The Sexual

Self
 Learning Outcomes
At the end of this chapter, you should be able to:
• Explain the development of sex characteristics and the human
reproductive system
• Distinguish between attraction, love, and attachment
• Explain sexual orientation
• Identify the causes and consequences of sexually transmitted
infections and early pregnancy; and
• Reflect on the importance of contraception and reproductive
health law
•Primary sex characteristics - physical characteristics
present at birth (vagina, uterus, and ovaries)
•Secondary sex characteristics – development during the
onset of puberty (breast enlargement, pubic hair,
menstruation, facial hair)
•Primary sex characteristics develop as the embryo
grows in the womb (embryonic stage)
•At about 5 weeks of pregnancy, two organs, called
gonads form in the embryo. (gonads – primary sex
organs testes and ovaries)
•Gonads release hormones (testosterone and androgen)
•Testosterone – regulate libido, bone mass, fat
distribution, muscle mass and strength, production of
red blood cells and sperm
•Androgen – helps in the development of secondary sex
characteristics and reproduction
•Estrogen promotes female reproductive characteristics
and secondary sex characteristics
•Progesterone stimulates growth of the female
reproductive organs and prepares the uterus for
pregnancy.
•Unlike men, however, female sex hormones are not
produced consistently.
•Their production follows a cyclical pattern on an
approximately 28-day monthly cycle
• The greatest production occurs
during the ovulation period,
when an egg is released from the
ovaries.
• Ovulation period occur 14 days
after the beginning of the
menstrual period.
• The greatest production occurs
during the ovulation period,
when an egg is released from the
ovaries.
• Ovulation period occur 14 days
after the beginning of the
menstrual period.
• Clitoris made of erectile tissue
swells with blood hardens when a
woman is sexually aroused.
• The vagina is muscular tube that
serves as the receptacle for the penis
and carrier of the sperm to the uterus
• Uterus hollow organ where the
fertilized embryo grows to become a
fetus
• Two ovaries produce, store, and
release the egg cell during ovulation.
• Fallopian tubes carry the fertilized
egg from the ovary to the uterus.
Pregnancy starts from fertilization
and end at birth, for an approximate
duration of 260 days.
• The penis is the organ through
which males urinate and deliver the
sperm cells into the vagina
• Testes or testicles located in a loose
pouch-like sac of skin called
scrotum
• Vas deferens transports the sperm-
fluid called semen
• Epididymis coiled ducts connected
to the VD where the sperm cells are
stored
• The prostate gland and seminal
vesicles produce semen and nourish
the sperm cells
• Ejaculation is the release of sperm
cells from the penis
• Each ejaculation approximately
contains 300 to 500 million sperm
cells can live up to 48 hours inside
the uterus
•Human sexual arousal is complex.
•It may be produced by direct stimulation of the body’s
erogenous zone.
•Erogenous zone – areas of the body which are highly
sensitive and produce sexual responses when
stimulated. (genitals, mouth, breasts, ear, anus, etc)
•One of the most basic forms of sexual stimulation is
called masturbation – pleasure or orgasm
•Other sexual activities such as intimate kissing,
cuddling, necking, petting, or touching the erogenous
zones may be uniquely important to sexual arousal.
 Phases of Sexual Response
William Masters and Virginia Johnson – the biological
responses of males and females are quite similar
•The excitement phase – beginning/ can last from 1 min to
several hours. Pulse rate increases, blood pressure rises,
breathing quickens, and the skin shows a rosy flush. And
other physiological changes in the reproductive organs
•The plateau phase – the changes in the body continues. In
men, penis becomes more erect and enlarge. In women, the
outer part of the vagina swells with the surge of increased
amounts of blood, clitoris retracts under the clitoral hood
and remains highly sensitive. Breathing, heart rate, body
temperature increases.
 Phases of Sexual Response
•The orgasmic phase – the contractions of the muscles in
and around the penis stimulate the release of the semen
which contains sperm cells. Men usually achieve one
intense orgasm during the sexual intercourse. In women,
orgasm involves the contraction of the pelvic muscles that
surround the vaginal walls and can happen multiple times.
•The resolution phase – the body returns to its normal state
– reproductive organ returns to its normal state
Attraction, love, and
attachment
 Attraction and love
•As adolescents grow and mature, they make new patterns of
relationships and commitments with other people.
•Can you differentiate ATTRACTION, LOVE, and
ATTACHMENT?
•Can you still remember the first time you fell in love?
Attracted? Attached?
•Puberty is important stage in sexual development, it is the
time when many boy and girls first experience their first
sexual attraction.
 Five Love Language
Activity:
Take a short survey using this link:
https://5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/love-language
Provide a short reflection about the outcome of it.
Submit it within the time period.
 GENDER

Gender refers to the socially constructed roles,

behaviours, expressions and identities of girls,
women, boys, men, and gender diverse people.

