THE

SEXUAL
SELF
MS. RACQUEL S. MANLAPAS
GEC1 - UTS Instructor
 LEARNING
OUTCOMES
At the end of the lesson, the students
are expected to:

1. Elaborate concepts associated with

the sexual self;

2. Identify factors that contribute to

one’s sexual development; and

3. Explain how one can manifest

responsible behavior.
ADOLESCENT SEXUALITY &
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
The age of adolescence is
usually the time an
individual becomes aware
of their sexual self. During
this period, the physical
and physiological
characteristics of the body
start to develop, affecting
the emotional and mental
aspects of a person.
 ADOLESCENT SEXUALITY &
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
Exploring and awakening the
consciousness and awareness of
one's sexuality will lead to a better
understanding of themselves as a
whole. At this age, the secondary
sex characteristics, or the features
or changes that appear during
puberty, start to affect an
individual. A person's sexual desire
may heighten as a result of the
body adjusting to allow sexual
reproduction to occur.
 ADOLESCENT SEXUALITY &
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
The human and reproductive system
substances are composed of organs that
work together to be able to produce an
offspring. Male and female substances
such as fluids, hormones, and
pheromones contribute to the process of
human reproduction. These processes
that contribute to the conception of an
individual's sexual self are influenced by
one's upbringing, social environment,
and expectations. However, developing
this aspect of the self involves educating
oneself, recognizing one's identity, and
conducting self-evaluations. Having
awareness of one's sexual self can be a
means to identify their sexual behavior.
 THE EROGENOUS ZONES
The human body has various
erogenous zones that are highly
sensitive to stimulation which
generate sexual responses such
as sexual fantasies, arousal, or
orgasms. The sensitivity of this is
determined by the
concentration of nerve endings.
There are two classifications of
erogenous area zones, namely
NON-SPECIFIC and SPECIFIC
ZONES
 THE EROGENOUS ZONES
Nonspecific Specific zones, on
zones include the other hand,
the NECK, ARMS, include the LIPS
and CHEST, and GENITALIA,
which, if which evoke
intense sexual
stimulated,
response upon
heighten sensual
stimulation.
response.
 THE EROGENOUS ZONES
The stimulation
of one's
erogenous zones
is considered
part of physical
intimacy,
however, this
action is highly
dependent on
the sexual desires
of an individual.
 PHASES OF
HUMAN SEXUAL RESPONSE
Human sexual response
refers to the physical and
emotional changes that take
place during various sexual
activities. An individual who
performs sexual activities,
especially masturbation,
sexual intercourse, goes
through four phases:

EXCITEMENT ORGASM
PLATEAU RESOLUTION
EXCITEMENT
In the EXCITEMENT
stage, the body prepares
for sexual activity by
tensing the muscles and
increasing heart rate and
blood pressure.
 PLATEAU
This phase intensifies
the responses from the
excitement phase -
breathing, blood flow,
and heart rate continue
to increase and stabilize.
Muscle tension increases
and may extend to
hands, feet, face and
other areas of the body.
It is the shortest of the
phases and generally ORGASM
lasts only a few seconds.
General characteristics of
this phase include the
following:
1. Involuntary muscle
contractions begin.
2. Blood pressure, heart
rate and breathing
are at their highest
rates with a rapid
intake of oxygen.
RESOLUTION
During this phase, 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 in some by general
sense of well-being and
often, fatigue.
 THE CHEMISTRY OF
LUST, LOVE AND ATTACHMENT

Love can be
categorized into
three:
LUST
ATTRACTION, and
ATTACHMENT
(Wu, 2017)
LUST
It is driven
by sexual
gratification,
which is
associated
with the need
of living
beings to
reproduce.
 ATTRACTION
It affects the brain’s control
over the “reward” behavior,
which could be the reason
why beginnings of
relationship can become
thrilling.
Dopamine, serotonin, and
norepinephrine are the
chemicals released during
attraction which affects a
person’s mood and appetite,
making them feel energized
and euphoric.
ATTACHMENT
This involves the
desire for bonding or
friendship, intimacy,
and social cordiality,
which is intensified by
Oxytocin and
Vasopressin.
 SEXUAL
BEHAVIOR &
ORIENTATION
 This is related to
the idea that
human beings are
diverse in terms of
the concepts,
choices, and acts.
Part of people’s
SEXUAL sexual behavior is
BEHAVIOR their sexual
orientation.
 It is defined as the
enduring pattern of
romantic or sexual SEXUAL
attraction, or both, to
people of the opposite
ORIENTATION
and / or the same sex.

It also includes a
psychological
component such as the
pattern of a person’s
erotic desires and a
behavioral component
that pertains to the sex
of one’s partner.
ASEXUALITY - refers to the VARIOUS
ABSENCE of sexual attraction TYPES OF
to other people. SEXUAL
ORIENTATION
HETEROSEXUALITY - refers to
the PREFERENCE for the
OPPOSITE SEX.

BISEXUALITY - refers to the

PREFERENCE for BOTH
SEXES.

HOMOSEXUALITY - refers to
the PREFERENCE for the
SAME SEX.
 SEXUALLY
TRANSMITTED
DISEASES
Sexually transmitted diseases are infections that
can be passed from one person to another through:
✓ Sexual Contact (vaginal, anal, or oral sex)
✓ Unsterilized needles or syringes
✓ Breastfeeding
✓ Blood Transfusions
Human genitalia is vulnerable to
bacteria, fungi, and more because
of its moist and warm
environment.

