Unpacking the Self:

The Physical and Sexual Self

Introduction:
• 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 will help us understand ourselves better through a

discussion on the development of our sexual characteristics and
behavior.
Developmental Aspect of the Reproductive
System
• Gonads are the male and female primary reproductive organs
(testis & ovary) that produces Gametes (ga-meets).
• Gametes or sex cells (sperm & eggs):
Testis- male reproductive organ produces sperms
Ovary- female reproductive organ produces eggs
• Gonads (reproductive organs) begins to form until about the
eight week of embryonic development.
Indifferent Stage
• Indifferent stage refers to the period in human development, where the
embryonic reproductive system has not yet differentiated into male and
female structures.
• reproductive structures of males and females are alike and it is still impossible to
distinguish between female and male gonad.
• Once the embryo is formed, the embryonic testes releases testosterone
(primary sex hormones in males), and the formation of the duct system
and external genitalia follows.
• In the case of female embryos that form ovaries, it will cause the
development of female ducts and external genitalia since the hormone is
not produced.
Abnormalities
Pseudohermaphrodites
• Refers to a condition wherein their external genitalia do not
match their internal reproductive organs.
• Individuals who have physical characteristics that do not match
with the typical male and female characteristics.
• They might have a mix of male and female traits but don’t have
a complete reproductive organs of both sexes.
Example: The development of external female genitalia, but have
internal testes.
***They usually undergo sex change to have their outer selves fit their inner
selves or gonads.
Hermaphrodites
• Individuals who possess both male and female reproductive
organs which are both functional.
• And they possess both ovarian and testicular tissues.
• In humans, this is an extremely rare condition. And it is more
common in animals and plants.

Example: Clownfish, can start as a male and can later change

into a female.
Cryptorchidism ‘khu’
• From the Greek word, kryptos which means hidden. Is the
absence of one or both testes from the scrotum.
• Scrotum is the part of the external male genitalia located behind and
underneath the penis.
• Testes is the sperm producing organ.
Phimosis (fai-mow-sis)
• Is the inability to retract (pull-back) the skin (or foreskin)
covering the head of the penis.

• It may appear as a tight ring or rubber band of foreskin around

the tip of the penis preventing full retraction (or pulling back).
Puberty
• Is a period of life, generally between the ages of 10 to 15 years
old.
• The reproductive organs grow their adult size and become
functional under the influence of rising level of hormones
(testosterone in males and estrogen in females).

• After this time, reproductive capability continues until old age in

males and menopause for females.
Diseases Associated with the Reproductive
System
• Infections
• The invasion and multiplication of harmful microorganisms, such as
bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites within a host organism.
• one of the most common problems associated with the reproductive
system in adults.

• It is the attack on an organism’s body tissues by disease-causing

agents.

• Also called transmissible disease or communicable (contagious)

disease.
Vaginal Infections
• Vaginal Infections are more common in young and elderly
women and in those whose resistance to diseases is low.

• Vaginal infections that are left untreated may spread throughout

the female reproductive tract and may cause pelvic
inflammatory disease or infertility.

• Problems that involve painful or abnormal menses may also be

due to infection or hormone imbalance.
In Males
• The most common inflammatory conditions are prostatitis,
urethritis, and epididymitis, all which may follow sexual contacts
in which sexually transmitted disease (STD) microorganisms
are transmitted.

• Orchiditis or inflammation of the testes is rather uncommon but

it is serious because it can cause infertility. It is most commonly
followed by a mump in an adult male. Mumps is a viral disease
caused by the mumps virus – swelling in one or both salivary
glands.
In Males
• There is no counterpart for menopause for males, although
aging in men show a steady decline in the testosterone
secretion, their reproductive capability seems unending.

• Healthy men are still able to father offspring well into their 80’s
and beyond.
Erogenous Zones
• Erogenous Zones refer to the parts of the body that are
particularly sensitive and can elicit or increase sexual arousal
when touched in a sexual manner.

• Some of the common erogenous zones are the mouth, breasts,

genitals etc.

