Unpacking the Self: The Sexual Self

A Summary of the Report

Presented to Mr. Romeo M. Galupo

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement in

Understanding the Self

Third Term, A.Y. 2019-2020

Delos Santos, Iubelle C.

Manolid, Jamby D.

Rapera Amgelica G.

Recato, Stephanie A.

Sacil, Jem Carla M.

Group 4

BSA191B

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 “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” Aristotle

Development of Secondary Sex Characteristics and Human Reproductive System

Stages of Human Life

 The Stages of Human Life

The first stage, Pre-Natal, occurs during pregnancy in the womb and begins when the zygote
forms, until the embryo develops into the fetus. After leaving the womb, the human being begins with the
second stage of life: the stage of infancy. Childhood takes place between ages 1 to 10. In the first two
years of childhood, the child is called a toddler. During this time, the child learns how to walk, talk and be
more self-sufficient. These skills continue to expand during the remainder of childhood, and socialization
takes place. Later on, adolescence takes place between ages 12 and 18 and is a critical turning point
because it is when puberty takes place. Boys' voices change and girls get their periods and both sexes to
become more sexually aware beings. As such, they begin to separate more from their parents and become
more independent. Lastly, adulthood is the longest stage and normally lasts from age 18 through old age.
While there might be smaller psychological or culturally defined stages, adulthood is when human beings
are fully grown and must provide entirely for themselves using the skills they learned throughout the
first life stages. At the end of the adult life cycle, the body begins to deteriorate and the life cycle
eventually ends in death.
 These stages represent one’s journey into self-unpacking, but the focal point of our discussion would be
the adolescence stage.
 Puberty vs. Adolescence
Even though puberty and adolescence both seem to confuse, they are not same. They are two
terms interlinked to each other representing certain changes and period of such changes. Puberty is the
physical changes takes place which leads to sexual maturity in a boy or a girl. Adolescence refers to the
transition period when psychological and social changes take place in a boy or girl. Puberty is the reason
for the adolescence and this period may vary from one person to another.
 Adolescence
It is the transitional stage from childhood to adulthood that occurs between ages 13 and 19. But the
physical and psychological changes that take place in adolescence often start earlier, during the preteen
or "tween" years: ages 9 and 12. It can be a time of both disorientation and discovery. The transitional
period can raise questions of independence and identity; as adolescents cultivate their sense of self, they
may face difficult choices about academics, friendship, sexuality, gender identity, drugs, and alcohol.
Most teens have a relatively egocentric perspective on life; a state of mind that usually abates with
age. They often focus on themselves and believe that everyone else—from a best friend to a distant crush
—is focused on them too. They may grapple with insecurities and feelings of being judged. Relationships
with family members often take a backseat to peer groups, romantic interests, and appearance, which

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 teens perceive as increasingly important during this time. The transition can naturally lead to anxiety
about physical development, evolving relationship with others and one's place in the larger world. Mild
anxiety and other challenges are typical, but serious mental health conditions also emerge during
adolescence. Addressing a disorder early on can help ensure the best possible outcome.
 Adolescence Sexual Characteristics: The Primary and Secondary Sexual Charcateristics.
As the part of growth and maturity, the body undergoes many changes both in men and women.
Especially during adolescence, development is at a faster rate. For the purpose of reproduction, there are
some different characteristics which can be observed in boys and girls. Primary sexual characteristics
are those characteristics which are inborn while secondary sexual characteristics are those which
emerge at puberty. Penis in men and vagina in women are primary characteristics in human. Hair growth
in the pubic region and height change are the examples of secondary sexual characteristics.
 Secondary Sexual Characteristics
Secondary characteristics are the result of hormonal changes in the body during puberty. These
changes are faster in girls than in boys. Some changes are common in both boys and girls while others are
specific to each gender. This is due to the different hormones released by them. Testosterone hormones
produced in testis of males and estrogens released in ovaries of females are responsible for these changes
in the males and females respectively.
 Common secondary sexual characteristics, happens on both gender:
a. Change in height: Most prominent change that occurs in adolescents is the change in their
heights. Growth hormone secretion and bone growth are much higher during this time.
b. Sweat and Sebaceous glands: The pimples and acne in adolescents are mostly due to the
increased activities of sweat and sebaceous glands
c. Hair growth: Another observable change is rapid hair growth under the armpit and pubic
area.
 Changes developed in Boys:
a. Boys develop the heavier muscular body, wide shoulders, and narrow hips.
b. Enlargement of voice box leads to much deeper voice.
c. Maturation of testis and starts to produce sperms.
d. The growth of hairs on chest.
e. Enlargement of Adam’s apple.
 Changes developed in girls
a. Shoulders and hips become wider.
b. Matured ovaries start to release a mature ovum.
c. Ovulation and menstruation initiate.
d. Mammary gland enlargement.
 These sexual characteristics are factors involved in reproduction, which is defined as the biological
process of producing a new individual or an offspring identical to the parents. This process ensures the
increase in the number of individuals of a species when conditions are favorable. It is one of the
fundamental characteristics of living things and an essential life process.
 Human Reproductive System
The reproduction in human beings involves the fusion of male and female gametes produced in their
reproductive system. The male reproductive system is different from the female reproductive
system, both in structure and in function.
 Male Reproductive System
It includes testes, scrotum, spermatic ducts, sex glands, and penis. All these organs work
together to produce sperms, male gamete, and other components of semen.

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 Male Reproductive System
 Female Reproductive System
It is composed of a pair of ovaries along with oviducts, vagina, cervix, uterus, and the
external genitalia that are located in the pelvic region. These parts along with a pair of
mammary glands that are integrated both functionally and structurally also support the process
of ovulation, fertilization, birth and finally the child care.

Female Reproductive System

 Reproduction Process in Human Beings
The process of fusion of sperm with egg (ovum) to produce zygote is called fertilization. Fertilization
is a crucial stage of reproduction in human beings. The fertilized egg is called the zygote. Zygote starts to
divide into many cells and develops into an embryo. Embryo moves into the uterus and gets attached to
its walls. This process is referred to as implantation, and implanted embryo eventually develops into a
fetus.

Discussing the Erogenous Zones

“Adolescence can be a time of turmoil and turbulence, of stress and storm. Rebellion against authority
and against convention is to be expected and tolerated for the sake of learning and growth.” Haim
Ginott

 Erogenous Zones
These are the surface areas of the human body (i.e, lips, genitalia, etc.) that, when stimulated,
produce erotic or sexual sensations and reactions. These sensations are a "hard-wired" part of the human
nervous system that responds to stimulation, even when that contact is unwanted or forced. We all have
erogenous zones, but everyone’s different, so you may not feel all that tingly goodness in the same area as
another person.
 The ones you probably haven’t considered.
 Scalp

