UNDERSTANDING THE

SELF

CHAPTER 2
UNPACKING THE SELF
LESSON 1
The Physical
and
Sexual Self
OBJECTIVE
S
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
• Discuss the developmental aspect of the reproductive
system;
• Describe the erogenous zones;
• Explain human sexual behavior;
• Characterize the diversity of sexual behavior;
• Describe sexually transmitted diseases; and
• Differentiate natural and artificial methods of
contraception.
-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.
- Any intervention with the normal pattern of sex
hormone production in the embryo results in strange
abnormalities:
Pseudohermaphrodites are individuals having
accessory reproductive structures that do not “match”
their gonads;
Hermaphrodites are 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).
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.
- 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.
Diseases Associated with the Reproductive System
In Males:
- Common inflammatory conditions are prostatitis,
urethritis, and epididymitis.
- 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
- Any activity- solitary between two
persons, or in a group- that induces
sexual arousal (Gebhard, P.H. 2017)
- Two (2) major factors that determine
human sexual behavior:
a. Inherited sexual response patterns
b. Degree of restraint exerted on the
individual by society
Types of
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.
Types of
Behavior
2. Sociosexual Behavior
- 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 -Ejaculatory impotence, which results
- Physiological problems. Diseases that are from the inability to ejaculate in coitus,
due to abnormal development of the is uncommon and is usually of
genitalia or that part of the neurophysiology psychogenic origin.
controlling sexual response; -Vaginismus is a strong spasm of the
- Psychological problems. Caused by socially pelvic musculature constricting the
induced inhibitions, maladaptive attitudes, female reproductive organ so that
ignorance, and sexual myths held by society; penetration is painful or impossible.
- 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;
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. Trichomonas Vaginalis
Natural Methods of
Contraception
The natural family planning methods do not
involve any chemical or foreign body
introduction into the human body.
a. Abstinence
b. Calendar Method
c. Basal Body Temperature
d. Cervical Mucus Method
e. Symptothermal Method
f. Ovulation Detection
g. Coitus Interruptus
Artificial Methods of
Contraception
a. Oral Contraceptives
b. Transdermal Patch
c. Vaginal Ring
d. Subdermal Implants
e. Hormonal Injections
f. Intrauterine Device
g. Chemical Barriers
h. Diaphragm
i. Cervical Cap
j. Male Condoms
k. Female Condoms
l. Surgical Methods