The Sexual Self and Reproductive System

The Sexual Self

• Sexual self refers to how an individual views themselves as a sexual being, a task that is a normative part of adolescent development.
• Early adolescence brings notable changes relevant to evaluating one's sexual self, including puberty, heightened sexual desire, erotic feelings, and attraction to others.
• Integrating these experiences is a main developmental goal in early adolescence.

Development of Secondary Characteristics and Human Reproductive System

• Puberty begins when the body starts producing sex hormones (androgens/testosterone in males, estrogens/progesterone in females)
• This process is triggered by brain signals from the pituitary gland.
• Both sexes produce both types of hormones, but in different concentrations.
• Primary and secondary sex characteristics and sexual drive are affected by these hormones.
• Progesterone notably boosts female reproductive organ growth, preparing the uterus for pregnancy.
• Growth hormones increase due to signals from the master gland, which interacts with sex hormones to induce growth spurts.
• Puberty usually starts around ages 11-12 for girls and 13-14 for boys, although variances are wide.
• Secondary sex characteristics include visible signs of sexual maturity like breast development and menstruation (menarche) in girls.
• In boys, secondary sex characteristics include pubic hair growth around age 12, followed by facial and underarm hair growth.
• Also in boys, the voice deepens, vocal cords and the larynx enlarge, muscles become more defined, hips narrow, and less fat tissue forms.
• Spermarche, the first ejaculation, typically occurs around age 13 in boys.
• The male reproductive system includes the testes (where sperm is produced) and the penis.
• Sperm production occurs in the testes, which reside in the scrotum, where the temperature is cooler.
• Semen, which contains sperm, is transported by the vas deferens.
• Sperm cells are stored in the epididymis, a series of coiled ducts attached to the vas deferens.
• Semen is produced and sperm cells are nourished by the prostate gland and seminal vesicles.
• Ejaculation is the release of sperm cells from the penis, typically containing 300-500 million sperm cells.
• Sperm can survive for up to 48 hours inside the uterus.
• The female reproductive system includes the clitoris, labia minora, and labia majora.
• The vagina and uterus serve as a vessel for semen.
• Egg cells, or ova, are produced by the ovaries, which make up the major internal organs of the female reproductive system.
• The vagina connects to the uterus via the cervix, and the fallopian tubes link the uterus to the ovaries.
• Ovulation, the release of egg cells, occurs approximately 14 days after the beginning of the menstrual period.
• One ovum travels down a fallopian tube during ovulation, and if unfertilized, the egg is eliminated during menstruation.

Sexual Arousal and Erogenous Zones

• Human sexual arousal is complex and can be initiated visually, auditorily, or through direct physical stimulation of erogenous zones.
• Freud defined erogenous zones as "areas of the body that provide pleasure".
• Erogenous zones include genitals, mouth, breasts, ears, and anus, and, to a lesser degree, the entire surface of the body.
• Erogenous zones expand during partnered sex compared to masturbation.
• Affiliative touching and stimulation can sustain long-term relationships; touching a partner can trigger and maintain their arousal, which prepares them for intercourse and encourages sexual behavior.

Other Factors Affecting Sexual Arousal

• Cognitive factors, such as fantasizing or creating erotic scenarios, can trigger arousal. Men tend to have sexual fantasies more frequently than women.
• Emotional factors such as giving importance to feelings when engaging in sexual activities, applies more to females than males.
• Cultural factors: Some cultures discourage masturbation and premarital sex, and culture shapes attitudes toward sex. Sexual scripts are stereotyped patterns for sexual behavior expression.

Phases of Sexual Response

• Because sex is a physical activity, knowledge of physiological responses during sexual activity is important.
• It enhances understanding of partners and experiences.
• The sexual response cycle consists of physical and emotional changes during sexual arousal and stimulating activities, including intercourse and masturbation.
• The sexual response cycle includes four phases: excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution.

Phase 1: Excitement

• The excitement phase can last from minutes to hours and includes increase in muscle tension, accelerated breathing and heart rate, and flushed skin.
• Nipples become hardened or erect, woman's labia minora and clitoris swells, and man's penis erects.
• Women's breasts become fuller as the vaginal walls start to swell and a clear fluid is produced in the vagina for lubrication.
• Man's penis begins secreting liquid for lubrication, scrotum tightens, and testicles swell.

Phase 2: Plateau

• The plateau phase extends to the brink of orgasm.
• Physiological changes from phase 1 intensify, including increased blood flow, the vagina continues to swell, and the vaginal walls turn a dark purple.
• Tightened testicles for men.
• The clitoris becomes very sensitive, retracting under the clitoral hood to avoid direct contact with the penis. Continued increase of breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure is observed with muscle spasms in the feet, face, and hands. Increased muscle tension is present

Phase 3: Orgasm

• Orgasm is the shortest phase and is the climax of the sexual response cycle, lasting only a few seconds.
• Characteristics of the Orgasm Phase; involuntary muscle contractions begin, blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing reach their highest rates with a high intake of oxygen, there are muscle spasms in the feet and a sudden release of sexual tension.
• Muscles of the vagina and uterus contract rhythmically in women.
• There are rhythmic contractions of muscles at the base of the penis in men, resulting in ejaculation of semen.
• A rash or "sex flush" may appear over the entire body.

Phase 4: Resolution

• During resolution, the body returns to normal functioning, and swollen, erect body parts return to their original size and color.
• The resolution phase often involves a sense of well-being, enhanced intimacy, and fatigue.
• Some women can return rapidly to the orgasm phase with stimulation, experiencing multiple orgasms.
• After orgasm, men experience a refractory period during which they can't reach orgasm again, and the duration of it increases with age.

Chemistry of Attraction, Love, and Attachment

• Feelings of love originate in the brain, not just the heart.
• Dr. Helen Fisher categorizes the complexity of Love into lust, attraction, and attachment, each associated with different hormones from the brain.

Lust

• Evolutionary theory suggests that people engage in sex to reproduce, driven by sexual gratification to perpetuate the species.
• Testosterone and estrogen play roles in lust, with testosterone increasing libido and some women reporting higher sexual motivation when estrogen levels are highest during ovulation.

Attraction

• Attraction is distinct from lust and linked to the brain's "reward" behavior, hence the excitement of early relationships.
• Dopamine is produced in the hypothalamus when attracted to someone, creating feelings of pleasure.
• Norepinephrine is released with dopamine during attraction, producing euphoria, energy, and giddiness.
• Serotonin combats stress, reduces depression, and regulates anxiety during attraction.

Attachment

• Attachment extends beyond romance to friendships and family bonds.
• Oxytocin, like dopamine, is produced in the hypothalamus and involved in attachment.
• High levels of oxytocin are triggered by sex, childbirth, and breastfeeding, which are precursors to bonding.

Diversity of Sexual Behavior

• Human sexuality includes sexual interest and attraction, distinct from biological sex which refers to physical attributes.
• Sexuality is expressed through thoughts, behaviors, practices, and relationships.

Sexual Orientation

• Enduring emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions define sexual orientation, which ranges from exclusive attraction to the opposite or the same sex.
• Sexual orientation categories include heterosexual (attraction to opposite sex), homosexual (gay or lesbian, attraction to same sex), and bisexual (attraction to both sexes).
• There is no scientific consensus on why individuals develop certain sexual orientations; nature and nurture play complex roles, where most have little or no choice in their sexual orientation.
• "Coming out" includes aspects such as self-awareness, disclosing to others, widespread disclosure, and identification with LGBTQ community.
• Hesitation to come out stems from prejudice and discrimination risks.
• Coming out is psychologically important for LGBTQ individuals because feeling positive and embracing one's sexual orientation fosters well-being/mental health.

Sexual Behaviors

• Young people have various sexual behaviors, from fantasy to intercourse.
• Erotic fantasies can offer insight into desires, and preferences, and "rehearse" sexual encounters.
• Masturbation is exploration in a safe, private way, and "making out" which involves kissing, rubbing bodies also occurs.
• From 1994, there has been an increase in youth aged 18-24 in the Philippines engaging in sexual activity before the age of 18. Urbanization could contribute to those early sexual initiations.

Problems Associated with Adolescent Sexual Behavior

Teenage or Unwanted Pregnancy

• Teenage pregnancy is a global problem, with teenage pregnancies most likely occurring in marginalized communities due to poverty, lack of employment, and education.
• Unintended pregnancies may occur, caused by a lack of knowledge of contraception or sexual violence where a third of girls reporting their first sexual encounter as coerced.
• Health consequences of early teenage pregnancy: can cause maternal mortality and pregnancy/childbirth complications. The child has higher risks of preterm delivery, low birth weight, or severe neonate.
• Social/economic consequences exist for pregnant teens, who may face rejection, violence, and stigma which limits education/employment.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

• STDs are infections passed sexually and may also be referred to as STIs or venereal diseases (VD).
• STDs can spread via unsterilized needles, breastfeeding, and blood transfusions.
• Genital areas are ideal for the growth of yeasts, bacteria, and viruses.
• Microorganisms transmit through the skin and mucous membranes of the genitals, passed through semen, vaginal secretions, or blood during sexual contact.
• Not using contraceptive devices such as condoms leads to easier passing of STDs.
• The WHO estimates 1 million new STDs are acquired daily worldwide.
• Half of all new STDs are in people from age 15 to 24, and 1 in 4 sexually active adolescent females have an STD.
• However, STD rates among seniors have increased.

