UNPACKING THE SELF

LESSON 1: THE
PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL
SELF
PREPARED BY : DAISY CLUTARIO TUGADE
BSED 1- SCIENCE
INTRODUCTION
 It has been believed that sex chromosomes of
humans define the sex ( female or male ) and their
characteristics . From childhood , we are controlled
by our genetic make up. 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 medication 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
behaviors.
ABSTRACTION
 Marieb, E,N, (2001) explains the gonads
( reproductive glands that produce the gametes; testes or
ovary ) begin to form until about the eighth week of
embryonic development . During the early stages of
human development , the embryonic reproductive
structures of males and females are alike and said to be
indifferent stage. When the primary reproductive
structures are formed development of the accessory
structures and external genitalia begins . The formation of
male and female structures depends on the presence of
testosterone and the formation of the duct system and
external genitalia follows . In the case female embryonic
that from ovaries , it will cause the development of the
female ducts and external genitalia since testosterone
hormone is not produce .
 Any intervention with the normal pattern or sex hormone
production in the embryo results in strange abnormalities . For
instance , a genetic male development the female structures and
external genitalia if the embryonic testes fail the produce
testosterone . On the other hand , if a genetic female exposed to
testosterone ( as in the case of a mother with androgen-
producing tumor of her adrenal gland), the embryo has ovaries
but my develop male accessory ducts and glands , as well as
male reproductive system organ and empty scrotum. As a
result , PSUEDOHERMAPHRODITES are formed who are
individuals having accessory reproductive structures that do not
‘match’ their gonads while true hermaphrodites are individuals
who possess both ovarian and testicular tissues but this
condition is rare in nature . Nowadays , many
psuedohermaphrodites undergo sex change operations to have
their outer selves ( external genitalia ) fit with their inner selves
( gonads ).
Female reproductive system
8th week embryonic development
Male and female embryonic structure
 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 cryptonchidism . This
condition usually occurs in young males and causes sterility
( which is also a risk factor for cancer of testes ) that is why
surgery is usually performed during childhood to solve this
problem.
 Moreover ,abnormal separation of chromosomes during meiosis
can lead to congenital defects of the reproductive system. For
instance , males who possess extra female sex chromosomes
have the normal male accessory structures , but atrophy ( to
shrink ) of their testes causes them to be sterile . Other
abnormalities result when a child has only one sex
chromosomes.
 An XO female appears normal but lacks of ovaries .
 YO males die during development .
PUBERTY
 Is the period of life , generally between the ages of 10 and 15years
old ,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 ). After
this time , reproductive capability continues until old age in males
and menopause in females .
 The changes that occur during puberty is similar in sequence in all
individuals but the age of 13 , puberty is characterized by the
increase in the size of the reproductive organs followed by the
appearance of the hair in the pubic area , axillary , and the face. The
reproductive organs continue to grow for two years until sexual
maturation marked by the presence of mature semen in the testes .
 In females, the budding of their breasts usually occurring at the age
of 11 signals their puberty stages . Menarche is the first menstrual
period of females which happens two years after the start of
puberty . Hormones play an important role in the regulation of
ovulation and fertility of females.
16 EFFECTS OF TESTOSTERONE ON THE BODY
DISEASE 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 diseases is low. The usual infections include those
caused by ESCHERICHIA COLI which spread through the
digestive tract ; the sexually transmitted microorganism such as
syphilis , gonorrhea , and herpes virus ; and yeast ( a type of
fungus ) . Vaginal infection that are left untreated may spread
throughout the female reproductive tract and may cause pelvic
inflammatory disease and sterility . 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 of which may follow sexual
contacts in which sexually transmitted disease ( STD)
microorganism are transmitted . Orchiditis , or inflammation of the
testes , is rather uncommon but it serious because it can cause
 Neoplasms are the major threat to reproductive organs . tumors of the
breast and cervix are the most common reproductive cancers in adult
females , and prostate cancer ( a common sequel to prostatic
hypertrophy ) is a widespread problem in adult males.
 Most women hit the highest point of their reproductive abilities in their
late 20’s . A natural decrease in ovarian function usually follows
characterized by reduced estrogen production that causes irregular
ovulation and shorter menstrual periods. Consequently , ovulation and
menses stop entirely , ending childbearing ability . This event is called
as menopause , which occurs when females no longer experience
menstruation.
 The production of estrogen may still continue after menopause but the
ovaries finally stop functioning as endocrine organs . The reproductive
organs and breast begin to atrophy or shrink if estrogen is no longer
released from the body . The vagina becomes dry that causes
intercourse to become painful ( particularly if frequent ) and vaginal
infections become increasingly common. Other consequences of
estrogen is no longer deficiency may also be observed including
irritability and other mood changes ( depression in some ) ; intense
vasodilation of the skin’s blood vessels , which causes uncomfortable
 Gradual thinning of the skin and loss of bone mass ;
and slowly rising blood cholesterol levels , which place
postmenopausal women at risk for cardiovascular
disorder . Some physicians prescribe low-dose
estrogen-progestin preparations to help woman
through this usually difficult period and to prevent
skeletal and cardiovascular complications .
 There is no counterpart for menopause in males .
Although aging men show a steady decline in
testosterone secretion , their reproductive capability
seems unending. Healthy men are able to father
offspring well into their 80’s and beyond.
ESCHERICHIA COLI
GONNORRHEA
HERPES
EROGENOUS ZONES
 Erogenous zones refers 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 , breast , genitals , and anus. Erogenous zones may vary
from one person to another . Some people may enjoy being
touch in a certain area more than the other areas . Other
common areas of the body that can be aroused easily may
include the neck , thights , abdomen , and feet.
HUMAN SEXUAL BEHAVIOR
Human sexual behavior is defined as any activity – solitary
between two persons , or in a group – that includes sexual
arousal ( Gebhard , P.H.2017) . 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 become part of each individuals genetic inheritance , and
the degree of restraint or the other types of influences exerted on
TYPES OF BEHAVIOR
 The various types of human sexual behavior are usually classified
according to the gender and number of participants . There is solitary
behavior involving only one individual , and there is sociosexual behavior
involving more than one person. Sociosexual behavior is generally divided
into heterosexual behavior ( male with female ) and homosexual behavior
( male with male or female with female ). If three or more individuals are
involved , it is , possible to have heterosexual and homosexual activity
simultaneously ( Gebhard , P.H. 2017 ).
SOLITARY BEHAVIOR
Self-gratification means self-stimultion that leads to sexual arousal and
generally , sexual climax. Usually , most self-gratification takes place in
private as an end in self , but can also be done in a sociosexual relationship.

