THE SEXUAL

SELF

By Group 2
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

• Explain the development of sex characteristics and the human reproductive system;

• Distinguish between attraction, love, and attachment;

• Explain sexual orientation;

• Identify the causes and consequences of sexually transmitted infections and early
pregnancy; and

• Reflect on the importance of contraception and Reproductive Health Law.

The essence of love is the gift of myself. No other gift, no other service can substitute

for myself.

Love is a very personal, intimate gift. Some part of myself must be given–or my act is

not an act of love at all

~James E. Sullivan
 THE DEVELOPMENT

OF SEX

CHARACTERISTICS AND

THE HUMAN REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

 Primary sex characteristics

Are physical characteristics present at birth.

These are the characteristics that distinguish male from female.
In females, these characteristics include, vagina, uterus, and
ovaries. In males, the primary sex characteristics include the
penis, testes, or testicles, scrotum, and prostate gland.
 Secondary sex characteristics

Develop during the onset of puberty.

For women, the earliest evidence of puberty are enlargement of
breasts, onset of menstruation, widening of the 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.
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Reproductive system

a system of sex organs designed for

reproduction and sexual function.
The female reproductive system is
composed of the following:
 female reproductive system

Clitoris Vagina Ovaries

Made of erectile tissue A muscular tube that Produce, store, and

swells with blood and serves as the receptacle release the egg cell during
hardens when a woman for the penis and carrier ovulation.
is sexually aroused. of the sperm to the uterus.
 female reproductive system

Uterus Cervix Fallopian tubes

A hollow organ where Is the lower part of the Carry the fertilized egg
the fertilized embryo uterus and is the from the ovary to the
grows to become a fetus. passageway between the uterus.
uterus and the vagina that
expands during
childbirth.
https://cdn.britannica.com/31/94931-050-41A3B5F4/females-puberty-organs-hormones-males-reproduction-
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Reproductive system

On the other hand, the male reproductive

system includes the following:
 male reproductive system

Penis Testes or testicles Scrotum

Is the organ through Responsible for the

which males urinate and production of sperm cells Pouch-like sac of skin
deliver sperm cells into and male sex hormones.
the vagina during sexual
intercourse.
 male reproductive system

Prostate gland and seminal

Vas deferens Epididymis
vesicles

Transports the sperm- Is a set of coiled ducts Produce semen and

containing fluid called connected to the vas nourish the sperm cells.
the semen. deferens where the sperm
cells are stored.
male reproductive system

Ejaculation

Is the release of sperm

cells from the penis.
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 SEXUAL AROUSAL AND EROGENOUS ZONES:

WHAT TURNS PEOPLE ON

Human sexual arousal is complex. It may be produced by direct

stimulation of the body’s erogenous zones on the areas of the body
that provide pleasure.
 Erogenous zones

Are areas of the body which are highly sensitive and produce sexual responses when stimulated.

One of the most basic forms of sexual stimulation is masturbation or

self-stimulation that causes sexual pleasure or orgasm.
THE PHASES OF SEXUAL
RESPONSE
William Masters and Virginia Johnson found that the
biological responses of males and females to sexual
stimulation are quite similar.
They divide the sexual-response cycle into
four phases:

Excitement Plateau

Orgasm Resolution
 They divide the sexual-response cycle into
four phases:

Excitement
This the beginning
of sexual arousal and can last from one
minute to several hours. During this
phase, pulse rate increases, blood
pressure rises, breathing quickens, and
the skin shows a rosy flush particularly on the chest and
breast areas.
 They divide the sexual-response cycle into
four phases:

Plateau
The changes in the
body continue. In men, the penis becomes
more erect, the circumference of its head
increases, and few drops of fluid are
released. In women, the outer part of the
vagina swells with the surge of increased
amounts of blood to that area,
 They divide the sexual-response cycle into
four phases:

Orgasm

Contractions of the muscles in and around the penis

stimulate the release of semen. In women, orgasm
involves the contraction of the pelvic muscles that
surround the vaginal walls.
They divide the sexual-response cycle into
four phases:

Resolution

The body returns to its normal state after the

orgasm.
ATTRACTION, LOVE, AND
ATTACHMENT
 As adolescents grow and mature, they make new patterns of
relationships and commitments with other people.