Gender tends to denote the social and cultural role of

each sex within a given society. Rather than being
purely assigned by genetics, as sex differences
generally are, people often develop their gender
roles in response to their environment, including
family interactions, the media, peers, and education.

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 GENDER

Jamboard Activity
What are society’s expectations toward males and females?
(e.g., behavior, clothes, color etc.)

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 HETERONORMATIVITY

Heteronormativity - This phenomenon of

determining the normality of behavior
based on whether it conforms or not to
the expectations relative to one’s
biological sex is referred to as
heteronormativity.

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HETERONORMATIVITY

Cross-dressing

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DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SEX AND GENDER

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 GENDER IDENTITY

Gender identity is defined as a personal

conception of oneself as male or female
(or rarely, both or neither).

One's innermost concept of self as male,

female, a blend of both or neither – how
individuals perceive themselves and what
they call themselves. One's gender
identity can be the same or different from
their sex assigned at birth.

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 GENDER EXPRESSION

External appearance of one's gender

identity, usually expressed through
behavior, clothing, haircut or voice,
and which may or may not conform
to socially defined behaviors and
characteristics typically associated
with being either masculine or
feminine.

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 TRANSGENDER

Transgender is a term used to describe

people whose gender identity differs
from the sex they were assigned at birth.

They feel that the sex they were assigned at

birth doesn't match their gender identity,
or the gender that they feel they are
inside.

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Let’s talk about “SEXUAL
ORIENTATION”
 SEXUAL ORIENTATION

Is an enduring pattern of romantic

or sexual attraction (or a
combination of these) to persons
of the opposite sex or gender,
the same sex or gender, or to
both sexes or more than
one gender.

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 SEXUAL ORIENTATION

▪ People who are attracted to the opposite sex are called “heterosexuals” or
“straight”
▪ People who are attracted to people of the same sex are called “homosexuals”,
“gay”, or “lesbian.
▪ “Bisexuals” or “bi” people are attracted to both sexes male or female.

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SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED
DISEASES
▪ Also called SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED
INFECTIONS, they are contracted
primarily through sexual contact
(vaginal, oral, or anal sex).
▪ Many STIs affect the sex organs
themselves while others have broader
and more life-threatening effects.
▪ Bacterial infections
▪ Virus
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SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED
DISEASES
▪ HIV/AIDS (Human
Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired
Immunodeficiency Syndrome) –
caused by direct contact with body
fluids such as through blood
transfusion, breastfeeding, and sexual
intercourse. It attacks the immune
system and the infected person
eventually dies.

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SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED
DISEASES
▪ Gonorrhea – caused by gonococcal
bacteria which attack the lining of the
mucous membrane (mouth, throat,
vagina, and urethra). It can be treated
by penicillin or other antibiotics.
▪ Syphilis – infects the genital areas and
other parts of the body including the
brain and can cause paralysis or even
death when left untreated.

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SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED
DISEASES
▪ Chlamydia – caused by the bacterium
chlamydia trachomatis.
- in men, it causes swollen testicles
and a burning sensation during
urination,
- among women, it can cause
sterility if left untreated as it
damages the uterus, ovaries, and
fallopian tubes.

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CONTRACEPTION AND RH
LAW
▪ Contraception refers to methods that
are used to prevent pregnancy.
▪ A common method of contraception is
the use of condoms which can also
prevent some STIs.
▪ Other common methods available in
the Philippines:
o Intrauterine device/IUD – a tiny
device made of flexible plastic that is
inserted in the uterus to prevent
pregnancy
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CONTRACEPTION AND RH
LAW
▪ Other common methods available in
the Philippines:
o Birth control injectibles – given
every three months to women
o Oral contraceptive pills – taken
everyday
o Withdrawal method -
o Calendar method – the number of
days in each menstrual cycle is
recorded and the couple avoids
during the fertile period

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CONTRACEPTION AND RH
LAW
▪ Responsible Parenthood and
Reproductive Health Act of
2012/Reproductive Health Law/RH
Law – guarantees universal access to
methods of contraception, fertility
control, sexual education, and maternal
care.
- provides for the “prevention and
treatment of HIV/AIDS and other
STIs/STDs”

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CONTRACEPTION AND RH
LAW
▪ Responsible Parenthood and
Reproductive Health Act of
2012/Reproductive Health Law/RH
Law – aims to keep couples and
women well-informed about available
family planning methods that they can
freely use depending on their needs
and beliefs
- aims to promote awareness among
adolescent and youth on sexuality and
reproductive health through proper
sex education 39 39
Prevention is better than cure 