The following are the three most

common Sexually Transmitted
Diseases in the Philippines:
 HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS (HPV)
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a
virus that thrives in moist skin and
areas such as the throat, cervix,
anus and mouth. There are over 100
types of HPV strains, 40 of which
affect the genital area, mouth, and
throat. HPV causes a growth
abnormality in cells within the
cervix, which may lead to genital
warts and cancer. HPV is an
asymptomatic disease that results
in its prevalence because those
infected are unaware of having and
transmitting it, most commonly,
through vagina or anal sex.
GENITAL HERPES
Genital Herpes is caused by the
herpes simplex virus (HSV) which
affects the skin, cervix, and genitals.
Having herpes is usually a long term
condition. There are two known
types of herpes which manifest
through vaginal discharge, painful
urination, fever, blisters, ulceration
of the cervix and cold sores around
the mouth which are painful when
they burst.
 SYPHILIS
Syphilis is caused by the
bacteria TREPONEMA
PALLIDUM. It can be transmitted
through sexual intercourse or
pregnancy which could lead to
still birth or birth defects.
Syphillis initially does not show
any symptoms because of the
incubation period of the
infection taking around 9 to 90
days. This can lead to serious
health problems later on,
including a higher risk of
becoming HIV positive.
 METHODS
OF
CONTRACEPTION
NATURAL
METHODS
CALENDAR OR RHYTHM
METHOD

This method involves refraining from

sexual intercourse during the fertile
days of a woman. The menstrual cycle
suggests that a woman is most fertile
around 3 to 4 days before and after
her ovulation. The best estimation for
a woman's fertile days is by
considering her menstrual record for
the past 6 months. To know a
woman's ovulation day, identify the
10th and 17th days once menstruation
occurs. The former indicates the first
day of a woman's fertile period and
the latter indicates the end.
SYMPTOTHERMAL
METHOD This method makes use of a
woman's basal body temperature
and cervical mucus. A woman
must take her temperature every
morning and record it. She must
abstain from sexual intercourse 3
days after observing a rise in body
temperature. The cervix and
cervical mucus must also be
checked for changes. If a woman's
cervix becomes soft, high, open,
and wet, this indicates ovulation.
Additionally, if her cervical mucus
is thin, watery, and copious, it also
indicates ovulation.
 OVULATION DETECTION
This method requires an
ovulation kit that can be
bought in a local pharmacy
to predict and read
ovulation by detecting the
rise of luteinizing hormone
occuring 12 to 24 hours
prior to ovulation. Urine is
used as a specimen to
check the said hormone.
HORMONAL
&
BARRIER
METHODS
 HORMONAL CONTRACEPTION
This is used to manipulate the production of hormones that directly
impact a woman’s reproductive system and menstrual cycle in order to
interrupt or hinder ovulation. Barrier methods of contraception are
designed to prevent the sperm from reaching the uterus egg. These
methods are for single use only and should be disposed immediately after
use.
 Condoms are barrier method of
contraception and has two kinds: MALE
CONDOM
and FEMALE CONDOMS.

MALE CONDOMS are latex or rubber

sheath that is placed around an erect
penis before vaginal penetration or
intercourse.

FEMALE CONDOMS on the other hand,

are pre-lubricated with spermicide and
contains two rings. When inserted
inside the vagina, the inner ring should
cover the cervix and the open ring
should cover the vaginal opening. Both
kinds are disposable after use and
available without any prescription. The
chances of a woman getting
impregnated with the use of a condom
are 12% to 22%.
Oral contraceptives are pills that contain
synthetic hormones including estrogen and ORAL
progesterone. The pill functions in three ways to
prevent pregnancy. CONTRACEPTIONS
1. It stops ovulation so no egg can be fertilized.
2. It thickens cervical mucus to hinder sperm
from entering the ovary.
3. It thins the uterine lining making it difficult for
a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus.

The pill should ideally be taken at the same time

each day for 21 or 28 days depending on the
availability of inactive pills. The first week does
not provide protection yet for a user. After one
full pack or a month of taking the pills would be
the best time to ensure the effectiveness. Oral
contraceptives, because of their method of
altering hormones, have several side effects such
as nausea, weight changes, headaches, breast
changes, breakthrough bleeding, vaginal
infections, and depression.
 INTRAUTERINE DEVICE (IUD)
This is a T-shaped device that is
implanted in the uterus in order to
prevent pregnancy. There are two
types of IUDs available.

1. COPPER IUD - which releases

copper to prevent sperm from
getting to the egg.
2. HORMONAL IUD - which releases
hormones that thicken cervical
mucus and stop ovulation.

The IUD is effective for around 5 to

7 years; however, a user should have
annual pelvic examinations as well
as constantly check the IUD string
to make sure it is still in place.
SURGICAL
METHODS
 SURGICAL METHODS of contraception involve
undergoing an operation in order to physically
alter either male or female reproductive systems
to avoid pregnancy.
 VASECTOMY
This method involves the tying and cauterizing, cutting,
or plugging of the vas deferens of a male to block the
passage of the sperm.
 TUBAL
LIGATION

This is performed by blocking, cutting, or tying the

fallopian tubes permanently to prevent pregnancy.
 GUIDE QUESTI0NS
1. What are the factors that contribute to one’s
sexual development?
2. How do biological sex and gender differ ?
3. What are the dangers of engaging in sexually
irresponsible behaviors or practices?

CORE
VALUE: