Lesson 7

The Sexual Self

Sexual Development
H u m a n beings a r e all sexual beings.
Adolescence (Puberty)

● Maturation of the
reproductive system.
● Development of different
sex characteristics.
Sex is a biological component determined on the
basis of primary sex characteristics.
Primary sex characteristics: the anatomical traits
essential to reproduction.
Secondary sex characteristics: physical traits not
essential to reproduction that resulted from the
actions of the so-called male and female hormones.
 MALE FEMALE

Chromosomes XY XX

Primary Sex Penis and Testes Vagina, Uterus, and Ovaries

Characteristics

Secondary Sex Testicular growth, Enlargement of breasts,

Characteristics sperm production, menstrual cycle,
appearance of facial, enlargement of
pubic and other body buttocks and growth of
hairs. pubic hair.

Hormones Androgen Estrogen

(Testosterone)
 Reproductive System
● A system of sex organs designed for reproduction or
sexual function.
● Provided that all organs are present, human
reproductive system works from the released of egg
cell from female reproductive organ, to the fertilization
of sperm cells, to the conception, up to the giving birth
of the baby and eventually to the return of the female
physical body to the original state (Harrison, 2018).
Male Reproductive System
● Testis – is the most important part of male reproductive
organ. It is the source of Spermatozoa (male germ cell).
● Scrotum – it is a sac of skin where the two testes are
enveloped; directly below and outside of the abdomen.
● Prostate glands – it is a gland that carries out both urine
and seminal fluid. It is connected by sperm ducts from
sperm ducts joining into single tube called urethra.
Urethra then leads to the outside of the body through
penis.
● Penis – it is where the ejaculation occurs by sending
sperm cell from testis and secrete out.
● Sperm – It is a male gametes, one that is necessary for
the egg to develop and become a baby.
Female Reproductive System
● Ovary – it is a pair of small, oval organs which
produces ova (ovum; female germ cells).
Thousands of ova will mature and will be taken up
to the fallopian tube through the uterus by the
time of puberty.
● Fallopian Tube – are pair of thin tubes that leads
from ovaries to the uterus.
● Uterus – (womb) it is a hollow pear-shaped elastic
muscular structure where fertilized ovum (zygote)
develops into a baby.
● Vagina – It is a tube leading to outside of the body
through an opening called the vulva.
During the sexual intercourse, the semen from male is discharged in the vagina. The
sperms will begin moving up to the uterus reaching the fallopian tube. During the travel
most of the sperms will die while climbing up the fallopian tube, only one sperm will enter
the ovum and can remain alive for only 12 hours. In this time, if it meets ovum which will
lead to fertilization. This zygote (fertilized egg) will form in an embryo from which will
enter gestation period. It is around 9 months in time for the woman to give birth.
 Understanding the
Human Sexual Response
W h a t turns p e o p l e on?
 What turns people on?

● Human sexual arousal may be Erogenous Zones

produced by direct stimulation 1. Genitals
of the body’s erogenous zones. 2. Mouth
3. Breasts
● Erogenous zones are places 4. Ears
where a person is generally 5. Anus
more sensitive to both pain 6. to lesser degree,
and pleasure than in other the entire surface
areas of the body. of the body
 What turns people on?
● One of the most basic sexual stimulation is masturbation or
self-stimulation that causes sexual pleasure or orgasm.
● Other sexual activities such as intimate kissing, cuddling,
necking, petting or touching the erogenous zones may be
uniquely important to sexual arousal.
● The brain is where sexual desire originates and where
sexual behavior is controlled. Cognitive factors play an
important role in sexual arousal in humans.
● Culture also influences the expression of sexual desire.
 What turns people on?
● The sexual response cycle refers to the sequence of physical and
emotional occurrences when the person is participating in a sexually
stimulating activity.
● In general, both men and women experience these phases. However,
they do not experience it at the same time. Moreover, the intensity of
the sensation and the time spent in each phase also vary from person
to person.
● In the 1950s, William Masters and Virginia Johnson pioneered
research to understand human sexual response, dysfunction and
disorders, which served as a basis for the theory on the four-stage
model of sexual response or the human sexual response cycle.
 Phases of Human Sexual Response

