Understanding the Self

Chapter 5

The Sexual Self

Chapter 5

The Sexual Self

Introduction

It has been believed that the sex chromosomes of human define the sex (female or male)
and their secondary sexual characteristics. From childhood, we are controlled by our genetic
makeup. It influences the way we treat ourselves and others. However, there are individuals who
do not accept their innate sexual characteristics and they tend to change their sexual organs through
medications and surgery. Aside from our genes, our society or the external environment helps
shape our selves. This lesson helps us better understand ourselves through a discussion on the
development of our sexual characteristics and behavior.

Specific Objectives
At the end of this lesson, the student will be able to:
- Understand the developmental aspect of the reproductive system
- Describe the erogenous zones;
- Explain human sexual behavior and characterize the diversity of sexual behavior;
- Describe sexually transmitted diseases; and
- Differentiate natural and artificial methods of contraception

Duration
Chapter 5: The Sexual Self 6 hours
(4 hours discussion; 2 hour assessment)
Lesson Proper

DEVELOPMENTAL ASPECTS OF REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

The reproductive systems begin to develop shortly after the egg is fertilized, with primordial
gonads beginning to mature about one month following conception. In utero, reproductive
development continues, but the reproductive system does not alter much between childhood and
puberty.

Sex chromosome of humans define the sex

female or male and their secondary
characteristics. ourselves through a discussion
on the development of our sexual characteristic
and behavior.

Marieb E.N. (2001) explains that although the sex of an individual is determined at the
time of fertilization; Males have (X and Y sex chromosomes) and Females have (XX sex
chromosomes); gonads do not form until about the eight week of embryonic development.

Gonads - are the male and female primary

reproductive organs. The male gonads are the
testes and the female gonads are the ovaries.
These reproductive system organs are
necessary for sexual reproduction as they are
responsible for the production of male and
female gametes. Gonads also produce sex
hormones needed for the growth and
development of primary and secondary
reproductive organs and structures.
Gonads begin to form until about the
eighteenth week (18th) of embryonic
development of the accessory structures and external genitalia. Whether male or female structures
will form depends entirely on whether testosterone is present or absent. The usual case is that,
once formed, the embryonic testes produce testosterone, and the development of the duct system
and external genitalia follows. When testosterone is not produced, as in the case in female embryos
that form ovaries, the female ducts and external genitalia result (Marieb E.N., 2001).
BIZARRE ABNORMALITIES
Any interference with the normal pattern of sex hormone production in the embryo
pattern of sex hormone production in the embryo results in strange abnormalities.

Pseudo hermaphrodites- individuals having accessory reproductive structures that “DO NOT
MATCH” their gonads.
o If the embryonic testes fail to produce testosterone, a genetic male develops the female
accessory structures and external genetalia.
o If a genetic female is exposed to testosterone (as might happen if mother has an
androgen producing tumor of her adrenal gland), the embryo has ovaries but develops
male accessory ducts and gland as well as male reproductive organ and an empty
scrotum.

MALE PESUDOHERMAPHRODISM FEMALE PESUDOHERMAPHRODISM

Hermaphrodites- rare individuals who possess both ovarian and testicular tissues. It is also
referred to as intersex, is a condition in which there is a discrepancy between the external and
internal sexual and genital organs.
Cryptorchidism- “Hidden Testes” where the male testes formed in the abdominal cavity at
approximately the same location as the female ovaries, descend to enter the scrotum about 1 month
before birth. It is a failure of the testes to make their normal descent.

Congenital Defects- Abnormal separation of chromosomes during meiosis.

o Males who have an extra female sex chromosome have the normal male accessory
structures but atrophy (to shrink) of their testes causing them to be sterile.
o When child has only one sex chromosomes;
◦ XO female appears normal but lacks ovaries
◦ YO male die during development.
Phimosis- which essentially is a narrowing of the foreskin of the male reproductive organ and
misplaced urethral openings.

