mind in order to prevent or minimize feelings
of anxiety
*** Repression is subconscious.

2. Suppression – the person consciously and deliberately pushes down any thoughts that
leads to feelings of anxiety.

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 ex. An older man has sexual feelings towards a teenager and quickly suppresses the
thought. ***Suppression is conscious.

3. Sublimation - allows us to act out unacceptable impulses by converting these

behaviors into a more acceptable form.
ex. A person experiencing sexual urges/thoughts might take up sports as a means of
expressing these forces.

4. Genital satisfaction – giving in to one’s sexual desires through sexual gratification; it

includes sexual intercourse – the likes of premarital sex, marital sex, and extramarital
sex.

5. Integration – integrate one’s sexual energies into friendships, marriage, vocation, and
all levels of relationships.

Once you find your duty, purpose, and responsibility, you will be able to handle well and proper
your sexual energies. Try to establish your goal in life, focus on it, and learn well from your
experiences in dealing with the opposite sex. Maintain your standards and learn how to say no
beyond your limits. Embrace yourself. Celebrate your strengths and learn to accept your limitations
and weaknesses.

How do we prevent premarital sex?

Sex comes with responsibility. Premarital sex in young adults is an act out of curiosity, making
them unaware of the consequences of this behavior – committing a mortal sin with your God,
early/unwanted pregnancy, the gossips and condemnations from the community/society, and the
risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections or HIV/AIDS. Adolescence should be a time to
form oneself as a mature and responsible individual being, and not at all a time to rush into
procreation. So, how do we prevent premarital sex? Learn how to say NO! One of the ways to
prevent premarital sex is to start from educating and empowering yourself – learning the truths
about sex and evaluating the consequences of premarital sex. And it is through your parents and
the school that you should find and seek guidance and knowledge in this very sensitive and
personal issue of how you can prevent yourself from engaging in premarital sex. In the pleasure
of a moment, you can be blinded by your sexual desire. In the moment of lust and passion, your
future can be destroyed. In the moment of foolishness and self-gratification, your bright future can
turn into darkness. Sex should be saved as a gift for marriage. “Why save sex for marriage” is
really a

question of understanding God’s purpose and design for sex. We can choose to do things God’s
way, and experience the beauty of His plan, or we can choose to do things our way, and experience
harm and destruction (Proverbs 16:25).
Sex is from God. He gave it to us as a gift. It's a wedding gift.—Bill Shannon

LET’S PRACTICE

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Try This! Answer Me

1. Read the following site as an additional reading material on how to manage and deal with
the sexual urges/energies. Additional readings:A Practical Guide to Sexual Transmutation
(A Complete Guide to the Secrets of Sexual Transmutation) by Scott Jeffrey
https://scottjeffrey.com/sexual-energy-transmutation/

After reading, answer the following questions in your journal:

a. What is sexual transmutation?
b. How can you benefit from sexual transmutation?
c. How is sexual energy transformed to achieve higher spiritual development?

2. Watch the documentary of GMA 7’s I-witness “Ang Mga Dalagita ng Sapang Kawayan”
(https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2z1h7q)

After watching the documentary, try to answer the following question in a

clean sheet of yellow paper:
a. What was the documentary all about?
b. How do you feel after watching the documentary?
c. What would you do if you were in that situation?
d. Why do you think these young girls take the early and difficult road to motherhood at
such an early age?
e. Is teenage pregnancy a problem in your community? How can you establish ways on
how to prevent the occurrence of this social problem in your community?

LET’S ASSESS

Check This! Reflection

You will be assigned to the following additional readings on how to prevent premarital sex.
Additional readings: 50 Purity Quotes for Smart Teenagers by Dora Weithers
https://pairedlife.com/advice/Purity-Quotes-To-Grab-Your-Teenagers-Attention

Reflect by choosing one purity quote from the readings that you like/can relate the most. Make “A
Commitment Statement on Chastity” by making a promise card using your purity quote of choice.
This will be included in your portfolio.

LET’S LEARN

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Do This! Love-Lust!
 1. Have a short discussion on WHAT IS LOVE? WHAT IS LUST? Enumerate your answers
on each category. Share your experiences in class.

2. Celebrate diversity of your gender/sexuality by doing a “Pride Wall” inside the classroom.
Post your best/most creative picture showing your sex/gender identity. Let’s see how
creative you can be.
***This can be given as a class project.

