The Sexual Self: Sex Characteristics

THE SEXUAL SELF
Sex Characteristics
 Primary Sex Characteristics
- These are physical characteristics present at birth that distinguishes between male and female.
Females: vagina, uterus and ovaries

Male: penis, testes or testicles
 Secondary Sex Characteristics

-It develops during the onset of puberty
Women: enlargement of the breast, menstruation, widening of the hips, growth of pubic hairs
Men: testicular growth, sperm production, appearance of facial pubic hair and other body hair, deepening of voice.
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
o The penis consists of the root (which is attached to the lower abdominal structures and pelvic bones), the
visible part of the shaft, and the glands penis (the cone-shaped end).
o The scrotum is the thick-skinned sac that surrounds and protects the testes.
o The testes are oval bodies that average about 1.5 to 3 inches (4 to 7 centimeters) in length 2 to 3 teaspoons
(20 to 25 millilitres) in volume.
o The vas deferens is a firm tube (the size of a strand of spaghetti) that transports sperm from the
epididymis.
o The urethra serves a dual function in males. This channel is the part of the urinary tract that transports urine
from the bladder and the part of the reproductive system through which semen is ejaculated.
o The prostate lies just under the bladder and surrounds the urethra. Walnut-sized in young men, the prostate
enlarges with age.
o The seminal vesicles, located above the prostate, join with the vas deferens to form the ejaculatory ducts,
which travel through the prostate.
o The ureter is a tube that carries urine from the kidney to the urinary bladder.
o The urinary bladder is a hollow muscular organ in humans and some other animals that collects and stores
urine from the kidneys before disposal by urination.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
o Labia majora: Enclose and protect the other external reproductive organs. Literally translated as "large
lips," the labia majora are relatively large and fleshy, and are comparable to the scrotum in males.
o Labia minora: Literally translated as "small lips," the labia minora can be very small or up to 2 inches wide.
They lie just inside the labia majora, and surround the openings to the
Vagina.
o Bartholin's glands: These glands are located beside the vaginal opening and produce a fluid (mucus)
secretion.
o Clitoris: The two labia minora meet at the clitoris, a small, sensitive protrusion that is comparable to the
penis in males. The clitoris is covered by a fold of skin, called the prepuce, which is similar to the foreskin
at the end of the penis.
o Vagina: The vagina is a canal that joins the cervix (the lower part of uterus) to the outside of the body. It
also is known as the birth canal.
o Uterus (womb): The uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ that is the home to a developing fetus. It is
divided into two parts: the cervix, which is the lower part that opens into the vagina, and the main body of
the uterus, called the corpus. The corpus can easily expand to hold a developing baby. A channel through
the cervix allows sperm to enter and menstrual blood to exit.
o Ovaries: The ovaries are small, oval-shaped glands that are located on either side of the uterus. The ovaries
produce eggs and hormones.
o Fallopian tubes: These are narrow tubes that are attached to the upper part of the uterus and serve as tunnels
for the ova (egg cells) to travel from the ovaries to the uterus. Conception, the fertilization of an egg by a
sperm, normally occurs in the fallopian tubes. The fertilized egg then moves to the uterus, where it implants
into the lining of the uterine wall.
PHASES OF SEXUAL RESPONSE

1. The Excitement Phase
 It is the beginning of sexual arousal and can last from one minute to several hours.
2. The Plateau Phase

 Changes in the body continue. In men, the penisbecomes more erect and in women the
outer part of the vagina swells with the surge of increase amounts of blood to that area.
3. The Orgasmic Phase

 Contractions of the muscles in and around the penis stimulate the release of the semen
which contains sperm cells. In women, orgasm involves the contraction of the pelvic
muscles that surround the vaginal walls and can happen multiple times.
4. The Resolution Phase
 The body returns to its normal state after orgasm. In men, the erection is lost, the testes
decrease in size. In women, the clitoris and the vagina return to their normal state.
ATTRACTION, LOVE AND ATTACHMENT
 Puberty is an important stage in sexual development.
 Initial attraction is influenced by social norms, physical attractiveness, and processes of

interpersonal exchange.
 Social exchange theory- attraction is the result of an exchange proposes. People tend to
view relationships as the result of the rewards and costs they entail.
 Romantic Love- it includes a complex combination of different emotion such as fear,

anger, sexual desire, joy and jealousy.
3 components of love by Robert Sternberg
1. Intimacy (feelings of closeness, connectedness and bondedness).

2. Passion (drives that lead to romance, physical attraction and sexual consummation.
3. Commitment (decision to o love and commitment to maintain that love).
Ingredients of Romantic Love

1. Lust - driven by the desire for sexual gratification
2. Attraction - is often associated with sexual attraction
3. Attachment- it occurs when individuals desire to connect with another person intimately
(affectionate or companionate love).
Sexual Orientation
 It refers to a person’s sexual identity anchored on what gender they are attracted to.
Homosexual - same sex attraction

Heterosexual - opposite sex attraction
Sexually Transmitted Infections
 STI or Sexually Transmitted Diseases are contracted primarily through sexual contact.
Causes:
 Bacteria, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis
 Viruses, including HIV/AIDS, herpes simplex virus, human papillomavirus, hepatitis B virus,
cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Zika
 Parasites, such as trichomonas vaginalis, or insects such as crab lice or scabies mites1.
Reasons for teenage Pregnancy

 Peer Pressure
 Family Dynamics
 Glamorization of Pregnancy
 Lack of Knowledge
 Sexual Abuse or Rape
 Substance Abuse
 Socioeconomic Status
 Barriers to Contraception
METHODS OF CONTRACEPTION
There are different methods of contraception, including:
1. long-acting reversible contraception, such as the implant or intra uterine device (IUD)
2. hormonal contraception, such the pill or the Depo Provera injection
3. barrier methods, such as condoms
4. emergency contraception
5. fertility awareness
6. permanent contraception, such as vasectomy and tuballigation.

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THE SEXUAL SELF

Females: vagina, uterus and ovaries

 Secondary Sex Characteristics

MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

PHASES OF SEXUAL RESPONSE

2. The Plateau Phase

3. The Orgasmic Phase

ATTRACTION, LOVE AND ATTACHMENT

 Puberty is an important stage in sexual development.

 Initial attraction is influenced by social norms, physical attractiveness, and processes of

 Romantic Love- it includes a complex combination of different emotion such as fear,

3 components of love by Robert Sternberg

1. Intimacy (feelings of closeness, connectedness and bondedness).

Ingredients of Romantic Love

Homosexual - same sex attraction

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Reasons for teenage Pregnancy

There are different methods of contraception, including:

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