The Physical

and Sexual
Self
ACTIVITY 4
It has been believed that the sex chromosomes of humans define the sex
(female or male) and their secondary sexual characteristics. From childhood,
we are controlled by our genetic makeup. It influences the way we treat
ourselves and others. However, there are individuals who do not accept their
innate sexual characteristics and they tend to change their sexual organs
through medications and surgery. Aside from our genes, our society or the
external environment helps shape our selves. This lesson helps us better
understand ourselves through a discussion on the development of our
sexual characteristics and behaviour.
Defining Beauty

Complete the sentences below.

1 . For me, beauty means
___________________________________________________________________
2. A beautiful person is
___________________________________________________________________
3. I am beautiful because
___________________________________________________________________
4. List down names of people you know who are beautiful.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
What are the secondary sexual characters
of male and female?

ⓘ Start presenting to display the poll results on this slide.

Secondary sexual characteristics are those sexually dimorphic characteristics that are
not directly involved in reproduction

Female Secondary Sexual Characteristics Male Secondary Sexual Characteristics

relative lack of body hair, thicker hair on the head (in

some cases), rounded hips/figure, a decreased ability to
generate muscle mass at a fast rate, decreased upper body
strength, breasts, ability to nurse children, a menstrual
cycle, and increased body fat composition.
facial and chest hair, increased body hair, pelvic
build (lack of rounded hips), upper body muscular
build, and the ability to generate muscle mass at a
faster rate than the female
Pseudohermaphrodites are individuals having accessory reproductive structures that do not
"match" their gonads while true hermaphrodites are individuals who possess both ovarian
and testicular tissues.

Gonads -reproductive glands that produce the gametes; testis or ovary

A critical event for the development of reproductive organs takes place about one month before birth
wherein the male testes formed in the abdominal cavity at approximately the same location as the
female ovaries, descend to enter the scrotum. If this normal event fails, it may lead to cryptorchidism.
This condition usually occurs in young males and causes sterility (which is also a risk factor for cancer
of the testes) that is why surgery is usually performed during childhood to solve this problem.

Sterility is the inability to create offspring (children)

Puberty is the period of life, generally between the ages of 10 and 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 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 characterized by the
increase in the size of the reproductive organs followed by the appearance of hair in the pubic area,
axillary, and face. The reproductive organs continue to grow for two years until sexual maturation
marked by the presence of mature semen in the testes.
In females, the budding 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.The usual infections 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.
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) microorganisms are
transmitted, Orchiditis, or inflammation of the testes, is rather uncommon but is serious it can cause
sterility. Orchiditis moot commonly follows mumps in an adult male.