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 The scalp is full of nerve endings, and even the slightest brush of the hair can send
tingles through your body.
 Ears
With sensitive skin on the outside and hundreds of sensory receptors on the inside, the
ears top the list of erogenous zones for many people.
 Navel and lower stomach
Being dangerously close to the genitals makes this area especially arousing.
 Small of the back (sacrum)
It could have something to do with the fact that the nerves in this portion of the spine
are connected to the pelvis or the vulnerability factor of being touched from behind that
makes this area so sensitive.
 Inner arms and armpits
 Inner wrist
Home of the pulse point and not used to getting a lot of action, the inner wrist is highly
sensitive.
 Palm of hands and fingertips
The fingertips are the part of the body most sensitive to touch, and your palms aren’t far
behind.
 Behind the knee
This is another often neglected area that’s incredibly sensitive to any kind of touch. It’s
even ticklish for some.
 The ones you might have suspected.
 Areola and nipples
Nipple stimulation lights up the same area in the brain as the genitals.
 Mouth and lips
 Neck
When it comes to the neck, even the slightest touch can make your entire body tingle.
 Inner thighs
The inner thighs are so sensitive and oh-so-close to the ultimate erogenous zone that
even just a graze can set your loins ablaze.
 Bottom of feet and toes
Pressure points in the bottom of the feet can increase blood flow and enhance feelings of
arousal when manipulated just right.
 The ones you’re definitely aware of.
 Vaginal region
 Pubic mound
The mons pubis, the fleshy mound just above the clitoris, is rich in nerve endings that
are connected to the genitals.
 Clitoris
This small pleasure bud contains over 8,000 nerve endings and is covered by a hood.
 A-spot
The lower part of the vaginal opening is full of erotically charged nerve endings and
home to the anterior fornix (A-spot).
 G-spot
The G-spot is an area capable of causing what’s known as female ejaculation.

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  Cervix
 Penile region
 Glans
The glans penis is what’s known as the head. Thanks to 4,000 nerve endings, it’s the
most sensitive part of the penis.
 Frenulum
This is the elastic piece of skin on the underside of the penis, where the shaft meets the
head.
 Foreskin
The foreskin is filled with nerve endings that actually enhance pleasure for those with
uncircumcised penises.
 Scrotum and testicles
The coin purse is filled with super-sensitive nerves waiting to be enjoyed.
 Perineum
This sensitive patch of skin lies between the scrotum and anus.
 Prostate
This walnut-sized gland sits at the root of the penis and can lead to powerful, sheet-
twisting orgasms.

Understanding the Human Sexual Response

“Sex is emotion in motion.” Mae West

 Sexual Response
A biochemical and physiological response/reaction to sexual stimulation that occurs in men
and women after puberty.
 Human Sexual Response Cycle
The sexual response cycle refers to the sequence of physical and emotional changes that occur as a
person becomes sexually aroused and participates in sexually stimulating activities, including intercourse
and masturbation. Knowing how your body responds during each phase of the cycle can enhance your
relationship and help you pinpoint the cause of sexual dysfunction. It is not the only model of a sexual
response cycle, but it is the best known one.
The study of human sexual response comes from the pioneering work of William Masters and
Virginia Johnson (1966). These investigators were the first to examine physical responses to sexual
stimulation in the laboratory. Masters and Johnson found that physiological patterns of sexual response
are very similar in women and men. For both sexes, there are four stages of sexual arousal. Pleasure and
sexual satisfaction are directly related to the phases of the human sexual response cycle, consisting of a
set of somatic and psychological changes that are triggered by a certain stimulation. Both men and
women experience these phases, although the timing usually is different. For example, it is unlikely that
both partners will reach orgasm at the same time. In addition, the intensity of the response and the time
spent in each phase varies from person to person. Many women will not go through the sexual phases in
this order. Some of these stages may be absent during some sexual encounters, or out of sequence in
others. A desire for intimacy may be a motivation for sexual activity in some individuals. Understanding
these differences may help partners better understand one another’s bodies and responses, and enhance
the sexual experience.
Several physiologic changes may occur during different stages of sexual activity. Individuals may
experience some, all, or none of these changes.

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 Although men and women share these basic stages of sexual response, there are a few differences in
their physiological reactions. Women do not ejaculate, although women’s orgasms may in some cases be
accompanied by a release of fluid from the urethra.
Masters and Johnson also found that the same kinds of orgasms can be achieved through
masturbation, intercourse, or in some cases even fantasy. The fact that an erotic novel or vivid sexual
fantasy can prompt the same sexual response as direct genital stimulation highlights a fundamental fact
about our sexuality: for humans, sex is as much psychological as it is physical as much in the head as in
the genitals.
Sexual partners may also bring nonsexual problems to the bedroom: it may be hard to enjoy sex if
you’re exhausted, angry at your partner, or preoccupied with work. Recently, attention has also been
given to the ways in, which experiences of rape and child sexual abuse can make it hard for a person to be
sexually trusting and responsive.

 Phases of Sexual Response Cycle

1. Excitement/Desire Phase
It can be initiated by physical factors (such as genital stimulation) or by psychological factors
(such as sexual fantasies). General characteristics of this phase, which can last from a few minutes to
several hours, include the following:
 Muscle tension increases.
 Heart rate quickens and breathing is accelerated.
 Skin may become flushed (blotches of redness appear on the chest and back).
 Nipples become hardened or erect.
 Blood flow to the genitals increases, resulting in swelling of the woman’s clitoris and labia
minora (inner lips), and erection of the man’s penis.
 Vaginal lubrication begins.
 The woman’s breasts become fuller and the vaginal walls begin to swell.
 The man’s testicles swell, his scrotum tightens, and he begins secreting a lubricating liquid.
2. Plateau/Arousal Phase
If erotic stimulation continues, the plateau phase begins. General characteristics of this
phase, which extends to the brink of orgasm, include the following:
 The changes begun in phase 1 are intensified.
 The vagina continues to swell from increased blood flow, and the vaginal walls turn dark
purple.
 The woman’s clitoris becomes highly sensitive (may even be painful to touch) and retracts
under the clitoral hood to avoid direct stimulation from the penis.
 The man’s testicles are withdrawn up into the scrotum.
 Breathing, heart rate and blood pressure continue to increase.
 Muscle spasms may begin in the feet, face and hands.

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  Tension in the muscles increases.
3. Orgasm Phase
This phase is the climax of the sexual response cycle. It is the shortest of the phases and
generally lasts only a few seconds. General characteristics of this phase include the following:
 Involuntary muscle contractions begin.
 Blood pressure, heart rate and breathing are at their highest rates, with a rapid intake of
oxygen.
 Muscles in the feet spasm.
 There is a sudden, forceful release of sexual tension.
 In women, the muscles of the vagina contract. The uterus also undergoes rhythmic
contractions.
 In men, rhythmic contractions of the muscles at the base of the penis result in the ejaculation
of semen.
 A rash or "sex flush" may appear over the entire body.
4. Resolution Phase
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 by a general sense
of well-being and, often, fatigue. Some women are capable of a rapid return to the orgasm phase
with further sexual stimulation and may experience multiple orgasms. Men need recovery time
after orgasm, called a refractory period, during which they cannot reach orgasm again. The
duration of the refractory period varies among men and changes with age.

The Basic Biology of Sexual Behavior: Understanding the Chemistry of Love and Attachment.

“Dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin…We’re a natural drug factory when we fall in love.” Helen
Fisher

 The biology of human sexuality includes the reproductive system and the sexual response cycle, as well
as the factors that affect them.
 For centuries, people thought love (and most other emotions, for that matter) arose from the heart. As it
turns out, love is all about the brain – which, in turn, makes the rest of your body go haywire. When it
comes to falling in love — from a biological point of view — neurologists are the ones who give us the
most accurate picture. They might be less evocative, but they’re more objective and real in the end.
 The Brain and Sex
The brain is the structure that translates the nerve impulses from the skin into pleasurable
sensations. It controls nerves and muscles used during sexual behavior. The brain regulates the release
of hormones, which are believed to be the physiological origin of sexual desire. The cerebral cortex,
which is the outer layer of the brain that allows for thinking and reasoning, is believed to be the origin of
sexual thoughts and fantasies. Beneath the cortex is the limbic system, which consists of the amygdala,
hippocampus, cingulate gyrus, and septal area. These structures are where emotions and feelings are
believed to originate, and are important for sexual behavior.
The hypothalamus is the most important part of the brain for sexual functioning. This is the small
area at the base of the brain consisting of several groups of nerve-cell bodies that receives input from the
limbic system. Studies with lab animals have shown that destruction of certain areas of the hypothalamus
causes complete elimination of sexual behavior. One of the reasons for the importance of the
hypothalamus is its relation to the pituitary gland, which secretes the hormones that are produced in the
hypothalamus.
 The Aroma of Genes

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 Intangible, invisible, and imperceptible. If we tell you right now that our genes give off a specific
smell capable of awakening attraction between some people and not others, you may raise your
eyebrows in skepticism.
But there’s something other than our genes that gives off a specific smell. We’re not conscious of it,
but it guides our patterns of attraction. It’s our immune system, and more specifically, our MHC proteins.
These proteins have a very specific job to do in our bodies: they trigger our defensive reactions. We
know, for example, that women feel unconsciously more attracted to men with a different immune
system than them. It is smell that guides them in this process. If they prefer genetic profiles different from
their own, there’s a reason. That is, if this couple has children, they’ll come with a more mixed genetic set.
 The Chemistry of Love: Its Ingredients
We may think that we're using our heads to govern our hearts, but in fact (at least to a degree) we're
simply responding to the chemicals that help us experience pleasure, excitement, and arousal such as:
 Testosterone: Increases Libido in Just About Everyone.
The sex hormone testosterone is far more than just the stuff of the alpha male's swagger.
Though it plays a more significant role in the life of the biological male, it is actually present in both
sexes to some degree. Despite popular perceptions that testosterone primarily controls aggression
and sex drive—although it does play a role in both of those things—research has shown that
individual levels of testosterone are also correlated with our language skills and cognitive abilities.
Testosterone fluctuates according to age and life circumstance, often plummeting at the onset of
parenthood, and spiking (for some) during moments of triumph. Romantic relationships, too, can
impact a person’s testosterone production; though the reasons are still not fully understood, entering
a relationship tends to increase women’s testosterone levels, while decreasing men’s. Since males
produce significantly more testosterone than females—about 20 times more each day—females can
be more sensitive to these fluctuations. High levels of testosterone, particularly in men, have been
correlated with a greater likelihood of getting divorced or engaging in extramarital affairs, though a
causal link has not been established.
 Estrogen: If High, a Woman Become Sexually Motivated Around The Time They Ovulate
Estrogen hormones are female sex hormones found in both women and men (where they are
thought to play a role in sperm maturation and male libido), but are produced in much higher levels
in women of childbearing age. These steroid hormones are primarily responsible for the growth and
development of female sexual characteristics, regulation of the menstrual cycle, and management of
the reproductive system. During a woman's lifetime, estrogen levels will often fluctuate, rising during
puberty and remaining at healthy levels until her 40s and 50s, or the beginning of menopause. At this
point, estrogen production significantly drops, signaling the end of natural fertility and impacting the
brain in ways that may be associated with mood changes, anxiety, depression, memory loss, and
diminished neuroprotection.
 Dopamine: I Feel Good With You, I “Need” to be With You and I Don’t Know Why
There might be an extremely attractive person in front of us, but there’s still something missing.
They don’t make us feel good, the conversation doesn’t flow, we’re not in sync, and there’s no
connection. Many people will immediately say, “There’s no chemistry,” and they wouldn’t be wrong
at all. The chemistry of love is real, and there’s one basic reason that’s true. Every emotion is
triggered by a specific neurotransmitter.
There’s a chemical component the brain will release with the right set of stimuli and more or
less conscious factors. Dopamine, for example: the biological component that “lights us up.” It’s a
chemical substance extremely related to pleasure and euphoria. Some people quickly turn into the
object of our desire almost instinctively. Being with them gives us undeniable pleasure, a wonderful
feeling, and occasionally blind attraction.

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 Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that does double duty: it also plays the role of hormone. It
works in a very powerful reward system. It’s so powerful that we have 5 different kinds of receptors
for it in our brains. Something we’ve all experienced at some point is the persistent need to be with
one specific person and not another. It creates a sense of novelty. Your loved one seems exciting,
special and unique to you; you want to tell the world about his special qualities. Falling in love makes
us selective. It’s dopamine that forces us to focus “our whole world” around that specific someone.
Even to the point of obsession.
 Norepinephrine: Everything is More Intense With You
We know that a person loves us because they create a roller-coaster of chaotic, intense,
contradictory, and sometimes even uncontrollable feelings. Our hands sweat, we eat less, we sleep
only a few hours or none, we think less clearly. In fact, almost without realizing, we turn into a little
satellite. We orbit around one single thought: the idea of the person we love.
Have we gone crazy? Absolutely. We’re under the control of norepinephrine, which stimulates
adrenaline production. It’s what makes our heart beat faster, our hands sweat, and fully activates all
our noradrenergic neurons. The noradrenaline system has just over 1,500 neurons on each side of
the brain. It’s not much, but when they activate, they “go wild,” to put it one way. It plays a large role
in the fight or flight response, which kicks into high gear when we’re stressed and keeps us alert.
Brain scans of people in love have actually shown that the primary “reward” centers of the brain,
including the and the caudate nucleus, fire like crazy when people are shown a photo of someone
they are intensely attracted to, compared to when they are shown someone they feel neutral towards
(like an old high school acquaintance). They cause an overwhelming feeling of joy, liveliness, and
enormous jitters. They even deactivate our feeling of hunger or ability to fall asleep. It puts your
body into a more alert state in which you are ready for action.
 Sweetheart, You Trigger my “Phenylethylamine”
When we’re in love there’s an organic compound that completely takes us over:
phenylethylamine. As the word itself shows us, here we have an element that shares a lot of
similarities with the amphetamines. Phenylethylamine, a stimulant, causes the release of
norepinephrine and dopamine. And when combined with dopamine and serotonin, it makes the
perfect recipe for a love straight from the movies. This is a chemical that naturally occurs in the brain
and is also found in some foods.
As an interesting fact, one food that’s famous for containing phenylethylamine is chocolate. But
the concentration of it there isn’t as high as it is in cheese. In fact, phenylethylamine in chocolate
metabolizes really fast compared to certain dairy products.
Now, if you’re wondering about the exact role of this organic compound, we’ll just tell you it’s
simply amazing. It’s like a biological device that tries to “intensify” all our emotions.
Phenylethylamine is like sugar in a drink, or the lacquer we put on a canvas: everything becomes
more intense. It’s what intensifies the action of dopamine and serotonin. It’s what forms the real
chemistry of love, making us feel happy, fulfilled, and incredibly motivated. It’s also responsible for
the head-over-heels, elated part of love.
 Serotonin in One Single Word: Happiness.
Serotonin a hormone that’s known to be involved in appetite and mood. It is a chemical that is
more prevalent among people with compulsive disorders, serotonin can increase our dependence on
another person. Interestingly, people who suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder also have low
levels of serotonin, leading scientists to speculate that this is what underlies the overpowering
infatuation that characterizes the beginning stages of love.
It plays a part in more than just the falling in love phase. It leads to a phase where we realize
that being with that specific person means experiencing more intense happiness. So we have to
invest effort and commitment in that relationship to keep up that positive emotional state.

