Lesson 2:

The Sexual Self

1. THE HUMAN REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

The human race continues to survive because of

people’s ability to reproduce, which is made possible by the
human reproductive system. Individuals engage in sexual
intercourse to bear offspring. However, this has changed
over time because of social changes and the way people
react to and think about individuality.
The Human Reproductive System Structures
Male Reproductive System:

Penis- Primary male reproductive organ for penetration during sexual contact.

Testes- The primary male reproductive structure that supplies sperm and
testosterone.

Scrotum- Holds the testes; it helps control the external temperature to be

lesser the internal temperature; which is important for proper sperm
development.

Vas defenses- Serves as the passage for the sperm to travel the epididymis to
the urethra.
Seminal vesicles- Produces fluid that nurtures and gives energy to sperm
cells.

Prostate gland- Produces milky saline fluid, which increases sperm

mobility.

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM:

Vagina- Serves as an opening of the uterus.

Uterus- Also called the womb; it nurtures female gametes after fertilization.

Fallopian tubes- It helps to deliver egg cells from the ovaries to the uterus and
facilitates the fertilization process.
Ovaries- Female main reproductive structures that produce gametes,
estrogen, and progesterone.

Cervix- Allows the flow of menstrual blood and directs the sperm into the
uterus during copulation.
2. PHASE OF THE HUMAN SEXUAL
RESPONSE CYCLE
This cycle shows the changes in both physical and emotional aspects of the
person during sexual activity, which was first introduced by William Master’s and
Virginia Jhonson in 1966.
PHASE 1: EXCITEMENT

A. Desire Phase – Sexual fantasies trigger sexual urges.

B. Arousal Stage – Stimulation of sexual pleasure and psychological

signs may include:

• in males, penile tumescence (increased flow of blood into

the penis) ; and

• females release lubrication (vasocongestion) and nipples

erect (breast tumescence) during this stage.
PHASE 2: PLATEAU
This stage is characterized by rapid breathing. The penis
grows in size and the testes enlarge, while the outer vagina
contracts and the clitoris retracts for females.

PHASE 3: ORGASM
The climax of the sexual activity

• Males experience the inevitability of ejaculation.

• Vagina contracts for females.

PHASE 4: RESOLUTION

Sexual drive slows down usually for men after ejaculation.

Refractory period – a recovery time to be sexually ready

again.
3. THE DIVERSITY OF HUMAN SEXUALITY

The world in which we now live offers flexible ideas of gender and
identity. We do not anymore live in a binary male–female–only world.
This tradition or belief is now being challenged to pave the way for
inclusivity.

For a very long time, the terms “gender” and “sex” were used
interchangeably. But that is no longer the case. Sex is a biological
concept. It is given at birth. In contrast, gender is a social concept. It
is a social construct that deals with masculinity and femininity.
4. SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE (STD)

These are the infections that are transmitted from one person to another when people
engage in unprotected and risky sexual activities. These can be caused by pathogens, yeast,
and viral infections.

Some Common Sexually Transmitted Infections

Effects: Sores on the genital or rectal area,
Herpes simplex buttocks, and thighs.
Genital herpes Cause: Unprotected and risky vaginal, oral, or
virus
anal sex with someone who is infected.

Effects: Infects your genital tract, mouth, or anus;

difficulty urinating.
Gonorrhea Bacteria Cause: Caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae;
unprotected and risky vaginal, oral, or anal sex
with someone who is infected.
 Some Common Sexually Transmitted Infections
HIV/AIDS Virus Effects: Slows down your immune system.
Cause: Unprotected and risky vaginal, anal, or anal
sex with someone who is infected; syringes with
infected blood strain; and mother-to-child
transmission.
HPV Human Effects: Warts
papillomavirus Cause: Intimate or skin-to-skin contact with your
body.

Syphilis Bacteria Effects: Infect the genital area, lips, mouth, or

anus.
Cause: Caused by Treponema pallidum.

Trichomoniasis Parasite Effects: It spreads from person to person during

sex. Symptoms may include discharge from sex
organs, itching or irritation, painful urination, etc.