PUBERTY
It is the period of life, generally between ages of 10 to 15 years 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). It represents the earliest period of
reproductive system activity.
In males:
● Enlargement of the testes and scrotum around the age of 13 years
● Appearance of pubic, axillary and facial hair
● Sexual maturation is indicated by the presence of mature sperm in the semen.
● Wet dreams- unexpected frequent nocturnal emissions as his hormones surge and
hormonal control struggle to achieve normal balance
 In females:
● Budding breasts, apparent by the age of 11 years
● Menarche- first menstrual period occurs.
● Dependable ovulation and fertility are deferred until the hormonal control matures

EROGENOUS ZONE
o Erogenous Zone are described as parts of the body that are chiefly sensitive and caused
increased sexual arousal when touched in a sexual manner.
o Some widely known are mouth, breasts, reproductive organs, and the anus.
o It differs from person to person, as some people may enjoy being touched in a certain
area more than other areas.
o Other common areas may include neck, thighs, abdomen and feet.

FEMALE MALE

Why are some areas more Erogenous than Others?

o The level of erotic sensitivity of a particular body part is largely dependent on the amount of
nerve endings that are located in that region.
o Vasocongestion- the process where the genital regions of the male and female body undergo
which increases the amount of blood that flows to these regions making them highly sensitive
when aroused.
 o Other areas such as the eyelids, forearm, head, and abdomen have fewer nerve endings but
can also be potential erogenous zones for some especially if touched lightly and softly during
foreplay.
o Finding erogenous zones consists of exploring each other’s bodies, simultaneously increasing
sexual desire and intimacy in a relationship.
HUMAN SEXUAL BEHAVIOR
o Human sexual behavior is defined as any activity- solitary, between two persons, or in a
group- that induces sexual arousal (Gebhard P.H. 2017)
o There are two major factors that determine human sexual behavior;
● The inherited sexual response patterns that have evolved as a means of ensuring
reproduction and that are a part of each individual’s genetic inheritance, and
● The degree of restraint or other types of influence exerted on the individual by
society in the expression of his sexuality.
TYPES OF BEHAVIOR
The various types of human sexual behavior are usually classified according to the gender and
number of participants.

