CHAPTER 7 ° Learning Outcomes At the end of the chapter, you should be able to: @ explain the development of sex characteristics and the human reproductive system; ® distinguish between attraction, love, exual orientation: nd conseque! s and early pregnancy; traception and and attachment; ® explain s' @ identify the causes 2! transmitted infection ® reflect on the importance of con Reproductive Health Law. nces of sexually andThe essence of love is the gift of myself. no other service can substitute for myself. Love is q ift. Some part of myself must be given e at all. No other gift, very personal, intimate gi or my act is not an act of lov — James E. Sullivan eriencing the self. includes a discussion nderstanding and exp of the biological factors of sexual behaviors that includes the reproductive system and the sex characteristics that differentiate between man and woman. The reproductive system isa igned for reproduction and sexual function. dividuals view themselves but also their sexuality and sexual relationships. During adolescence, most young people become involved in dating and courtship. Through romantic relationships, sexual behaviors are developed. Risk factors for sexual behaviors such as early pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections are discussed in this chapter. Early pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections among youth are major problems in the Philippines. In this chapter, a number of strategies are recommended to prevent these. system of sex organs desi; It affects not only how in DEVELOPMENT OF SEX CHARACTERISTICS AND THE HUMAN REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM ‘The beginning of adolescence is marked by rapid physica! changes, including the maturation of the reproductive system and the development of primary and secondary sex characteristics. Primary sex characteristics are physical characteristics present at birth. These are the characteristics that distinguish male from female. In females these characteristics include the vagina, uterus, and ovaries. In males: the primary sex characteristics include the penis, testes or testicles scrotum, and prostate gland. e onset of Jargeme"* Secondary sex characteristics develop during thi puberty. For women, the earliest evidences of ‘puberty are en.of the breasts, onset of menstruation, widening of the hips, enlargement of buttocks, and growth of pubic hair. Onset of snenseetanidh sara among countries but usually occurs at around 10 to 12 years of age Testicular growth, sperm production, appearance of facial, Bale and other body hair, and deepening of voice are some of the first signs of puberty in men. Primary sex characteristics develop as the embryo grows in the womb as a result of the chromosomes contained within the embryonic cells as well as hormonal influences. At about 5 weeks of pregnancy, two organs, called the gonads, form in the embryo. In men, the gonads release testosterone that causes the male's sex organs to develop. During puberty, testosterone and other androgens stimulate the development of primary and secondary sex characteristics and also increase one’s sex drive. In women, the ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone as well as small amount of testosterone. Estrogen promotes female reproductive capacity and secondary sex characteristics. Progesterone stimulates growth of the female reproductive organs and prepares the uterus for pregnancy. Unlike men, however, female sex hormones are not produced consistently. Their production follows a cyclical pattern, on an approximately 28-day monthly cycle. The greatest production occurs during the ovulation period, when an egg is released from the ovaries, Ovulation period can occur 14 days after the beginning of the menstrual period. The reproductive system is a system. of sex organs designed for reproduction and sexual function. The female reproductive system is composed of the clitoris, the vagina, the uterus, the fallopian tubes, and the two ovaries. The clitoris which is made of erectile tissue swells with blood and hardens when a woman is sexually aroused. The Vagina is a muscular tube that serves as the receptacle for the penis and carrier of the sperm to the uterus. Itis also the birth canal where the fetus passes out of a mother’s body. The two ovaries produce, store, and release the egg cell during. ovulation. The uterus 1s a hollow organ where the fertilized embryo grows to become & fetus. The lower part f the uterus is called the cervix, a passageway between the uterus andthe vagina that expands during childbirth. The fallopian tubes ¢, the fertilized egg from the ovary to the uterus. Pregnancy starts from, fertilization and end at birth, for an approximate duration of 269 days fallopian tube fundus of uterus uterus endometrium: myometrium cervix vagina Female Reproductive System On the other hand, the male reproductive system includes the penis, the testes, the scrotum, the prostate gland, the seminal vesicles, the vas deferens, and the epididymis. The penis is the organ through which males urinate and deliver the sperm cells into the vagina during sexual intercourse, It is made up of sensitive tissues and nerve