SEXUAL SELF - understanding the self subject

it's all about unpacking the self

1. Part 2: My Sexual Self ME AND MY SEXUALITY

2. MY SEXUAL SELF Sex is biological – male, female, also intersex (reproductive differences based on genitalia, chromosomes, hormones) A person’s identity based on their physical characteristics, genes and hormones. Men: penis Women: vagina Intersex: chromosomes and hormones of a female but external genital is like that of a male : chromosomes and hormones of a male but external genital is like that of a female Also refers to sexual acts, as in ‘having sex’ Primary and secondary sex characteristics SEX

3. Gender is ‘the structure of social relations that centres on the reproductive arena, and the set of practices that bring reproductive distinctions into social processes (Connell 2002: 10) A term that refers to social or cultural distinctions associated with a given sex; it is generally considered to be a socially constructed concept. Gender underlies assumptions regarding ‘masculine’ or ‘feminine’ behaviour GENDER MY SEXUAL SELF

4. SEXUALITY Your sexuality is about who you’re attracted to sexually and romantically. Human sexuality refers to people’s sexual interest in and attraction to others, as well as their capacity to have erotic experiences and responses.

5. Straight/Heterosexual Attracted mostly to people of the opposite sex or gender. Gay/Homosexual Attracted mostly to people of the same sex or gender (refers to guys – and often to girls, too). Lesbian Attracted mostly to people of the same sex or gender (refers to women). Bisexual Attracted to both men and women.

6. Biological Perspective of One’s Sex At conception, egg and sperm unite to create a new organism that incorporates some characteristics of each parent. The first 22 pairs are called AUTOSOMES. The last pair is known as the SEX CHROMOSOMES.

7. Genetic basis for sex determination: X chromosome Y chromosome MY SEXUAL SELF

8. MALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGAN

9. FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

10. MY SEXUAL SELF; SECONDARY SEX CHARACTERISTICS

11. The Sexual Response Cycle The hypothalamus is the most important part of the brain for sexual functioning; it produces important sexual hormones that are then secreted by the pituitary gland. Sex hormones that influence sexual behavior include: oxytocin, prolactin, vasopressin, follicle stimulating hormone(FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), others include testosterone in males and estrogen and progesterone in females.

12. The stage in which a man or woman begins to want or "desire" sexual intimacy or gratification, may last anywhere from a moment to many years. 5 Stages: Desire (libido) MY SEXUAL SELF; BIOLOGY OF THE SEXUAL RESPONSE

13. Muscle tension increases. Heart rate quickens and breathing is accelerated. Skin may become flushed (blotches of redness appear on the chest and back). Nipples become hardened or erect. Blood flow to the genitals increases, resulting in swelling of the woman's clitoris and labia minora (inner lips), and erection of the man's penis. Vaginal lubrication begins. The woman's breasts become fuller and the vaginal walls begin to swell. 5 Stages: Excitement (arousal) MY SEXUAL SELF; BIOLOGY OF THE SEXUAL RESPONSE

14. The changes begun in phase 1 are intensified. The vagina continues to swell from increased blood flow, and the vaginal walls turn a dark purple. The woman's clitoris becomes highly sensitive (may even be painful to touch) and retracts under the clitoral hood to avoid direct stimulation from the penis. The man's testicles are withdrawn up into the scrotum. Breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure continue to increase. Muscle spasms may begin in the feet, face, and hands. 5 Stages: Plateau MY SEXUAL SELF; BIOLOGY OF THE SEXUAL RESPONSE

15. Involuntary muscle contractions begin. Blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing are at their highest rates, with a rapid intake of oxygen. Muscles in the feet spasm. There is a sudden, forceful release of sexual tension. In women, the muscles of the vagina contract. The uterus also undergoes rhythmic contractions. In men, rhythmic contractions of the muscles at the base of the penis result in the ejaculation of semen. 5 Stages: Orgasm MY SEXUAL SELF; BIOLOGY OF THE SEXUAL RESPONSE

