Biomedical perspective in

gender and society

Anatomy and physiology of the male reproductive system

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Topics to be discussed
• Overview of the male reproductive system
• Testes and spermatogenesis
• Ejaculation and the male sexual response
• Common male reproductive disorders
• Male contraception
• Social and cultural perspectives on male
reproductive health
Overview of the male reproductive system
• The male reproductive system is made up of organs and
glands involved in making offspring
• The major organs in the male reproductive system include:
the testes, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles,
prostate gland, bulbourethral gland, urethra, scrotum, and
penis.
Major organs and their functions
Testes - the two primary male reproductive organs that produce sperm
and testosterone.

Epididymis - a coiled tube located behind each testicle where sperm

mature and are stored.

Vas deferens - a muscular tube that transports mature sperm from the
epididymis to the urethra during ejaculation.

Seminal vesicles - small glands that produce a fluid that mixes with
sperm to form semen.

Prostate gland - a gland that produces a milky fluid that nourishes and
protects sperm, and helps with ejaculation

Urethra - a tube that carries urine and semen out of the body through
the penis.
Major organs and their functions
Penis - The male external sexual organ responsible for sexual intercourse
and urination. It contains three cylinders of spongy tissue, which fill with
blood during sexual arousal, causing an erection.

Bulbourethral gland - Also known as Cowper's gland, is a small gland

located below the prostate gland. It produces (Cowper’s fluid/pre-
ejaculatory fluid/precum) a clear, viscous fluid that is released during
sexual arousal and helps to lubricate the urethra and neutralize any acid in
the urethra that could damage sperm.

Scrotum - a pouch-like structure of skin and muscles located below the

penis, which holds the testicles in males. It protects and regulates the
temperature of the testes, which is necessary for proper sperm production
and development.
Testes and spermatogenesis

• TESTES - is responsible for making sperm

and involved in producing a hormone called
Testosterone.
• Testosterone – is a hormone that is primarily
produced in the testicles in males and in
smaller amounts in the ovaries in females.
THE PROCESS OF SPERM PRODUCTION