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 Serotonin brings us well-being when things are going well. It gives us optimism, a good mood,
and satisfaction. But we might start to feel the other person distancing themselves. Or the
relationship might get cold, or doesn’t go beyond the sexual level. In these cases, serotonin levels
may plummet. This will sometimes bring us to a state of very intense defenselessness and anxiety.
This is where depression can start to take hold.
 Oxytocin: The Hormone That Makes Up Love with a “Capital L.”
And we’re not just talking about “falling in love,” or attraction (where the substances we’ve
talked about come in.) We’re talking about the need to care for the person we love. The need to
caress them, to be part of the person we love with a long term commitment.
Dopamine triggers the release of oxytocin, which is sometimes called the “hormone of love,”
and "cuddle hormone." Oxytocin is a hormone released during orgasm (as well as during childbirth
and breast-feeding). This may be the reason why sex is thought to bring couples closer together and
be the “glue” that binds the relationship. There is a dark side to oxytocin as well. It seems to play a
role in needy, clinging behaviors and jealousy.
 Endorphin: The Natural Painkiller.
Ever feel amazing after a good, hard work out? You may have heard that your “high” is caused
by tiny neurochemicals released by your body. These neurochemicals are called endorphins. While
endorphins might make you feel good after a long jog, there’s a lot more to know about the role they
play in regulating your body.
The word endorphin comes from putting together the words “endogenous,” meaning from
within the body, and “morphine,” which is an opiate pain reliever. In other words, endorphins got
their name because they are natural pain relievers.
Endorphins consist of a large group of peptides. They are produced by the central nervous
system and the pituitary gland. Since endorphins act on the opiate receptors in our brains, they
reduce pain and boost pleasure, resulting in a feeling of well-being. Endorphins are released in
response to pain or stress, as they minimize discomfort and pain and maximize pleasure. They’re also
involved in our natural reward circuits and are related to important activities like eating, drinking,
physical fitness, and sexual intercourse.
The Three Stages/Categories of Love
According to Dr. Helen Fisher, a researcher at Rutgers University, chemistry and love are
inextricable. She's not speaking, though, of the "chemistry" that makes two people compatible. Instead,
she's speaking of the chemicals that are released into our bodies as we experience the three categories or
stages of love:
 Stage One: Lust
Lust is driven by the desire for sexual gratification. The evolutionary basis for this stems from
our need to reproduce, a need shared among all living things. 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 in this, stimulating the production of the sex
hormones testosterone and estrogen from the testes and ovaries. While these chemicals are often
stereotyped as being “male” and “female,” respectively, both play a role in men and women.
Lust occurs across species and may be part of the basic drive to find a partner to spread our
genes with. But lust is different than love. Injecting men with testosterone makes them desire a
potential lover more, but not necessarily fall in love in any lasting way.
 Stage Two: Attraction
Lust is fun, but it may or may not lead to real romance. Meanwhile, attraction seems to be a
distinct, though closely related, phenomenon. While we can certainly lust for someone we are
attracted to, and vice versa, one can happen without the other. Attraction involves the brain

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 pathways that control “reward” behavior, which partly explains why the first few weeks or months of
a relationship can be so exhilarating and even all-consuming.
In the second stage, you begin to obsess about your lover and crave his presence. Your heart
races and you don’t feel like sleeping or eating. You may even get sweaty palms. You feel a surge of
extra energy and excitement as you fantasize about the things you’ll do together. On the other hand,
they can make you feel anxious or obsessive. These feelings are created by three chemicals:
norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin.
 Stage Three: Attachment
Last but not least, attachment is 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.
This is the point at which you may move in together, get married, and/or have children. After
about four years in a relationship, dopamine decreases and attraction goes down. If things are going
well, it gets replaced by the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin, which create the desire to bond,
affiliate with, and nurture your partner. You want to cuddle and be close and share your deepest
secrets with him or her. You plan and dream together.
Your brain also acquires a tolerance to the love stimulants and starts to release endorphins.
The honeymoon is over, chemically, around 18 months to 4 years into a relationship. However, this
isn't all bad. Endorphins are associated with feelings of attachment and comfort. Endorphins are like
opiates. They calm anxiety, relieve pain and reduce stress.
 The Guide through the Stages of Love.
Understanding the science of lust, attraction, and attachment can help you develop more realistic
expectations of your relationships. Below are some tools to guide you through the stages of love:
 Don’t mistake lust for love. Give a new relationship time before you start dreaming of a future
together.
 Keep the dopamine flowing in a long-term relationship. You can do this by having date nights,
taking lessons, or going on trips in which you do novel and exciting things together. Perhaps you
go hiking in Costa Rica, climb a rock climbing wall, or go and see a thrilling movie.
 Keep the oxytocin flowing with sex and intimacy. Write cards and notes, hug and kiss, think of
your partner when she's not around, share your hopes and dreams, and support those of your
partner.
 Maintain some independence. If you’re the jealous, controlling type, start developing your own
activities and friendships that make you feel important and cared about.
 The Beautiful Chemistry of Love
So to wrap up, the chemistry of love, whether we like it or not, orchestrates our behaviors. This is as
true with falling in love as with the later phases. The ones where commitment and stability are built. Also,
Dr. Helen Fisher suggests in her work that human beings aren’t the only creatures able to fall in love. Just
like Darwin himself suggested, in our world there are more than 100 species, including elephants, birds,
and rodents, that choose a partner and stay with them for their whole life. They feel what experts have
labelled “a primitive romantic love,” but it’s still love.
It might be true that defining this universal emotion in chemical terms isn’t very romantic, like
Einstein said. But, it’s what we all are in the end. That is, an amazing web of cells, electric reactions, and
nerve impulses that can bring us the most spectacular happiness.
And there is sort of a “formula” for love. However, it’s a work in progress, and there are many
questions left unanswered. And, as we’ve realized by now, it’s not just the hormone side of the equation
that’s complicated. Love can be both the best and worst thing for you – it can be the thing that gets us up
in the morning, or what makes us never want to wake up again. I’m not sure I could define “love” for you
if I kept you here for another ten thousand pages.

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 In the end, everyone is capable of defining love for themselves. And, for better or for worse, if it’s all
hormones, maybe each of us can have “chemistry” with just about anyone. But whether or not it goes
further is still up to the rest of you.

The Diversity of Sexual Behavior: Solitary, Heterosexual, Homosexual and Bisexual.

