Understanding Reproduction

Reproduction

• It is the biological process by which organisms create new organisms, or offspring, from their parents.
• It is essential for the survival of a species.

Types of Reproduction

• There are 2 main types of reproduction.
• Sexual reproduction involves the interaction of two specialized reproductive cells, called gametes from different parents, and the offspring have genetic characteristics from both parents.
• Asexual reproduction involves an organism reproducing without another organism.
• Offspring are genetically identical or similar to the parent.
• Cloning is a form of asexual reproduction.

Process of Reproduction

• There are three phases in the process of reproduction
• Gametes are created through meiosis, a type of cell division.
• Male reproductive organs, or gonads are called the testis
• Female reproductive organs, or gonads are called the ovary
• Male gametes are called sperm
• Female gametes are called eggs
• Fertilization occurs when the male gamete, or sperm, fertilizes the female gamete, or egg, to create a fertilized zygote.
• The zygote develops into an embryo and then a fetus.

Puberty

• Puberty is the process of physical changes through which a child's body matures into an adult body capable of sexual reproduction.
• The word puberty comes from the Latin word "pubertas" which means the age of manhood.

Timing of Puberty

• Females begin puberty around the age of 10½ and complete puberty at ages 15-17.
• Menarche (the beginning of the menstrual period) is a landmark of puberty for females around 12½ - 14 years old.
• Males generally begin puberty at ages 11½-12 and complete puberty at ages 16-17.
• In males, Spermarche / Semenarche (first ejaculation) occurs on average at age 13.

Duration of Puberty

• Rapid maturation of puberty occurs in only 2 years or less.
• Slow maturation of puberty occurs in 3-4 years to complete the transformation into adults.

Stages of Puberty

• Prepubescence overlaps the closing year of childhood.
  • One is no longer a child, but not yet an adolescent.
  • The secondary sex characteristics begin to appear, but the reproductive organs are not yet fully developed.
• Pubescence is at the dividing line between childhood and adolescence, which is when the criteria of sexual maturation appear.
  • Secondary sex characteristics continue to develop, and cells are produced in the sex organs.
• Postpubescence overlaps the first year of adolescence.
  • Secondary sex characteristics become well-developed and sex organs begin to function maturely.

Hormones and Puberty

• Sex hormones are steroid hormones that regulate sexual development and reproduction.
• These include gonadocorticoids, gonadal steroids, and sex steroids.
• Estrogen is prevalent in biological females.
• Estrogen helps bring about the physical changes that turn a girl into a woman, this time of life is called puberty.
  • These changes include growth of the breasts and pubic and underarm hair, and the start of menstrual cycles.
• Estrogen helps control the menstrual cycle and is important for child bearing.
• In women and men, estrogen helps control sexual desire, erectile function, lipid metabolism, brain function, bone health and skin health
• The ovaries, which produce a woman's eggs, are the main source of estrogen from her body.
• Fat tissue and adrenal glands (located at the top of each kidney) make small amounts of the hormone.

Types of Estrogen

• Estradiol is the most common type in women of childbearing age.
• Estriol is the main estrogen produced during pregnancy.
• Estrone is the only estrogen the body makes after menopause.
• Androgens are prevalent in biological males.

Effects of Testosterone

• Within bones, testosterone allows bone mass density maintenance.
• Within muscles, testosterone allows muscle growth, increased strength and increased endurance.
• Within the skin, testosterone encourages hair growth and collagen growth.
• Within the brain, testosterone increases the sex drive, improves mood, increase confidence and maintains memory function.
• Within the bone marrow, testosterone allows a boost of red blood cell production.
• Within the sex organs, testosterone allows Sperm production, Erik tile function and Prostate growth.

High Estrogen in Men

• The condition of Gynecomastia - breast tissue enlargement.
• Erectile dysfunction, along with infertility, and depression.
• Delayed puberty, weight gain, and fatigue.
• Short stature, brain fog, and general insomnia.
• Mood swings, general irritability, and low libido.

High Testosterone in Women

• Virilization is the development of male physical characteristics.
  • Examples include in increased muscle mass; body hair on the face, chest, or back; a deepening of the voice; enlarged clitoris; and decreased breast size.
• Also, mood symptoms, as well as irritability, bloating, and pelvic cramping.
  • There are reproductive health issues, such as irregular or even absent periods.
• Can lead to high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, high cholesterol or triglyceride levels, and excess body fat.
• There is an increased risk of cancer specifically uterine cancer.

Human sexuality

• Everyone is a sexual being, and sexuality affects who we are and how we express yourselves as sexual beings.
• Sexuality is all about our bodies, our sex, our gender, sexual activity, sexual orientation as well as our sexual drives
• Also, the values, attitudes, beliefs, and ideals about life and love, not to mention healthy relationships.
• Sexuality refers to one's total self
  • Refers to a physical self like the way we look as a man or a woman.
  • It refers to the mental self like the way we think as a man or a woman.
  • It refers to the social self, such as the way we interact with others.
  • Also, the emotional self, such as how one feels about themselves and others.
  • Concluding with the ethical self, or the way we value relationships.

Healthy relationships

• Healthy relationships are those that set boundaries by communicating what you are, and aren't comfortable with.
• These boundaries are considered emotional, physical, and mental rules of respect that you set between yourself and someone else.
• Boundaries are described to be guidelines that ensure wellness, comfort, and safety with another person
• Boundaries can be flexible and change over time, as the relationships in your life develop and grow.

Sexual Orientation

• Sexual orientation refers to that enduring pattern of attraction—emotional, romantic, sexual.
• Some combine these to the opposite sex, the same sex, or both sexes.
• Types of sexual orientation include heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, and asexual.
• Heterosexual is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between people of the opposite sex.
• Homosexual is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender.
• Bisexual is romantic or sexual attraction or sexual behavior toward males and females.
• Asexual is the lack of romantic or sexual attraction to others.

Gender

• Gender refers to the social construct on how men and women think, feel, and act.
• Gender can also mean femininity or masculinity.
• Human sexuality can also mean being male or female.
• It's the way that we experience and express ourselves as sexual beings

Gender Equality and Gender Role

• Gender equality means permits man and woman equal enjoyment of human rights.
• Gender role, is a set of roles and characteristics, and expectations of how a man or woman should feel, think, and act, as influenced by parents, peers, and society

Factors Affecting Attitudes and Behavior

• Family
• Culture
• Peers
• Media

Abstinence

• Abstinence is an act that has shown to be the best decision in safeguarding sexual health.