1. Solitary Behavior
o Self-gratification is self-stimulation with the intention of causing sexual arousal and
generally sexual climax.
o It is done in private as an end in itself.
o It is generally at r before puberty and is very common among young males but become
less frequent or is abandoned when socio sexual activity is available.
o It is frequent among the unmarried.
o Females tend to reduce or discontinue self-gratification when they develop sociosexual
relationships.
o The myth persists, despite scientific proof to the contrary, the self- gratification is
physically harmful.
o It is common among adults deprived of sociosexual opportunities.
o Solitary self gratification does provide pleasure and relief from the tension of sexual
excitement, it does not have the same psychological gratification that interaction with
another person provides.
● The psychological significance of self-gratification lies in how the individual
regards it.
● It is laden with guilt
 ● It is a release from tension with no emotional content
● Simply another source of pleasure to be enjoyed for its own sake.
o The majority of males and females have fantasies of some sociosexual activity while they
practice self-gratification. The person is in sole control of the areas that are stimulated,
the degree, the pressure, and the rapidity of movement, self-gratification is more effective
in producing sexual arousal and sexual climax than sociosexual activity, wherein the
stimulation is determined to some degree by one’s partner.
o Sexual climax in sleep evidently occurs only in humans. Its causes are not wholly known.
The idea that it results from the pressure of accumulated semen is invalid because not
only do nocturnal emissions sometimes occur in males on successive nights, but female
experience sexual climax in sleep as well.
o Great majority of male experiences sexual climax in sleep. This usually begins and is
most frequent in adolescence, tending to disappear later in life. Fewer females have
sexual climax in sleep and unlike males they usually begin having such experience when
fully adult.
o Sexual climax in sleep is generally infrequent, seldom exceeding a dozen times per year
for males and three or four times a year for the average female.
o Humans are constantly exposed to sexual stimuli when seeing attractive persons and are
subjected to sexual themes in advertising and the mass media.
o One of the necessary tasks of growing up is learning to cope with one’s sexual arousal
and to achieve some balance between suppression, which can be injurious and free
expression which can lead to social difficulties.
2. Sociosexual Behavior
o Heterosexual behavior between only one male and one female. Heterosexual behavior
frequently begins in childhood, and while much of it may be motivated by curiosity, such
as showing or examining genitalia, many children engage in sex play because it is
pleasurable.
o The sexual impulse and responsiveness are present in varying degrees in most children
and latent in the remainder.
o With adolescence, sex play is superseded by dating, which is socially encouraged, and
dating almost inevitably involves some physical contact resulting in sexual arousal. This
contact is labelled necking or petting, is a part of the learning process and ultimately of
courtship and the selection of a marriage partner.
o Petting varies from hugging, kissing and generalized caresses of the clothed body to
techniques involving genital stimulation.
o Coitus, the insertion of the male reproductive organ into the female reproductive organ,
is viewed by society quite differently depending upon the marital status of the individuals.
 ▪ Premarital coitus- majority of the human societies permit this at least under
certain circumstances. In Western society, it is more likely tolerated (but
not encouraged) if the individuals intend marriage.
▪ Marital coitus- usually regarded as an obligation in most societies.
▪ Extramarital coitus- particularly by the wives is generally condemned and,
if permitted, is allowed only under exceptional conditions o with specified
persons.
▪ Postmarital Coitus (i.e., coitus by separated, divorced; or widowed persons)
is almost always ignored.
o In US and much of Europe, there has been within last century, a progressive trend toward
an increase in premarital coitus. Currently in US, at least three quarters of the males and
over half of the females have experienced premarital coitus.
o In Scandinavia, the incidence of premarital coitus is far greater, exceeding 90 percent
mark in Sweden, where it is now expected behavior.
o Extramarital coitus continues to be openly condemned but is becoming more tolerated
secretly, particularly if mitigating circumstances are involved. In some areas such as,
Europe and Latin America, extramarital coitus is expected of most husbands and is
accepted by society if the behavior is not too flagrant. The wives do not generally approve
but are resigned to what they believe to be masculine propensity.
o In US, where at least half of the husbands and one-quarter of wives have extramarital
coitus at some point in their lives.
o Most extramarital coitus is done secretly without the knowledge of the spouse. Most
husbands and wives feel very possessive of their spouses and interpret extramarital
activity as an aversion on their own sexual adequacy, as indicating a loss of affection and
as being a source of social disgrace.
o Human beings are not inherently monogamous but have a natural desire for diversity in
their sexuality as in other aspects of life.
o Some societies have provided a release for these desires by suspending the restraints on
extramarital coitus on special occasions or with certain individuals, and in modern
Western society a certain amount of extramarital flirtation or mild petting at parties is not
considered unusual behavior.
o Role of this behavior has played in ceremony and religion. While the major religions of
today are to varying degrees anti-sexual, many religions have incorporated sexual
behavior into their rites and ceremonies.
o In most religions the deities were considered to have active sexual lives and sometimes
took a sexual interests in humans. It is noteworthy that in Christianity, sexual behavior is
absent in heaven and sexual proclivities are ascribed only to evil supernatural beings;
 Satan, devils, incubi and succubi (Spirits or demons who seek out sleeping humans for
sexual intercourse).
o Whether or not a behavior is interpreted by society or the individual as erotic (i.e. capable
of engendering sexual response) depends chiefly on the context in which the behavior
occurs. For example, a kiss may express …
● asexual affection (as kiss between relatives);
● Respect (a French officer kissing soldier after bestowing a medal on him)
● Reverence ( kissing hand or foot of the pope)
● Casual salutation and social amenity
● Even something as touching genitalia is not construed as sexual if done for
medical reasons.
● Apparent motivation of the behavior 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
o Increase in pulse and blood pressure
o Increase in blood supply to the surface of the body resulting increased skin temperature,
flushing, and swelling of all distensible body parts (particularly noticeable in the male
reproductive organ and female breasts), more rapid breathing, the secretion of genital
fluids, expansion of the female reproductive organ and a general increase in muscle
tension.
o These symptoms of arousal eventually increase to a near maximal physiological level.
2. Plateau Phase
o It is generally of brief duration.
o Sexual Climax is marked by a feeling of sudden intense pleasure, an abrupt increase in
pulse rate and blood pressure, and spasms of the pelvic muscles causing contractions in the
female and emission of semen by the male.
o Involuntary vocalizations may also occur.
o Sexual climax also lasts for a few seconds (normally not over ten)
3. Resolution Phase
o It is the return to a normal or subnormal physiological state.
o Males and females are the same in their response sequence. However, whereas males
return to normal even if stimulation continues, continued stimulation can produce
additional sexual climax in females.
o In brief, after one sexual climax male becomes unresponsive to sexual stimulation and
cannot begin to build up another excitement phase until some period of time has elapsed,
 but females are physically capable of repeated sexual climax without the intervening “rest
period” required by males.
NERVOUS SYSTEM FACTORS
o Sexual response involves entire nervous system.
● The autonomic system controls the involuntary responses;
● The afferent cerebrospinal nerves carry the sensory messages to the brain;
● The efferent cerebrospinal nerves carry command from the brain to the muscles
● The spinal cord serves as a great transmission cable;
● The brain itself is the coordinating and controlling center, interpreting what
sensations are to be perceived as sexual and issuing appropriate “orders” to the rest of
the nervous system.
● The parts of the brain thought to be most concerned with sexual response are the
hypothalamus and the limbic system, but no specialized “sex center” has been
located in the human brain.
o Animal experiments indicate that each individual has coded in its brain two sexual response
patterns,
● Mounting (masculine) behavior, can be elicited or intensified by male sex hormone.
● Mounted (feminine) behavior, can be elicited or intensified by female sex hormone.
o Normally one response pattern is dominant and the other latent but capable of being called
into action when suitable circumstances occur. The degree to which such inherent
patterning exists in human is unknown.
● Genital reflex is the cause of stimulation of genital and perineal area, where
erection and emission of semen in the male changes in the female reproductive
organ and lubrication in the female.