• SPERMATOGENESIS – is the process by which sperm

develop to become mature sperm, capable of fertilizing
an ovum.
• Spermatogenesis involves the division of diploid germ
cells to form haploid sperm cells that can fertilize the
female egg. This process is regulated by hormones, such
as testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
ROLES OF HORMONES
• Testosterone – apart from its role to help make sperm in the
testes, it is involved in the development of male reproductive
tissues and secondary sexual characteristics, such as muscle
mass and body hair growth. Testosterone also affects mood,
libido, and bone density, among other things.
• Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) – is a hormone released
by the pituitary gland that stimulates the development of the
testes and helps to initiate spermatogenesis
Ejaculation and the male
sexual response
Ejaculation is a short-lasting
physiological event and is part of a
more global sexual response that
includes sexual desire, arousal, and
erection.
It involves the forcible ejection of
seminal fluid from the urethral meatus,
which accompanies sexual climax and
orgasm.
Ejaculation and the male sexual
response
Visual or physical stimulation and
even imagination might trigger an
ejaculation.
The process is dominated by the
sympathetic nervous system, which
causes the contraction of the pelvic
floor muscles and releases semen.
How does Ejaculation
occur?
• Sexual stimulation and friction
provide the impulses that are
delivered to the spinal cord and
into the brain.
• Ejaculation is a reflex action
controlled by the central nervous
system. It is triggered when the
sexual act reaches a critical level
of excitement.
The 2 CNS involved in the male sexual
response
• Sympathetic Nervous System- The sympathetic nervous
system accelerates the heart rate, constricts blood vessels,
and tends to inhibit erections.
• Parasympathetic Nervous System- The parasympathetic
nervous system on the other hand, slows the heart rate,
relaxes sphincter muscles, and is one of the several
excitatory pathways for sexual response.
Role of (SNS) and (PNS) in the male sexual
response
• Sexual stimulation triggers the parasympathetic nervous system,
leading to the release of nitric oxide and the subsequent increase in
blood flow to the penis. This causes the penis to become erect.
• Ejaculation is triggered by the sympathetic nervous system, which
causes the contractions of the seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and the
muscles of the pelvic floor to propel semen out of the urethra.
• The two systems work together to coordinate the sexual response, with
the parasympathetic system responsible for initiating and maintaining
erections, and the sympathetic system responsible for triggering
ejaculation.
Common male reproductive disorders
• Erectile dysfunction: A condition where a man is unable to achieve or
maintain an erection during sexual activity.
• Prostatitis: An inflammation or infection of the prostate gland that can
cause pain and discomfort during urination or ejaculation.
• Testicular cancer: A type of cancer that develops in the testicles and can
cause swelling, pain, or lumps in the testicles.
• Epididymitis: Inflammation of the epididymis, a tube located at the back of
the testicles, that stores and carries sperm. It can be caused by a bacterial
infection, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), or other factors.
Common male reproductive disorders
• Varicocele: A condition in which the veins in the scrotum become enlarged and
dilated, causing blood to flow poorly and leading to swelling and pain. It is a
common cause of male infertility.
• Male infertility: The inability of a man to cause pregnancy in a fertile female.
Male infertility can be caused by various factors, including hormonal
imbalances, genetic disorders, physical problems, and lifestyle factors.
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): is a noncancerous enlargement of the
prostate gland that can cause urinary symptoms such as frequent urination,
urgency, weak stream, and incomplete emptying of the bladder.
• Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor that develops in the prostate gland. It can
cause a range of urinary symptoms and other complications, and in advanced
stages, it can spread to other parts of the body. Early detection and treatment
can improve outcomes.
Common STIs
• Chlamydia: A bacterial infection that can cause pain during urination,
discharge from the penis, and pain and swelling in the testicles.
• Gonorrhea(Tulo): A bacterial infection that can cause similar symptoms to
chlamydia, including painful urination and discharge from the penis.
• Syphilis: A bacterial infection that can cause a sore or rash on the penis or
other parts of the body, as well as flu-like symptoms and eventually serious
health problems if left untreated.
Common STIs
• Herpes: A viral infection that can cause painful blisters on the penis or
other parts of the body, as well as flu-like symptoms.
• Human papillomavirus (HPV): A viral infection that can cause genital
warts and is also linked to certain types of cancer.
• HIV/AIDS: A viral infection that attacks the immune system and can lead
to serious health problems if left untreated.
Male contraception
• Male contraception refers to the methods and techniques used by men
to prevent pregnancy in their sexual partners. These methods can
include physical barriers like condoms or surgical procedures like
vasectomy, as well as hormonal methods such as testosterone and
other medications.
• The goal of male contraception is to give men more control over their
own reproductive health and to reduce the burden of contraception on
women.
Male contraception
• 1. Condoms: Condoms are a barrier method of contraception that prevent
pregnancy by stopping sperm from reaching the egg. They work by covering
the penis during sexual intercourse. Condoms have a typical use failure rate
of 13%, and a perfect use failure rate of 2%. Condoms are also used to
prevent the spread of STIs
• 2. Vasectomy: Vasectomy is a surgical method of contraception that involves
cutting or blocking the vas deferens, which is the tube that carries sperm
from the testicles to the penis. This prevents sperm from being released
during ejaculation. Vasectomy is over 99% effective and has no long-term
side effects.
• 3. Hormonal methods: Hormonal methods of male contraception involve the
use of synthetic hormones, such as testosterone, to reduce or stop sperm
production.
Male contraception
• Each method has its own efficacy
rates and potential side effects. It's
important to note that no method of
contraception is 100% effective,
and each individual's experience
may vary. It's recommended to
discuss with a healthcare provider
to determine which method of
contraception is most suitable for
an individual's needs.
Social and cultural perspectives on male
reproductive health
• Societies and cultures are not static. They are living entities that are
continually being renewed and reshaped. As with culture more
generally, gender definition change over time. Change is shaped by
many factors especially of we talk about the biomedical perspective in
gender and society.
Social and cultural perspectives on male
reproductive health
• Social and cultural perspectives on male reproductive health can vary
widely depending on the society and culture in question.
• In some cultures, male reproductive health is a topic that is rarely discussed
or considered taboo, leading to a lack of education and awareness around
male reproductive health issues. This can contribute to a stigma around
male reproductive health and can discourage men from seeking medical
help when they need it.
• In other cultures, male reproductive health may be more openly discussed,
but there may still be certain expectations or pressures on men related to
their reproductive function, such as the expectation to father children or
perform sexually in a certain way. This can also lead to feelings of shame
or embarrassment for men who experience reproductive health issues.
Social and cultural perspectives on male
reproductive health
• Social & cultural factors:
• Toxic masculinity - It prevents men from seeking professional help and
care when going through emotional or personal crises.
• Sexual health education -Men have substantial sexual and reproductive
health needs, including the need for contraception, prevention and
treatment of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI s),
sexual dysfunction, infertility and male cancers.
• Access to healthcare services -Universal access to reproductive health
affects and is affected by many aspects of life. It involves individuals'
most intimate relationships, including negotiation and decision-making
within these relationships, and interactions with health providers
regarding contraceptive methods and options.
Social and cultural perspectives on male
reproductive health
• In order to improve male reproductive health outcomes, it is important
to address and understand the social and cultural factors that can
impact men's attitudes towards their own reproductive health.
• This includes promoting education and awareness around male
reproductive health issues, addressing stigma and shame, and
challenging harmful cultural norms and expectations around
masculinity and reproductive function.
*Why is access to reproductive healthcare important?
End of discussion