Chlamydia

• Chlamydia is an STD caused by Chlamydia trachomatis.
• C. trachomatis only infects humans, and is the most common infectious cause of genital/eye diseases.
• It is also a common bacterial STD.
• Nearly 3% of girls aged 15-19 had chlamydia.
• Symptoms are nonspecific and may include bladder infection, vaginal discharge changes, or mild lower abdominal pain.
• Many women with chlamydia don't show any symptoms at all.

Crabs, or Pubic Lice

• Pubic lice spread primarily through sexual contact, and do not come from pets.
• They attach to pubic hair or be found in armpits, mustache, eyelashes or eyebrows, feeding on human blood.
• "Crabs" refers to the crab-like appearance of the lice.

Genital Herpes

• Genital herpes is an STD from the herpes simplex virus (HSV), which affects the genitals, skin and cervix.
• Types include: HSV-1 (herpes type 1) and HSV-2 (herpes type 2).
• Herpes is chronic, and many individuals are unaware of their status or never show symptoms.
• HSV easily transmits through direct contact, with type 2 transmitted through vaginal, anal, and oral sex, while type 1 is shared through straws and utensils.
• In most cases, the virus is dormant and symptomless.
• When symptoms occur, it includes blisters and ulceration, vaginal discharge pain, fever, generally not feeling well, and cold sores around the mouth in type 1.
• In addition, red blisters may occur on the thighs, buttocks, and external genital area and can be painful, especially with bursting and leaving ulcers.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

• Human papillomavirus is a group of viruses affecting areas such as mouth, anus, throat and cervix.
• Over 100 HPV types exist, around 40 of them can impact genital areas and can be transmitted to the mouth/throat.
• HPV can lead to genital warts or abnormal cell growth that increases risks of cervical cancer.
• Most people are not aware of HPV because most have no symptoms.
• HPV is contracted most commonly via anal, oral and vaginal sex and genital-to-genital contact.

Syphilis

• The Treponema pallidum bacterium causes syphilis, which passes through sexual contact, the infected person shows syphilitic lesson.
• If a pregnant woman contracts syphilis, this STD can possibly be spread to her baby, and result in congenital deformities or stillbirth.
• Following initial infection, the average incubation period is 21 days, and goes between 9-90 days before any sort of symptoms start to arise. Each stage that syphilis consists of, presents different sings and symptoms.
• Some don't show any symptoms while others may experience a more mild presentation.
• In some cases, the bacterium survives in the body and can lead to medical issues later down the line.

Gonorrhoea

• Gonorrhoea is STIs that has a bacterial infection which usually attacks the mucous membranes. It is also known as "the clap."
• The contagious bacterium thrives in areas with warmer temperatures and moister environments.
• If left untreated, the disease which is known to be caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) among the females. Men may encounter inflammation of the urethra, prostate gland, or epididymis.
• It survives in the rectum, mouth, vagina, and penis. It can spread through sexual contact.
• As soon as a person contracts gonorrhea, they risk spreading the bacteria to other parts of the body. An individual may accidentally rub their eye and spread the infection. This prolongs the treatment period. A woman who is pregnant can pass the infection on to the infant during childbirth.

HIV and AIDS

• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks the immune system, leaving its host much more vulnerable to infections and diseases. If the virus is left untreated, the susceptibility to infection worsens.
• HIV is found in semen, blood, breast milk, and vaginal and rectal fluids.
• HIV can be transmitted through blood-to-blood contact, sexual contact, breast-feeding, childbirth, the sharing of equipment to inject drugs, such as needles and syringes, and, in rare instances, blood transfusions.
• With proper treatment, the amount of HIV is reduced to undetectable and cannot be transmitted.

Prevention of STDs

• Safe sex through condoms, a safety barrier, prevents the spread of STDs.
• Avoid using oil based lubricants, such as vaseline, to reduce possible STDs.
• STDs are more effectively reduced through: Abstinence, vaccinations, monogamy, check with a partner, drink alcohol in moderation, communicate safely, and obtain proper education to avoid any STD.