endings ‘When a man is sexually aroused, it becomes erect and allows for penetration. Before reaching the penis, sperm cells travel through the prostate gland and seminal vesicles, The testes or testicles located ina loose pouch-like sac of skin called the scrotum are responsible for the production of sperm cells and male sex hormones. The vas deferens transports the sperm-containing fluid called semen. The epididym® isa set of coiled ducts connected to the vas deferens where the spe™ cells are stored. The prostate gland and seminal vesicles produce seme and nourish the sperm cells. Ejaculation is the release of sperm cellsfrom the penis. ae ejaculation approximately contai million sperm cells. Sperm cells can live up to 48 hours ‘ta ie it 's inside the uterus. seminal vesicle — bladder — prostate gland pubic bone gacws aeferens — penis epididymis testis _ scrotum: spongy urethra Male Reproductive System SEXUAL AROUSAL AND EROGENOUS ZONES: WHAT TURNS PEOPLE ON Human sexual arousal is comp: stimulation of the body's erogenous 20) that provide pleasure. Erogenous ZO are highly sensitive and produce sexu These include the genitals, mouth, breasts, ears, anus, degree, the entire surface of the body. One of the most b: of sexual stimulation is masturbation oF self-stimulation that causes sexual pleasure or orgasm. It involves the rubbing oF fondling of the genital areas and provides a good index of sexual de: seit not constrained by the availability of a partne® Other sexual activities such as intimate kissing, cuddling, necking, petting, OF touching the erogenous zones may be uniquely important to sexus Jex. It may be produced by direct nes on the areas of the body eas of the body which mes are ar’ al responses when stimulated. and to a lesser asic forms ire because itis | arousal.In many species, sexual arousal is closely tied to Variations; hormonal levels. In humans, however, hormones play less farole sexual desire originates ang where sexual behavior is controlled (Atkinson, Atkinson, Smith, Bem, g Nolen-Hoeksema, 2009). Cognitive factors thus play an importany role in sexual arousal in humans. For instance, some individual, become sexually aroused by creating or fantasizing erotic images, In other words, sexual fantasies play a significant role in sexual arousal (Feldman, 2010). Many believe that compared with women, men think about sex more often because they report more frequent sex In one sense, the brain is whe: fantasies and more frequent feelings of sexual desire. Nevertheless, ‘women tend to place more emphasis on emotional closeness with a lover than men do. Overall, women and men have equal potential for sexual arousal and women are no less physically responsive than men (Peplau, 2003). Culture also influences the expression of sexual desire. Norms continue to shape sexual activity along socially acceptable behavior. For instance, masturbation and premarital sex are discouraged in most cultures. Expression of sexual desire is also influenced by sexual scripts or the stereotyped patterns of expectations on how people should behave sexually. For example, some people believe that sex should be done only within marriage. In some cultures, expression of sexual desire and engaging in premarital sex are taboo for wome?. THE PHASES OF SEXUAL RESPONSE They divide the sexual-reg; plateau, orgasm, en and women become sexually arous’™ sponse c and resolution, ele into four phases: exciteme™The excitement phase is the beginning of sexual arousal and can last from one minute to several hours. During this phase, pulse rate increases, blood pressure rises, breathing quickens, and the skin shows a TOSY flush particularly on the chest and breast areas. The nipples harden in both men and women. In men, the penis becomes erect, the skin of the scrotum thickens, and the testes increase in size, In women, the clitoris swells, the lips of the vagina open and its insides become wet in preparation for sexual intercourse. In the plateau phase, the changes in the body continue. In men, the penis becomes more erect, the circumference of its head increases, and few drops of fluid are released. In women, the outer part of the vagina swells with the surge of increased amounts of blood to that area, while the clitoris retracts under the clitoral hood but remains. highly sensitive. The outer lips of the vagina become redder in color. Breathing becomes more rapid, heart rate increases, body temperature tises, and blood pressure increases during this stage. During the orgasmic phase, contractions of the muscles in and around the penis stimulate the release of the semen which contains sperm cells. Men usually achieve one intense orgasm during sexual intercourse. In women, orgasm involves the contraction of the pelvic muscles that surround the vaginal walls and can happen multiple times. In the resolution phase, the body returns to its normal state after orgasm. In men, the erection is lost, the testes decrease in size, and the skin of the scrotum thins again. In women, the clitoris, and the vagina return to their normal state. ATTRACTION, LOVE, AND ATTACHMENT As adolescents grow and mature, they make new patterns of relationships and commitments with