• It could vary from person to persons. Some may enjoy in certain

area and some might not. Other common areas are the neck,
thighs, abdomen and feet.
Sexual Manner
• A behavior may be interpreted by society or the individual as
erotic (capable of stimulating sexual response) depending on
the context in which the behavior occurs.
For instance, a kiss may be interpreted as a gesture of expression or
intimacy between couples, while others may interpret it as a form of
respect or reverence, like kissing the hand of an elder or someone in
authority.
Examination and touching someone’s genitalia is not interpreted as a
sexual act especially when done for medical purposes.
Human Sexual Behavior
• Human Sexual Behavior is defined as any activity – solitary,
between two persons, or in a group that induces sexual
arousal or awakening.
There are two major factors that determine human sexual
behavior:
(1) the inherited sexual patterns that may have developed as a
means of ensuring reproduction; it is the individual’s genetic
inheritance,
(2) the degree of restraint or other types of influence exerted on
the individual by society in the expression of his sexuality.
Types of Human Sexual Behavior
• Human sexual behavior is usually classified according to the
gender and number of participants.
Solitary Behavior which involves only One individual.
Socio-sexual Behavior which is divided into 2:
1. Heterosexual behavior; human sexual behavior that involves a male
with female.
2. and Homosexual behavior which involves male with male or female
with female.
If three or more individuals are involved, it is possible to have
heterosexual and homosexual activities simultaneously.
Solitary Behavior
• Self-gratification means self-stimulation that leads to sexual
arousal and generally, climax. Usually, it takes place in private as
an end in itself, but can also be done in a sociosexual
relationships.
• It usually begins at or before puberty and most common in males
but less frequent or abandoned when sociosexual activity is
available.
• More males do this activity than females.
• Fantasies frequently involves idealized sexual partners and
activities that the individual has not yet experienced or might avoid
in real life.
Sociosexual Behavior
• Heterosexual Behavior is the greatest amount of sociosexual
behavior that occurs between only one male and one female.
• It usually begins at childhood and may be motivated by curiosity,
such as showing or examining the genitalia.
• Physical contact involving necking or petting is considered as an
ingredient of the learning process and eventually of courtship and the
selection of marriage.
• Petting (Making-out) differs from hugging, kissing and generalized
caresses of the clothed body to practice of involving stimulation of the
genitals. It could be done as an expression of affection and a source
of pleasure, preliminary to coitus.
Sociosexual Behavior
• Coitus is the insertion of the male reproductive structure into the female
reproductive organ. It is viewed by society quite differently depending on
the marital status of the individuals.
• Premarital Coitus is more likely to be tolerated but not encouraged in
western society.
• Marital Coitus is considered as an obligation in most countries.
• Extramarital Coitus involving wives is generally condemned but society is
more considerate in males than females who engage in extramarital
coitus.
• Postmarital Coitus, coitus by separated, divorced or widowed persons is
almost always ignored.
Physiology of Human Sexual
Response
Sexual Response
• Sexual response follows a pattern of sequential
stages or phases when sexual activity is continued.
Excitement Phase
• The initial stage in sexual response and is characterized by
sexual arousal.
• It is caused by increase in pulse and blood pressure;
• a sudden rise in blood supply to the surface of the body resulting
in increase of temperature, blushing, and swelling of all
distensible body parts particularly the reproductive parts, more
rapid breathing, the secretion of genital fluids, vaginal expansion,
and a general increase in muscle tension.

• This symptoms of arousal increase which leads to the next stage.

Plateau Phase
• Sexual arousal continues to build, and it reaches the a highly
aroused stage just before orgasm.
• It is generally of brief duration. If stimulation is continued,
orgasm usually occurs.
• Increased muscle tension, breathing, and heart rate. Further
engorgement (enlargement) of the genitalia.
Orgasm Phase or Sexual Climax
• It is marked by a feeling of abrupt, intense sexual pleasure,
a rapid increase in pulse rate and blood pressure, and spasms
of pelvic muscles causing contractions of the female
reproductive organ and ejaculation by the males.