“Love is pure and true; love knows no gender.” Tori Spelling

 Sex vs. Gender

The terms ‘sex’ and ‘gender’ may seem to be interchangeable, especially in western cultures, but in
reality they refer to two completely different things. Sex is purely biological. It is determined by physical
characteristics including sex chromosomes, gonads, sex hormones, internal reproductive structures, and
external genitalia. As soon as an individual is born, they are identified as either male or female. Gender is
more complex. It not only includes physical attributes but also the interaction between those traits and a
person’s sense of self, identification as being male or female as well as how an individual presents himself
or herself to the world (Gender Spectrum, 2012).
Sexual Identity
Sexual Identity involves the level of comfort with, or range of acceptance of, an individual’s
biological sex at birth (Campo-Arias, 2010). It is developed during puberty and becomes more apparent
as teenagers start to feel sexual attraction. Curiosity about sex is a normal part of human development.
For those teens that question his or her sexual orientation it could lead to coming out to family and
friends which in turn could result in rejection, feelings of isolation, and depression (This Emotional Life,
2011).
Gender Identity
According to Campo-Arias (2010) gender identity is “the degree of acceptance or discomfort which
an adult manifests in terms of behavioral and emotional characteristics expected for a person, according
to biological sex, to show within the interaction with other people”
For the majority of people his or her gender identity will be the same as his or her biologically
determined sex. Through the socialization process, children are taught what is expected, and accepted, of
them as a boy or girl virtually from birth. By the age of three most children display behaviors and select
activities typical of his or her sex, but that is not always the case. Children are also aware by age three of
what gender they identify with. For those that fit in with society’s expectations for his or her biological
sex the meaning of gender probably will never be questioned. After all, they fit the mold (Gender
Spectrum, 2012).
Even though gender diversity has been documented across cultures and recorded throughout history
it is still not easy for those who do not fit in with what society deems as ‘normal’. Individuals who identify
with a gender different from his or her own sex can decide to change their sex to match the gender they
identity with either superficially with hair styles, behaviors, and clothing choices, or more permanently
with hormone therapy or surgery (Gender Spectrum, 2012).
 Sexual Orientation
Whereas sexual identity refers to an individual’s comfort level with his or her own biological sex,
sexual orientation focuses on the biological sex of the person who an individual is sexually attracted to.
There are three options that fall under the classification of sexual orientation. They are heterosexual,
bisexual, and homosexual. Heterosexuals are attracted to people of the opposite biological sex,
homosexuals are attracted to those of the same biological sex, and bisexuals report being equally
attracted to both (Campo-Arias, 2010).
According to researchers, sexual orientation is influenced by biological, genetic, or hormonal factors
during critical stages of development. From a social and cultural context how an individual expresses his

13
 or her sexual orientation is associated with the type of environment he or she was raised in, which would
not only take into account social and cultural features but also religious and political elements as well
(Campo-Arias, 2010).
 Sexual Behavior
Sexual behavior deals with all things relating to sex, conception and satisfaction. These are the
actions that lead to reproduction and stimulation of sexual organs for satisfaction without conception . It
can be all about the orientation, courting, sex positions and genital reflexes. It can also maintain social
relationships and to make bonds for life in animal populations.

Sexual and Gender Diversity

A same-sex orientation can manifest itself in three ways: attraction, behaviour and/or identity. But
not all people with a same sex attraction and/or behaviour want to or can identify as homosexual
(lesbian, gay) or as bisexual and be open about this. In this case people are often categorized as MSM
(men who have sex with men) or WSW (women who have sex with women).
Beside variances in sexual orientation, people can vary in their gender identity. Sometimes their felt
gender identity does not correspond with the gender/sex (male or female) assigned at birth. Some of
these people wish to live in the other gender role, in expression only, or also physically through a bodily
transition to the other gender with hormones and/or surgery.
 Solitary
A person does an activity alone, in terms of sexual behavior, masturbation takes place.
Masturbation is a common activity. It’s a natural and safe way to explore your body, feel pleasure, and
release built-up sexual tension. It occurs among people of all backgrounds, genders, and races.
 Heterosexual
The term “heterosexuality” comes from the Greek affix “hetero,” meaning “different” or “other.”
Heterosexuality is a sexual orientation in which a person is sexually attracted to people of the opposite
sex. People who identify as heterosexual have emotional, sexual, and romantic relationships with people
of the opposite sex. A common term for a person who identifies as heterosexual is “straight.”
The famous sexologist Alfred Kinsey organized a linear, continuous scale to define a person’s sexual
preference. This scale, called the Kinsey Scale, ranges from 0, or completely heterosexual, to 6, or
completely homosexual. Kinsey believed sexual preference is not necessarily defined by one preference.
Instead, some may identify with an intermediate preference; for example, a 1 on the Kinsey Scale
represents predominately heterosexual behavior with incidental homosexual tendencies. It is important
to note that a person can identify however they please, regardless of their attraction or sexual history.
For example, a person may have had same-sex sexual interactions or relationships, but choose to
identify as heterosexual. A person has the right to identify however they want, regardless of their sexual
behavior. The Kinsey Scale is only one of the many ways to understand sexuality and is a rather outdated,
one-dimensional way of labelling sexuality.
 Homosexual
Homosexuality can refer to either attraction or sexual behavior between people of the same sex, or
to a sexual orientation. When describing the latter, it refers to enduring sexual and romantic attraction
towards those of the same sex, but not necessarily to sexual behavior. Homosexuality is contrasted with
heterosexuality, bisexuality and asexuality. Lesbian denotes a homosexual woman.
Most scientist today agree that sexual orientation is most likely the result of a complex interaction of
environmental, cognitive and biological factors. Although homosexuality does not appear to be adaptive
from an evolutionary standpoint, because homosexual sex does not produce children, there is evidence of
its existence through human history. Most scientists agree that it is unlikely that there is a single "gay

