UNPACKING THE SELF
The Physical and Sexual Self
Lesson Objectives:
1. Discuss the development aspect of the
reproductive system.
2. Describe the erogenous zones.
3. Explain human sexual behavior.
4. Characterize the diversity of sexual behavior
The gonads (reproductive glands that produce the
gametes; testis or ovary) begin to form until about
the eight 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. When the primary reproductive
structures are formed, development of the accesory
structures and external genitalia begins.
Any intervention with the normal pattern of sex
hormone production in the embryo results in
strange abnormalities. As a result, pseudo
hermaphrodites are formed who are individuals
having accesory reproductive structures that do not
match their gonads.
Nowadays, many pseudo hermaphrodites undergo
sex change operations to have their outer selves
(external genitalia) fit with their inner selves
(gonads).
Puberty is the period of life, generally between the ages
of 10 to 15 years 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 and in males and menopause in females. The
changes that occur during puberty is similar in sequence
in all individuals but the age which they occur differs
among individuals.
In males, as they reach the age of 13, puberty is
characterics by the increase in the size of the
reproductive organs followed by the appearance of hair
in the pubic area. The reproductive organs (axillary and
face) continue to grow for two years until sexual
maturation marked by the presence of mature semen in
the testes. In females, the building of their breasts
usually occurring at the age of 11 signals their puberty
stage.
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.
DISEASES 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 infection include those caused by 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)
Vaginal infections 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.

 Diseases Associated with the Reproductive System
 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) micro organism are transmitted.
Orchiditis, or inflammation of the testes, is rather
uncommon but is serious because it can cause
sterility. Orchiditis most commonly follows
mumps in an adult male.
 Neoplasms are a major threat to reproductive
organs. Tumors of 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
 Menopause- an event in which ovulation and
menses stop entirely, ending childbearing ability.
 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 still
able to father offspring well into their 80’s and
beyond.
Erogenous Zones
 Erogenous zones refer to parts of the body that
are primarily receptive and increase sexual
arousal when touch in a sexual manner.
 Some of the commonly erogenous zones are the
mouth, breast, genitals, and anus.
 Erogenous zones may vary from one person to
another. Some people may enjoy being touched
in a certain area more than the other areas.
Other common areas of the body that can be
aroused easily may include the neck, thighs,
abdomen, and feet.
Human Sexual Behavior
 Human sexual behavior as any activity- solitary,
between two person, or in a group- that induces
sexual arousal (Gebhard, P.H. 2017).
Two Major factors determine human sexual
behavior
1. The inherited sexual response patterns that
have evolved as a means of ensuring
reproduction and that become part of each
individual’s genetic inheritance.
2. Degree of restraint or other types of influence
exerted on the individual by society in the
expression of his sexuality.
Types of Behavior
1. Solitary Behavior- involving only one individual.
Self gratification- means self stimulation that
leads to sexual arousal and generally, sexual
climax. Usually, most self-gratification takes
place in private as an end in itself but can also
be done in a sociosexual relationship.
- Generally beginning at or before puberty, is very
common among young males, but becomes less
frequent or is abandoned when sociosexual
activity is available.
- Most frequent among the unmarried
- More males who perform acts of self-gratification
than females.
- Frequency varies among individual, and it is
usually decreasing as soon as they develop
sociosexual relationship.
- Majority of males and females have fantasies of
some sociosexual activity while they gratify
themselves.
2. Sociosexual Behavior- sex involving more than one
person, generally divided into: Heterosexual and
Homosexual.
Heterosexual behavior- is the greatest amount of
sociosexual behavior that occurs between only one male
and one female. It is usually begins in childhood and
may be motivated by curiosity, such as showing or
examining genitalia.
Physical contact- involving necking and petting is
considered as an ingredient of 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.
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.
 Premarital coitus
 Marital coitus
 Extramarital coitus
 Postmarital coitus
 Majority of human societies allow premarital
coitus, at least under certain circumstances.
 Post marital coitus ( by separated, divorced, or
widowed person) is almost always ignored
 A behavior may be interpreted by society or the
individual as erotic (capable of engendering
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.
 Physiology of Human Sexual Response
 sexual response follows a pattern of sequential
stages or phases when sexual activity is
continued.
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 skin
temperature, flushing, and swelling of all
distensible body parts (particularly noticeable in
the male reproductive structure and female
breasts), more rapid breathing, the secretion of
genital fluids, vaginal expansion, and a general
increase in muscle tension. These symptoms of
arousal eventually increase to a near maximal
physiological level that leads to the next stage.
Plateau Phase
 It is generally of brief duration. If stimulation is
continued, orgasm usually occurs.
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
muscles causing contractions of the female
reproductive organ and ejaculation by the male.
 It is also characterized by involuntary
vocalizations.
 Sexual climax may last for a few seconds
(normally not over ten), after which the individual
enters the resolution phase.
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.
 Stimulus-efferent cerebrospinal nerves-(sensory
mgs)-brain-excitment-efferent cerebrospinal
nerves-muscle trough the spinal cord.
 Hypothalamus and the limbic system are
believed to be responsible for regulating the
sexual response.
 Aside from brain-controlled sexual responses,
there is some reflex sexual response.
Sexual Problems
Maybe classified as:
 Physiological
 Psychological
 Social in origin
Physiological problems- are the least among the three
catergories. Only a small number of people of people
suffer from diseases that are due to abnormal
development of the genitalia or that part of the
neurophysiology controlling sexual response.
Psychological problems- compromise by far the
largest category They are usually caused by socially
induced inhibitions, maladaptive attitudes, ignorance,
and sexually myths held by society.
 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.
 Ejaculatory impotence- which results from the
inability to ejaculate in coitus.

 Vaginismus- a strong spasm of the pelvic

musculature constricting the female reproductive
organ so that penetration is painful or
impossible.