CHAPTER 2: UNPACKING THE SELF

Unit 1: PHYSICAL SELF

From childhood, we are controlled by our genetic makeup, i. e, sex chromosomes. It also influences the
way we treat ourselves and others. On the contrary, there are individuals who DO NOT ACCEPTS their INNATE
SEXUAL characteristics and they actually tend to change their sexual organs through medications and surgery. In
addition, external environment helps shapes us. In this lesson, we are going to explore the development of our
sexual characteristics and behavior.

LESSON PROPER

Marieb, E.N. (2001) explains that the gonads begin to form until about the eight week of embryonic
development. The embryonic structures of males and females during the early stages of human development are
alike and are said to be in indifferent
stage. When the reproductive structures are formed development of the accessory structures and external genitalia
begins.
Beginning of life
Life begins at fertilization. It refers to the meeting of the female sex cell and the male sex cell. These sex
cells are developed in the reproductive organs called GONADS. The male sex cell called spermatozoa [sing. –zoon]
are produced in the male gonads called testes. On the other hand, the female sex cells called ova are produced in
the female gonads known ovaries. The fertilized egg cell known as zygote contains all the hereditary potentials from
the parents. This zygote goes to the uterus and continues to grow during the gestation period of about 280 days or
36 weeks or 9 calendar months.
Both male and female chromosomes contain several thousands of genes – called deoxyribonucleic acid
which is the code of heredity. Maturation is the unfolding of the inherent traits.
Human Development
The formation of male or female structures depends on the presence of testosterone (A substance called
hormone that occurs naturally in men and male animals). The embryonic testes release testosterone once formed
and the formation of the duct system and external genitalia follows. The same with female embryos that form
ovaries, it will cause the development of the female ducts and external genitalia since testosterone hormone is not
produce.
Pseudo hermaphrodites are formed who is an individual having accessory reproductive structures that do
not “match” their gonads while true Hermaphrodites are individuals who possess both ovarian and testicular tissues
but this condition is rare in nature. Nowadays, many pseudo hermaphrodites undergo sex change operation to have
their outer selves fit with their inner serves (gonads).
Human anatomy
Puberty is the period of life when the reproductive organs grow to their adult size and become functional
under the influence of rising levels of gonadal hormones [testosterone in male and estrogen in female] and generally
between the age of 10-15 years old.
 At the age of 13, male puberty is characterized by the increase in the size of the reproductive organs
followed by the appearance of hair in the pubic area, axillary and face. The reproductive organs continue to grow for
two years until sexual maturation marked by the presence of mature semen in the testes.
For the female, the budding of their breasts usually occurring at the age of 11 as a sign of their puberty
stage. Menarche is the first menstrual period of females which happens two years after the start of puberty.
Hormones play an important role in the regulation of ovulation and fertility of females.

Factors in development of the physical self

The development of the individual is caused by two interacting forces: heredity and environment. Heredity
[nature] is the transmission of traits from parents to offspring it provides the raw materials of which the individual is
made up. While the environment [nurture] is the sum total of the forces or experiences that a person undergoes
from conception to old age. It includes family, friends, school, nutrition and other agencies one is in contact with.
Diseases associated with the reproductive systems
Infections are the most common problems associated with the reproductive system in adults.
Vaginal infections are more common in young and elderly women and those whose resistance to diseases
is low, like, Escherichia coli which spread through the digestive tract, the sexually transmitted microorganisms such
as syphilis, gonorrhea and herpes virus and yeast fungus.
Pelvic inflammatory disease and sterility are also the effect of vaginal infections. For males, the most
common inflammatory conditions are prostatitis, urethritis, and epididymitis, STD, Orchiditis.
Major treat to reproductive organs are Neoplasms, tumor of the breast and cervix cancers in adult females
and prostates cancer in adult males.
Most women hit the highest point of their reproductive abilities in their late 20‟s,
i.e. irregular ovulation and shorter menstrual periods – menopausal period.

The production of estrogen may continue after menopause but the ovaries finally stop functioning as
endocrine organs. The reproductive organ and breast begin to atrophy or shrink if estrogen is no longer released
from the body. With this case, the vaginal becomes dry that causes intercourse to become painful if frequent and the
vaginal infections become increasingly common.
Signs of estrogen deficiency: irritability and mood changes [depression in some]; intense vasodilation of the
skin’s blood vessels, gradual thinning of skin and loss of bone mass, slowing rising high blood levels etc.
Note: there is no counterpart for menopause in males. Although aging men show a steady decline in
testosterone section, their reproductive capability seems unending.
Healthy men are still able to father offspring well into their 80‟ and beyond.

