CHAPTER XXX

IMPOTENCY AND
STERILITY

PATRICK JOSE J. PEREZ LEGAL MEDICINE

BS – CRIMINOLOGY IV DR. EVELYN IGNACIO
 IMPOTENCY

 is the physical
incapacity of
either sex to allow
or grant to the
other legitimate
sexual
gratification.
LEGAL IMPORTANCE OF IMPOTENCY:
 A. Impotency , if proven, will overthrow the presumption of
legitimacy:

 Art. 255, Civil Code:

Children born after one hundred and eighty days following the
celebration of marriage, and before three-hundred days following
it’s dissolution or the separation of spouses shall be presumed to be
legitimate.

This physical impossibility may be caused:

 By the impotence of the husband.

By the fact that the husband and wife were living separately in
such a way that access was not possible; and
By the serious illness of the husband.
  B. Impotency may be a ground for the annulment of
marriage:

 Art. 85, Civil Code:

Marriage may be annulled for any of the following causes
existing at the time of marriage:

In order that such impotency may be a ground for the annulment of

marriage, the following requisites must be present:

 1. One of the parties to the marriage is not aware of the existing

impotency of the other party.
 2. The impotency must be present at the time of celebration of
marriage.
 3. The impotency suffered by the party must be incurable.
 4. Such impotency must be absolute.
  C. Impotency may be a defense in rape.

 D. Impotency may be a cause to the development

of abnormal sexual behaviour.

 E. Impotency may be a cause for the development

of suicide tendency.
 CAUSES OF IMPOTENCY:

A. GENERAL OR FUNCTIONAL, OR NOT

CONNECTED DIRECTLY WITH THE SEXUAL
ORGANS.

 Age  Illness

 Emotion Hormonal
dysfunction
B. LOCAL OR ORGANIC, IN DIRECT
CONNECTION WITH THE SEXUAL
ORGANS:
 Congenital Defects Disease or Accident
 STERILITY
 is the loss of
power of
procreation and is
absolutely
independent of
whether or not
impotence is
present.
 CAUSES OF STERILITY:
A. GENERAL OR FUNCTIONAL,
UNCONNECTED DIRECTLY WITH
THE SEXUAL ORGANS:

 Before puberty there is no

spermatozoa in the seminal fluid,
hence sterile, but as age increases,
fertility also increases.
B. LOCAL CAUSES OF
STERILITY:

(1) CONGENITAL CONDITIONS

(2) ACQUIRED CONDITIONS
METHODS OF STERILIZATION:
A. On the part of the male:

 The source of sperm production can be

eliminated by removing both testicles
(Orchiectomy).

 The tubular passage (vas deferens) through which

the sperm are transported from the testicles to the
urethra where they combined with the seminal
fluid elaborated by the prostrate gland to form the
ejaculant, can be divided and the cut ends tied
(vasectomy).
 B. On the part of female:

 Source of eggs (ovary) can be removed

(oophorectomy).

 The tubular appendages of the uterus (fallopian tube)

through which the egg enter the uterine cavity for
fertilization takes place, can be divided and the cut
ends tied (tubal ligation of salpingectomy), preventing
newly produced eggs from reaching the uterus for
fertilization.

 The uterus (womb) itself can be removed

(hysterectomy) thereby eliminating the site of
fertilization and pregnancy.
THANK
YOU! 