THE CHEMISTRY OF LOVE: THE SCIENCE BEHIND LUST, ATTRACTION, AND

COMPANIONSHIP

What is LOVE? Who is your first crush?

Have you experienced feeling a rush of euphoria, embarrassed yet excited, awkward, or even
tongue-tied when you see your crush or someone you really find attractive, especially of the
opposite sex? This topic will try to explain LOVE through chemistry by exploring the science
behind lust, attraction, and attachment. So, if there’s really a “formula” for love, what is it, and
what does it mean?

According to anthropology professor Helen Fisher, there are three stages of falling in love. In each
stage, different brain chemicals influence your brain chemistry - the neurotransmitters that get you
all excited and the hormones that carry the feeling all throughout your body.

1. Lust - driven by the desire for sexual gratification; evolutionary basis for this is our
need to reproduce; through reproduction, organisms pass on their genes, and thus
contribute to the perpetuation of their species.

The hypothalamus of the brain plays a big role by stimulating the production of the sex hormones:
a. Testosterone – from the testes; being “male”; increases libido
b. Estrogen – from the ovaries; being “female”; increases sexual motivation in
women during ovulation (peak of estrogen production)

2. Attraction (Falling in love) – involves romantic or passionate love, characterized by

euphoria; physical symptoms of falling in love include loss of appetite, inability to
sleep, lack of concentration, wet palms, and butterflies in the stomach.

These symptoms are caused by surging brain chemicals called monoamines:

a. Dopamine - produced by the hypothalamus, released when we do things that feel
good to us like spending time with loved ones and having sex.

b. Norepinephrine – high dosage are released during attraction; these chemicals

make us giddy, energetic, and euphoric, even leading to decreased appetite and
insomnia; also known as noradrenalin, it plays a large role in the “fight or flight”
response, which kicks into high gear when we’re stressed and keeps us alert.

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 c. Phenylethylamine – a natural amphetamine; gives the feeling of being on-top-of-
the-world that attraction can bring; and gives the energy to stay up day and night
when in love.

d. Serotonin – a hormone that’s known to be involved in appetite and mood; this

gives the overpowering infatuation that characterizes the beginning stages of love.

3. Attachment (Staying together) - the predominant factor in long-term relationships.

While lust and attraction are pretty much exclusive to romantic entanglements,
attachment mediates friendships, parent-infant bonding, social cordiality, and many
other intimacies as well.

The two primary hormones here appear to be

a. Oxytocin - often nicknamed as “cuddle hormone”; it is produced by the
hypothalamus and released in large quantities during sex (peaks during orgasm),
breastfeeding, and childbirth, all of these events are precursors to bonding.

b. Vasopressin – also called the “monogamy chemical”; researchers have found out
that suppression of vasopressin can cause male prairie voles to neglect their partners
and not fight off other male voles who try to mate with their partners.

c. Endorphins - are chemicals produced naturally by the nervous system to cope with
pain or stress; are often called "feel-good" chemicals because they can act as a pain
reliever and happiness booster.

Figure 1. Love can be distilled into three categories: lust, attraction, and attachment. Though there
are overlaps and subtleties to each, each type is characterized by its own set of hormones.
Testosterone and estrogen drive lust; dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin create attraction;
and oxytocin and vasopressin mediate attachment.
http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2017/love-actually-science-behind-lust-attraction-companionship/

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A: The testes and ovaries secrete the sex hormones testosterone and estrogen, driving sexual desire.
B and C: Dopamine, oxytocin, and vasopressin are all made in the hypothalamus, a region of the
brain that controls many vital functions as well as emotion. D: Several of the regions of the brain
that affect love. Lust and attraction shut off the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which includes
rational behavior.
http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2017/love-actually-science-behind-lust-attraction-companionship/

DIVERSITY OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR

Gender and sexual diversity (GSD), or simply sexual diversity, refers to all the diversities of sex
characteristics, sexual orientations and gender identities, without the need to specify each of the
identities, behaviors, or characteristics that form this plurality.

Sexual Orientation

a. Heterosexuals - sexually attracted to people of the opposite sex; commonly

referred to as straight;

b. Homosexuals - sexually attracted to people of their own sex; gay or lesbian;

c. Bisexuals - sexually attracted not exclusively to people of one particular gender;

attracted to both men and women;

Gender identity
a. Transgender - denoting or relating to a person whose sense of personal identity
and gender does not correspond with their birth sex;

b. Cisgender - denoting or relating to a person whose sense of personal identity

and gender corresponds with their birth sex;

Related minorities – intersex, gathered under the acronyms:

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 a. LGBT or LGBTI – lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/transsexual people, and
sometimes intersex people

Kinsey Scale

The Kinsey scale, also called the Heterosexual–Homosexual Rating Scale, is used in research to
describe a person's sexual orientation based on one’s experience or response at a given time. The
scale typically ranges from 0, meaning exclusively heterosexual, to a 6, meaning exclusively
homosexual.

In both the male and female volumes of the Kinsey Reports, an additional grade, listed as "X",
indicated "no socio-sexual contacts or reactions".

The reports were first published in Sexual Behavior in the Human Male (1948) by Alfred Kinsey,
Wardell Pomeroy, and others, and were also prominent in the complementary work Sexual
Behavior in the Human Female (1953).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinsey_scale#/media/File:Kinsey_Scale.svg

UNDERSTANDING SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections that are passed from person to person through
sexual contact. HIV is an STI. There are more than 25 other sexually transmitted infections that
are mainly spread by sexual contact such as vaginal, anal, and oral sex.

Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than one million people get
an STI every day. STIs are also sometimes called sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). While
“STD” is often used interchangeably with “STI”, they are not exactly the same.

A “disease” is usually an obvious medical problem with clear signs and symptoms. “Infection”
with an STI may or may not result in disease. This is why many individuals and organizations
working in health are moving toward using the term “sexually transmitted infection” more than
“sexually transmitted disease”. Most people with STIs do not have any symptoms and are therefore
often unaware of their ability to pass the infection on to their sexual partner(s).

73
If left untreated, STIs can cause serious health problems including cervical cancer, liver disease,
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, and pregnancy problems. Having some STIs (such
as chancroid, herpes, syphilis, and trichomoniasis) can increase the risk of your getting HIV if you
are HIV-negative and get exposed to HIV.

People living with HIV may also be at greater risk of getting or passing on other STIs. If and when
people living with HIV get STIs, they can experience more serious problems from them or have
greater difficulty getting rid of the infections.

https://www.thewellproject.org/hiv-information/sexually-transmitted-infections-or-diseases-stis-or-
stds?gclid=Cj0KCQjw6cHoBRDdARIsADiTTzY2UKHBgftBg1woKuo-rOS_1S75qTZ4AILQ5l9vAWmnXtCU1-
D_CpEaAuLAEALw_wcB

1. CLAMYDIA

Definition/ Symptom/ Treatment How it looks like

- one of the most common STIs; caused by a
bacterium that exists in vaginal secretions and
semen (“cum”); can be spread by vaginal, oral, or
anal sex without a condom or latex/polyurethane
barrier; pregnant women can pass it on to their
babies during delivery.
Symptoms: may include vaginal discharge and
burning during urination, but most women do not
have any symptoms
Treatment: with antibiotics; if left untreated, it
can spread to a woman's upper, internal
reproductive organs (ovaries and fallopian tubes)
and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID); PID
can lead to infertility and make it difficult or
impossible to become pregnant.

-
https://www.google.com/search?q=chlamydia+examples&tbm=isch&tbs=rimg:CavNpFMbCAVlIjipCJL85TJJof12EGwMA4Ejh
xo2pwaGDMuLyESR_108tAXW5Srcd7wie77LKFPOrFVhvncPy7M_1euCoSCakIkvzlMkmhEZYWzqCWk4BtKhIJ_

74
 2. GENITAL WARTS

Definition/ Symptom/ Treatment How it looks like

- are caused by viruses; HPV (Human
Papillomavirus) is the name of a large group of
viruses; certain types of HPV cause warts on the
hands or feet; other types cause infections in the
genital area that can lead to genital warts, cervical
cancer, or cancer of the vulva, vagina, anus, and
penis;; people living with HIV are more likely to
be infected with HPV than HIV-negative people;
people living with HIV and HPV are also more
likely to develop genital warts, as well as cervical
or anal cancer;
Treatment: regular cervical screening tests are a good
way to check for HPV; there are also three effective
HPV vaccines

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1264&bih=672&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=cMUQXZ36BtumoATPwo6YAw&q=g
enital+warts+examples&oq=genital+warts+examples&gs_l=img.3...239996.24..gws-wiz-
img.......0i7i30j0i7i5i30j0i8i7i30.2dL9m2SWYTI#imgrc=FFi8S46yRu1hTM:

