Chapter 2

Unpacking the Self

 Lesson 1
The Physical and Sexual Self
Lesson Objectives:

1. Discuss the developmental aspect of the reproductive system;

2. Describe the erogenous zones;
3. Explain human sexual behaviour;
4. Characterize the diversity of sexual behaviour;
5. Describe sexually transmitted diseases; and
6. Differentiate natural and artificial methods of contraception.
VIDEO TIME: REPRODUCTIVE
SYSTEM
– Marieb, E.N. (2001) – explains that the gonads (reproductive glands that
produce gametes: testis or ovary) begin to form until the eighth week of
embryonic development.
– Pseudo hermaphrodites – individuals having accessory reproductive structures
that do not “match” their gonads.
– True hermaphrodites – individuals who possess both ovarian and testicular
tissues.
– Cryptorchidism – usually occurs in young males and causes sterility. It is a
condition in which one or both of the testes fail to descend from the abdomen
into the scrotum.
Pseudo
hermaphrodite
Cryptorchidism
– Phimosis - inability to retract the skin (foreskin or prepuce) covering the head
(glans) of the penis. It may appear as a tight ring or “rubber band” of foreskin
around the tip of the penis, preventing full retraction.
– Puberty – is the period of life, generally between the ages of 10 and 15 years
old, when the reproductive organs grow to their adult size and becomes
functional under the influence of rising levels of gonadal hormones
(testosterone in males and estrogens in females).
– Menarche – is the first menstrual period of females which happens two years
after the start of puberty.
Phimosis
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 in those
whose resistance to disease is low. The usual infections include those caused by
Escherichia coli which spread through the digestive tract; the sexually
transmitted microorganisms such as syphilis, gonorrhoea, and herpes virus; and
yeast (a type of fungus). Vaginal infections that are left untreated may spread
throughout the female reproductive tract and may cause pelvic inflammatory
disease and sterility.
– In males, the most common inflammatory conditions are prostatitis, urethritis,
and epididymitis, all of which may follow sexual contacts in which sexually
transmitted disease (STD) microorganisms are transmitted.
– Orchiditis – or inflammation of the testes, is rather uncommon but is serious
because it can cause sterility. Orchiditis most commonly follows mumps in adult
male.
– Tumors of the breast and cervix – are the most common reproductive cancers in
adult females.
– Prostate cancer – (a common sequel to prostatic hypertrophy) is a widespread
problem in adult males.
– Menopause – occurs when females no longer experience menstruation.
Erogenous Zones

– Refer to parts of the body that are primarily receptive and increase sexual
arousal when touched in a sexual manner (mouth, breasts, genitals, anus,
neck, thighs, abdomen and feet).
Human Sexual Behaviour

– Any activity – solitary, between two people, or in a group – that includes

sexual arousal.
– Inherited sexual response patterns that have evolved as a means of ensuring
reproduction and that become part of each individual’s genetic
– Degree of restraint or other types of influence exerted on the individual by
society in the expression of his sexuality
Types of Behaviour

– Solitary behaviour – involving only one individual

– Self-gratification means self-stimulation that leads to sexual arousal and
generally, sexual climax. Generally begins at or before puberty and common
among young males.
– Sociosexual behaviour – involving more than one person.
– Heterosexual behaviour – male with female.
– Homosexual – male with male or female with female
– Physical contact involving necking or petting is considered as an ingredient of
the learning process and eventually of courtship and the selection of a marriage
partner. Petting differs from hugging, kissing and generalized caresses of the
clothed body to practice involving stimulation of the genitals. It may be done as
an expression of affection and a source of pleasure, preliminary to coitus.
– Coitus – the insertion of the male reproductive structure into the female
reproductive organ.
– Behaviour may be interpreted by society as erotic depending on the context in
which the behaviour occurs. The apparent motivation of the behaviour greatly
determines its interpretation.
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, more rapid
breathing, the 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.
3. Sexual climax – it is marked by a feeling of abrupt, intense pleasure, a 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.
4. Resolution phase – it is the last stage that refers to the return to a normal
or subnormal physiologic state.
VIDEO TIME: SEXUAL
RESPONSE CYCLE
Nervous System Factors

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

– Hypothalamus and the limbic system – are the parts of the brain believed to
be responsible for regulating the sexual response.
– Two sexual response patterns: mounting (masculine) behaviour and
mounted (feminine)behaviour.
Sexual Problems

– Physiological problems – diseases due to abnormal development of the

genitalia or that part of the neurophysiology controlling sexual response.
Majority of physiological sexual problems can be resolved through
medication or surgery while problems of the nervous system that can affect
sexual response are more difficult to treat.
– Psychological problems – are usually caused by socially induced inhibitions,
maladaptive attitudes, ignorance, and sexual myths held by society.
 Premature emission of semen
 Erectile impotence
 Ejaculatory impotence
 Vaginismus
 Social problems
Sexually Transmitted Disease

– are infections transmitted from an infected person to an uninfected person

through sexual contact. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
1. Chlamydia
2. Gonorrhea
3. Syphilis
4. Chancroid
5. Human Papillomavirus
6. Herpes Simplex Virus
7. Trichomonas Vaginalis
VIDEO TIME: SEXUALLY
TRANSMITTED DISEASE
Natural and Artificial
Methods of Contraception
Natural Method

– natural family planning methods that do not involve any chemical or foreign
body introduction into the human body.
a) Abstinence – refraining from sexual intercourse.
b) Calendar method – also called the rhythm method. It entails withholding from
coitus during days that the woman is fertile.
c) Basal Body Temperature – woman’s temperature when at rest. Ovulation may
cause a slight increase in basal body temperature.
d) Cervical Mucus Method – the change in the cervical mucus during ovulation is
the basis for this method. During ovulation, the cervical mucus is copious, thin
and watery.
e) Symptothermal Method – basically a combination of the BBT method and the
cervical mucus method.
f) Ovulation Detection – uses an over-the-counter kit that requires the urine
sample of the woman.
g) Coitus Interruptus –is when a couple still goes on with coitus, but the man
withdraws the moment he ejaculates to emit spermatozoa outside of the
female reproductive organ.
Artificial Methods

a) Oral Contraceptives – also known as the pill, oral contraceptives contain

synthetic estrogen and progesterone.
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 – are 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, a progesterone, and is
usually given once every 12 weeks intramuscularly.
f) Intrauterine Device – is a small, T-shaped object containing progesterone that
is inserted into the uterus via the female reproductive organ.
g) Chemical Barriers – such as spermicides, vaginal gels and creams, and
glycerine 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 – is a circular, rubber disk that fits the cervix and should be placed
before coitus.
i) Cervical Cap – made of soft rubber and fitted on the rim of the cervix.
j) Male Condoms – is 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.
– Thank you! Don’t forget to answer all the activities. See you next meeting. 