16. Swelled and erect body parts return to their previous size and color. This phase is marked by a general sense of well- being, enhanced intimacy and, often, fatigue. Refractory period 5 Stages: Resolution MY SEXUAL SELF; BIOLOGY OF THE SEXUAL RESPONSE

17. PHASE BOTH SEXES WOMEN MEN Desire (Duration: anywhere from a moment to many years) Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable MY SEXUAL SELF

18. PHASE BOTH SEXES WOMEN MEN Excitement (Duration: anywhere from a few minutes to several hours) Heart rate and blood pressure increase, body muscles tense, sexual flush occurs, nipples become erect, genital and pelvic blood vessels become engorged, and involuntary and voluntary muscles contract. The vagina lengthens and widens, the clitoris swells and enlarges, breasts increase in size, the labia swell and separate, the vagina becomes lubricated, and the uterus rises slightly. Vaginal lubrication is the key indicator of sexual excitement. Note: Women generally reach this stage more slowly than men do. The penis becomes erect, the scrotum thickens, and the testes rise closer to the body. Erection of the penis is the key indicator of sexual excitement. Note: Men generally reach this stage faster stage than women do. MY SEXUAL SELF

19. PHASE BOTH SEXES WOMEN MEN Plateau (Duration: between 30 seconds and 3 minutes) Breathing rate, heart rate, and blood pressure further increase, sexual flush deepens, and muscle tension increases. There is a sense of impending orgasm. The clitoris withdraws, the Bartholin’s glands lubricate, the areolae around nipples become larger, the labia continue to swell, the uterus tips to stand high in the abdomen, and the “orgasmic platform” develops (the lower vagina swells, narrows, and tightens). The ridge of the glans penis becomes more prominent, the Cowper’s glands secrete preejaculatory fluid, and the testes rise closer to the body.

20. PHASE BOTH SEXES WOMEN MEN Orgasm (Duration: less than 1 minute) Heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure reach their peak, sexual flush spreads over the body, and there is a loss of muscle control (spasms). The uterus, vagina, anus, and muscles of the pelvic floor contract 5 to 12 times at 0.8-second intervals. Note: Women can have orgasm, move back into plateau stage, and achieve another orgasm (called “multiple orgasms”). Ejaculation occurs (contractions of the ejaculatory duct in the prostate gland cause semen to be ejected through the urethra and penis), and the urethra, anus, and muscles of pelvic floor contract 3 to 6 times at 0.8- second intervals.

21. PHASE BOTH SEXES WOMEN MEN Resolution (Duration: varies greatly) Heart rate and blood pressure dip below normal, returning to normal soon afterward; the whole body, including the palms of hands and soles of feet, sweats; there is a loss of muscle tension, increased relaxation, and drowsiness. Blood vessels dilate to drain the pelvic tissues and decrease engorgement; the breasts and areolae decrease in size; nipples lose their erection; the clitoris resumes its prearousal position and shrinks slightly; the labia return to normal size and position; the vagina relaxes; the cervix opens to help semen travel up into the uterus—closing 20–30 minutes after orgasm; and the uterus lowers into the upper vagina Nipples lose their erection; the penis becomes softer and smaller; the scrotum relaxes, and the testes drop farther away from the body. Depending on a number of factors (including age), the refractory period in men, during which erection cannot be achieved, may last anywhere from 5 minutes to 24 hours or more.

22. CHEMISTRY OF LOVE AND LUST

23. The parts of the brain that function when we fall in love are the following: The prefrontal cortex shuts off whenever we experience lust and attraction

24. LUST The hypothalamus of the brain plays a big role in this, stimulating the production of the sex hormones testosterone and estrogen from the testes and ovaries

25. ATTRACTION While we can certainly lust for someone we are attracted to, and vice versa, one can happen without the other. Attraction involves the brain pathways that control “reward” behavior which partly explains why the first few weeks or months of a relationship can be so exhilarating and even all- consuming.