SEXUAL PROBLEMS
It may be classified as physiological, psychological and social in origin. Any given problem may
involve all three categories.

A. Physiological Problems
o Problems of this is specifically sexual nature are rather few. Only small minority of
people suffers from diseases of or deficient development of the genitalia or that part of
the neurophysiology governing sexual response.
o Female reproductive organ infections, i.e., retroverted uteri, prostatitis, adrenal
tumor, diabetes, senile changes of female reproductive organ and cardiovascular
conditions may cause disturbance of the sexual life.
o Majority of physiological sexual problems are solved through medication or surgery.
Only those problems involving damage to the nervous system defy therapy.
 B. Psychological Problems
o It constitutes by far the largest category. They are not only the product of socially
induced inhibitions, maladaptive attitudes and ignorance but also of sexual myths held
by society.
o An example of the latter is the idea that good, mature sex must involve rapid erection,
protracted coitus, and simultaneous sexual climax. Magazines, marriage books, and
general sexual folklore reinforce these demanding ideals, which cannot always be met
and hence give rise to anxiety, guilt, and feelings of inadequacy.
1. Premature Emission of Semen
o Sometimes this is not the consequence of any psychological problem but the natural
result of excessive tension in male who has been sexually deprived.
o William Howell Masters and Virginia Eshelman Johnson, American Sexologists states
that male suffers from premature emission of semen if he cannot delay long enough to
induce sexual climax in a sexually normal female at least half of time.
o The average American male emits semen in two or three minutes after vaginal
penetration, a coital duration sufficient to cause sexual climax in most females the
majority of the time.
o The most effective therapy is that advocated by Masters and Johnson in which the
female brings the male nearly to sexual climax and then prevents the male’s sexual
climax by briefly compressing the male reproductive organ between her fingers just
below the head of the male reproductive organ.
2. Erectile Impotence
o Usually of psychological origin in males under 40, in older males physical causes more
often involved.
o Fear of being impotent frequently causes impotence, most cases, the afflicted male is
simply caught up in a self-perpetuating problem that can be solved only by achieving a
successful act of coitus.
o In other cases, impotence may be the result of disinterest in the sexual partner, fatigue,
distraction because of nonsexual worries, intoxication, or other causes such as
occasional impotency is common and requires therapy.
3. Ejaculatory Impotence
o The inability to emit semen in coitus, is quite rare and is almost always of psychogenic
origin.
o It seems associated with ideas of contamination or with memories of traumatic
experiences.
o This inability may be expected in older men or any male who has exceeded his sexual
capacity.
4. Vaginismus
o It is a powerful spasm of the pelvic musculature constricting the female reproductive
organ is that penetration is painful or impossible.
 o It seems wholly due to anti-sexual conditioning or psychological trauma and serves as
an unconscious defense against coitus.
o It is treated by psychotherapy and by gradually dilating the female reproductive organ
with increasingly large cylinders.
5. Dyspareunia
o Painful coitus, is generally physical rather than psychological.
o It is because some inexperienced females fear they cannot accommodate a male
reproductive organ without being painfully stretched.
o This is a needless fear since the female reproductive organ is not only highly elastic but
enlarges with sexual arousal.
DISEASES ASSOCIATED WITH THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Female Reproductive Organ Infections

