REPRODUCTION AND

SEXUALITY
 Why Do Youth Need Sex
Education
• Need the right information to protect
themselves
• Teenagers have the highest rates of
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
of any age group
• 1 in 4 youth contract an STD by age
21
Youth Talk about Sex Education
 We can’t talk to parents
 Schools limit or prohibit
discussion
 The adults should be helping
youth learn to deal with the
consequences of sex instead
 they only seem to want to
restrain it
 Abstinence only Sex Education
 Reasons Teens Give for Having
Sex [Source: Lewis Harris Poll 1986]

1.Peer/social pressure
2.It feels good
3.Pressure from partner
4.No longer a virgin, so what's it matter?
5.Rebellion
6.Curiosity
7.An expression of love & a response to
the need to be loved
8.Lack of understanding about real love
 Having sex can be risky
It's not like it's shown on the
movies or TV
Characters rarely get pregnant
or contract a sexually
transmitted disease
Sexual Subjectivity - Being able to
acknowledge, accept and take pleasure in
one’s body and feelings associated with one’s
body

Sexual Agency - Being able to make active

decisions about one’s body and being able to
control, shape and change one’s sexual
practice
• Sexuality refers to the expression of
who we are. It involves a person’s
thoughts, feelings, and sexual
expression and relationships, as well
as the biology of the sexual response
system.
• Sexual health is the ability to enjoy
and express one’s sexuality free from
the risks of sexually transmitted
infections, unwanted pregnancy,
coercion, violence, and discrimination
• More than the absence of disease
• More than safer sex behaviors
• Sexual well-being
• One’s sex refers to one’s biological
characteristics—anatomical (breasts,
vagina; penis, testicles),
physiological (menstrual cycle;
spermatogenesis), and genetic (XX;
XY)—as a female or as a male.
Gender refers to what a person,
society, or legal system defines as
“female” or “male.” A gender role
describes the set of socially or
culturally defined attitudes,
behaviors, expectations, and
responsibilities that is considered
appropriate for women (feminine)
and men (masculine).
One’s gender identity (also
known as sexual identity) refers
to the personal, private
conviction each individual has
about being “feminine” or
“masculine.”
 Reproductive health
is a state of complete physical, mental and
social well being, and not merely the
absence of disease or infirmity, in all matters
relating to the reproductive system and its
functions and processes.

• Source: Global Policy Committee of the World Health Organization, 2 May 1994; and
the WHO Position paper on health, Population and Development, Cairo 5-13
September 1994
REVIEW OF THE ANATOMY
& PHYSIOLOGY OF THE
MALE REPRODUCTIVE
SYSTEM
Functions: Urination and
Copulation

Penis
Functions: Transport urine &
semen

Bladder

Urethra
 Function: Maintain
temperature of testes
approx. 30 C below normal
body temp.

Scrotum
Function: Produce sperm and
testosterone

Testis
Function: Produce Sperm

Seminiferous Tubules

Testis
Function: Sperm storage and
maturation

Epididymis
Function: Transport sperm to
urethra

Vas
Deferens
Function: Produce 60% of
alkaline semen including
fructose to provide energy
for sperm.
Seminal
Vesicles
Ejaculatory Duct
Function: Produces up to 1/3
of the semen & includes
nutrients & enzymes to
activate sperm.

Prostate
Function: Secretes mucous &
alkaline buffers to neutralize
acidic conditions of urethra.

Cowper’s
Gland
REVIEW OF THE ANATOMY
& PHYSIOLOGY OF THE
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE
SYSTEM
Function: Receives penis
& semen and serves as
birth canal & passage for
menstrual flow.

Vagina
Function: Provides passageway
for sperm, receives blastocyst,
retains & nourishes fetus &
expels fetus at term.

Uterus
 Function: Cervical mucosa
secretes mucous blocking cervical
canal entrance to uterus.

Cervix
Function: Uterine lining in
which implantation occurs.

Endometrium
Function: Muscular
contractions.

Myometrium
Function: Passageway for
oocyte and site of
fertilization.
Uterine
Tubes
Function: Produce oocytes &
the hormones estrogen and
progesterone.
Ovaries
 Function: Sweep ovarian
surface to draw oocyte into
ovarian tube.