other people. While these new patterns of relationships may change as they mature, they could form the foundations on which intimacy during adulthood will be €stablished, During adolescence, dating and courtship emerge and “come increasingly important.Puberty is an important stage in sexual development. It ig the time when many boys and girls first experience their first Sexual attraction. Initial attraction is influenced by social norms, Physical attractiveness, and processes of interpersonal exchange (DeLamater & Myers, 2012). Social norms influence attraction in several ways suc}, as in determining who are appropriate as lovers and spouses. Physica] attractiveness refers to the degree to which a person's physical traits are regarded as aesthetically pleasing or beautiful. Social exchange theory proposes that attraction is the result of an exchange process, People tend to view relationships as the result of the rewards and costs they entail. As the relationship develops, the sharing of activities and information contributes to increased attraction, liking, trust, and love. Romantic love includes a complex combination of different emotions such as fear, anger, sexual desire, joy, and jealousy. Some of these emotions may also be sources of suffering (Santrock, 2002). In the context of interpersonal relationships, psychologist Robert Sternberg suggests that there are three components of love: intimacy, passion, and commitment (Bauermeister, Johns, Pingel, Eisenberg, Santana, & Zimmerman, 2011). The intimacy component refers to the feelings of closeness, connectedness, and bondedness. The passion component refers to the drives that lead to romance, physical attraction, and sexual consummation while the commitment component refers to the decision to love and the commitment to maintain that love. Love is classified based on the combination of any of these components. Romantic love has strong components of sexual attraction and infatuation, and is often experienced in the early stage of a love relationship (Santrock, 2002), Helen Fisher, biological anth: ropologist and expert in the science of human attraction, suggests the important ingredients of romantic love: Just, attraction, and attachment. Lust i s driven by the desit® for sexual gratification. Attraction is often associated with sexu! attraction. Attachment occurs when individuals desire to connect with another person intimately, It may also be called affectionat or companionate love. John Bowlby defines attachment as a stron§affectional tie that binds a person to an intimate companion. Bowlby maintains that the quality of early parent-child attachment has lasting impact on the kind of relationships people have later in life, including romantic relationships. In other words, the ability to form stable and close relationships begins at infancy, in a child’s earliest experiences with a caregiver who meets his or her needs. SEXUAL ORIENTATION Sexual orientation refers to a person's sexual identity anchored on what gender they are attracted to. The most common sexual orientation in which one is sexually attracted to. membe: heterosexuality. Homosexuality, of one who is sexually attracted are referred to as gays, rs of the opposite sex is on the other hand, is the orientation to the same sex. Homosexual males while homosexual females are referred to as lesbians. Bisexuality is an orientation where one is attracted to both opposite and same sex. Theories of the origins of sexual orientation look at both the biological makeup of the individual and the environmental influences on his or her orientation (Rathus, 2017), Some explanations for homosexuality and bisexuality are biological in nature, suggesting that genetic factors such as hormones and certain neural systems may also play a role in sexual orientation. Nevertheless, research studies on the biological causes of homosexuality and bisexuality are not conclusive. Reinforcement and observational learning might also affect an individual's sexual orientation. SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STIs) AND EARLY PREGNANCY Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are contracted primarily through sexual contact (vagi | oral, or anal sex). Many STIs affect the Sex organs themselves while others have broader and more life-threatening effects, Bacterial infections are treatable with antib' iotics, but ies Speed by viruses are more difficult to treat and are often incurable such as HIV/AIDS.However, even curable bacterial infections can cause serious health problems if ignored and left untreated, and some bacterial infection, are difficult to detect because some symptoms are not immediately noticeable. STIs commonly include human immunodeficiency yiryg, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, genital herpes, and genital warts. HIV/AIDS infections are caused by direct contact with body fluids such as through blood transfusion, breast feeding, and sexya] intercourse. It attacks the immune system and the infected person eventually dies. Gonorrhea is caused by gonococcal bacteria which attack the lining of the mucous membrane such as the mouth, throat, vagina, and urethra. Gonorrhea can be treated