SEXUAL SELF

IMPORTANT NOTE!
At the outset, I want to make it clear that when approaching this topic on the sexual self, it should not just
be as a biological process, but as a preparation to entering into and sustain an intimate, happy, and long-
time relationships in the future.

DEVELOPMENT OF SEX CHARACTERISTICS AND THE HUMAN

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 The beginning of adolescence is marked by rapid physical changes, including the maturation of
the reproductive system and development of the primary and secondary sex characteristic.
 The primary sex characteristics are physical characteristics that are present at birth.
 In women, these characteristics include the vagina, uterus, and ovaries.
 In men, the primary sex characteristics include the penis, testes or testicles, scrotum, and prostate
gland. The primary sex characteristics are directly involved in reproduction.
 The secondary sex characteristics develop during the onset of puberty.
 For women, the earliest evidences of puberty are the enlargement of breasts, menstrual cycle,
widening of hips, enlargement of buttocks, and growth of pubic hair.
 Testicular growth, sperm production, appearance of facial, pubic, and other body hair, and
deepening of voice are some of the first signs of puberty in men.
 During puberty, testosterone and other androgens stimulate the development of primary and
secondary sex characteristics and also increase sex drive.
 The level of testosterone production is fairly constant.
 In women, the ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone as well as small amount of
testosterone.
 Estrogen promotes female reproductive capacity and secondary sex characteristics.
 The production of female sex hormones follows a clinical pattern, on an approximately 28- day
monthly cycle.
 The greatest production occurs during ovulation period, when an egg is released from the ovaries.
 The two ovaries produce, store, and release egg cells during ovulation.
 Ovulation period can occur 1 days after the beginning of the menstrual period.
 The reproductive system is a system of sex organs designed for reproduction or sexual function.
 The female reproductive system comprises the two ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the vagina, and
the clitoris.

SEXUAL AROUSAL AND EROGENOUS ZONES: WHAT TURNS PEOPLE

ON
 Human sexual arousal may be produced by direct stimulation of the body’s erogenous zones.
 According to Freud, erogenous zones are areas of the body that provide pleasure
 Erogenous zones include the genitals, mouth, breast, ears, anus, and to a lesser degree, the entire
surface of the body.
  The male reproductive system includes the penis, the testes, the scrotum. the prostate gland, the
seminal vesicles, the vas deferens, and the epididymis.
 One of the most basic sexual stimulation is masturbation or self- stimulation that causes sexual
pleasure or orgasm.
 Other sexual activities such as intimate kissing, cuddling, necking, petting, or touching the
erogenous zones may be uniquely important to sexual arousal.
 In many species, sexual arousal is closely tied to variation in hormonal levels; in humans,
however, hormones play less of a role.
 In one sense, the brain is where sexual desire originates and where sexual behavior is controlled.
 Cognitive factors thus play an important role in sexual arousal in humans.
 Culture also influences the expression of sexual desire.

THE PHASES OF SEXUAL RESPONSE

 William Masters and Virginia Johnson use the term sexual- response cycle to describe the
changes that occur in the body as men and women become sexually aroused.
 The divide the sexual- response cycle into four phases: excitement, plateau, orgasm, and
resolution.
 The excitement phase is the beginning of sexual arousal and can last from one minute to several
arousal and can last from one minute to several hours. Pulse rate increases, blood pressure rises,
breathing quickens, and the skin shows a rosy flush particularly on the chest and breast areas
during this phase. The nipples harden and erect in both men and women. In men, the penis
becomes erect, the skin of the scrotum thickens, and the testes increase in [Link] women, the
clitoris swells, the lips of the vagina open, and the inside of the vagina moistens in preparation for
sexual intercourse.
 In the plateau phase, the changes in the body are continued. In men, the penis becomes more
erect, the circumference of its head increases, and releases few drops of fluid. In women, the
outer part of the vagina become redder in color. Breathing becomes more rapid, heart rate
increases, body temperature rises, and blood pressure increases during this stage.
 During the orgasmic phase, the orgasmic contractions of the muscles in and around the penis
stimulate the release of the semen which contains the sperm cells. Men usually achieve one
intense orgasm. In women, orgasm involves the contraction of the pelvic muscles that surround
the vaginal walls and can happen multiple times.
 In the resolution phase, the body returns to its normal state after orgasm. In men, the erection is
lost, the testes decrease in size, and the skin of the scrotum thins again. In women, the clitoris, the
color of the outer lips of the vagina, and the lips of the vagina return to its normal state.