Fimbriae
 • The Gräfenberg spot,
or G-spot, is a small
G-SPOT area in the genital area
of women behind the
pubic bone and
surrounding the urethra.
• When this spot, located
inside the vaginal wall,
is stroked, there is a
sensation or urge to
urinate, but if the
stroking is continued
during sexual arousal it
can be sexually
pleasurable.
• For some women, it can
be a primary source of
stimulation leading to
orgasm during
intercourse while having
sex in positions that use
the penis to stimulate
the frontal wall of the
vagina.
BREASTS

• The term breast, also

known as mammary
glands in anatomy, (from
Latin mamma), refers to
the upper ventral region
of a mammal’s torso,
including human beings.
In addition, the breasts
are parts of a female
mammal's body which
contain the organs that
secrete milk used to feed
infants.
 Menstruation

• Is the process of
endometrial
shedding off
• Lasts 1–7 days
• Sheds 35–50 ml
blood
• Menarche
– The first uterine
cycle
– Begins at puberty
• age 11–12
• Ovulation timing and cycle length. Regardless of the length
of the cycle, ovulation occurs 14 days before menstruation.
 Sexual development through
adolescence
• Before birth, the human sexual response cycle begins. The male fetus
achieves erections in utero—and some males are even born with erections.
The female sexual response cycle is also functional before birth.
• From ages 6 months to 1 year, genital self-exploration and
masturbation occur for both sexes. As soon as babies can touch their
bodies, they begin to explore their genitals.
• By 2 years of age, children are aware of their biological sex and show an
understanding of sexual identity.
• At 3–5 years of age, children begin to conform to society’s messages
about how females and males should act, showing an understanding of
gender roles. Also at this age, children will begin asking where babies
come from.
• At 5–12 years, depending on cultural factors, children begin to show
romantic interest. The first signs of sexual orientation (preference toward
males or females or both) characterize this phase.
• At ages 8–13 years, the first physical signs of puberty begin. This period
is a transition from childhood to maturity and may occur slightly earlier for
girls than boys. Girls between ages 9 and 16 experience first
menstruation; boys between ages 11 and 18 see the onset of sperm
production. (These pubertal milestones depend on the child’s nutritional
status and may be delayed if nutritional status is severely compromised.)
• By ages 10–15, young people usually begin to engage in romantic
activity. This milestone depends heavily on cultural factors.
STAGE FEMALE DEVELOPMENT MALE DEVELOPMENT AGE

RANGE

1
No breast budding Prepubertal,small penis and testes <10
No pubic hair growth No pubic hair growth years

2
Small breast buds Testes grow 10–13
Fine, delicate, fuzzy pubic hair growth Scrotal skin becomes redder and coarser

Sparse, fine hair develops at the base of the

penis

3 12-14
Enlarging breast buds Penis lengthens, with small increase in
Increased pubic hair, mainly in the diameter
center and not extending out to thighs Scrotum and testes continue to grow

or upward; dark and coarser Pubic hair increases in amount and becomes

darker, coarser, and curly

4 13-15
Noticeable growth of pubic hair in a Penis and testes continue to grow
triangle, the shape it will take in Pubic hair increases in amount and becomes
adulthood darker, coarser, and curly
Axillary hair growth visible

Breasts form mounds

Menarche

5 14-17
Breasts fully formed Penis is at its full adult size
Pubic hair is adult in quantity and Pubic hair is at its adult color, texture, and

forms an upside-down triangle, a shape distribution

common to women
 The Stages of Sexual Response
• STAGE 1: Desire

• Our minds and bodies can respond sexually

to a variety of stimuli—including sight,
sound, smell, touch, taste, movement,
fantasy, and memory.
• These stimuli can create sexual desire—a
strong wanting for sexual stimulation (either
by oneself or with another person) or sexual
intimacy that may cause one to seek sexual
satisfaction.
• Indications of Desire.

• Desire is a prelude to sexual excitement and

sexual activity—it occurs in the mind rather
than the body and may not progress to sexual
excitement without further physical or mental
stimulation. Desire may be communicated
between potential sexual partners either
verbally or through body language and behavior
(for example, through “flirting”).
 STAGE 2: Excitement (arousal)

