CHAPTER 2

UNPACKING THE SELF

LESSON 1: The Physical and Sexual Self

Specific Learning Outcomes

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

1. Discuss the developmental aspect of the reproductive system;

2. Describe the erogenous zones;
3. Explain human sexual behavior;
4. Characterize the diversity of sexual behavior;
5. Describe sexually transmitted diseases; and
6. Differentiate natural and artificial methods of contraception.

 The gonads (reproductive glands that produce the gametes; testis 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 are
said to be in the indifferent stage.
 The formation of male or female structures depends on the presence of testosterone.The
embryonic testes release testosterone, and the formation of the duct system and external
genitalia follows.
 Female embryos that form ovaries will cause the development of the female ducts and
external genitalia since testosterone hormone is not produced.
 Any intervention with the normal pattern of sex hormone production in the embryo results in
strange abnormalities:
 Pseudohermaphrodites - formed who are individuals having accessory reproductive
structures that do not ―match‖ their gonads;
 Hermaphrodites - individuals who possess both ovarian and testicular tissues but this
condition is rare in nature.
 Puberty is the period of life 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).
 Menarche is the first menstrual period of females which happens two years after the start of
puberty.
DISEASES ASSOCIATED WITH THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

In Females
 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 and sterility.
 Escherichia coli which spread through the digestive tract; the sexually transmitted
microorganisms such as syphilis, gonorrhea, and herpes virus; and yeast (a type of
fungus)
 Painful or abnormal menses may also be due to infection or hormone imbalance.
 Tumors of the breast and cervix are the most common reproductive cancers in adult
females.

In Males:
 Common inflammatory conditions are prostatitis, urethritis, and epididymitis, all of
which may follow sexual contacts in which sexually transmitted infection(STI)
microorganisms are transmitted.
 Orchiditis, or inflammation of the testes, can cause sterility and most commonly follows
mumps in an adult male.
 Prostate cancer (a common sequel to prostatic hypertrophy) is a widespread problem in
adult males.
 Although aging men show a steady decline in testosterone secretion, their reproductive
capability seems unending.

Erogenous Zones
They refer to parts of the body that are primarily receptive and increase sexual arousal when
touched in a sexual manner.

HUMAN SEXUAL BEHAVIOR

It is defined as any activity—solitary, between two persons, or in a group—that induces

sexual arousal.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 the degree
of restraint or other types of influence exerted on the individual by society in the expression of
his/her sexuality.

TWO TYPES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR

1. Solitary Behavior
 Self-gratification means self-stimulation that leads to sexual arousal and generally, sexual
climax; most self-gratification takes place in private as an end in itself.
 Self-gratification is most frequent among the unmarried; there are more males who
perform acts of self-gratification than females.
 It becomes less frequent or is abandoned when sociosexual activity is available.

2. SociosexualBehavior
 Heterosexual behavior is the greatest amount of sociosexual behavior that occurs between
only one male and one female.
 It usually begins in childhood and may be motivated by curiosity, such as showing or
examining genitalia.
 Physical contact involving necking or petting is considered as an ingredient of the
learning process.
  Petting differs from hugging, kissing, and generalized caresses of the clothed body to
practice involving stimulation of the genitals.
 Coitus, the insertion of the male reproductive structure into the female reproductive
organ, is viewed by society quite differently depending upon the marital status of the
individuals.

PHYSIOLOGY OF HUMAN SEXUAL RESPONSE

1. Excitement phase. There is increase in pulse and blood pressure, and skin temperature.
Flushing and swelling of all distensible body parts are also experienced. 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.
4. Resolution phase. It is the last stage that refers to the return to a normal or subnormal
physiologic state.

NERVOUS SYSTEM FACTORS

 The autonomic system is involved in controlling the involuntary responses.
 The hypothalamus and the limbic system are the parts of the brain believed to be
responsible for regulating the sexual response.
 The lower spinal cord leads to erection and ejaculation for male, and vaginal discharges
and lubrication for female when the genital and perineal areas are stimulated.

