GE 1 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

CHAPTER II
UNPACKING THE SELF

Lesson 1: The Physical and Sexual Self

It has been believed that the sex chromosomes of humans define the sex (female or male) and their
secondary sexual characteristics. However, one’s innate sexual characteristics does not only define one’s
identification of the self. Aside from our genes, our society or the external environment helps shape our selves.

- Marieb, E.N. (2001) explains that the gonads (reproductive glands that produce the gametes; testis or ovary).
- During the early stages of human development, the embryonic reproductive structures of males and females
are alike and are said to be in the indifferent stage.
- The formation of male or female structures depends on the presence of testosterone.
- Any intervention with the normal pattern of sex hormone production in the embryo results in strange
abnormalities:
a. Pseudohermaphrodites are individuals having accessory reproductive structures that do not “match” their
gonads;
b. Hermaphrodites are individuals who possess both ovarian and testicular tissues but this condition is rare in
nature. Nowadays, many pseudohermaphrodites undergo sex change operations to have their outer shelves
(external genitalia) fit with their inner selves (gonads).
- A critical event for the development of reproductive organs take place about one month before birth wherein
the male testes formed in the abdominal cavity at approximately the same location as the female ovaries,
descend to enter the scrotum. If this normal event fails, it may lead to cryptorchidism (a condition in young
males that can cause sterility).
- Puberty is the period of life when the reproductive organs grow to their adult size and become functional
under the influence of rising levels of gonadal hormones (testosterone in males and estrogen in females).

DISEASES ASSOCIATED WITH THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

In Females:
- Vaginal infections are more common in young and elderly women and in those whose resistance to
diseases is low.
- Escherichia coli which spread through the digestive tract; the sexually transmitted microorganisms such
as syphilis, gonorrhea, and herpes virus; and yeast (a type of fungus)
- Painful or abnormal menses may also be due to infection or hormone imbalance.
- Tumors of the breast and cervix are the most common reproductive cancers in adult females.
In Males:
- Common inflammatory conditions are prostatitis, urethritis, and epididymitis.
- Orchiditis, or inflammation of the testes, can cause sterility and most commonly follows mumps in an
adult male.
- Prostate cancer (a common sequel to prostatic hypertrophy) is a widespread problem in adult males.
- Although aging men show a steady decline in testosterone secretion, their reproductive capability seems
unending.

EROGENOUS ZONES
- They refer to parts of the body that are primarily receptive and increase sexual arousal when touched in a
sexual manner.
-Some of the commonly known erogenous zones are the mouth, breasts, genitals, and anus.

HUMAN SEXUAL BEHAVIOR

- Any activity- solitary between two persons, or in a group- that induces sexual arousal (Gebhard, P.H. 2017)
Two (2) major factors that determine human sexual behavior:
 a. Inherited sexual response patterns
b. Degree of restraint exerted on the individual by society

- Types of Behavior
a. Solitary Behavior
- Self-gratification means self-stimulation that leads to sexual arousal and generally, sexual climax; most
self-gratification takes place in private as an end in itself.
- Self-gratification is most frequent among the unmarried; there are more males who perform acts of self-
gratification than females.
- It becomes less frequent or is abandoned when sociosexual activity is available.
b.Sociosexual Behavior
- Heterosexual behavior is the greatest amount of sociosexual behavior that occurs between only one male
and one female.
- It usually begins in childhood and may be motivated by curiosity, such as showing or examining
genitalia.
- Physical contact involving necking or petting is considered as an ingredient of the learning process.
- Petting differs from hugging, kissing, and generalized caresses of the clothed body to practice involving
stimulation of the genitals.
- Coitus, the insertion of the male reproductive structure into the female reproductive organ, is viewed by
society quite differently depending upon the marital status of the individuals.

PHYSIOLOGY OF HUMAN SEXUAL RESPONSE

Sexual response follows a pattern of sequential stages or phases when sexual activity is continued.
1. Excitement phase. There is increase in pulse and blood pressure, and skin temperature. Flushing and
swelling of all distensible body parts are also experienced. Symptoms of arousal eventually increase to a
near maximal physiological level that leads to the next stage.
2. Plateau phase. It is generally of brief duration. If stimulation is continued, orgasm usually occurs.
3. Sexual climax. It is marked by a feeling of abrupt, intense pleasure.
4. Resolution phase. It is the last stage that refers to the return to a normal or subnormal physiologic state.