EXCITEMENT ORGASM
Phase Phase

01 02 03 04

PLATEAU RESOLUTION
Phase Phase
 Phases of Human Sexual Response
01 EXCITEMENT Phase
● It is a subjective sense of sexual pleasure.
● Beginning of sexual arousal. Can last from a few minutes to several
hours.
● Pulse rate increases, blood pressure rises, breathing quickens, and
the skin shows a rosy flush particularly on the chest and breast area
● Nipples harden and become erect in both men and women
● The physiological sign in males is penile tumescence (erection) and
vasocongestion to female leads to vaginal lubrication and nipple
erection.
 Phases of Human Sexual Response
02 PLATEAU Phase
● It is a brief period of time before the orgasm. It is the body’s
preparation for orgasm.
● Changes begun in Phase 1 intensify
● Breathing becomes more rapid, heart rate increases, body
temperature rises, and blood pressure increases during this stage.
● In men, the penis becomes more erect and the circumference of
its head increases.
● In women, the outer part of the vagina continues to swell with
increase amount of blood to that area, while the clitoris retracts
under the clitoral hood and remains highly sensitive.
 Phases of Human Sexual Response
03 ORGASM Phase
● The orgasm is the climax of the sexual response cycle. It is the
shortest of the phases and generally lasts only a few seconds.
● Orgasmic contractions of the muscles happen in the release of
the semen which contains the sperm cells.
● Men usually achieve one intense orgasm.
● In women, orgasm involves the contraction of pelvic muscles
that surround the vaginal walls and can happen multiple
times.
 Phases of Human Sexual Response
04 RESOLUTION Phase
● Last stage where the decrease of arousal (particularly in
male) happens.
● During resolution, the body slowly returns to its normal level
of functioning, and swelled and erect body parts return to
their previous size and color.
Phases of Human Sexual Response
Sexual Dysfunction
 In the DSM-5, sexual dysfunctions are
defined as “a clinically significant disturbance
in a person’s ability to respond sexually or to
experience sexual pleasure” (American
Psychiatric Association, 2013, p. 423).
● Sexual dysfunction is difficulty experienced by an
individual or a couple during any stage of normal
sexual activity, including physical pleasure, desire,
preference, arousal, or orgasm.
● Sexual dysfunction requires a person to feel extreme
distress and interpersonal strain for a minimum of six
months (excluding substance or medication-induced
sexual dysfunction).
 Disorder Description
Male hypoactive sexual desire Persistent or recurrently deficient sexual or erotic thoughts, fantasies,
disorder(MHSDD) and desire for sexual activity.

A complete lack of or significant reduction in sexual interest or sexual

arousal. It is diagnosed with three or more of the following symptoms
Female sexual interest/arousal disorder are manifested. These include the absence of an interest in sexual
activity; or a decided reduction of such; and an absence of fantasizing
or even thinking sexual or erotic thoughts.

Recurrent inability to achieve or maintain an adequate erection during

Erectile disorder
partnered sexual activities.
A significant change in orgasm such as delay, reduction of intensity or
Female orgasmic disorder
cessation.

Persistent difficulty or inability to achieve orgasm despite the

Delayed ejaculation (DE)
presence of adequate desire, arousal, and stimulation.
 Disorder Description
Persistent or recurrent pattern of ejaculation occurring during
Premature (early) ejaculation partnered sexual activity within about one minute following vaginal
penetration and before the individual wishes it.

Genito-pelvic pain/penetration Difficulty having intercourse and feeling significant pain upon
disorder penetration.

A condition in both men and women in which patients have

Substance/medication-induced sexual
difficulties with sexual desire, arousal, and/or orgasm due to a side
dysfunction
effect of certain medications (legal or illicit).
Used when symptoms of a sexual dysfunction are present and cause
Other specified sexual dysfunction, and
significant distress or impairment, but do not meet full criteria for any
unspecified sexual dysfunction
of the other disorders.
Diversity of Sexual Behavior
Sexual O r i e n t a t i o n a n d G e n d e r Identity
Sex versus Gender
 Sex versus Gender
SEX GENDER
Primarily refers to physical attributes -- Is the composite of attitudes of
body characteristics, notably sex behavior of men and women.
organs, which are distinct in majority
of individuals.
Male and Female Masculinity and Femininity
Is biologically determined Is learned and perpetuated primarily
through: family, education, religion,
and is an acquired identity.
Is relatively fixed/constant through Because it is socialized, it may be
time and across cultures. variable through time and across
cultures.
Sexual Orientation
versus
Gender Identity
Sexual Orientation

