MODULE 2:

UNPACKING the SELF

Unit 1: PHYSICAL SELF—
THE BEAUTIFUL ME

E X C E R P T E D & C O M P I L E D B Y:

BRO CARLOS B. DAVID O.P .

- NEIL ARMSTRONG
 INTRODUCTION
From childhood, we are controlled by our genetic makeup, i. e, sex
chromosomes.
It also influences the way we treat ourselves and others.

On the contrary, there are individuals who DO NOT ACCEPT their

INNATE SEXUAL characteristics and they actually tend to change
their sexual organs through medications and surgery.
In addition, external environment helps shapes us.

 
 INTRODUCTION CONT’’D
In this lesson, we are going to explore
the development of our sexual
characteristics and behavior.
 LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this unit, you will be able to:

1. Determine the condition of our physical self

2. Classify the physiological needs of the self in each stage
of life
3. Identify the forces and institutions that impact the
development of the various aspects of identity and the self
4. Explain the importance of a good health.
 LESSON PROPER
Marieb, E.N. (2001) explains that the gonads begin to form until
about the eighth week of embryonic development.
The embryonic structures of males and females during the early
stages of human development are alike and are said to be in
indifferent stage.
When the reproductive structures are formed development of the
accessory structures and external genitalia begin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM2-8se6pp8
 Beginning of life
 Life begins at fertilization.
 It refers to the meeting of the female sex cell and the male sex cell.
 These sex cells are developed in the reproductive organs called GONADS.
 The male sex cell called spermatozoa [sing. –zoon] are produced in the
male gonads called testes.
 On the other hand, the female sex cells called ova are produced in the
female gonads known ovaries.
 The fertilized egg cell known as zygote contains all the hereditary
potentials from the parents.
 This zygote goes to the uterus and continues to grow during the gestation
period of about 280 days or 36 weeks or 9 calendar months.
 Beginning of life CONT’D
Both male and female chromosomes contain several thousands of genes
– called deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) which is the code of heredity.
Maturation is the unfolding of the inherent traits. Human Development
The formation of male or female structures depends on the presence of
testosterone (A substance called hormone that occurs naturally in men
and male animals).
(Chromosome—(KROH-muh-some) A structure found inside the nucleus
of a cell. A chromosome is made up of proteins and DNA organized into
genes. Each cell normally contains 23 pairs of chromosomes.)
 Beginning of life CONT’D
The embryonic testes release testosterone once formed and the
formation of the duct system and external genitalia follows.
The same with female embryos that form ovaries, it will cause the
development of the female ducts and external genitalia since
testosterone hormone is not produce.
 Beginning of life CONT’D
Pseudo hermaphrodites are formed who is an individual having
accessory reproductive structures that do not “match” their gonads
while true Hermaphrodites are individuals who possess both ovarian
and testicular tissues but this condition is rare in nature.

Nowadays, many pseudo hermaphrodites undergo sex change

operation to have their outer selves fit with their inner serves
(gonads).
(A pseudohermaphrodite is a person whose gonads are consistent with the chromosomal sex but who
has external genitalia of the opposite sex. Male pseudohermaphrodites have normal testes but
incomplete masculinization of the wolffian duct system and external genitalia)
Puberty is the period of lifeanatomy
Human when the reproductive
organs grow to their adult size and become functional
under the influence of rising levels of gonadal
hormones [testosterone in male and estrogen in
female] and generally between the age of 10-15 years
old.
 Human Anatomy cont’d
At the age of 13, male puberty is characterized by the
increase in the size of the reproductive organs followed by
the appearance of hair in the pubic area, axillary and face.
The reproductive organs continue to grow for two years until
sexual maturation marked by the presence of mature semen
in the testes.
 
 Human Anatomy cont’d
For the female, the budding of their breasts usually
occurring at the age of 11 as a sign of their puberty stage.
Menarche is the 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.
Male & Female Reproductive System
Male & Female Reproductive System
cont’d
 Male & Female Reproductive System
(please follow the links below)

1. Link for Female Reproductive System

https://edanadom.pages.dev/post/external-actual-female-reproductive
-system/
 
2. Link for Male Reproductive System
https://www.istockphoto.com/search/2/image?mediatype=illustration
&phrase=male%20reproductive%20organ
 
 Factors in Development of the Physical Self
The development of the individual is caused by two interacting forces: heredity
and environment.
 
1. Heredity [nature] is the transmission of traits from parents to offspring it
provides the raw materials of which the individual is made up, while,
 
2. The environment [nurture] is the sum total of the forces or experiences that a
person undergoes from conception to old age.