While these new patterns of relationships may change as they mature,

they could form the foundation on which intimacy during adulthood
will be established.
PUBERTY
 Is an important stage in sexual
development. It is the time when many
boys and girls first experience their first
sexual attraction.
Initial attraction
-Is influenced by

social norms,

physical attractiveness, and

processes of interpersonal
 Social norms

-Influence attraction in several ways such

as in determining who are appropriate as lovers
and spouses.
Physical attractiveness

-Refers to the degree to which a person's physical

traits are regarded as aesthetically pleasing or
Social exchange
theory

-Proposes that attraction is the result of an exchange process. People

tend to view relationships as the result of the rewards and costs they
entail.

As the relationship develops, the sharing of activities and information

Romantic love includes a complex combination of
different emotions such as fear, anger, sexual
desire, joy, and jealousy. Some of these emotions
may also be sources of suffering (Santrock, 2002).
 In the context of interpersonal relationships,
psychologist Robert Sternberg suggests that there
are three components of love:
intimacy, passion, and commitment (Bauermeister,
Johns, Pingel,
Eisenberg, Zimmerman. 2011).
Romantic love has strong components of sexual
attraction and infatuation, and is often
experienced in the
early stage of a love relationship (Santrock,
2002).
Helen Fisher
Biological anthropologist and expert in the
science of human attraction, suggests the
important ingredients of romantic love: lust,
attraction, and attachment.

https://www.ted.com/talks/
Important ingredients of romantic love:
Attachment
Lust Occurs when individuals desire
to connect with another person
Is driven by the desire intimately. It may also be called
for sexual gratification. affectionate
Or companionate love, John
Attraction Bowlby defines attachment as a
strong affectional tie that binds a
Is often associated with sexual person to an intimate companion.
attraction.
 SEXUAL ORIENTATION
Refers to a person’s sexual identity anchored on what
gender they are attracted to.

Heterosexuality Homosexuality

Is the orientation of one who is sexually

The most common sexual orientation
attracted to the same sex.
in which one is sexually attracted to
Bisexuality - is an orientation where one
members of the opposite sex.
is attracted to both opposite and same
sex.
SEXUAL ORIENTATION
Refers to a person’s sexual identity anchored on what
gender they are attracted to.

Bisexuality

is an orientation where one is

attracted to both opposite and same
sex.
 SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STIs) AND EARLY
PREGNANCY

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

-are contracted primarily through sexual contact(vaginal,

oral, or anal sex).

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HIV/AIDS

- are caused by direct contact with body fluids such as

through blood transfusion, breast feeding, and sexual
intercourse.

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Gonorrhea

- is caused by gonococcal bacteria which attack the

lining of the mucous membrane such as mouth, throat,
vagina, and urethra.

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Syphilis

- infects the genital areas and other parts of the body

including the brain and can cause paralysis or even
death when left untreated.

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Chlamydia

- is caused by the bacterium chlamydia trachomatis.

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Genital herpes

- can cause itching and tingling sensations, abscesses,

and blisters in the genital area.

https://www.informedhealth.org/grafiken/de_go_genitalherpes_replacement_image.jpg
Genital warts

- are caused by the human papillomavirus and women

with human papillomavirus are prone to cervical
cancer.

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The consequences of high teenage

pregnancy in the Philippines remain a
major concern.
 METHODS OF CONTRACEPTION

AND THE

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH LAW

Contraception

refers to methods that are used to prevent pregnancy.

Most common methods of contraception:
• Condom
• Intrauterine Device or IUD
• Birth control injectables
• Oral contraceptive pills
• Withdrawal method
• Calendar method

https://i0.wp.com/post.healthline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Birth_Control_Meathods_1296x728-
 From a chemical perspective, DNA is a
polymer of nucleotides, in other words, a
polynucleotide. A polymer is a compound
formed by many simple units connected to
each other.
Studies show that contraceptive use is low
particularly among sexually active
adolescents.
Reproductive Health Law or RH Law

The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health

Act of 2012, guarantees universal access methods of
contraception, fertility control, sexual education, and
maternal care.

The RH Law provides for the “prevention and treatment

of HIV/AIDS and other STIs/STDs,” especially since the
number of HIV cases among the youth is rising.
 Thanks!
Do you have any questions?