3. GONORRHEA

Definition/ Symptom/ Treatment How it looks like

- often called “the clap”, this bacterial sexually
transmitted infection exists in vaginal secretions
and semen; it can be spread through vaginal, anal,
or oral sex without a condom or
latex/polyurethane barrier
Symptoms: may include a yellowish or greenish
vaginal discharge and a burning feeling when
urinating; can also affect the anus and the throat.
Treatment: with antibiotics If left untreated, it can
cause PID and infertility.

https://www.medicinenet.com/image-collection/the_clap_gonorrhea_picture/picture.htm

75
 4. HERPES

Definition/ Symptom/ Treatment How it looks like

- caused by a virus that lives in the nerves.
There are two common types:
a) Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) - usually causes cold
sores around the mouth
b) Herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) - usually causes sores
in the genital area.
it is possible to get HSV-2 in the mouth and HSV-1 in the
genital area.
Symptoms: include itchy or painful blisters; spread
through skin-to-skin contact with sores, but it may also
spread even before sores can be seen on the infected
person.
Genital HSV-2 infection is more common in women than
men. There is no cure for herpes, but the antiviral drugs
Zovirax (acyclovir), Valtrex (valacyclovir), and Famvir
(famciclovir) can reduce the number of outbreaks if taken
daily and can shorten outbreaks and make them less severe
if taken as soon as symptoms begin. Valtrex has also been
shown to lower your risk of passing the infection to
someone else. Pregnant women can pass herpes to their
babies.

https://www.medicinenet.com/image-collection/herpes_simplex_virus_type_1_picture/picture.htm

5. HIV (HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS)

Definition/ Symptom/ Treatment How it looks like

- The virus that causes AIDS (Acquired
Immunodeficiency Syndrome); present in blood,
vaginal secretions, semen, and breast milk; can be
spread through vaginal, oral, or anal sex without a
condom or latex/polyurethane barrier; getting
tested for HIV is part of routine medical care;

https://www.medicinenet.com/image-collection/hivaids_picture/picture.htm

76
 6. SYPHILIS

Definition/ Symptom/ Treatment How it looks like

- caused by a bacterium; it can be spread by vaginal,
anal, or oral sex without a condom or
latex/polyurethane barrier.
- The disease has several phases
.
- a) primary syphilis (early disease) may have pain-
free open sores, called chancres, in the genital or
anal area or around the mouth; the sores usually
heal on their own in three to six weeks.
- b) secondary syphilis (a later stage of the disease)
often have a rash and/or hair loss.
- c) latent stage during which it may have no visible
symptoms but can cause damage to the heart,
brain, and other organs.

Treatment: can be successfully treated with

antibiotics; without treatment, it can hurt your
body's organs, leading to severe illness and even
death.
Pregnant women can pass syphilis to their babies
during pregnancy and childbirth, so it is important
that
pregnant women get tested for syphilis.

https://www.medicinenet.com/image-collection/syphilis_picture/picture.htm

77
 7. OTHER SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

a. Chancroid

Definition/ Symptom/ Treatment How it looks like

- caused by a bacterium; it can be spread by

vaginal or anal sex or skin-to-skin contact
with sores.

- Symptoms: may include genital sores, vaginal

discharge, a burning feeling when urinating,
and swollen lymph nodes in the groin.
Treatment: can be treated with antibiotics

https://www.medicinenet.com/image-collection/chancroid_picture/picture.htm

b. Hepatitis

Definition/ Symptom/ Treatment How it looks like

- an inflammation (irritation) of the

liver; some types of hepatitis are caused by
viruses that exist in blood, vaginal secretions,
semen, and breast milk; these include
hepatitis A (HAV), hepatitis B (HBV), and
hepatitis C (HCV), all of which can be
sexually transmitted.