26. ATTRACTION The hypothalamus releases DOPAMINE and NOREPINEPHRINE, hormones that are released when we do things that feel do to us. Such release can lead to decreased appetite and insomnia Norepinephrine is also known as NORADREANALIN, a hormone that plays a large role in the fight or flight response

27. ATTACHMENT Attachment is the predominant factor in long- term relationships. While lust and attraction are pretty much exclusive to romantic entanglements, attachment mediates friendships, parent- infant bonding, social cordiality, and many other intimacies as well. Known as the “cuddle hormone,” that is released in large quantities during sex, breastfeeding & childbirth.

28. EROGENOUS ZONE

29. Sexual Diversity Sex and gender are often thought of as binary categories; that is, we can be either male or female, or feminine or masculine. However, this is a FALSE assumption. Although sex can be quantified by DNA and genetic testing, sometimes the results are difficult to make sense of with regard to their social implications.

30. Sexuality is diverse Refers to the attitudes, feelings and behaviors that a given culture associates with a person's biological sex. Behavior that is compatible with cultural expectations is referred to as gender ‐ normative ; behaviors that are viewed as incompatible with these expectations constitute gender non ‐ conformity (APA, 2012). Gender

31. GENDER IDENTITY One's innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both or neither – how individuals perceive themselves and what they call themselves. One's gender identity can be the same or different from their sex assigned at birth. Gender identity, in nearly all instances, is self- identified, as a result of a combination of inherent and extrinsic or environmental factors

32. An adjective used to describe a person whose gender identity and gender expression align with sex assigned at birth Cisgender replaces the terms "nontransgender" or "bio man/bio woman" to refer to individuals who have a match between the gender they were assigned at birth, their bodies and their gender identity (Schilt & Westbrook, 2009).

33. Transgender An adjective that is a umbrella term used to describe the full range of people whose gender identity and/or gender role do not conform to what is typically associated with their sex assigned at birth.

34. Transgender An umbrella term that incorporates differences in gender identity wherein one's assigned biological sex doesn't match their felt identity. This umbrella term includes persons who do not feel they fit into a dichotomous sex structure through which they are identified as male or female. Individuals in this category may feel as if they are in the wrong gender, but this perception may or may not correlate with a desire for surgical or hormonal reassignment (Meier & Labuski, 2013)

35. Transwoman and Transman Transwoman is a person who was naturally born or physically assigned as male at birth but feels that this is not an accurate and complete description of him and identifies as a female. Transman is a person who was naturally born or physically assigned as female at birth , but who feels that this is not an accurate or complete description of her and consequently identifies as a male.

36. Gender Expression Refers to the ways that humans choose to display their gender identity to the world usually expressed through behavior, clothing, haircut or voice, and which may or may not conform to socially defined behaviors and characteristics typically associated with being either masculine or feminine.

37. Gender Equality Gender equality is achieved when women and men enjoy the same rights and opportunities across all sectors of society, including economic participation and decision- making, and when the different behaviours, aspirations and needs of women and men are equally valued and favoured.

38. 1 Million STI cases everyday worldwide (WHO, 2016) Estimated 357 M each year are infected by 1 of 4 STIs: Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Trichomoniasis (WHO, 2016) Drug resistance is a challenge esp. for Gonorrhea (WHO, 2018) Poor young females more vulnerable than well- off counterparts (Abrigo, n.a.) MY SEXUAL SELF

39. MOST COMMON SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES: Human papillomavirus - causes genital warts, cervical CA. Neisseria gonorrhoeae - causes gonorrhea infection. Chlamydia trachomatis - causes chlamydia infection Treponema pallidum – cases syphilis. If not treated can cause disability, neurological disorder to death. Human immunodeficiency virus – causative agent of AIDS MY SEXUAL SELF

40. HOW TO AVOID STDs? Abstinence from Sexual Intercourse Vaccination Reduce number of sex partners Mutual monogamy Condoms (CDC, 2016) MY SEXUAL SELF