It includes family, friends, school, nutrition and other agencies one is in contact
with.
 Diseases Associated with the Reproductive
System
Infections are the most common problems associated with the
reproductive system in adults.
 
Vaginal infections are more common in young and elderly
women and those whose resistance to diseases is low, like,
Escherichia coli which spread through the digestive tract, the
sexually transmitted microorganisms such as syphilis,
gonorrhea and herpes virus and yeast fungus.
 Diseases Associated with the Reproductive System
(cont’d)
Pelvic inflammatory disease and sterility are also the effect of vaginal
infections.
For males, the most common inflammatory conditions are prostatitis,
urethritis, and epididymitis, STD, Orchiditis.
 
Major treat to reproductive organs are :
Neoplasms, tumor of the breast and cervix cancers in adult females
and prostates cancer in adult males.
 
 Diseases Associated with the Reproductive System
(cont’d)
Most women hit the highest point of their reproductive abilities in their late 20‟s,
i.e. irregular ovulation and shorter menstrual periods – menopausal period.
 
The production of estrogen may continue after menopause but the ovaries finally
stop functioning as endocrine organs.

The reproductive organ and breast begin to atrophy or shrink if estrogen is no

longer released from the body. With this case, the vaginal becomes dry that
causes intercourse to become painful if frequent and the vaginal infections
become increasingly common.
 
 Diseases Associated with the Reproductive System
(cont’d)

Signs of estrogen deficiency:

 irritability and mood changes [depression in some];
 intense vasodilation of the skin’s blood vessels,
 gradual thinning of skin and loss of bone mass,
 slowing—rising high blood levels etc..
 
Note:
* There is no counterpart for menopause in males.
* Although aging men show a steady decline in testosterone section, their
reproductive capability seems unending.
•* Healthy men are still able to father offspring well into their 80‟ and beyond.
 Erogenous zones—
It refers to part of the body that are primarily receptive and
increase sexual arousal when touched in a sexual manner.

Examples: mouth, breast, genitals, anus.

However, erogenous zones may vary from one person to another.

Some people may desire and enjoy being touched in certain area
more than the other area, like, neck, thighs, abdomen and feet.
 Human Sexual Behavior—
It defined as any activity – solitary, between two persons, or in
a group – that induces/ brings sexual arousal [Gebhard, P.H.
2017]. This behavior is classified according to gender and
number of participants.
 
Types of behavior: Solitary behavior [involving one
individual]; and Socio-sexual behavior [more than one
individual]
 
 Solitary behavior—
Self – gratification [begins at or before puberty] means self –
stimulation that leads to sexual arousal and generally, sexual
climax.

This takes place in personal and private as an end in itself, but can
also be done in a socio-sexual relationship.
 
This is common for males but becomes less frequent or is
abandoned when socio-sexual activity is available.
 
 Solitary behavior—cont’d
Therefore, self-gratification is most frequent among the unmarried.

However, this self-gratification usually decreases as soon as an individual develop socio-

sexual relationship.
 
Nowadays, humans are frequently being exposed to sexual stimuli esp. from advertising and
social media. Some adolescents become so much aggressive when they respond to such stimuli.
 
The rate of teenage pregnancy is recently increasing. The challenge is to develop self-control
so that to balance suppression and free expression. Why? To prevent premarital sex and
acquire STD.
 
 Socio-sexual behavior—
--It is the greatest amount of socio-sexual behavior that occurs b/w only
one male and one female.

This usually begins in childhood and may be motivated by curiosity, such

as showing or examining genitalia.
 
Physical contact involving necking and petting is considered as an
ingredient of the learning process and eventually of courtship and
selection of a marriage partner.
 
 Petting
Petting differs from hugging, kissing and generalized caresses of the
clothed body to produce stimulation of the genitals.

This is done due to affection as source of pleasure, preliminary to coitus

[this is an insertion of male reproductive organ into female organ].

This is regarded as an important aspect in selecting partner but also a

way of learning how to interact with another person sexually.
 
 Petting cont’d
A behavior may be interpreted by society or individual as
erotic depending on the context in which the behavior
occurs.

Example, kissing as a gesture of intimacy b/w couples while

other sees this as respect and reverence.
 
 Physiology of Human Sexual Response
Sexual response follows a pattern of sequential stages or phases when sexual
activity is continued.