Self –gratification , generally beginning at or before puberty , is very

common among young males , but becomes less frequent or is abandoned
when sociosexual activity is available . consequently , self-gratification is
most frequent among the unmarried . there are more males who performed
acts of self –gratification than females . The frequency greatly varies among
individuals and it usually decreases as soon s they develop sociosexual
relationship.
SOCIOSEXUAL BEHAVIOR
 Heterosexual behavior is the greatest amount of sociosexual behavior that
occurs between only one male and female, it usually begins in childhood and
may be motivated by curiosity , such as showing or examining genitalia.
There is varying degree od sexual impulse and responsiveness among
children. Physical contact involving necking or petting is considered as an
ingredient on 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 . Petting may be
done as an expression of affection and a source of pleasures , preliminary to
coitus. Petting has been regarded by others as a near universal human
experience and is important not only in selecting the partner but as the way of
learning how to interact with another person sexually.
 Coitus , the insertion of the male reproductive structure into the female
reproductive organ , is viewed by society quite differently depending upon the
material status of the individuals . Majority of human societies allow
premarital coitus , at least under certain circumstances . In modern western
society , premarital coitus is more likely to be tolerated but not encouraged if
the individuals intend marriage. Moreover, in most societies , marital coitus is
considered as an obligation . Extramarital coitus involving wives is generally
condemned and , it permitted , is allowed only under exceptional conditions
or with specified persons. Societies are becoming more considerate toward
males than females who engage in extramarital coitus. This double standard
of morality is also evident in premarital life . postmarital coitus (i.e.,coitus by
separated , divorced or widowed persons ) is almost always ignored . There
is a difficulty in in enforcing abstinence among sexually experienced and
usually older people for societies that try to confine coitus in married couple.
Physiology of human sexual responses
Sexual response follows a pattern of sequential stages or phrases 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 (particularly noticeable in the male
reproductive structure and female breasts) more
rapid breathing, the secretion of genital fluids,
vaginal expansion, and general increase in muscle
tension. These 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, a rapid increase in pulse rate and blood pressure, and spasms of the
pelvic muscle causing contractions of the female reproductive organ and
ejaculation by the male. It is also characterized by involuntary vocalization.
Sexual climax may last for a few seconds (normally not over ten), after which
the individual enters the resolution phase.