• Excitement is the body’s physical response to desire. (A person

who manifests the physical indications of excitement is termed
to be “aroused” or “excited.”)
• The progression from desire to excitement depends on a wide
variety of factors—it may be brought on by sensory
stimulation, thoughts, fantasy, or even the suggestion that
desire may be reciprocated.
 Indications of Excitement
• Excitement can be communicated between partners verbally,
through body language, through behavior, or through any of
the following body changes:
• For both sexes: Heart rate and blood pressure increase, body
muscles tense, sexual flush occurs, nipples become erect,
genital and pelvic blood vessels become engorged, and
involuntary and voluntary muscles contract.
• For women: The vagina lengthens and widens, the clitoris
swells and enlarges, breasts increase in size, the labia swell
and separate, the vagina becomes lubricated, and the uterus
rises slightly. Vaginal lubrication is the key indicator of sexual
excitement.
• For men: The penis becomes erect, the scrotum thickens, and
the testes rise closer to the body. Erection of the penis is the
key indicator of sexual excitement.
 STAGE 3: Plateau
• If physical or mental stimulation (especially stroking and rubbing
of erogenous zones or sexual intercourse) continues during full
arousal, the plateau stage may be achieved. This stage, the
highest moment of sexual excitement before orgasm, may be
achieved, lost, and regained several times without the occurrence
of orgasm.
• Indications of the Plateau Stage. The plateau stage can be
communicated between partners verbally, through body language,
through behavior, or through any of the following physiological
changes:
• For both sexes: Breathing rate, heart rate, and blood pressure
further increase, sexual flush deepens, and muscle tension
increases. There is a sense of impending orgasm.
• For women: The clitoris withdraws, the Bartholin’s glands
lubricate, the areolae around the nipples become larger, the labia
continue to swell, the uterus tips to stand high in the abdomen,
and the “orgasmic platform” develops (that is, the lower vagina
swells, narrows, and tightens).
• For men: The ridge of the glans penis becomes more prominent,
the Cowper’s glands secrete preejaculatory fluid, and the testes
rise closer to the body.
 STAGE 4: Orgasm

• Orgasm occurs at the peak of the plateau phase. At

the moment of orgasm, the sexual tension that has
been building throughout the body is released, and
the body releases chemicals called endorphins, which
cause a sense of well-being. Orgasm can be achieved
through mental stimulation and fantasy alone, but
more commonly is a result of direct physical
stimulation or sexual intercourse (although many
women report difficulty in achieving orgasm through
vaginal intercourse alone).
• Women are capable of multiple orgasms
 Indications of Orgasm
• The intensity of orgasm can vary among individuals
and can vary for an individual from one sexual
experience to another. Orgasm may involve intense
spasm and loss of awareness, or it may be signaled by
as little as a sigh or subtle relaxation. Orgasm can be
communicated between partners verbally, through
body language, through behavior, or through any of
the following physiological changes:
• For both sexes: Heart rate, breathing, and blood
pressure reach their highest peak, sexual flush
spreads over the body, and there is a loss of muscle
control (spasms).
• For women: The uterus, vagina, anus, and muscles
of the pelvic floor contract five to 12 times at 0.8-
second intervals.
• For men: Ejaculation (contractions of the
ejaculatory duct in the prostate gland cause semen to
be ejected through the urethra and penis) occurs, and
the urethra, anus, and muscles of the pelvic floor
contract three to six times at 0.8-second intervals.
 STAGE 5: Resolution

• Resolution is the period following orgasm,

during which muscles relax and the body
begins to return to its pre-excitement
state. Immediately following orgasm, men
experience a refractory period, during
which erection cannot be achieved (the
duration of this period varies among
individuals and increases with age).
Women experience no refractory period—
they can either enter the resolution stage
or return to the excitement or plateau
stage immediately following orgasm.
Indications of Resolution
• Resolution can be communicated between partners
verbally, through body language, through behavior, or
through any of the following body changes:
• For both sexes: Heart rate and blood pressure dip below
normal, returning to normal soon afterward; the whole
body (including the palms of hands and soles of feet)
sweats; there is a loss of muscle tension, increased
relaxation, and drowsiness.
• For women: Blood vessels dilate to drain the pelvic tissues
and decrease engorgement; the breasts and areolae
decrease in size; nipples lose their erection; the clitoris
resumes its prearousal position and shrinks slightly; the
labia return to normal size and position; the vagina
relaxes; the cervix opens to help semen travel up into the
uterus (closing 20–30 minutes after orgasm); and the
uterus lowers into the upper vagina (location of semen
after male orgasm during penile-vaginal intercourse).
• For men: Nipples lose their erection; the penis lightens in
color and becomes softer and smaller; the scrotum relaxes,
and the testes drop farther away from the body. Depending
on a number of factors (including age), the refractory
period in men may last anywhere from five minutes to 24
hours or more.
 Special notes
• Penetration is not necessary for sexual
gratification to occur. Sexual stimulation and
orgasm can take place for both sexual partners
without penetration.
• Completing the five phases of the sexual
response cycle is not necessary for sexual
fulfillment.
• Orgasm may vary in intensity from one person to
another and from one sexual encounter to
another. For some, it may involve intense spasm
and loss of awareness; for others, it may be
signaled by as little as a sigh or subtle relaxation.
 SEXUAL BEHAVIORS
• Human sexual behavior is the behavior
that human beings use when seeking
sexual or relational partners, gaining
approval of possible partners, forming
relationships, showing affection, and
mating.
• It covers at least two major areas:
anthropology (common or accepted
practices across different cultures), and
informational (background which is
useful to individuals who may be engaged
in, or considering, sexual activity).
 ORAL-GENITAL SEXUAL BEHAVIOR

• Oral sex or oral-genital sex means both mouth

contact with the vagina, which is called cunnilingus,
Cunnilingus comes from a Latin word for vulva (a
woman's exterior sex organs), cunnus, and from the
Latin word for licking, lingere, and mouth contact
with the penis, which is called fellatio.
• Fellatio comes from the Latin word fellare, meaning
to suck.