1. Excitement phase = it is caused by increase in pulse and blood pressure; a

sudden rise in blood supply to the surface of the body resulting in increased
skin temperature, flushing, and swelling of all distensible body parts
particularly noticeable in the male and female reproductive system, rapid
breathing, secretion of genital fluids, vaginal expansion, and a general increase
in muscle tension.
2. Plateau phase = it is generally of brief duration. If stimulation is continued,
orgasm usually occurs.
 Physiology of Human Sexual Response (cont’d)
3. Sexual climax = a feeling of abrupt, intense pleasure, and rapid increase in pulse
rate and blood pressure, and spasms of the pelvic muscles causing contractions of the
female reproductive organ and ejaculation by the male that last only for few seconds
normally not over ten.

4. Resolution phase = it refers to the return to a normal or subnormal physiological

state. Whereas males return to normal even if stimulation continues, but continued
stimulations can produce additional orgasms in females. Females are physically
capable of repeated orgasms without the intervening “rest period” required by males.
 
 
 Nervous System Factors
The nervous system plays a significant role during sexual response.

The autonomic system is involved in controlling the involuntary responses.

The efferent cerebrospinal nerves transmit the sensory messages to the brain to create
stimulus and later initiating a sexual response.

The brain will interpret the sensory message and dictate what will be the immediate and
appropriate response of the body.

The muscles contract in response to the signal coming from the motor nerve fibers while
glad secretes their respective product. So, sexual response is dependent the activity of the
nervous System.
 
Nervous System Factors (cont’d)
Hypothalamus and limbic system are part of the brain believed to be responsible for regulating
the sexual response, but there is no specialized “sex center” that has been located in the human
brain.

Apart from brain-controlled sexual responses is the reflex.

This (sexual )reflex is mediated by the lower spinal cord that leads to erection and ejaculation for
male, vaginal discharges and lubricant for female when the genital areas are stimulated.

But still, the brain can overrule and suppress such reflex activity, when sexual response is
socially inappropriate.
 SEXUAL PROBLEMS

These may be classified as *physiological, *psychological and *social in

origin.

1. Physiological problems are the least among the three categories.

Small number of people suffering from diseases due to abnormal
development of the genitalia or that part of the neurophysiology
controlling sexual response. Example: vaginal infection, retroverted
uteri, prostatitis, adrenal tumors, diabetes, senile changes of the
vagina and cardiovascular problems.

 Medication: Through surgery

 SEXUAL PROBLEMS (CONT’D)
Psychological problems: Usually are caused by socially induced inhibitions,
maladaptive attitudes, ignorance and sexual myths held by society.

Example: mature sex must involve rapid erection, prolonged coitus and simultaneous
orgasm.

Methods: magazines, married books and general sexual folklore often strengthen
these demanding ideals which are not always achieved; therefore, can give rise to
feeling of inadequacy anxiety and guilt.

Hence, resulting negative emotions can definitely affect the behavior of an individual.
 
 SEXUAL PROBLEMS (CONT’D)
Premature emission of semen is a common problem for young males.

Why? Because of the natural result of excessive tension in a male who has
been sexually deprived.

Erectile impotence is almost always a psychological problem in males under

40;

in other cases, the impotence may be the result of disinterest in the sexual
partner, fatigue, and distraction because of nonsexual worries, intoxication
and other causes such as occasional impotency is common and requires no
therapy.
 SEXUAL PROBLEMS (CONT’D)
Ejaculatory impotence [inability to ejaculate in coitus] is
uncommon and usually of psychogenic origin.

Why? It is due to the past traumatic experiences.

Warning! Occasional ejaculatory inability can be possibly

expected in older men or in any male who has exceeding his
sexual capacity.
 
 SEXUAL PROBLEMS (CONT’D)
Lastly, vaginismus is a strong spasm [contraction] of the pelvic
musculature constricting the female reproductive organ so that
penetration is painful or impossible.
It can be due to anti-sexual conditioning or psychological trauma
as an unconscious defense against coitus
Medication: through psychotherapy and by gradually
dilating/widening the female organ with increasing large cylinders.
 
 Sexual Reproductive diseases are the
following
1. Chlamydia
2. Gonorrhea
3. Syphilis
4. Chancroid
5. Human Papillomavirus
6. Herpes simplex virus
7. Trichomonas vaginalis
 NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL SEXUAL
METHODS
Natural method—
1.Abstinence
2.Calendar method
3.Basal body temperature
4.Cervical mucus method
5.Symptothermal method

6.Ovulation detection
7.Coitus interruptus
 NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL SEXUAL
METHODS
Artificial methods are the following:
1. Oral contraceptive
2. Transdermal patch
3. Vaginal ring
4. Subdermal implants
5. Hormonal injections
6. Intrauterine device
7. Chemical barriers
8. Diaphragm
9. Cervical cap
10.. Male condoms
11. . Female condoms
12.. Surgical methods (vasectomy and ligation)