ATTRACTION, LOVE, AND ATTACHMENT

 During adolescence, dating and courtship emerge and become increasingly important. Puberty is
a stage when many boys and girls experience their first sexual attraction. Romantic love is
especially important among college students.
 Attraction is a positive attitude held by one person toward another person.
 Initial attraction is influenced by social norms, physical attractiveness, and process of
interpersonal exchange.
  Psychologist Robert Sternberg suggests that there are three components of love: intimacy,
passion, and commitment.
 The intimacy component refers to the feelings of closeness, connectedness and bondedness.
 The passion component refers to drives that lead to romance, physical attraction, and sexual
consummation.
 Commitment component refers to the decision to love and the commitment to maintain that love.
 Attachment may also be called affectionate or companionate love.

SEXUAL ORIENTATION
 Sexual orientation refers to a person’s sexual and romantic interests either people of the opposite
sex or people of the same sex.
 The most common sexual orientation is heterosexual, in which people are sexually attracted to
members of the opposite sex.
 In homosexual orientation, people are attracted to and interested in relationship with people of the
same sex.
 Men with a homosexual orientation are referred to as gay while women with homosexual
orientation are referred to as lesbians.
 Bisexual people are attracted to both men and women.
 Transgender people are those who believe they were born with the body of the opposite sex.
Thus, some seek sex- change operation.
 Transsexual people are those whose genitals are surgically removed and are fashioned as the
genitals of the desired gender.

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STIs) AND EARLY

PREGNANCY
 Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are diseases that
are contracted primarily through sexual contact (vaginal, oral, or anal sex)
 STIs are increasing health problems.
 Some STIs affect the sex organs themselves, whereas other have broader and more life-
threatening effects.
 The bacterial infections are treatable with antibiotics, but those caused by viruses are more
difficult to treat and are often incurable such as HIV/AIDS.
 STIs commonly include human immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), gonorrhea, syphilis,
chlamydia, genital herpes, and genital warts.
 Anyone who is sexually active is at risk to sexually transmitted infections
 Hence, sexually active persons should practice safe sex.
 However, it is important to remember that not having sex can be the safest sex method to avoid
all forms of sexually transmitted infections as well as other sexual problems such as early
pregnancy.
METHODS OF CONTRACEPTION AND THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
LAW
 Contraception refers to methods that are used to prevent pregnancy.
 Some methods of contraception such as condom can also be used to prevent some sexually
transmitted infections (STIs). Other common methods of contraception available in the
Philippines include intrauterine device or IUD, birth control injection, withdrawal method,
calendar method, cervical mucus or the Billings method.
 Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 or otherwise known as
Reproductive Health Law or RH Law, is a law that guarantees universal access to methods on
contraception, fertility control, sexual education, and maternal care.
 The RH bill provides for “Prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS and other STIs/ STDs.”
 The reproductive health law or RH Law aims to keep couples and especially women, well-
informed about available family planning methods that they can freely use depending o their
needs and beliefs.
 As well, it aims to promote adolescent and youth health and propagate information on sexuality
and reproductive health through proper care and sex education.

ACTIVITY: REFLECTING ON THE SEXUAL SELF

This activity encourages self- awareness while keeping the topic sensitive and reflective. It also helps you
understand how your sexual self relates to other aspects of identity.
Write a reflective essay on the topic “sexual self”. In your reflection, consider the following guide
questions:

- How do you define your sexual self?

- What factors have influenced the development of your sexual identity (e.g., family, media,
education, culture)?
- How do you think your views in sexuality have changed over time?
- What are your thoughts on the role of sexual health education in shaping one’s sexual self?
- How does understanding your sexual self’ impact your relationships and decision-making?

Ensure your reflection is personal, thoughtful, and respectful or diverse perspectives on sexuality