Erogenous zones

It refers to part of the body that are primarily receptive and increase sexual arousal when touched in a
sexual manner. Examples: mouth, breast, genitals, anus. However, erogenous zones may vary from one person to
another. Some people may desire and enjoy being touched in certain area more than the other area, like, neck,
thighs, abdomen and feet.
Human Sexual Behavior
It defined as any activity – solitary, between two persons, or in a group – that induces/ brings sexual arousal
[Gebhard, P.H. 2017]. This behavior is classified according to gender and number of participants.
Types of behavior: Solitary behavior [involving one individual]; and Socio-sexual behavior [more than one
individual]
Solitary behavior
Self – gratification [begins at or b4 puberty] means self –stimulation that leads to sexual arousal and
generally, sexual climax. This takes place in personal and private as an end in itself, but can also be done in a socio-
sexual relationship.
 This is common for males but becomes less frequent or is abandoned when socio-sexual activity is
available.
Therefore, self-gratification is most frequent among the unmarried. However, this self-gratification usually
decreases as soon as an individual develop socio-sexual relationship.
Nowadays, human is frequently being exposed to sexual stimuli esp. from advertising and social media.
Some adolescents become so much aggressive when they respond to such stimuli.
The rate of teenage pregnancy is recently increasing. The challenge is to develop self-control so that to
balance suppression and free expression. Why? To prevent premarital sex and acquire STD.
Socio-sexual behavior
It is the greatest amount of socio-sexual behavior that occurs b/w only one male and one female. This
usually begins in childhood and may be motivated by curiosity, such as showing or examining genitalia.
Physical contact involving necking and petting is considered as an ingredient of the learning process and
eventually of courtship and selection of a marriage partner.
Petting differs from hugging, kissing and generalized caresses of the clothed body to produce stimulation of
the genitals. This is done due to affection as source of pleasure, preliminary to coitus [this is an insertion of male
reproductive organ into female organ]. This is regarded as an important aspect in selecting partner but also a way of
learning how to interact with another person sexually.
A behavior may be interpreted by society or individual as erotic depending on the context in which the
behavior occurs. Example, kissing as a gesture of intimacy b/w couples while other sees this as respect and
reverence.
Physiology of human sexual response
Sexual response follows a pattern of sequential stages or phases when sexual activity is continued.

1. Excitement phase = it is caused by increase in pulse and blood pressure; a sudden rise in blood supply to
the surface of the body resulting in increased skin temperature, flushing, and swelling of all distensible body parts
particularly noticeable in the male and female reproductive system, rapid breathing, secretion of genital fluids, vaginal
expansion, and a general increase in muscle tension.

2. Plateau phase = it is generally of brief duration. If stimulation is continued, orgasm usually occurs.

3. Sexual climax = a feeling of abrupt, intense pleasure, and rapid increase in pulse rate and blood pressure,
and spasms of the pelvic muscles causing contractions of the female reproductive organ and ejaculation by the male
that last only for few seconds normally not over ten.

4. Resolution phase = it refers to the return to a normal or subnormal physiological state. Whereas males return
to normal even if stimulation continues, but continued stimulations can produce additional orgasms in females.
Females are physically capable of repeated orgasms without the intervening “rest period” required by males.
Nervous system factors

The nervous system plays a significant role during sexual response. The autonomic system is involved in
controlling the involuntary responses.
The efferent cerebrospinal nerves transmit the sensory messages to the brain to create stimulus and later
initiating a sexual response. The brain will interpret the sensory message and dictate what will be the immediate and
appropriate response of the body. The muscles contract in response to the signal coming from the motor nerve fibers
while glad secretes their respective product. So, sexual response is dependent the activity of the nervous System.
Hypothalamus and limbic system are part of the brain believed to be responsible for regulating the sexual
response, but there is no specialized “sex center” that has been located in the human brain.
Apart from brain-controlled sexual responses is the reflex. This reflex is mediated by the lower spinal cord
that leads to erection and ejaculation for male, vaginal discharges and lubricant for female when the genital areas
are stimulated. But still, the brain can overrule and suppress such reflex activity, when sexual response is socially
inappropriate.

Sexual problems

These may be classified as physiological, psychological and social in origin. Physiological problems are the
least among the three categories. Small number of people suffering from diseases due to abnormal development of
the genitalia or that part of the neurophysiology controlling sexual response. Example: vaginal infection, retroverted
uteri, prostatitis, adrenal tumors, diabetes, senile changes of the vagina and cardiovascular problems.

Medication: Through surgery

Psychological problems: usually caused by socially induced inhibitions, maladaptive attitudes, ignorance
and sexual myths held by society. Example: mature sex must involve rapid erection, prolonged coitus and
simultaneous orgasm. Methods: magazines, married books and general sexual folklore often strengthen these
demanding ideals which are not always achieved; therefore, can give rise to feeling of inadequacy anxiety and guilt.
Hence, resulting negative emotions can definitely affect the behavior of an individual.
Premature emission of semen is a common problem for young males. Why? Because of the natural result of
excessive tension in a male who has been sexually deprived. Erectile impotence is almost always a psychological
problem in males under 40; in other cases, the impotence may be the result of disinterest in the sexual partner,
fatigue, and distraction because of nonsexual worries, intoxication and other causes such as occasional impotency is
common and requires no therapy.
Ejaculatory impotence [inability to ejaculate in coitus] is uncommon and usually of psychogenic origin. Why?
It is due to the past traumatic experiences. Warning! Occasional ejaculatory inability can be possibly expected in
older men or in any male who has exceeding his sexual capacity.
 Lastly, vaginismus is a strong spasm [contraction] of the pelvic musculature constricting the female
reproductive organ so that penetration is painful or impossible. It can be due to anti-sexual conditioning or
psychological trauma as an unconscious defense against coitus.
Medication: through psychotherapy and by gradually dilating/widening the female organ with increasing
large cylinders.
Sexual Reproductive diseases are the following:

1. Chlamydia
2. Gonorrhea
3. Syphilis
4. Chancroid
5. Human Papillomavirus
6. Herpes simplex virus
7. Trichomonas vaginalis
Natural and artificial methods are the following:
1. Abstinence
2. Calendar method
3. Basal body temperature
4. Cervical mucus method
5. Symptothermal method
6. Ovulation detection
7. Coitus interruptus
Artificial methods are the following:
1. Oral contraceptive
2. Transdermal patch
3. Vaginal ring
4. Subdermal implants
5. Hormonal injections
6. Intrauterine device
7. Chemical barriers
8. Diaphragm
9. Cervical cap
10. Male condoms
11. Female condoms
12. Surgical methods (vasectomy and ligation)