o Escherichia coli (spread from the digestive tract)
o Sexually transmitted microorganisms
o Gonorrhea
o Syphilis
o Herpes virus
o Yeasts (a type of fungus)
Untreated infections may spread throughout the female reproductive tract, causing pelvic
inflammatory disease and sterility. Problems involving painful or abnormal menses may result
from infection o hormone

Male Reproductive Organ Infections

o Urethritis, prostatitis and epididymitis which may follow sexual contacts in which sexually
transmitted disease (STD) microorganisms are transmitted.
o Orchiditis or inflammation of the testes is rather uncommon but is serious because it can
cause sterility.

Neoplasms represent a major threat to reproductive system organs.

o Tumor of the breast and cervix are most common reproductive cancers in adult females.
o Prostate cancer (a common sequel to prostatic hypertrophy) is a widespread problem in
adult males

Menopause
o When women reach peak reproductive abilities. Estrogen production declines, ovulation
becomes irregular and menstrual periods become scanty and shorter in length. It is when
ovulation and menses cease entirely, ending childbearing ability.
o It occurred when a whole year has passed without menstruation.
o When the ovaries finally stop functioning as endocrine organs and deprived by the
stimulatory effects of estrogen;
 ● the reproductive organs and breasts begin to atrophy
● The vagina becomes dry
● Intercourse may become painful if frequent
● Vaginal infections become increasingly common.
● Irritability and other mood changes (depression in some)
● Intense vasodilation of the skin’s blood vessel, which causes uncomfortable sweat-
drenching “Hot flashes”
● Gradual thinning of the skin and loss of bone mass
● Slowly rising blood cholesterol levels which place cardiovascular disorders.

Physicians prescribed low-dose estrogen-progestin preparations to help women through this often
difficult period and to even the skeletal and cardiovascular complications.
There is no equivalent menopause in males. Aging men exhibit a steady decline in testosterone
secretion, their capability seems unending. Healthy m en are able to father offspring well into their
80s and beyond.

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

o Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections transmitted from an infected
person to an uninfected person through sexual contact.
o STDs can be caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites. i.e., gonorrhoea, genital herpes,
human papillomavirus infection, HIV/AIDS, chlamydia, and syphilis.
o STDs are important global health priority because of their devastating impact on
women and infants and their inter-relationships with HIV/AIDS.
o STDs and HIV are linked by biological interactions and because both infections occur
in the same populations. Infection with certain STDs can increase the risk of getting
and transmitting HIV as well as alter way the disease progresses.
o STDs can cause long-term health problems, particularly in women and infants.
o Some of the health complications that arise from STDs include pelvic inflammatory
disease, infertility, tubal or ectopic pregnancy, cervical cancer and perinatal or
congenital infections in infants born to infected mothers.
The following are list of diseases based from Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2016 of
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

1. Chlamydia
o It is the most notifiable condition in US. Rates of this are highest among adolescent and
young adult females. It’s a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can be passed on
through sex without a condom or sharing sex toys with someone who has chlamydia
(even if they don’t have symptoms), or from a pregnant woman to her unborn
baby. Chlamydia can be prevented by using male or female condoms and dental dams
during sex.
o A simple urine test or a swab taken by a healthcare professional will show whether you
have chlamydia. Chlamydia is easily treated with antibiotics.
 o Chlamydia symptoms in women: abdominal pain, large quantities of vaginal
discharge that may be foul-smelling and yellow bleeding between periods, low-
grade fever, painful intercourse, bleeding after intercourse, burning with urination,
swelling in the vagina or around the anus and needing to urinate more often or
discomfort with urinating
o Chlamydia symptoms in men: pain and burning with urination, penile discharge (pus,
watery, or milky discharge), testicle swelling and tenderness

2. Gonorrhea
o Caused by infection with the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhea. It tends to infect warm,
moist areas of the body including the urethra, eyes, throat, vagina, anus, female
reproductive tract (fallopian tubes, cervix, and uterus).
o Symptoms usually occur within two to 14 days after exposure. This is a non-
symptomatic carrier who does not have any symptoms noticeable.
o Antimicrobial resistance remains an important consideration in the treatment of
gonorrhea.