• It is characterized by involuntary vocalizations and normally

lasts for a few seconds, after which the individual enters the
resolution phase.
Resolution Phase
• It is the last phase that refers to the return to a normal or
subnormal physiologic state.
• Males and females are similar in their response sequence.
Whereas males return to normal even if stimulation continues,
but continued stimulation can produce additional orgasms in
females.
• Females are physically capable of repeated orgasms without
the intervening rest period required by males.
Nervous System Factors
• The nervous system plays a significant role during sexual response. The
autonomic system is involved in controlling the involuntary responses. In
the presence of a stimulus capable enough of initiating a sexual
response, the efferent cerebrospinal nerves transmit the sensory
messages to the brain. The brain will interpret the sensory message and
dictate what will be immediate and appropriate response of the body.
• After the interpretation and integration of sensory input, the efferent
cerebrospinal nerves receive commands from the brain and send them
to muscles; the spinal cord serves as great transmission cable. The
muscles contract in response to the signal coming from the motor nerve
fibers while glands secrete their respective products. In short, sexual
response is dependent on the activity of the nervous system.
Nervous System Factors
• Hypothalamus and the limbic system are parts of the brain believed
to be responsible for regulating the sexual response, but there are no
specialized “sex center” that has been located in the human brain.
• Apart from brain-controlled sexual responses, there are some reflex
which are not brain-controlled. This reflex is mediated by the lower
spinal cord and leads to erection and ejaculation in males and vaginal
discharges and lubrication in females when the genital areas are
stimulated.
• But still, the brain can overrule and suppress such reflex activity – as it
does when an individual decides that a sex response is socially
inappropriate.
The Physical and
Sexual Self
 Sexual Problems
Sexual Problems can be classified into 3:
(1) Physiological Problems, (2) Psychological Problems,
and (3) Social Origin
Physiological Problems
• Physiological problems are least among the three categories.
Only a small number of people suffer from diseases that are due
to abnormal development of the genitalia or that part of the
neurophysiology controlling sexual responses.

• Majority can be resolved through medications and surgery.

• While problems of the nervous system that can affect sexual

response are more difficult to treat.
 Psychological problems

• Psychological problems comprise by far the largest category. They

are usually caused by socially induced embarrassments, maladaptive
attitudes, ignorance, and sexual myths held by society.

• An example of this is the belief that good, mature sex must involve
rapid erection, prolonged coitus, and simultaneous orgasm.
• Magazines, marriage books, and general sexual folklore often
strengthen these demanding ideals, which are not always achieved;
therefore can give rise to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety and guilt.
• Such negative emotions can affect the behavior of an individual.
Premature emission
• Premature emission of semen is a common problem,
especially for young males.
• Sometimes this is not caused of any psychological problem but
the natural result of excessive tension in a male who has been
sexually deprived.
• Occurs when a man experiences orgasm and expels semen
within a few moments of beginning sexual activity and with
minimal penile stimulation.
• It has also been called early ejaculation, rapid ejaculation,
rapid climax, premature climax.
Erectile impotence
• Is almost always of psychological origin in males under 40; in
older males, physical causes are more often involved.
• Fear of being impotent usually causes impotence, and the
afflicted male is simply caught up in self-perpetuating problem
that can only be solved by achieving a successful act of coitus.
• In other cases, impotence may be the result of disinterest in the
sexual partner, fatigue, and distraction because of nonsexual
worries, intoxication, or other causes – such as occasional
impotency which is common and requires no therapy.
Ejaculatory impotence

• It is the inability to ejaculate in coitus. The male achieves an

erection but cannot reach orgasm in the partner's vagina.
• The erection may be maintained for long periods, even long after
the female partner has achieved orgasm. This form
of impotence nearly always has an emotional rather than
physical cause.
• It appears to be associated with ideas of contamination or with
memories of traumatic experiences. Occasional ejaculatory
inability can be possibly expected in older men or in any male
who has exceeded his sexual capacity.
 Vaginismus
• Vaginismus is involuntary contraction of muscles around the
opening of the vagina in women with no abnormalities in the
genital organs. The tight muscle contraction makes sexual
intercourse or any sexual activity that involves penetration
painful or impossible.

• It can be due to anti-sexual conditioning or trauma that serves as

an unconscious defense against coitus. It can be treated by
psychotherapy and by gradually dilating the female reproductive
organ with increasing large cylinders.
Sexually Transmitted
Diseases
Sexually transmitted diseases (STD)

• Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are infections transmitted

from an infected person to an uninfected person through sexual
contact. Std’s can be caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites.
• STD’s can lead to long term health problems.
 HIV and AIDS

• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are two species of lentivirus that causes
HIV infections and over time turns into Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
(AIDS).
• Aids is a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system
allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive. Without
treatment, the survival time after infection is estimated to be 9 – 11 years.
• HIV is a sexually transmitted infection and occurs by contact with or transfer of
blood, pre-ejaculation, semen and vaginal fluids. It can also occur during child birth
by exposure to the mother’s blood or vaginal fluids, and through breastmilk.
 Chlamydia
• Is a super common bacterial infection that you can get from sexual contact with another person.
It is common among 14 – 24 years old. It is spread through vaginal, anal and oral intercourse.
• Symptoms of chlamydia can appear in both men and women,
including:
 Pain or burning while peeing
 Pain during sex
 Lower belly pain
 Abnormal vaginal discharge (may be yellowish and have a strong smell)
 Bleeding between periods.
 Pus or a watery/milky discharge from the penis.
 Swollen or tender testicles.
 Gonorrhea

