Chapter 14 Exploring the Origins of Sexuality

Principles of Personal Health

I. Biological Bases of Human Sexuality

A. Genetic Basis

1. A fertilized ovum with sex chromosomes

2. XX = female

3. XY = Male

B. Gonadal Basis

1. Male embryos develop testes

2. Female embryos develop ovaries

C. Structural Development

1. The development of reproductive structures is determined by the presence or absence of hormones

D. Puberty

1. Gradual maturing process for young girls and boys

2. For girls: (Occurs around age thirteen) Onset of menstruation, preceded by a growth spurt, budding of breasts, and growth of pubic and underarm hair

3. For males: (About two years later than in girls) A growth spurt followed by a gradual sexual maturity including Genital enlargement, underarm and pubic hair growth, and a lowering of the voice.

4. Reproductive capability gradually declines over the course of the adult years.

5. Menopause signals a more direct turning off of the reproductive system.

II. Psychosocial Bases of Human Sexuality

A. We have a second dimension to our sexuality- Psychosocial sexuality

B. Gender Identity

1. Gender- Gereral term reflecting a biological basis of sexuality

2. Femininity or masculinity receives its traditional reinforcement by the parents and society.

3. Gender identity- Recognition of one’s gender.

C. Gender Preference

1. Gender preference- Emotional and intellectual acceptance of one’s own gender.

2. Many skills and experiences once reserved for boys are now being fostered in girls.

D. Gender Adoption- Lengthy process of learning the behavior that is traditional for one’s gender.

E. Initial Adult Gender Identification

1. Gender identification- Achievement of a personally satisfying interpretation of one’s masculinity or femininity.

2. Forming adult identity is closely related to developing an initial adult image as a man or woman.

III. Androgyny: Sharing the Pluses

A. Androgyny- The blending of both masculin and feminine qualities

B. In the past, we assigned/reinforced traits that were thought to be directly related to biological gender.

1. Boys were not allowed to cry, play with dolls, or help in the kitchen.

2. Girls were not encoraged in sports, were told to learn to sew, cook, and baby-sit.

IV. Reporductive Systems

A. Male Reproductive System

1. External structures: Penis and scrotum

2. Internal strucutres: Testes, passageways, seminal vesicles, prostrate gland, and Cowper’s glands

3. The Testes(Testicles)

a. Two egg-shaped bodies that lie in a sac called the scrotum

b. The walls of the scrotum are made up of tissue that can draw the testes closer to the body during cold and relax during warm temperatures (This is necessary because the development of sperm requires a temperature lower than that of the body).

c. The male sex hormone, testosterone, is devloped in the testes

4. Ducts

a. Hundereds of millions of sperm cells are produced each day.

b. Sperm cells are transferred through a system of ducts that lead to the epididymis which attaches to the testicle

c. Each epididymis leads into an 18 inch passageway known as the vas deferens

5. Seminal Vesicles

a. The vas deferens extend to the abdominal cavity and meet with a seminal vesicle

b. Seminal vesicles contribute clear fluid that nourishes the sperm cells and permits sperm cells to be in a movable medium

6. Prostrate Gland

a. The prostrate gland secretes a milky fluid containing a variety of substances (protein, cholesterol, citric acid, calcium)

7. Cowper’s Gland

a. Lubricates the urethra with a clear mucus

b. This fluid neutralizes the acidic level of the urethra

c. Sperm cells, combined with secretions from the seminal vesicles and prostrate gland, form semen

d. Semen- A secretion containing sperm and nutrients discharged from the urethra at ejaculation

8. Penis

a. Ejaculation takes place when the semen is forced out of the penis through the urethral opening

b. Contractions controling ejaculation result in Orgasm (Pleasurable sensations)

c. When a male becomes secxually aroused, areas become congested with blood

d. After ejaculation, these chambers release the blood and the penis returns to a flaccid (nonerect) state

e. The Glans (head) of the penis is the most sexually sensitive part of the male body

f. The level of androgens (male hormones) decrease with age

g. The risks and benefits of androgen replacement therapy is being researched

B. Female Reproductive System

1. External structures (vulva): mons pubis, Labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, and the vestibule

2. Mons Pubis

a. Fatty covering over the pubic bone

3. Labia Majora and Labia Minora

a. Labia Majora- Skin folds that cover the entrance to the vagina

b. Labia Minora- Smaller skin folds that lie within the labia mafora

4. Clitoris (The most sexually sensitive part of the female body)

a. A direct anology can be made between the penis and the clitoris

b. Both contain a glans, shaft, and erectile tissue

5. Vestibule

a. Region enclosed by the labia minora at the urethral opening and the entrance to the vagina

b. The hymen is a thin layer of tissue that stretches across the opening of the vagina

c. Internal reproductive structures of the female include the vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries

6. Vagina

a. The structure that accepts the penis during sexual intercourse

b. Orgasmic platform- Expanded outer third of the vagina which grips the penis during sexual intercourse

7. Uterus (Womb)

a. Capable of a wide range of physical changes

b. The primary function is to provide a suitable environment for implantation of a fertilized ovum (egg)

c. The lower third of the uterus is called the cervix

d. Sperm can enter the uterus through the cervical opening

e. The upper two-thirds of the uterus is called the corpus or body

8. Fallopian Tubes

a. The upper portion of the uterus opens into two fallopian tubes (oviducts)

b. Each serves as a passageway for theovum in its voyage toward the uterus

c. Conception usually takes place in the upper third of the fallopian tubes

9. Ovaries

a. Function is to produce the ovum

b. Usually, one ovary produces and releases one egg each month

c. Ovaries also produce the female sex hormones

d. Hormones play roles in the development of female sex characteristics

e. the primary function of hormones is to prepare the endometrium for implantation of a fertilized ovum

f. At menopause, the ovaries shrink and stop nearly all hormonal production

C. Menstral Cycle

1. Each month the inner wall of the uterus prepares for possible pregnancy

2. When pregnancy does not occur the linning must be relased

3. Menstruation- The breakdown of the indometrial wall and discharge of blood and tissue

4. Cyclic timing of menstration is controlled by hormones

5. A girls first menstral cycle usually occurs around age twelve to forteen.

6. The cycle will continue until about age forty-five to fifty-five

7. The menstral cycle occurs in three phases:

a. Menstrual Phase

Signals the woman that a pregnancy has not taken place

During this five to seven day period, about one-forth to one-half cup of blood and tissue is discharged

Some women have uncomfortable cramping during menstruation

Most women report discomfort during the few days before the first day of bleeding

Methods of absorbing menstrual flow include tampons and external pads

Caution should be used with tampons to prevent toxic shock syndrome

b. Proliferative Phase

Starts about the time menstruation stops and lasts about one week

The ovaries start the process of maturing about twenty primary ovarian follicles

Estrogen is released which directs the endometrium to start the development of a thick vascular wall

One primary follicle matures fuly and the others degenerate

On about day fourteen the mature ovary is released (Ovulation)

If the ovum is not fertilized by a sperm cell, it will begin to degenerate

c. Secretory Phase

Starts when the Corpus Luteum (remnant of the graafian follicle) begins to restructure itself secreting estrogen and progesterone

If pregnancy does not occur, the corpus leteum disintegrates and the endometrium is discharged

8. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

a. Characterized by psychological or somatic symptoms followed by a symptom-free phase

b. The cause of PMS appears to be hormonal

c. PMS symptoms do not occur during pregnancy

9. Fibrocystic Breast condition

a. Excessive secretory activity produces in some women a fibrocystic breast condition (swollen or hardened tender breast)

b. A healthy diet is important in preventing fibrocystic breast conditions

D. Menopause

1. A gradual decline in reproductive system function (a normal physiological process)

2. The extent of menopause as a health problem is determined by the degree to which hot flashes (vaginal dryness, depression, breast changes, and uncertainty) are seen as problems

3. Today, women are less likely to find menopause a negative experience

4. For women who have problems, physicians may prescribe estrogen replacement therapy

V. Additional Aspects of Human Sexuality

A. Reproductive Sexuality

1. Reflects the most basic level of sexuality

2. Reproductive Sexuality is related to knowledge of, desire for, and ability to procrcreate

B. Genital Sexuality

1. The nonreproductive use of the reproductive organs

2. Reflects our gift to ourselves and our partners

C. Expressionistic Sexuality

1. Represents expressions of ones current gender

2. Cognitively, affectively, and behaviorlly, you are engaging in your initial adult gender identification

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