3. Syphilis
o It caused by the bacteria Treponema palladium.
o Syphilis is a highly contagious disease spread primarily by sexual activity, including
oral and anal sex. Occasionally, the disease can be passed to another person through
prolonged kissing or close bodily contact. Although this disease is spread from sores,
 the vast majority of those sores go unrecognized. The infected person is often
unaware of the disease and unknowingly passes it on to his or her sexual partner.
o Pregnant women with the disease can spread it to their baby. This disease, called
congenital syphilis, can cause abnormalities or even death to the child
o The first symptoms can take 10 days to 3 weeks to appear after infection. The
common symptom is a painless sore that appears where the virus was transmitted.
The sore will disappear 2-6 weeks. However, if not treated will move to second stage.
o Secondary syphilis begins a few weeks after the disappearance of the sore and
includes; a non-itchy skin rash, small skin growths on the vulva (in women) and
around the anus (in both men and women)
o Flu-like symptoms like as tiredness, headaches, joint pains and fever, swollen lymph
glands, weight loss, hair loss.

4. Chancroid
o It is caused by infection with the bacterium Haemophilusducreyi.
o Clinical manifestations include genital ulcers and inguinal lymphadenopathy or
buboes.
o Symptoms usually occur within 4 to 10 days from exposure; the ulcer begins as
tender, elevated bump or papule, that becomes a pus-filled, open sore with eroded o
ragged edges; the ulcer is soft to the touch or chancroid sore; painful lymph glands.
o Chancroid symptoms on Men; may notice a small, red bump on their genitals that
may change to an open sore within a day or two. The ulcer may form on any area of
the genitals, including the penis and scrotum. The ulcers are frequently painful.
o Chancroid symptoms on Women; may develop four or more red bumps on the
labia, between the labia and anus, or on the thighs. The labia are the folds of skin
that cover the female genitals. After the bumps become ulcerated, or open, women
may experience a burning or painful sensation during urination or bowel
movements.
5. Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
o Most common sexually transmitted infection that affects both men and women. It’s
so common that most sexually active people will get some variety of it at some
point, even if they have few sexual partners. There are different types of HPV.
Some can lead to genital warts and others can cause some types of cancer.
o Most people get HPV through direct sexual contact, such as oral sex. Because HPV
is a skin-to-skin infection, intercourse isn’t required to contract the infection. In rare
cases, a mother who has HPV can infect her baby during delivery.
o There is no cure for HPV but safe and effective vaccinations are recommended at
the age of 11 to 12 years.

6. Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)

o It is the most prevalent of sexually transmitted infections.
o Infections are subclinical, clinical manifestations are characterized by recurrent,
painful genital and/or anal lesions.
o Herpes is caused by two different but similar viruses: herpes simplex virus type
1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Both kinds can make sores pop
 up on and around your vulva, vagina, cervix, anus, penis, scrotum, butt, inner thighs,
lips, mouth, throat, and rarely, your eyes.
o It is spread from skin-to-skin contact with infected areas, often during vaginal sex,
oral sex, anal sex, and kissing. Herpes causes outbreaks of itchy, painful blisters or
sores that come and go. Many people with herpes don’t notice the sores or mistake
them for something else, so they might not know they’re infected. You can spread
herpes even when you don’t have any sores or symptoms.
o Symptoms appears a tingling, itching or burning of blisters before it appears for a
day or so; painful sores; fluid-like blisters appears; flu-like symptoms; problems in
urinating; eye-infection (herpes keratitis)
o There’s no cure for herpes, but medication can ease your symptoms and lower your
chances of giving the virus to other people. And the good news is, outbreaks usually
become less frequent over time, and even though herpes can sometimes be
uncomfortable and painful, it’s not dangerous. People with herpes have
relationships, have sex, and live perfectly healthy lives.