- Treatment: there is a vaccine to prevent HAV

and HBV, but not for HCV. HAV goes away
on its own, but HBV and HCV can become
chronic (long-term) and very serious.

https://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/ss/slideshow-hepatitis-overview

78
 c. Pubic Lice

Definition/ Symptom/ Treatment How it looks like

- they live in the pubic hair and can be transmitted

by skin-to-skin contact; they can also be spread
through infected clothes and bedding.
Symptoms: may include intense itching and seeing
lice or eggs in the hair. Treatment: can be treated
with over-the-counter medications; contaminated
clothes, sheets, pillowcases, blankets, and towels
should be washed in hot water and laundry soap to
kill lice and eggs and to prevent being infected
again.

https://www.google.com/search?q=pubic+lice+images&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa

d. Trichomoniasis

Definition/ Symptom/ Treatment How it looks like

- caused by a single-celled germ called a
protozoa; can be spread during vaginal, oral,
or anal sex without a condom or
latex/polyurethane barrier; common cause of
vaginal infections.
Symptoms: may include a foamy, foul-
smelling vaginal discharge and itching
Treatment: with antibiotics

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1262&bih=672&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=nswQXZWsOJvAoATvmK3gCg&q=tri
chomoniasis+images&oq=trichomoniasis+images&gs_l=img.1.0.0j0i7i30l4j0i8

79
FAMILY PLANNING AND CONTRACEPTION
(Source: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/family-planning-contraception)

Key facts from the World Health Organization (As of 8 February 2018)

a. 214 million women of reproductive age in developing countries who want to avoid
pregnancy are not using a modern contraceptive method
b. Some family planning methods, such as condoms, help prevent the transmission of HIV
and other sexually transmitted infections

c. Family planning/contraception reduces the need for abortion, especially unsafe abortion
d. Family planning reinforces people’s rights to determine the number and spacing of their
children
e. By preventing unintended pregnancy, family planning/contraception prevents deaths of
mothers and children

Family planning allows 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
(this fact sheet focuses on contraception).

Benefits of Family Planning/Contraception

Promotion of family planning – and ensuring access to preferred contraceptive methods for women
and couples – is essential to securing the well-being and autonomy of women, while supporting
the health and development of communities.

Preventing Pregnancy-Related Health Risks in Women

A woman’s ability to choose if and when to become pregnant has a direct impact on her health and
well-being. Family planning allows spacing of pregnancies and can delay pregnancies in young
women at increased risk of health problems and death from early childbearing. It prevents
unintended pregnancies, including those of older women who face increased risks related to
pregnancy. Family planning enables women who wish to limit the size of their families to do so.
Evidence suggests that women who have more than 4 children are at increased risk of maternal
mortality.

By reducing rates of unintended pregnancies, family planning also reduces the need for unsafe
abortion.

Reducing Infant Mortality

Family planning can prevent closely spaced and ill-timed pregnancies and births, which contribute
to some of the world’s highest infant mortality rates. Infants of mothers who die as a result of
giving birth also have a greater risk of death and poor health.

80
Helping to Prevent HIV/AIDS

Family planning reduces the risk of unintended pregnancies among women living with HIV,
resulting in fewer infected babies and orphans. In addition, male and female condoms provide dual
protection against unintended pregnancies and against STIs including HIV.

Empowering People and Enhancing Education

Family planning enables people to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive
health. Family planning represents an opportunity for women to pursue additional education and
participate in public life, including paid employment in non-family organizations.

Additionally, having smaller families allows parents to invest more in each child. Children with
fewer siblings tend to stay in school longer than those with many siblings.

Reducing Adolescent Pregnancies

Pregnant adolescents are more likely to have preterm or low birth-weight babies. Babies born to
adolescents have higher rates of neonatal mortality. Many adolescent girls who become pregnant
have to leave school. This has long-term implications for them as individuals, their families and
communities.

Slowing Population Growth

Family planning is key to slowing unsustainable population growth and the resulting negative
impacts on the economy, environment, and national and regional development efforts.

WHO PROVIDES FAMILY PLANNING/CONTRACEPTIVES?

It is important that family planning is widely available and easily accessible through midwives and
other trained health workers to anyone who is sexually active, including adolescents. Midwives
are trained to provide (where authorised) locally available and culturally acceptable contraceptive
methods.

Other trained health workers, for example community health workers, also provide counselling
and some family planning methods, for example pills and condoms. For methods such as
sterilization, women and men need to be referred to a clinician.

CONTRACEPTIVE USE

Contraceptive use has increased in many parts of the world, especially in Asia and Latin America,
but continues to be low in sub-Saharan Africa. Globally, use of modern contraception has risen
slightly, from 54% in 1990 to 57.4% in 2015. Regionally, the proportion of women aged 15–49
reporting use of a modern contraceptive method has risen minimally or plateaued between 2008

81
and 2015. In Africa it went from 23.6% to 28.5%, in Asia it has risen slightly from 60.9% to 61.8%,
and in Latin America and the Caribbean it has remained stable at 66.7%.