4.RESOLUTION PHASE- it is the last stage 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 entire nervous system plays a significant role during sexual

response. The autonomic system is involved in controlling the
involuntary response. 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 the
immediate and appropriate response of the body. After
interpretation and integration of sensory input, the efferent
cerebrospinal nerves receive commands from the brain and send
them to the muscles; and the spinal cord serves as a great
transmission cable. The muscles contract in response to the
signal coming from the motor nerve fibers while glands secrete
their respective products. Hence, sexual response is dependent
on the activity of the nervous system.
 The hypothalamus and the limbic system are the parts of the brain believed
to be responsible for regulating the sexual response , but there is no
specialized “ sex center” that has been located in the human brain . Animal
experiment show that each individuals has coded in its brain two sexual
response patterns , one for mounting (masculine) behavior and one for
mounted ( feminine ) behavior . Sex hormones can intensify the mounting
behavior of individuals . Normally , one response pattern is dominant and the
other latent can still be initiated when suitable circumstances occur,. The
degree to which such innate patterning exists in humans is still unknown.

 Apart from brain-controlled sexual responses , there is some reflex (i.e.,not

brain-controlled)sexual response . This reflex is mediated by the lower spinal
cord and leads to erection and ejaculations for male , vaginal discharges and
lubrication for female when the genital and perineal areas are stimulated . But
still , the brain can overrule and suppress such reflex activity-as it does when
an individual decides that a sexual response is socially inappropriate.
SEXUAL PROBLEM
Sexual problems may be classified as psychological , and social in origin .
Any given problem may involve all three categories.
PHYSIOLOGICAL PROBLEMS are the least among the three categories .
Only a small number of people suffer from disease that are due to abnormal
development of the genitalia or that part of the neurophysiology controlling
sexual response. Some common physiologic that can disturb sexual
response include vaginal infection, retroverted uteri , prostatitis adrenal
tumors , diabetes , senile changes of the vagina , and cardiovascular
problems .fortunately , the 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 comprise by far the largest category . They are
usually caused by socially induced inhitations , maladaptive attitudes ,
ignorance , and sexual myths held by society. An example of the letter 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 resulting negative emotions can definitely affect the behavior of an
individual.
 Premature emission of semen is a common problem, especially for young
males. Sometimes this is not the consequences of any psychological
problem but the natural result of excessive tension in a male who has been
sexually deprived . 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 frequently causes impotence , and , in many
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 . In other
cases the importance may be the result of disinterest in the sexual partner ,
fatigue , and distraction because of nonsexual worries , intoxiation , or other
causes – such occational impotency is common and requires no theraphy.
 Ejaculatory importance , which results from the inability to ejaculate in coitus ,
is uncommon and is usually of psychogenic origin. It appears to be
associated with ideas of contamination or with memories of traumatic
experiences . occassional ejaculatory inability can be possibly expected in
older men or in any male who has exceeded his sexual capacity
 Vaginismus is a strong spasm of the pelvic musculature
constricting the female reproductive organ so that penetration is
painful or impossible . It can be due to anti-sexual conditioning
or psychological trauma that serves as an gradually dilating the
female reproductive organ with increasingly large cylinder.
PART 2. OF REPORTING

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