7. Trichomonas Vaginalis
o It is common sexually transmitted protozoal infection associated with adverse health
outcomes such as preterm birth and symptomatic vaginitis.
o It is not nationally reportable condition ad trend data are limited to estimate of initial
physician office visits of this conditions.
o Trich is easily treated.
o Symptoms often begin five to 28 days after a person is infected. Most common
among women are; vaginal discharge which can be white, gray, yellow o green and
usually frothy with an unpleasant smell; vaginal spotting or bleeding; genital
burning or itching; genital redness or swelling; frequent urges to urinate; pain during
urination o sexual intercourse.
o Most common symptoms in men are; discharge from urethra, burning during
urination or after ejaculation and an urge to urinate frequently.
NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL METHOD OF CONTRACEPTION

Natural Method
o It does not include any chemical or foreign body introduction into the human body.
o Most people who are very conscious of their religious beliefs are more inclined to use the
natural way of birth control.
o Some want to use natural methods because it is more cost effective.
o Here are some examples of natural method;
o Abstinence, Calendar Method, Basal Body Temperature (BBT), Cervical Mucus
Method, Symptothermal Method, Ovulation detection, and Coitus Interruptus.
1. Abstinence
o The natural method involves abstaining from sexual intercourse and is most effective
natural birth control method with ideally 0% ate fail rate.
o It is also the most effective way to avoid STDs.
o Most people find it difficult to comply with abstinence, so only few of them use this
method.

2. Calendar Method
o It is also called as the rhythm method; this natural method of family planning
involves refraining from coitus during the days that the woman is fertile.
o According to the menstrual cycle, three or four days after ovulation, the woman is
likely to conceive.
o The process in calculating for the woman’s safe days is achieved when the woman
records her menstrual cycle for six months.
3. Basal Body Temperature
o It is the woman’s temperature at rest.
o BBT falls at 0.50F before the day of ovulation during ovulation, it rises to a full
degree because of progesterone and maintains its level throughout the menstrual
cycle, and this is the basis for the method.
o The woman must take her temperature early morning before any activity and if she
notices that there is a slight decrease and then an increase in her temperature, this is a
sign the she has ovulated.

4. Cervical Mucus Method

o The basis of this method is the changes in the cervical mucus during ovulation.
o To check if the woman is ovulating, the cervical mucus must be copious, thin and
watery.
o The cervical mucus must exhibit the property of spinnbarkeit, wherein it can be
stretched up until at least one inch and feels slippery.
o The fertile days of a woman according to this method is as long as the cervical mucus
is copious and watery and a day after it. She must avoid coitus during these days.
5. Symptothermal Method
o It is simply the combination of the BBT Method and the Cervical Mucus Method.
o The woman takes her temperature every morning before getting up and also takes
note any changes in her cervical mucus every day.
o She abstains from coitus three days after a rise in her temperature or on the fourth
day after peak of a mucus change.

6. OVULATION DETECTION
o It is an over the counter kit that can predict ovulation through the surge of luteinizing
hormone that happens 12 to 24 hours before ovulation.
o The kit requires the urine specimen of the woman to detect the luteinizing hormone.
 7. COITUS INTERRUPTUS
o It is one of the oldest methods of contraception.
o The couple still proceeds with the coitus, but the man withdraws the moment he
emit semen and emit it outside of the female reproductive organ.
o The disadvantage of this method is the pre-emission fluid that contains a few
spermatozoa that may cause fertilization.

Artificial Methods
o It does include any chemical or foreign body introduction into the human body.
o The common use includes preventing the sperm from reaching the ovum (using condoms,
diaphragms, etc), inhibiting ovulation (using oral contraceptive pills), preventing
implantation (using intrauterine devices), killing the sperm (using spermicides), and
preventing the sperm from entering the seminal fluid (vasectomy).