14
 gene" that determines something as complex as sexual orientation, and that it is more likely to be the
result of an interaction of genetic, biological and environmental/cultural factors.
 Bisexual
Bisexuality refers to sexual or romantic attraction to people of multiple genders. It is one of the
three main classifications of sexual orientation, along with heterosexual and homosexual. Bisexual people
are not necessarily attracted equally to both sexes. Because bisexuality is often an ambiguous position
between homosexuality and heterosexuality, those who identify, or are identified, as bisexuals form a
heterogeneous group.
Others view bisexuality as more ambiguous. Some people who might be classified by others as
bisexual on the basis of their sexual behavior self-identify primarily as homosexual. Equally, otherwise
heterosexual people who engage in occasional homosexual behavior could be considered bisexual, but
may not identify as such. For some who believe that sexuality is a distinctly defined aspect of the
character, this ambiguity is problematic. On the other hand, some believe that the majority of people
contain aspects of homosexuality and heterosexuality, but that the intensities of these can vary from
person to person. Some people who engage in bisexual behavior may be supportive of homosexual
people, but still self-identify as heterosexual; others may consider any labels irrelevant to their positions
and situations. In 1995, Harvard Shakespeare professor Marjorie Garber made the academic case for
bisexuality with her 600-page Vice Versa: Bisexuality and the Eroticism of Everyday Life in which she
argued that most people would be bisexual if not for "repression, religion, repugnance, denial...premature
specialization."
Some bisexuals make a distinction between gender and sex. Gender is defined in these situations as a
social or psychological category, characterized by the common practices of men and women. For
example, the fact that women wear skirts and dresses in Western society while men traditionally do not
is a social gender issue. Sex in this case is defined as the biological difference between males and females,
prior to any social conditioning. Bisexuals in this sense may be attracted to more than one gender but
only to one sex. For example, a male bisexual may be attracted to aspects of men and masculinity, but not
to the male body.
Bisexuality is often misunderstood as a form of adultery or polyamory, and a popular misconception
is that bisexuals must always be in relationships with men and women simultaneously. Rather,
individuals attracted to both males and females, like people of any other orientation, may live a variety of
sexual lifestyles. These include lifelong monogamy, serial monogamy, polyamory, polyfidelity, casual
sexual activity with individual partners, casual group sex, and celibacy. For those with more than one
sexual partner, these may, or may not, all be of the same gender.
According to Alfred Kinsey's research into human sexuality in the mid-20th century, most humans do
not fall exclusively into heterosexual or homosexual classifications but somewhere between. The Kinsey
scale measures sexual attraction and behavior on a seven-point scale ranging from 0 ("exclusively
heterosexual") to 6 ("exclusively homosexual"). According to Kinsey's study, most persons fall within the
range of 1 to 5 (a mixture of heterosexual and homosexual). Although Kinsey's methodology has come
under criticism, the scale is still widely used in describing the phenomenon of bisexuality.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

 Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

The term sexually transmitted disease (STD) is used to refer to a condition passed from one
person to another through sexual contact. You can contract an STD by having unprotected vaginal, anal,
or oral sex with someone who has the STD. An STD may also be called a sexually transmitted infection
(STI) or venereal disease (VD).

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 That doesn’t mean sex is the only way STDs are transmitted. Depending on the specific STD,
infections may also be transmitted through sharing needles and breastfeeding.
 Asymptomatic STIs
Many STIs have no signs or symptoms (asymptomatic). Even with no symptoms, however, you can
pass the infection to your sex partners. So it's important to use protection, such as a condom, during sex.
And visit your doctor regularly for STI screening, so you can identify and treat an infection before you can
pass it on.
 Symptoms of STDs in men
It’s possible to contract an STD without developing symptoms. But some STDs cause obvious
symptoms. In men, common symptoms include:
 pain or discomfort during sex or urination
 sores, bumps, or rashes on or around the penis, testicles, anus, buttocks, thighs, or mouth
 unusual discharge or bleeding from the penis
 painful or swollen testicles
 Specific symptoms can vary, depending on the STD.
 Symptoms of STDs in women
In many cases, STDs don’t cause noticeable symptoms. When they do, common STD symptoms in
women include:
 pain or discomfort during sex or urination
 sores, bumps, or rashes on or around the vagina, anus, buttocks, thighs, or mouth
 unusual discharge or bleeding from the vagina
 itchiness in or around the vagina
 The specific symptoms can vary from one STD to another.
 Types of STDs
Many different types of infections can be transmitted sexually. The most common STDs are described
below.
 Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a bacterial infection of your genital tract. Chlamydia may be difficult to detect
because early-stage infections often cause few or no signs and symptoms. When they do occur, they
usually start one to three weeks after you've been exposed to chlamydia. Even when signs and
symptoms occur, they're often mild and passing, making them easy to overlook. It’s the most
commonly reported STD among Americans, notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC). Antibiotics can easily treat chlamydia.
 Signs and symptoms may include:
 Painful urination
 Lower abdominal pain
 Vaginal discharge in women
 Discharge from the penis in men
 Pain during sexual intercourse in women
 Bleeding between periods in women
 Testicular pain in men
 If left untreated, chlamydia can lead to:
 infections of the urethra, prostate gland, or testicles
 pelvic inflammatory disease
 infertility
 If a pregnant woman has untreated chlamydia, she can pass it to her baby during birth. The
baby may develop:

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  Pneumonia
 eye infections
 blindness
 Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection of your genital tract. It can also grow in your mouth, throat,
eyes and anus. The first gonorrhea symptoms generally appear within 10 days after exposure.
However, some people may be infected for months before signs or symptoms occur. Gonorrhea is
another common bacterial STD. It’s also known as “the clap,” and usually treated using Antibiotics.
It’s possible for a mother to pass gonorrhea onto a newborn during childbirth. When that
happens, gonorrhea can cause serious health problems in the baby. That’s why many doctors
encourage pregnant women to get tested and treated for potential STDs.
Signs and symptoms of gonorrhea may include:
 Thick, cloudy or bloody discharge from the penis or vagina
 Pain or burning sensation when urinating
 Heavy menstrual bleeding or bleeding between periods
 Painful, swollen testicles
 Painful bowel movements
 Anal itching
 If left untreated, gonorrhea can lead to:
 infections of the urethra, prostate gland, or testicles
 pelvic inflammatory disease
 infertility
 Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis, also known as “trich,” is a common STI caused by a microscopic, one-celled
parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. This organism spreads during sexual intercourse with
someone who already has the infection.
The organism usually infects the urinary tract in men, but often causes no symptoms.
Trichomoniasis typically infects the vagina in women. When trichomoniasis causes symptoms, they
may appear within five to 28 days of exposure and range from mild irritation to severe inflammation.
According to the CDC, less than one-third of people with trich develop symptoms. It can easily be
treated using Antibiotics.
 Signs and symptoms may include:
 Clear, white, greenish or yellowish vaginal discharge
 Discharge from the penis
 Strong vaginal odor
 Vaginal itching or irritation
 Itching or irritation inside the penis
 Pain during sexual intercourse
 Painful, and frequent urination
 If left untreated, trich can lead to:
 infections of the urethra
 pelvic inflammatory disease
 infertility
 HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is an infection to the immune system. HIV interferes
with your body's ability to fight off viruses, bacteria and fungi that cause illness, and it can lead to
AIDS, a chronic, life-threatening disease.

