The Sexual Self

• James E. Sullivan: 'The essence of love is the gift of myself. No other gift, no other service can substitute for myself. Love is a very personal, intimate gift. Some part of myself must be given- or my act is not an act of love at all.'
• Primary sex characteristics

  Physical characteristics present at birth that distinguish males from females
• Secondary sex characteristics

  Develop during the onset of puberty
• Development of Sex Characteristics and The Human Reproductive System

  1. Gonads form in the embryo

  2. Testes release testosterone

  3. Ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone
• Gonads

  The part of the reproductive system that produces and releases eggs (ovary) or sperm (testicle/testis)
• Estrogen

  Promotes female reproductive capacity and secondary sex characteristics
• Progesterone

  Stimulates the growth of the female reproductive organs and prepares the uterus for pregnancy
• Ovulation

  A phase of the female menstrual cycle that involves the release of an egg (ovum) from one of the ovaries
• Female Reproductive System

  • Vagina
  • Ovaries
  • Uterus
  • Cervix
  • Fallopian tubes
• Clitoris


  Made of erectile tissue, swells with blood and hardens when a woman is sexually aroused
• Endometrium

  The inner lining of your uterus. This tissue is what you shed during a menstrual period
• Myometrium

  The muscular outer layer of the uterus
• Male Reproductive System

  • Penis
  • Testes or testicles
  • Scrotum
  • Vas deferens
  • Epididymis
  • Prostate gland & Seminal Vesicle
• Bladder

  The muscular sac that stores urine (pee) until it is released through the urethra
• Spongy urethra

  The longest part of the male urethra, and is contained in the corpus spongiosum of the penis
• Ejaculation

  The release of sperm cells from the penis. Each contains approximately 300-500 million sperm cells
• Erogenous Zones

  Areas of the body that are highly sensitive and produce sexual responses when stimulated
• Compared with women, men think about sex more often because they report more frequent sex fantasies and more frequent feelings of sexual desire</b>
• Women tend to place more emphasis on emotional closeness with a lover than men do
• Taboo

  It is a social custom to avoid doing that activity or talking about that subject, because people find it embarrassing or offensive
• Phases of Sexual Response

  • Excitement phase
  • Plateau phase
  • Orgasmic phase
  • Resolution phase
• Lust

  Is driven by the desire for sexual gratification
• Attraction

  Is often associated with sexual attraction
• Attachment

  Occurs when individuals desire to connect with another person intimately. It may also be called affectionate or compassionate love
• Sexual Orientation

  • Heterosexuality
  • Homosexuality
  • Bisexuality
  • Transgender
  • Transsexual
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

  • HIV/AIDS
  • Gonorrhea
  • Syphilis
  • Chlamydia
  • Genital herpes
  • Genital warts
• Methods of Contraception

  • Condoms
  • Intrauterine device (IUD)
  • Birth control injectibles
  • Oral contraceptive pills
  • Calendar Method
  • Cervical mucus method
  • Abstaining from sexual intercourse
• Reproductive Health Law

  Guarantees universal access to methods of contraception, fertility control, sexual education, and maternal care