1. Contraceptives
o Also known as the pill, oral contraceptives contain synthetic estrogen and
progesterone.
o Estrogen suppresses the follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone to
suppress ovulation, while progesterone decreases the permeability of the cervical
mucus to limit the sperm’s access to the ova.
o To use the pill, it is recommended that the woman takes the first pill on the first
Sunday after the beginning of a menstrual flow, or the woman may choose to start the
pill as soon as it is prescribed.
2. Transdermal Patch
o It has the combination of both estrogen and progesterone in a form of a patch.
o For three weeks, the woman should apply one patch every week on the following
areas; upper outer arm, upper torso, abdomen, or buttocks.
o At the fourth week, no patch is applied
because the menstrual flow would then occur.
o The area of the patch is applied should be clean, dry, free from any applications,
and without any redness or irritation

3. Vaginal Ring
o It releases a combination of estrogen and progesterone and surrounds the cervix.
o This silicon ring is inserted vaginally and remains there for three weeks, then
removed on the fourth week as menstrual flow would occur.
o The woman becomes fertile as soon as the ring is removed.
4. Subdermal Implants
o This are two rod-like implants embedded under the skin of the woman during her
menses or on the 7th day of her menstruation to make sure that she is not pregnant.
o It contains estronegestrel, desogestrel and progestin.
o It is effective for three to five years.

5. Hormonal Injections
o It consists of medroxyprogesterone, a progesterone, and given once every 12
weeks intramuscularly.
o The injection inhibits ovulation and causes changes in the endometrium and the
cervical mucus.
6. Intrauterine Device
o An IUD, is a small, T-shaped object that is inserted into the uterus via the female
reproductive organ.
o It prevents fertilization by creating a local sterile inflammatory condition to
prevent implantation.
o The IUD is fitted only by the physician and inserted after the woman’s menstrual
flow to be sure that she is not pregnant.
o The device contains progesterone and is effective for five to seven years

7. Chemical Barriers
o This are spermicides, vaginal gels and creams and glycerin films are also used to
cause the death of sperms before they can enter the cervix and also lower the pH
level of the female reproductive organ so it will not become conducive for the
sperm.
o These chemical barriers cannot prevent sexually transmitted infections; however,
they can be bought without any prescription.

8. Diaphragm
o It works by inhibiting of the sperm into the female reproductive organ. It is a
circular, rubber disk that fits the cervix and should be placed before coitus.
 o If a spermicide is combined with the use of a diaphragm, there is a failure rate of
6% ideally and 16% typically.
o The diaphragm should be fitted only by the physician, and should be remained in
place for six hours after coitus.

9. Cervical Cap
o It is another barrier method that is made of soft rubber and fitted on the rim of the
cervix.
o Its shape is like a thimble with a thin rim, and could stay in place for not more than
48 hours.
10. Male Condoms
o It is a latex or synthetic rubber sheath that is placed on the erect male reproductive
organ before penetration in the female reproductive organ to trap the sperm during
emission of semen.
o It can prevent STIs or Sexually Transmitted Infections and can be bought over the
counter without any fitting needed.
o Male condoms have an ideal fail rate of 2% and a typical failure of 15 % due to
break in the sheath’s integrity or spilling.

11. Female Condoms

o It is also latex or synthetic rubber sheath that is specifically designed for female
and prelubricated with spermicide.
o It has an inner ring that covers the cervix and an outer, open ring that is placed
against the opening of female reproductive organ.
o These are disposable and require no prescriptions.
12. Surgical Methods
o Males undergo vasectomy, which is executed through a small incision made on
each side of the scrotum.
o The vas deferens is then tied, cauterized, cut, or plugged or block the passage of
the sperm.
o The patient is advised to use a back-up contraceptive method until two negative
sperm count results are performed because the sperm could remain viable in the
vas deferens for six months.
o In women, tubal ligation, is performed by occluding the fallopian tubes through
cutting, cauterizing, or blocking to inhibit the passage of the both the sperm and
the ova.
o After menstruation and before ovulation, the procedure is done through a small
incision under the woman’s umbilicus.
References/Additional Resources/Readings

Alata, Eden Joy Pastor,Caslib, Bernardo Nicolas Jr.,Serafica, Janice Patria Javier, Pawilen R.A.
2018. “Understanding the Self”.

Brawner, Dalisay G., Arcega, Analiza F. Understanding the Self. C&E Publishing, Inc. 2018.

Roth, Susan, and Lawrence Cohen. 1986. “Approach Avoidance, and Coping with Stress.” In
American Psychologist. Accessed October 31, 2017.
Http://citeserex.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.455.6019&rep=re1&type=pdf