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 When first infected with HIV, you may have no symptoms. Some people develop a flu-like
illness, usually two to six weeks after being infected. Still, the only way you know if you have HIV is to
be tested.
There’s no cure for HIV yet, but treatment options are available to manage it. Early and
effective treatment can help people with HIV live as long as those without HIV. Proper treatment can
also lower your chances of transmitting HIV to a sexual partner. In fact, treatment can potentially
lower the amount of HIV in your body to undetectable levels. At undetectable levels, HIV can’t be
transmitted to other people.
 Early HIV signs and symptoms may include:
 Fever
 Headache
 Sore throat
 Swollen lymph glands
 Rash
 Fatigue
 These early signs and symptoms usually disappear within a week to a month and are often
mistaken for those of another viral infection. During this period, you're highly infectious.
More-persistent or -severe symptoms of HIV infection may not appear for 10 years or more
after the initial infection.
 As the virus continues to multiply and destroy immune cells, you may develop mild
infections or chronic signs and symptoms such as:
 Swollen lymph nodes — often one of the first signs of HIV infection
 Diarrhea
 Weight loss
 Fever
 Cough and shortness of breath
 Late-stage HIV infection
 Signs and symptoms of late-stage HIV infection include:
 Persistent, unexplained fatigue
 Soaking night sweats
 Shaking chills or fever higher than 100.4 F (38 C) for several weeks
 Swelling of lymph nodes for more than three months
 Chronic diarrhea
 Persistent headaches
 Unusual, opportunistic infections
 Genital Herpes
Highly contagious, genital herpes is caused by a type of the herpes simplex virus (HSV) that
enters your body through small breaks in your skin or mucous membranes. There are two main
strains of the virus, HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 primarily causes oral herpes, which is responsible for
cold sores. However, HSV-1 can also be passed from one person’s mouth to another person’s genitals
during oral sex. When this happens, HSV-1 can cause genital herpes.
HSV-2 primarily causes genital herpes. Both can be transmitted sexually. It’s a very common
STD. The CDC estimates more than 1 out of 6 people ages 14 to 49 have herpes in the United States.
Most people with HSV never know they have it, because they have no signs or symptoms or the signs
and symptoms are so mild they go unnoticed.
When signs and symptoms are noticeable, the first episode is generally the worst. Some people
never have a second episode. Others, however, can have recurrent episodes for decades.

18
 If a pregnant woman has herpes, she can potentially pass it to her fetus in the womb or to her
newborn infant during childbirth. This so-called congenital herpes can be very dangerous to
newborns. That’s why it’s beneficial for pregnant women to become aware of their HSV status.
There’s no cure for herpes yet. But medications are available to help control outbreaks and
alleviate the pain of herpes sores. The same medications can also lower your chances of passing
herpes to your sexual partner.
 When present, genital herpes signs and symptoms may include:
 Small red bumps, blisters (vesicles) or open sores (ulcers) in the genital, anal and
nearby areas
 Pain or itching around the genital area, buttocks and inner thighs
 The initial symptom of genital herpes usually is pain or itching, beginning within a
few weeks after exposure to an infected sexual partner. After several days, small red
bumps may appear. They then rupture, becoming ulcers that ooze or bleed.
Eventually, scabs form and the ulcers heal.
 In women, sores can erupt in the vaginal area, external genitals, buttocks, anus or
cervix. In men, sores can appear on the penis, scrotum, buttocks, anus or thighs, or
inside the tube from the bladder through the penis (urethra).
 Ulcers can make urination painful. You may also have pain and tenderness in your
genital area until the infection clears. During an initial episode, you may have flu-
like signs and symptoms, such as a headache, muscle aches and fever, as well as
swollen lymph nodes in your groin.
 In some cases, the infection can be active and contagious even when sores aren't
present.
 Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus that can be passed from one person to another through
intimate skin-to-skin or sexual contact. There are many different strains of the virus. Some are more
dangerous than others. The most common symptom of HPV is warts on the genitals, mouth, or throat.
HPV usually has no signs or symptoms.
While most cases of HPV don’t become cancerous, some strains of the virus are more likely to
cause cancer than others. According to the National Cancer Institute, most cases of HPV-related
cancer in the United States are caused by HPV 16 and HPV 18. These two strains of HPV account for
70 percent of all cervical cancer cases. There’s no treatment for HPV. However, HPV infections often
clear up on their own. There’s also a vaccine available to protect against some of the most dangerous
strains, including HPV 16 and HPV 18.
 Some strains of HPV infection can lead to cancer, including:
 oral cancer
 cervical cancer
 vulvar cancer
 penile cancer
 rectal cancer
 Genital Warts
HPV infection is one of the most common types of STIs. Some forms put women at high risk of
cervical cancer. Other forms cause genital warts.
 The signs and symptoms of genital warts include:
 Small, flesh-colored or gray swellings in your genital area
 Several warts close together that take on a cauliflower shape
 Itching or discomfort in your genital area
 Bleeding with intercourse

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  Often, however, genital warts cause no symptoms. Genital warts may be as small as
1 millimeter in diameter or may multiply into large clusters.
 In women, genital warts can grow on the vulva, the walls of the vagina, the area
between the external genitals and the anus, and the cervix. In men, they may occur
on the tip or shaft of the penis, the scrotum, or the anus. Genital warts can also
develop in the mouth or throat of a person who has had oral sex with an infected
person.
 Hepatitis
Hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are all contagious viral infections that affect your liver.
Hepatitis B and C are the most serious of the three, but each can cause your liver to become inflamed.
 Some people never develop signs or symptoms. But for those who do, signs and symptoms
may occur several weeks after exposure and may include:
 Fatigue
 Nausea and vomiting
 Abdominal pain or discomfort, especially in the area of your liver on your right side
beneath your lower ribs
 Loss of appetite
 Fever
 Dark urine
 Muscle or joint pain
 Itching
 Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
 Syphilis
Syphilis is a bacterial infection. The disease affects your genitals, skin and mucous membranes,
but it can also involve many other parts of your body, including your brain and your heart
The signs and symptoms of syphilis may occur in four stages — primary, secondary, latent and
tertiary. There's also a condition known as congenital syphilis, which occurs when a pregnant woman
with syphilis passes the disease to her unborn infant. Congenital syphilis can be disabling, even life-
threatening, so it's important for a pregnant woman with syphilis to be treated. Fortunately, if caught
early enough, syphilis is easily treated with antibiotics.
 Primary syphilis
 The first sign of syphilis, which may occur from 10 days to three months after
exposure, may be a small, painless sore (chancre) on the part of your body where
the infection was transmitted, usually your genitals, rectum, tongue or lips. A single
chancre is typical, but there may be multiple sores.
 The sore typically heals without treatment, but the underlying disease remains and
may reappear in the second (secondary) or third (tertiary) stage.
 Secondary syphilis
Signs and symptoms of secondary syphilis may begin three to six weeks after the chancre
appears, and may include:
 Rash marked by red or reddish-brown, penny-sized sores over any area of your
body, including your palms and soles
 Fever
 Enlarged lymph nodes
 Fatigue and a vague feeling of discomfort
 Soreness and aching

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 These signs and symptoms may disappear without treatment within a few weeks or
repeatedly come and go for as long as a year.
 Latent syphilis
In some people, a period called latent syphilis — in which no symptoms are present — may
follow the secondary stage. Signs and symptoms may never return, or the disease may
progress to the tertiary stage.
 Tertiary syphilis
Without treatment, syphilis bacteria may spread, leading to serious internal organ damage
and death years after the original infection. Some of the signs and symptoms of tertiary
syphilis include:
 Lack of coordination
 Numbness
 Paralysis
 Blindness
 Dementia
 Neurosyphilis
 At any stage, syphilis can affect the nervous system. Neurosyphilis may cause no signs or
symptoms, or it can cause:
 Headache
 Behavior changes
 Movement problems
 Pubic lice (‘crabs’)
“Crabs” is another name for pubic lice. They’re tiny insects that can take up residence on
your pubic hair. Like head lice and body lice, they feed on human blood.
You might also be able to see the lice or their tiny white eggs around the roots of pubic hair.
A magnifying glass can help you spot them.
If left untreated, pubic lice can spread to other people through skin-to-skin contact or shared
clothing, bedding, or towels. Scratched bites can also become infected. It’s best to treat pubic lice
infestations immediately.