● Refers to a person’s
sexual and romantic
interests to either people
of the opposite sex or
people of the same sex.
 Sexual Orientation

Heterosexual
- Attracted to and
interested in
relationship with
the people of the
opposite sex.
 Sexual Orientation
Homosexual
- Attracted to and interested in
relationship with the people
of the same sex.
- Some male homosexuals
prefer the term Gay and
some female homosexual
prefer the term Lesbian.
 Sexual Orientation

Bisexual
- romantically or
sexually attracted to
the same sex and the
other sex (both men
and women).
 Transsexuality

Transsexual
- These are people who
believed they were
born with the body of
the other gender.
 Transgenderism

Transgender
- These are people who view
themselves as a third gender, they
are transvestites (who wears clothes
of the other gender) or those who
believed that traditional
male-female classifications
inadequately characterized them.
Gender Identity

● is a person’s internal
feelings of being
woman, man, both, or
neither.
 Gender Identity
● Can be expressed in many ways through our
clothes, speech, activities, hobbies, and
behaviors.
● It’s okay for any of these things to
change at different times, or
in different situations depending
on what feels comfortable.
Source: Fourteen
East M a g
Understanding Lust, Love
and Attachment
H o w can you
say y o u lo v e
someone?
Robert Sternberg
● American Psychologist
known for his theories on
love, intelligence and
creativity.
● Proposed the Triangular
Theory of Love.
 Triangular Theory of Love
Refers to feelings
of closeness,
Intimacy connectedness, and
bondedness.

Refers to the drives

that lead to physical Refers to the
attraction, romance, decision to love and
and sexual the commitment to
consummation. Passion Commitment maintain that love.
Triangular Theory of Love
 Triangular Theory of Love

Nonlove
- The absence of the 3
components.
- Basically this type of
relationship is just an
acquaintance.
 Triangular Theory of Love

Liking/Friendship
- Only intimacy is present.
- Set of feelings one
experiences without the
intense feeling of passion
and commitment.
 Triangular Theory of Love

Infatuation
- Only passion is present.
- This is the most common
root of romantic love, as it
believes that intimacy
develops over time.
 Triangular Theory of Love

Empty Love
- Characterized by the
absence of passion and
intimacy despite the
presence of commitment.
 Triangular Theory of Love

Romantic Love
- Presence of intimacy and
passion.
- Lovers who are under this
category are said to not
only be drawn and bonded
physically, but emotionally.
 Triangular Theory of Love

Companionate Love
- Presence of intimacy and
commitment.
- It can be observed in long
term marriages.
 Triangular Theory of Love

Fatuous Love
- Presence of passion and
commitment.
- It is the type of whirlwind
romances that end up in
our television sets.
 Triangular Theory of Love

Consummate Love
- Presence of intimacy, passion
and commitment.
- This type of love sits at the
very center of the triangle,
because this is said to be the
perfect and ideal type of love.
 Sternberg cautions that maintaining a
consummate love may be even harder
than achieving it, as the components of
love must be put into action.
Responsible Parenthood
 Reproductive Health Law
● The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive
Health Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10354),
informally known as the Reproductive Health Law
and RH Law, is a law which guarantees universal
access to methods on contraception, fertility
control, sexual education and maternal care.
 Natural and
Artificial Method
of Contraception
 Traditional/Natural Contraceptives
● Periodic Abstinence
- Most effective way of birth control.
- Done through abstaining from sexual
intercourse.
- Fertility Method Awareness
- It is also the most effective way to avoid STIs.
 Traditional/Natural Contraceptives

● Calendar Method
- Also called as the Rhythm
Method.
- It involves avoiding coitus
during the days that the
woman is fertile.
 Traditional/Natural Contraceptives
● Basal Body Temperature
- BBT is the woman’s body temperature
at rest.
- Done by monitoring the changes in the
- Woman’s temperature every morning
before any activity.
- A slight increase and decrease in her
temperature will be her sign of
ovulation (fertile).
 Traditional/Natural Contraceptives
● Cervical Mucus Method
- basis is the changes in
the cervical mucus during
the ovulation.
● Symptothermal Method
- combination of Basal Body
Temperature (BBT) and
Cervical Mucus Method.
 Traditional/Natural Contraceptives