SEXUAL PROBLEMS
 Physiological problems. Diseases that are due to abnormal development of the genitalia
or that part of the neurophysiology controlling sexual response;
 Psychological problems. Caused by socially induced inhibitions, maladaptive attitudes,
ignorance, and sexual myths held by society;
 Premature emission of semen is a common problem, especially for young males;
 Erectile impotence is almost always of psychological origin in males under 40; in older
males, physical causes are more often involved;
 Ejaculatory impotence, which results from the inability to ejaculate in coitus, is
uncommon and is usually of psychogenic origin.
 Vaginismus is a strong spasm of the pelvic musculature constricting the female
reproductive organ so that penetration is painful or impossible.

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

These are bacterial, viral, or parasitic

infections transmitted from an infected person
to an uninfected person through sexual contact.

1. Chlamydia
2. Gonorrhea
3. Syphilis
4. Chancroid
5. Human Papillomavirus
6. Herpes Simplex Virus
7. TrichomonasVaginalis
NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL METHODS OF CONTRACEPTION

 Natural Method
The natural family planning methods do not involve any chemical or foreign body introduction
into the human body.

1. Abstinence
 Involves refraining from sexual intercourse and is the most effective natural birth
control method with ideally 0% fail rate.
2. Calendar Method
 Also called the rhythm method.
 Entails withholding from coitus during the days that the woman is fertile.

3. Basal Body Temperature (BBT)

 Indicates the woman’s temperature at rest.
4. Cervical Mucus Method
 The change in the cervical mucus during ovulation is the basis for this method.
 The women is said to be fertile as long as the cervical mucus is copious and watery.
Therefore, she must avoid coitus during those days to prevent conception .
5. Symptothermal Method
 A combination of the BBT and the cervical mucus method.
6. Ovulation Detection
 Uses an over the counter kit that requires the urine sample of the woman.
 7. Coitus Interruptus
 Oldest methods that prevents conception.
 A couple still goes on coitus, but the man withdraws the moment he ejaculates to emit
the spermatozoa outside of the female reproductive organ.

 Artificial Methods

1. Oral Contraceptives
 Also known as pill
 Contain synthetic estrogen and progesterone.

2. Transdermal Patch
 The woman should apply one patch every week for three weeks on the following
areas: upper outer arm, upper torso, abdomen, or buttocks.

3. Vaginal Ring
 This silicon ring is inserted into the female reproductive organ and remains there for
three weeks and then removed on the fourth week, as menstrual flow would occur.

Youtube video: https://youtu.be/mjPE97vrUZU

4. Subdermal Implants
 Two rod like implants inserted under the skin of the female during her menses or on
the seventh day of her menstruation to make sure that she will not get pregnant.

5. Hormonal Injections
 Contains medroxyprogesterone, a progesterone, and is usually given once every
twelve weeks intramuscularly.

6. Intrauterine Device (IUD)

 A small, T-shaped object containing progesterone that is inserted into the uterus via
the female reproductive organ.

7. Chemical Barriers
 Chemical barriers such as spermicides, viginal gels abd creams, and glycerine films
are used to cause the death of sperms before they can enter the cervix.
8. Diaphragm
 A circular, rubber disk that fits the cervix and should be placed before coitus.

9. Cervical Cap
 Made of soft rubber and fitted on the rim of the cervix.

10. Male Condoms

 A latex or synthetic rubber sheath that is placed on the erect male reproductive organ
before penetration into the female reproductive organ to trap the sperm during
ejaculation.

11. Female Condoms

 Made up of rubber sheaths that are pre-lubricated with spermicide.
 Used to prevent fertilization of the egg by the sperm cells.
12. Surgical Methods
 Vasectomy – a small incision that is made on each side of the scrotum.

 Tubal ligation- the procedure is done through a small incision under the woman’s
umbilicus that targets the fallopian tube for cutting, cauterizing, or blocking to inhibit
the passage of both the sperm and the ova.
Reference:
Book:
Alata, E.J., Caslib, B.N.,Jr., Serafica, J.P., Pawilen, R.A.(2018).Understanding the Self(First Edition).Manila, Philippines: Rex Book Store, Inc