If you have pubic lice, you can use over-the-counter topical treatments and tweezers to
remove them from your body. It’s also important to clean your clothes, bedding, towels, and home.
 Common symptoms of pubic lice include:
 itching around the genitals or anus
 small pink or red bumps around the genitals or anus
 low-grade fever
 lack of energy
 irritability
 Other less common STDs include:
 Chancroid
 Lymphogranuloma Venereum
 Granuloma Inguinale
 Molluscum Contagiosum
 Scabies

Methods of Conception

 Conception

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 Conception is the time when sperm travels up through the vagina, into the uterus, and fertilizes an
egg found in the fallopian tube. Doctors consider day 1 of a menstrual cycle the first day of a woman’s
period.
Ovulation usually occurs around the midpoint of a woman’s menstrual cycle. This would fall around
day 14 in a 28-day cycle, but it’s important to remember that even normal cycle lengths can vary.
During ovulation, one of the ovaries releases an egg, which then travels down one of the fallopian
tubes. If there’s sperm present in a woman’s fallopian tube when this happens, the sperm could fertilize
the egg.
Usually, an egg has about 12 to 24 hours where it can be fertilized by sperm. However, sperm can live
for several days in a woman’s body.

Therefore, when the ovary releases the egg, sperm that are already present from intercourse a few days
before could fertilize it. Or, if a woman has sex during the time the egg has been released, the sperm could
fertilize the just-released egg
 Several Methods of Conception
 Natural Conception
Natural conception is when a pregnancy is achieved through sex between a man and a woman.
Through intercourse, sperm is able to fertilize an egg in the woman’s fallopian tube, and that
fertilized egg eventually attaches to the wall of the uterus and begins developing into a fetus. With
natural conception, there is no intervention by medical professionals or additional hormones or
medications given to enhance fertility.
 Assisted/Alternative/Artificial Form of Conception
Assisted conception refers to medical interventions used by fertility specialists and clinics to
help couples with fertility problems to conceive a baby. It is estimated that around 10 to 15% of
couples have some type of fertility problem during their reproductive years and of these about 20%
are diagnosed with a physical problem that requires surgery or advanced interventions such as IVF
to assist conception.
A physical infertility problem may be detected in the man or the woman or both partners, or a
specific cause may never be found. The following types of fertility treatments available are:
 Drug Therapy
In certain cases of infertility, drug therapy may be used to correct the problem. For
example, Metrodin, a drug containing a natural hormone, is used to stimulate egg
development. Pergonal, another hormonal drug, may be used to promote egg or sperm
development. Pills containing clomiphene citrate, a nonsteroidal drug, are used to stimulate
ovulation. Drug therapy combined with intercourse, artificial insemination, or IVF (in vitro
fertilization) may produce a pregnancy.
 Artificial Insemination
Artificial insemination is the nonsurgical insertion of sperm into the vagina or uterus.
This technique can be done to provide a more concentrated sperm count from the father or
provide sperm from a donor if the man is infertile. It is mainly successful on women who are
not experiencing infertility problems themselves.
 IVF
In Vitro Fertilization or IVF is the procedure in which an egg is fertilized by a sperm in a
laboratory glass dish. Typically in this process a woman is treated with drug therapy to
stimulate egg production. Eggs are then drawn from the ovaries and placed in the dish with
the man's sperm in order to be fertilized. After approximately two days, several fertilized
eggs are implanted in the woman's uterus. More than one egg is implanted because it is

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 likely that not all will develop. Remaining fertilized eggs can be frozen for future
implantation in the woman. The success rate for a pregnancy is about 20 percent.
 GIFT
GIFT (gamete intra-fallopian transfer) is a procedure in which a doctor inserts both the
eggs and the sperm into a woman's fallopian tube for fertilization inside the woman's body.
The resulting fertilized egg then travels to her uterus, as in the natural process of conception.
The success rate for this method is about 25 percent.
 ZIFT
ZIFT (zygote intra-fallopian transfer) combines aspects of IVF and GIFT. In this
procedure, the eggs and sperm are combined in the laboratory. Then the fertilized eggs are
inserted in the fallopian tube so that they may travel to the uterus as they would in natural
conception. The success rate is about 25 percent.
 ICSI
ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) is a laboratory procedure in which a doctor
injects a single sperm into a single egg for fertilization. The fertilized egg is then implanted in
the woman's uterus. This procedure is especially useful for men with low sperm counts, low
sperm motility, or sperm that cannot penetrate the egg on their own. The success rate with
this method is about 25 percent.
 Donor or Frozen Eggs and Sperm
Donor eggs, donor sperm, or both donor eggs and sperm may be used in fertilization
techniques. Donor eggs and sperm are donated by healthy women or men whom the parents
may or may not know. Technological advances have also made it possible to freeze sperm or
eggs for later attempts at pregnancy.
 Surrogacy
If a woman is unable to carry a fetus to term in a pregnancy, an alternative is to have
another woman carry the fetus. Depending on the type of fertility problem, the surrogate
mother may carry the egg of the infertile mother or a donor egg. The egg may be fertilized by
the father or by donor sperm. In some cases the surrogate provides the egg and undergoes
one of the above fertilization techniques with the father's sperm. A surrogate may be a
relative, friend, or hired woman. The legal involvement is complicated and the necessary
arrangements require serious discussions.
 Assisted Reproductive Technology - ART
Assisted Reproductive Technology refers to the application of laboratory or clinical
technology to sperm, eggs and / or embryos (fertilised eggs) to assist the conception of a
baby. About 10 to 20% of couples with diagnosed infertility are offered ART. These advanced
and complex treatments have had improving success rates in recent years but the chances of
a successful pregnancy and giving birth to a baby are still relatively low.
The success of ART depends on many factors such as the diagnosed fertility problem, the
type of technology used, the fertility clinic or specialist themselves, if the embryos (fertilised
eggs) are fresh or frozen (have been stored) and the age of the woman. As a guide, the
general success of ART resulting in the birth of a live baby for women under 35 years is
around 25%, for women from 35 to 39 it is around 18% and for women aged 40 to 44 it is
around 6%.
 FSH injections
These are commonly used for Assisted Reproductive Technology. The injections are self-
administered for 10 to 14 days using fine needles under the skin, similar to insulin injections
used by diabetics. FSH induces the development of multiple follicles in the woman's ovaries,
which needs to be closely monitored with regular blood tests and ultrasounds. Couples are

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 advised not to have sex from day 3 of the injections as there is an increased risk of twins,
triplets, quads or higher order multiple pregnancies if too many eggs are released and
spontaneous conception occurs. The side effects of FSH are bloating and mood changes.
 Emotions and fertility treatments
Couples who undergo fertility treatments can experience a wide range of feelings. The
inconvenience and stress of being tested, having daily injections, being on medications with
often intolerable side effects, having regular blood tests and procedures and constant vaginal
examinations by specialists or providing sperm as the man, can feel very invasive, making it
hard to keep motivated if pregnancy does not occur within a few cycles. Many couples talk
about the merry-go-round of fertility treatments and how it seems to take over their lives,
impacting on their relationships, work and social activities.

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