● Ovulation Detection
- It is an over-the-counter
kit that requires a urine
specimen to detect the
Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
to predict ovulation.
 Traditional/Natural Contraceptives

● Lactation Amenorrhea
Method (LAM)
- This is exclusive for breastfeeding
woman.
- Effective up to 6 months after
child birth.
- Exclusive breastfeeding,
menstrual cycle not yet returned.
 Traditional/Natural Contraceptives

● Withdrawal
- Coitus Interruptus
- Ejaculation outside the
vagina.
- High failure rate to
ejaculation.
 Modern Contraceptive Methods

● Hormonal Methods
- Involves estrogen and progestin
- Works by preventing the ovary
from releasing an egg, thickening
the cervical mucus making it
difficult for the sperm to reach
the egg and changing the lining of
uterus making implantation
difficult.
 Modern Contraceptive Methods

● Hormonal Methods
a. Pills
- 99% effective when taken
properly
- Stops ovulation, thins
uterine lining, and
thickens cervical mucus
 Modern Contraceptive Methods

● Hormonal Methods
b.Hormonal Injections
- 99.7% effective when taken
properly (most popular choice)
- 3-6 months effectivity
- Stops ovulation, thins uterine
lining, and thickens cervical
mucus
 Modern Contraceptive Methods
● Hormonal Methods
c. Implants/Subdermal Implants
- Rod-like implants placed in the body filled
with hormones that prevent pregnancy.
- Physically inserted in simple 15 minute
outpatient procedure
- Plastic capsules, the size of paper
matchsticks, inserted under the skin in the
arm
- 99.95% effectiveness rate
 Modern Contraceptive Methods

● Barrier Method
- Prevents pregnancy by
blocking the egg and sperm
from meeting.
- Barrier methods have
higher failure rates than
hormonal methods due to
design and human error.
 Modern Contraceptive Methods

● Barrier Method
a. Spermicide
- Chemical kill the sperm in
the vagina
- Jelly, foam, film, suppository
- 76% effective when used
alone
 Modern Contraceptive Methods

● Barrier Method
b. Male Condoms
- Most common and
effective barrier method
when used properly.
- Prevention of pregnancy
and STD.
 Modern Contraceptive Methods

● Barrier Method
c.Female Condoms
- Alternative to male
condoms if partner refuses
- Physically inserted to
vagina
 Modern Contraceptive Methods

● Barrier Method
d. Diaphragm
- Latex barrier placed inside
vagina during intercourse
- Inserted up to 18 hours
before intercourse and
can be left in total of 24
hours.
 Modern Contraceptive Methods

● Barrier Method
e. Cervical Cap
- “Caps” around cervix with
suction
- Can be left in body for total
of 48 hours.
- Must be left in place six hours
after sexual intercourse.
 Modern Contraceptive Methods

● Barrier Method
f. Vaginal Ring
- Releases a combination of
estrogen and progesterone and
surrounds the cervix. It remains
in there for 3 weeks. It’s
removed on the fourth week as
menstrual period flows.
 Modern Contraceptive Methods

● Barrier Method
g. Intrauterine Devices
- T-shaped objects placed in
the uterus to prevent
pregnancy.
- Must be in a monogamous
relationship.
 Modern Contraceptive Methods

● Emergency Methods
- Must be taken within 72 hours of the
act of unprotected sexual intercourse
or failure of contraception method.
- Floods the ovaries with high amount
of hormone and prevents ovulation.
- Alters the environment of the uterus,
making it disruptive to the egg and
sperm.
 Modern Contraceptive Methods

● Surgical Contraceptives
a. Tubal Ligation
- Surgical procedure performed
on a woman.
- Fallopian tubes are cut, tied,
cauterized, preventing eggs
from reaching sperm.
 Modern Contraceptive Methods

● Surgical Contraceptives
b. Vasectomy
- Male sterilization procedure.
- Ligation of Vas Deferens Tube.
- Faster and easier recovery
than Tubal Ligation.
 Thank You!
Aira Monique Dela Cruz, MAEd, RPm, LPT, RGC