• It is a sexually transmitted disease that can infect both men and

women. It can cause infections in the genitals, rectum, and throat.
• Signs and symptoms of gonorrhea infection in women include:
Increased vaginal discharge. Painful urination. Vaginal bleeding
between periods, such as after vaginal intercourse.
 Painful urination.
 Pus-like discharge from the tip of the penis.
 Pain or swelling in one testicle.
 Syphilis
• Syphilis causes sores on your genitals. The sores are usually painless, but they can easily spread the
infection to other people. You can get syphilis from contact with the sores.
• Syphilis symptoms may come and go for up to 2 years. They include body rashes that last 2 – 6 weeks
— often on the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet. There are lots of other symptoms,
including mild fever, fatigue, sore throat, hair loss, weight loss, swollen glands, headache, and muscle
pains.
 Chancroid
• Caused by infection with the bacterium haemophilus ducreyi. Clinical manifestations include
genital ulcers and buboes. Sexual transmission through skin-to-skin contact with open sore(s).
Non-sexual transmission when pus-like fluid from the ulcer is moved to other parts of the body or
to another person.
 Symptoms usually occur within four days to ten days from exposure. They rarely develop earlier than three days or later than ten
days.
 The ulcer begins as a tender, elevated bump, that becomes a pus-filled, open sore with eroded or ragged edges.
 The ulcer is soft to the touch (unlike a syphilis that is hard or rubbery).
 The ulcers can be very painful in men but women are often unaware of them.
 Because chancroid is often asymptomatic in women, they may be unaware of the lesion(s).
 Painful lymph glands may occur
 Human Papillomavirus
• You can get HPV by having vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who has the virus. HPV can be
passed even the infected person has no signs or symptoms. Genital warts usually appear as small
bumps in the genital area. It can be large, raised or flat, or shaped like a cauliflower.
• They commonly affect the vulva in women, or possibly the cervix, and the penis or scrotum in men.
They may also appear around the anus and in the groin.
 Herpes Simplex Virus
• Mainly transmitted by oral-to-oral contact which cause oral herpes or “cold sores” which can also
cause genital herpes. Symptoms of herpes include painful blisters or ulcers at the site of infection.
Signs and symptoms:
 Tingling, itching, or burning. Before the blisters appear, the skin may tingle, itch, or burn for a day or so.
 Sores. One or more painful, fluid-filled blisters may appear.
 Flu-like symptoms.
 Problems urinating.
 An eye infection (herpes keratitis).
 Trichomonas Vaginalis
• It is caused by a protozoan parasite and the causative agent of trichomoniasis. It usually occurs via
direct contact, skin to skin contact with an infected individual most often through vaginal intercourse.
• Symptoms :
• Itching, burning, redness or soreness of the genitals; discomfort with urination; A
change in their vaginal discharge (Thin discharge or increased volume) that can be clear,
white, yellowish, or greenish with an unusual fishy smell.
Natural Methods of
Contraception
Abstinence • This natural method involves
refraining from sexual intercourse
and is the most effective natural
birth control method with ideally 0%
fail rate.

• However, most people find it difficult

to comply with abstinence, so only
few use this method.
Calendar Method
• This method is also called as the
rhythm method. It entails
withholding from coitus during the
days that the woman is fertile.

• According to the menstrual cycle, the

woman is likely to conceive three or
four days before and three to four
days after ovulation.
Calendar Method • Ovulation refers to the release of a
mature egg (also known as ovum)
from one of the ovaries.
• It is only released on reaching
maturity.
• If fertilization does not occur, it will
result to menstruation.
• The woman needs to record her
menstrual cycle for six months in
order to calculate the woman’s safe
days to prevent conception.
 Basal Body Temperature
• The basal body temperature (BBT) is the body’s lowest
temperature, usually measured in the morning after a night full
of sleep and before physical activities or emotional stress.
• Before the day of ovulation or during ovulation, BBT falls at 0.5 ˚f;
it increases to a full degree because of progesterone and
maintains its level throughout the menstrual cycle.
• The woman must record her temperature every morning before
any activity.
• A slight decrease in the BBT followed by a gradual increase can be
a sign that a woman has ovulated (most fertile time).
 Cervical Mucus Method

• The change in the cervical mucus during ovulation is the basis

for this method.