NERVOUS SYSTEM FACTORS

- The autonomic system is involved in controlling the involuntary responses.
- The hypothalamus and the limbic system are the parts of the brain believed to be responsible for regulating
the sexual response.
- The lower spinal cord leads to erection and ejaculation for male, and vaginal discharges and lubrication for
female when the genital and perineal areas are stimulated.

SEXUAL PROBLEMS
- Physiological problems. Diseases that are due to abnormal development of the genitalia or that part of the
neurophysiology controlling sexual response;
- Psychological problems. Caused by socially induced inhibitions, maladaptive attitudes, ignorance, and
sexual myths held by society;
- Premature emission of semen is a common problem, especially for young males;
- Erectile impotence is almost always of psychological origin in males under 40; in older males, physical
causes are more often involved.
- Ejaculatory impotence, which results from the inability to ejaculate in coitus, is uncommon and is usually
of psychogenic origin.
- Vaginismus is a strong spasm of the pelvic musculature constricting the female reproductive organ so that
penetration is painful or impossible.

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

STDs are infections transmitted from an infected person to an infected person through sexual contact. STDs can
be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
1. Chlamydia
- Clinical manifestations include painful urination, vaginal discharge in women, painful sexual intercourse
in women, bleeding between periods and after sex in women, testicular pain in men.
2. Gonorrhea
- Signs and symptoms of gonorrhea infection in men include painful urination, pus-like discharge from
the tip of the penis, pain or swelling in one testicle.
- Signs and symptoms of gonorrhea infection in women include increased vaginal discharge, painful
urination, vaginal bleeding between periods, such as after vaginal intercourse, abdominal or pelvic pain.
3. Syphilis
4. Chancroid
- Caused by infection with bacterium Haemophillus ducreyi
- Clinical manifestations include genital ulcers and inguinal lymphadenopathy or buboes.
5. Human Papillomavirus
6. Herpes Simplex Virus
- Most prevalent of sexually transmitted infections.
- Clinical manifestations are characterized by recurrent, painful genital and/or anal lesions.
7. Trichomonas Vaginalis

NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL METHODS OF CONTRACEPTION

Natural Method
The natural family planning methods do not involve any chemical or foreign body introduction into the human
body.
a. Abstinence
- refraining from sexual intercourse
b. Calendar Method
- The rhythm method entail withholding from coitus during the days that the woman is fertile.
c. Basal Body Temperature
- Indicates the woman’s temperature at rest. A slight decrease in the basal body temperature followed by a
gradual increase in the basal body temperature can be a sign that a woman has ovulated.
d. Cervical Mucus Method
- The woman is said to be fertile as long as the cervical mucus is copious and watery.
e. Symptothermal Method
- Combination of BBT and the cervical mucus method.
f. Ovulation Detection
- The ovulation detection method uses an over-the-counter kit that requires the urine sample of the
woman.
g. Coitus Interruptus
- A couple still goes on with coitus, but the man withdraws the moment he ejaculates to emit the
spermatozoa outside of the female reproductive organ.

Artificial Method
a. Oral Contraceptives
- Contain synthetic estrogen and progesterone which suppresses the Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
and LH to prevent ovulation.
b. Transdermal Patch
- Contains both estrogen and progesterone
c. Vaginal Ring
- Releases a combination of estrogen and progesterone and it surrounds the cervix.
d. Subdermal Implants
 - Two rod-like implants inserted under the skin of the female during her menses or on the seventh day of
her menstruation to make sure that she will not get pregnant.
e. Hormonal Injections
- Contains medroxyprogesterone that can cause changes in the endometrium and cervical mucus and can
help prevent ovulation.
f. Intrauterine Device
- A small T-shaped object containing progesterone that is inserted into the uterus via the female
reproductive organ.
g. Chemical Barriers
- Spermicides, vaginal gels and creams, and glycerin films are used to cause the death of sperms before
they can enter the cervix and to lower the pH level of the female reproductive organ so it will not
become conducive for the sperm.
h. Diaphragm
- A circular, rubber disk that fits the cervix and should be placed before coitus.
i. Cervical Cap
- The cervical cap is made of soft rubber and fitted on the rim of the cervix.
j. Male Condoms
- A latex or synthetic rubber sheath that is placed on the erect male reproductive organ before penetration
into the female reproductive organ to trap the sperm during ejaculation.
k. Female Condoms
- Made up of latex rubber sheaths that are pre-lubricated with spermicide.
l. Surgical Methods
- Vasectomy and tubal ligation