• Either form of oral sex can be done with one partner

stimulating the other individually, or both partners
can stimulate each other's genitals simultaneously.
Oral sex given simultaneously is commonly called
69, or, the French translation, soixante-neuf. This is
because the body position of a couple having mutual
oral sex resembles the numeral 69.
 ORAL-GENITAL SEX
• These practices involve no risk of pregnancy.
• Since body fluids and infections can be
transmitted by oral-genital contact, transmission
of STIs is possible.
• Avoid oral-genital sex with partners who have
sores on their genitals or abnormal discharge
from the vagina or penis.
• During oral-anal contact, use a barrier (such as a
thin piece of rubber, latex dental dam, or cut-
open, unlubricated condom) between the mouth
and the anus to avoid the transmission of
infection.
 ANAL STIMULATION
• Anal sex is stimulation of the anus during
sexual activity. It can be done in several
different ways: manually, orally or by anal
intercourse. Anal sex can be the primary form
of sexual activity or it can accompany other
types of stimulation.
• Most STIs can be transmitted by anal or
rectal contact. Anal sex is especially risky for
transmission of STIs such as HIV because
inserting and thrusting the penis or other
objects in the anus can cause tears and
bleeding in the rectum, facilitating transfer of
blood-borne germs. Intestinal infections and
diarrheal diseases can also be transmitted by
anal and rectal contact.
 SEXUAL INTERCOURSE
• Sexual intercourse, or coitus, refers in a strict
biological sense to the insertion of the male's
penis into the female's vagina for the purpose of
reproduction.
• Sexual intercourse is found among all mammalian
species.
• Intercourse has traditionally been viewed as the
natural endpoint of all sexual contact between a
man and a woman.
• Vaginal penetration (penile-vaginal
penetration, manual penetration of the
vagina, or penetration of the vagina with
objects)
• Because semen, vaginal fluids, and other
body fluids are transferred between partners,
unprotected penile-vaginal sex can result in
pregnancy or, if one partner is infected, in
transmission of STIs.
• The best way to avoid transmission of HIV or
other STIs is to engage in unprotected penile-
vaginal sex only with an uninfected partner.
Or, if the partner is known to be infected or
the STI status is unknown, it is important to
cover the penis with a new condom every
time you engage in penile-vaginal sex with an
infected partner or any partners whose STI
status is unknown.
 MASTURBATION
• Masturbation refers to sexual stimulation, particularly of
one's own genitals, often to the point of orgasm, that is
accomplished manually, by other types of bodily contact
(except for sexual intercourse), by use of objects or tools,
or by some combination of these methods. It can refer to
stimulation either by oneself or by another (see mutual
masturbation). It can be a form of autoeroticism. Some
people are able to achieve orgasm only through
masturbation and not sexual intercourse.
• Self-stimulation involves no risk of pregnancy or
transmission of STIs.
• Note: Masturbation should not be performed on a part of
the body that has skin lesions, sores, or abnormal
discharge, because there is a risk of spreading infection
(e.g., herpes, syphilis) to other parts of the body.
SEXUAL
ORIENTATION
• Sexual orientation refers to "an enduring
pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual
attractions to men, women, or both sexes."
According to the American Psychological
Association, "it also refers to an individual’s
sense of personal and social identity based on
those attractions, behaviors expressing them,
and membership in a community of others
who share them."
• Sexual orientation is usually classified
according to the sex or gender of the people
who are found sexually attractive. Though
people may use other labels, or none at all,
sexual orientation is usually discussed in terms
of three categories: heterosexual,
homosexual, and bisexual.
 Measuring sexual orientation
• Researchers may use different markers of sexual
orientation, including self-labeling, sexual
behaviour, sexual fantasy or a pattern of erotic
arousal. A clinical measurement may use penile
or vaginal photoplethysmography, where genital
engorgement with blood is measured in response
to exposure to different erotic material.
• American sexologist Alfred Kinsey made the
Kinsey scale which attempts to describe a
person's sexual history or episodes of their sexual
activity at a given time.
 KINSEY SCALE
Rating Description

0 Exclusively heterosexual

1 Predominantly heterosexual, only incidentally homosexual

2 Predominantly heterosexual, but more than incidentally homosexual

3 Equally heterosexual and homosexual; bisexual

4 Predominantly homosexual, but more than incidentally heterosexual

5 Predominantly homosexual, only incidentally heterosexual

6 Exclusively homosexual