• During ovulation, the cervical mucus is abundant, thin and

watery, wherein it can be stretch up until at least 1 inch and is
slippery.

• The woman is said to be fertile and therefore must avoid coitus.

Symptothermal Method

• The symptothermal method is basically a combination of the

BBT method and the cervical mucus method.
• The woman records her body temperature every morning and
also takes note of changes in her cervical mucus.
• She should abstain from coitus three days after the rise in her
temperature or on the fourth day after the peak of a mucus
change.
Ovulation Detection
• Use of an over the counter kit that
requires the urine sample of a
woman.

• The kit can predict ovulation

through the surge of luteinizing
hormone (LH) that happens 12 to 24
hours before ovulation.
Coitus Interruptus

• It is one of the oldest methods that prevents conception.

• A couple goes on with coitus, but the man withdraws the

moment he ejaculates to emit the sperms outside of the
female reproductive organ.

• A disadvantage of this method is the pre-ejaculation fluid that

contains a few sperms that may cause fertilization.
Artificial Methods of
Contraception
 • Also known as the pill, oral
Oral contraceptives contain synthetic
Contraceptives estrogen and progesterone.
• Estrogen suppresses the follicle
stimulating hormone or FSH and LH
to prevent ovulation.
• Progesterone also decreases the
permeability of the cervical mucus to
limit the sperm’s access to the ova.
• It is suggested that a woman takes
pills on sunday after the beginning of
a menstrual flow or as soon as it is
prescribed by the doctor.
 • Contains both estrogen and
Transdermal Patch progesterone.
• The woman should apply one patch
every week for three weeks on the
following areas: upper outer arm,
upper torso, abdomen and buttocks.
• At the fourth week, no patch is
applied because the menstrual flow
would then occur.
• The area where the patch is applied
should be clean, dry and free of
irritation.
 • The vaginal ring releases a
combination of estrogen and
Vaginal Ring progesterone and it surrounds the
cervix.

• This silicon ring is inserted into the

female organ and remains there for
three weeks and then removed on
the fourth week.

• The woman becomes fertile as soon

as the ring is removed.
Hormonal Injections • It is usually given once every 12
weeks.

• The injection causes changes in the

endometrium and cervical mucus
and can help prevent ovulation.
 • It is a small, t-shaped object
containing progesterone that is
inserted into the uterus via the
Intrauterine Device female reproductive organ.
(IUD)
• It prevents fertilization by creating a
local sterile inflammatory condition
to prevent implantation of the zygote.

• The IUD is fitted only by the physician

and inserted after the woman’s
menstrual flow. The device can be
effective for five to seven years.
 • Spermicides, vaginal gels and
creams, and glycerine films are used
Chemical Barriers to cause 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.

• On the other hand, these chemical

barriers cannot prevent sexually
transmitted infections.
 • It is a circular, rubber disk that fits
Diaphragm the cervix and should be placed
before coitus.
• It works by inhibiting the entrance
of the sperm into the female
reproductive organ.
• And it works better when used
together with a spermicide.
• The diaphragm should be fitted by
the physician, and should remain in
place for six hours after coitus.
Cervical Cap
• Is made of soft rubber and fitted on
the rim of the cervix.

• It is shaped like a thimble with a thin

rim, and could stay in place for not
more than 48 hours.
 • The male condoms is a latex or synthetic
rubber covering that is placed on the
Male Condoms erect male reproductive organ before
penetration into the female reproductive
organ to trap the sperm during
ejaculation.

• It can prevent STD’S and can be bought

over the counter.

• Male condoms have an ideal fail rate of

2% and a typical fail rate of 15% due to a
break in the sheath’s integrity or spilling
of sperms.
 • Also made of latex rubber sheaths
Female Condoms that are pre-lubricated with
spermicide.

• They are usually bound by two rings.

The outer ring is inserted against the
opening of the female reproductive
organ and the inner ring covers the
cervix.

• It is used to prevent fertilization of

the egg by the sperm cells.
 Surgical Methods
Vasectomy (for males)
• A small cut is made on each side of the scrotum. The vas deference is then tied,
cauterized, cut, or plugged to block the passage of the sperm.
• The patient is advised to use a backup contraceptive method until two negative
sperm count results are recorded because the sperm could remain viable in the vas
deference for six months.

Tubal Ligation (for females)

• It is performed after menstruation and before ovulation.
• The procedure is done through a small incision or cut under the woman’s
umbilicus that targets the fallopian tube for cutting, cauterizing, or blocking to
inhibit the passage of the sperm and ova.