SEXUAL SELF

• Secondary sex characteristics


  Physical changes that serve auxiliary roles in reproduction
• Sexual differentiation

  1. Gonads formed during gestation

  2. Sex hormone levels rise during puberty

  3. Differences appear between males and females

  
• Puberty


  • Stage of development at which individuals become sexually mature
  • Hormonal control is very similar for males and females
  • Sequence of changes is predictable

  
• Secondary sexual characteristics in males

  • Increased larynx size and deepening of the voice
  • Increased muscular development
  • Growth of facial, axillary, and pubic hair, and increased growth of body hair
• Secondary sexual characteristics in females


  • Deposition of fat, predominantly in breasts and hips
  • Breast development
  • Broadening of the pelvis and growth of axillary and pubic hair
• Puberty in females


  1. Breast development

  2. Growth of axillary and pubic hair

  3. Growth spurt

  4. Menarche (start of menstruation)
• Puberty in males


  1. Growth of testes

  2. Growth and pigmentation of scrotum and penis

  3. Growth of hair (armpit, pubic, chest, facial)

  4. Voice deepening

  5. First fertile ejaculations

  6. Growth spurt
• Human reproductive system


  Organ system by which humans reproduce and bear live offspring
• Essential features of human reproduction


  • Liberation of an ovum
  • Internal fertilization of the ovum
  • Transport of the fertilized ovum to the uterus
  • Implantation of the blastocyst
  • Formation of a placenta
  • Birth of the child and expulsion of the placenta
  • Suckling and care of the child
• Human sexual response cycle


  Four-stage model of physiological responses to sexual stimulation: excitement, plateau, orgasmic, and resolution phases

  
• Excitement phase


  1. Physical or mental erotic stimuli lead to sexual arousal

  2. Body prepares for sexual intercourse
• Plateau phase


  Increased circulation, heart rate, sexual pleasure, muscle tension, and respiration
• Orgasm phase


  Conclusion of the plateau phase, accompanied by muscle contractions and a euphoric sensation
• Resolution phase


  1. Muscles relax, blood pressure drops, body slows down from excited state

  2. Refractory period
• Attraction


  Closely related to lust, characterized by dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin

  
• Attachment


  Characterized by oxytocin and vasopressin, mediates long-term bonding
• Testosterone


  Hormone that increases libido in both genders
• Estrogen


  Hormone that promotes the function of testosterone and oxytocin
• Estrogen levels peak during ovulation


  Women report being more sexually aroused
• Lust


  First stage of love
• Attraction


  Second stage of love, associated with 'reward' pathways in the brain
• Attraction


  • Closely related to lust, but can also be mutually exclusive
• Attraction process


  1. Dopamine release

  2. Norepinephrine release

  3. Serotonin decline
• Dopamine


  Natural stimulant that induces feelings of ecstasy and focus
• Norepinephrine


  Hormone that causes energetic, euphoric and giddy feelings
• Serotonin


  Neurotransmitter that regulates social behaviour, mood, memory, appetite, digestion and sexual desire
• Cortisol


  Stress hormone that increases during initial stage of falling in love
• Attachment


  Final stage of falling in love, involving a meaningful bond
• Oxytocin


  'Love hormone' that promotes bonding and attachment
• Vasopressin


  Hormone released after sex that encourages pair-bonding
• Euphoric love fades as attachment and long-term love grow
• Gender and Sexual Diversity (GSD)


  Refers to diversities of sex characteristics, sexual orientations and gender identities
• Sexual orientation categories


  • Heterosexual
  • Homosexual
  • Bisexual
• Other sexual orientation categories exist beyond the simple heterosexual, homosexual and bisexual classifications
• Gender identity categories


  • Cisgender
  • Transgender
  • Transsexual
• Intersex people are also part of sexual diversity
• Asexual people and queer people are also part of sexual diversity
• Sexual diversity is claimed as the acceptance of being different but with equal rights, liberties, and opportunities
• Common sexually transmitted infections


  • Chlamydia
  • Syphilis
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Gonorrhea
  • Pubic lice
  • Trichomoniasis
• Chlamydia


  • Curable with antibiotics