Use of contraception by men makes up a relatively small subset of the above prevalence rates. The
modern contraceptive methods for men are limited to male condoms and sterilization (vasectomy).

GLOBAL UNMET NEED FOR CONTRACEPTION

214 million women of reproductive age in developing countries who want to avoid pregnancy are
not using a modern contraceptive method. Reasons for this include:
a. limited choice of methods;
b. limited access to contraception, particularly among young people, poorer segments of
populations, or unmarried people;
c. fear or experience of side-effects;
d. cultural or religious opposition;
e. poor quality of available services;
f. users and providers bias;
g. gender-based barriers.

The unmet need for contraception remains too high. This inequity is fuelled by both a growing
population, and a shortage of family planning services. In Africa, 24.2% of women of reproductive
age have an unmet need for modern contraception. In Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean
– regions with relatively high contraceptive prevalence – the levels of unmet need are 10.2 % and
10.7%, respectively (Trends in Contraception Worldwide 2015, UNDESA).

CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS

Modern methods:

Method Description How it Effectiveness to Comments

works prevent
pregnancy
Combined oral Contains two Prevents the >99% with correct Reduces risk of
contraceptives hormones release of and consistent use endometrial and
(COCs) or “the (estrogen and eggs from the ovarian cancer
pill” progestogen) ovaries
(ovulation) 92% as commonly
used
Progestogen- Contains only Thickens 99% with correct Can be used
only pills progestogen cervical and consistent use while
(POPs) or "the hormone, not mucus to 90–97% as breastfeeding;
minipill" estrogen block sperm commonly used must be taken at
and egg from the same time
meeting and each day
prevents
ovulation

Implants Small, flexible Thickens >99% Health-care

rods or capsules cervical provider must
placed under the mucus to insert and
skin of the upper block sperm remove; can be
arm; contains and egg from used for 3–5
progestogen meeting and years depending
hormone only prevents on implant;
ovulation irregular vaginal
bleeding
common but not
harmful
Progestogen Injected into the Thickens >99% with correct Delayed return
only injectables muscle or under cervical and consistent use to fertility
the skin every 2 or mucus to (about 1–4
3 months, block sperm months on the
depending on and egg from 97% as commonly average) after
product meeting and used use; irregular
prevents vaginal bleeding
ovulation common, but
not harmful
Monthly Injected monthly Prevents the >99% with correct Irregular vaginal
injectables or into the muscle, release of and consistent use bleeding
combined contains estrogen eggs from the common, but
injectable and progestogen ovaries not harmful
contraceptives (ovulation)
(CIC)
97% as commonly
used
Combined Continuously Prevents the The patch and the The Patch and
contraceptive releases 2 release of CVR are new and the CVR
patch and hormones – a eggs from the research on provide a
combined progestin and an ovaries effectiveness is comparable
contraceptive estrogen- directly (ovulation) limited. safety and
vaginal ring through the skin Effectiveness pharmacokinetic
(CVR) studies report that profile to COCs
83
 (patch) or from it may be more with hormone
the ring. effective than the formulations.
COCs, both as
commonly and
consistent or
correct use.
Intrauterine Small flexible Copper >99% Longer and
device (IUD): plastic device component heavier periods
copper containing copper damages during first
containing sleeves or wire sperm and months of use
that is inserted prevents it are commo
into the uterus from meeting n but not
the egg harmful; can
also be used as
emergency
contraception
Intrauterine A T-shaped Thickens >99% Decreases
device (IUD) plastic device cervical amount of blood
levonorgestrel inserted into the mucus to lost with
uterus that block sperm menstruation
steadily releases and egg from over time;
small amounts of meeting Reduces
levonorgestrel menstrual
each day cramps and
symptoms of
endometriosis;
amenorrhea (no
menstrual
bleeding) in a
group of users
Male condoms Sheaths or Forms a 98% with correct Also protects
coverings that fit barrier to and consistent use against sexually
over a man's erect prevent transmitted
penis sperm and infections,
egg from 85% as commonly including HIV
meeting used
Female Sheaths, or Forms a 90% with correct Also protects
condoms linings, that fit barrier to and consistent use against sexually
loosely inside a prevent transmitted
woman's vagina, sperm and infections,
made of thin, egg from 79% as commonly including HIV
transparent, soft meeting used
plastic film
84
Male Permanent Keeps sperm >99% after 3 3 months delay
sterilization contraception to out of months semen
in taking effect
(vasectomy) block or cut the ejaculated evaluation while stored
vas deferens semen sperm is still
tubes that carry 97–98% with no present; does not
sperm from the semen evaluation affect male
testicles sexual
performance;
voluntary and
informed choice
is essential
Female Permanent Eggs are >99% Voluntary and
sterilization contraception to blocked from informed choice
(tubal ligation) block or cut the meeting is essential
fallopian tubes sperm