by penicillin or other antibiotics. Syphilis infects the genital areas and other parts of the body including the brain and can cause paralysis or even death when left untreated. Chlamydia is caused by the bacterium chlamydia trachomatis. In men, chlamydia can cause swollen testicles anda burning sensation during urination. It can result in sterility among women if left untreated because it damages the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. Genital herpes can cause itching and tingling sensations, abscesses, and blisters in the genital area. There is no cure for herpes. Genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus and women with human papillomavirus are prone to cervical cancer. Though the warts can be removed, they may recur. Anyone who is sexually active is at risk of STIs and STDs and should practice safe sex. However, it is important to remember that not having sex can be the safest sex method to avoid all forms of STIs and STDs as well as other problems such as early pregnancy. The consequences of high teenage pregnancy in the Philippines remait a major co: e 4 ‘ neem. Early Pregnancy creates health risks among yours mothers and their babies since yet mature during adolescenc Pregnancy and childbirth, female reproductive organs are not e and complications may arise duringETHODS OF CONTRACEPTION AND THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH LAW Over the years, sexual activities have become less r: tricted premarital sex Is NOW More accepted, Over the past eee deed : there has been a gradual trend toward initiating sex at an eaitee age (Atkinson, Atkinson, Smith, Bem, & Nolau:t tsensenia 2005), Alarmed by the rising cases of HIV/AIDS and early pregnancy cases among Filipinos, some government officials are calling for stronger programs of sex education that include information about the different forms of contraception. Contraception refers to methods that are used to prevent pregnancy. One common method of contraception is the use of condoms which can also prevent some STIs. Other common methods of contraception available in the Philippines include intrauterine device or IUD, a tiny device made of flexible plastic that is inserted in the uterus to prevent pregnancy; birth control injectibles that are given every three months to women; oral contraceptive pills which are taken every day; and withdrawal method. Condom Birth Control Injection Intrauterine Device or IUD thods of contraception Common MeJn the calendar method, the number of days in each meng corded and the couple avoids sex during the fertile Perioa, eden” method, also called the Bing. ¢ other hand, the cervical mucus ; oe method, is a type of natural family planning method bas i on careful observation of mucus patterns during the COUTSE Of the menstrual cycle. The mucus patterns may help in determining whena ‘woman is most likely to conceive or not. As poin| ted out earlier, however, abstaining from sexual intercourse is the best method in Preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections or diseases. Studies show that contraceptive use is low particularly among sexually active adolescents. Thus, the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012, also known as Reproductive Health Law or RH Law, guarantees universal access to methods of contraception, fertility control, sexual education, and maternal care, The RH Law provides for the “prevention and treatment of HIV/ AIDS and other STIs/STDs,” especially since the number of HIV cases among the youth is rising. Further, the RH Law aims to keep couples and women especially, well-informed about available family planning methods that they can freely use depending on their needs and beliefs. It also aims to promote awareness among adolescent ~ and youth on sexuality and reproductive health through proper sex education. Q@)scover cE 1. Primary sex characteristics are the physical characteristics cone at birth which are directly involved in reproduction while secondary sex characteristi, i eee eristics develop during the ons? 2. The reproducti ii a P : uctive system is a system of sex organs designed ‘Production or sexual function. 3. : E sien zones are areas of the body that provide pleasu® include the genitals, mouth, breasts, ears, and anus-10. es is a positive attitude held by one person toward anotl er person, It is influenced by social norms, physical attractiveness, and processes of interpersonal exchange. There are three components of love: intimacy, passion, and commitment. Attachment is a strong affectional tie that binds a person to an intimate companion, Sexual orientation refers to a person’s sexual identity anchored on what gender they are attracted to. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are contracted primarily through sexual contact. Contraception refers to the methods used to prevent pregnancy. Some metho ds of contraception such as the use of condoms can be used to prevent some STIs. Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of ductive Health Law or RH Law, universal access to methods of contraception, and maternal care. Responsible 2.012, also known as Repro guarantees fertility control, sexual education,