Lactational Temporary Prevents the 99% with correct A temporary

amenorrhea contraception for release of and consistent use family planning
method (LAM) new mothers eggs from the method based on
whose monthly ovaries the natural effect
bleeding has not (ovulation) 98% as commonly of breastfeeding
returned; requires used on fertility
exclusive or full
breastfeeding day
and night of an
infant less than 6
months old
Emergency Pills taken to Delays If all 100 women Does not disrupt
contraception prevent ovulation used progestin- an already
pills (ulipristal pregnancy up to 5 only emergency existing
acetate 30 mg days after contraception, one pregnancy
or unprotected sex would likely
become pregnant. 85
levonorgestrel
1.5 mg)

Standard Days Women track Prevents 95% with Can be used to

Method or their fertile pregnancy by consistent and identify fertile
SDM periods (usually avoiding correct use. days by both
days 8 to 19 of unprotected women who
each 26 to 32 day vaginal sex want to become
cycle) using cycle during most pregnant and
beads or other fertile days. women who
aids want to avoid
pregnancy.
Correct,
consistent use
requires partner
cooperation.
88% with
common use
(Arevalo et al
2002)

Basal Body Woman takes her Prevents 99% effective If the BBT has
Temperature body temperature pregnancy by with correct and risen and has
(BBT) Method at the same time avoiding consistent use. stayed higher for
each morning unprotected 75% with typical 3 full days,
before getting out vaginal sex use of FABM ovulation has
of bed observing during fertile (Trussell, 2009) occurred and the
for an increase of days fertile period has
0.2 to 0.5 degrees passed. Sex can
C. resume on the
4th day until her
next monthly
bleeding.
TwoDay Women track Prevents 96% with correct Difficult to use
Method their fertile pregnancy by and consistent if a woman has a
periods by avoiding use. vaginal
observing unprotected 86% with typical infection or
presence of vaginal sex or common use. another
cervical mucus (if during most (Arevalo, 2004) condition that
any type color or fertile days, changes cervical
consistency) mucus.
Unprotected
coitus may be
resumed after 2

86
 consecutive dry
days (or without
secretions)
Sympto- Women track Prevents 98% with correct May have to be
thermal Method their fertile pregnancy by and consistent used with
periods by avoiding use. caution after an
observing unprotected Reported 98% abortion, around
changes in the vaginal sex with typical use menarche or
cervical mucus during most (Manhart et al, menopause, and
(clear texture) , fertile 2013) in conditions
body temperature which may
(slight increase) increase body
and consistency temperature.
of the cervix
(softening).
Traditional methods

Effectiveness
Traditional
Description How it Works to prevent Comments
Methods
pregnancy

Women monitor 91% with

The couple
their pattern of correct and
prevents
menstrual cycle consistent use.
pregnancy by May need to delay or
over 6 months,
avoiding use with caution when
subtracts 18
unprotected using drugs (such as
Calendar from shortest
vaginal sex anxiolytics,
method or cycle length
during the 1st antidepressants,
rhythm (estimated 1st
and last 75% with NSAIDS, or certain
method fertile day) and
estimated common use antibiotics) which may
subtracts 11
fertile days, by affect timing of
from longest
abstaining or ovulation.
cycle length
using a
(estimated last
condom.
fertile day)
Man withdraws 96% with
One of the least
his penis from correct and
Tries to keep effective methods,
his partner's consistent use
sperm out of because proper timing
Withdrawal vagina, and
the woman's 73% as of withdrawal is often
(coitus ejaculates commonly
body, difficult to determine,
interruptus) outside the used
preventing leading to the risk of
vagina, keeping (Trussell,
fertilization ejaculating while
semen away 2009) inside the vagina.
from her

87
 Effectiveness
Traditional
Description How it Works to prevent Comments
Methods
pregnancy

external
genitalia

88