The Physical and Sexual Self |1

THE PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL SELF

MODULE 5

OVERVIEW

It has been believed that the sex chromosomes of humans define the sex (female or male) and
their secondary sexual characteristics. From childhood, we are controlled by our genetic makeup. It
influences the way we treat ourselves and others. However, there are individuals who do not accept
their innate sexual characteristics and they tend to change their sexual organs through medications and
surgery. Aside from our genes, our society or the external environment helps shape our selves.
This lesson helps us better understand ourselves through a discussion on the development of
our sexual characteristics and behaviour.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After studying this chapter, one should be able to:

✓ discuss the developmental aspect of the reproductive system;
✓ describe the erogenous zones;
✓ explain human sexual behaviour and its diversity;
✓ describe sexually transmitted diseases;
✓ characterize the diversity of sexual behavior; and
✓ differentiate natural and artificial methods of contraception

LEARNING EXPERIENCES & SELF-ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES (SAA)

ACTIVITY
DEFINING BEAUTY
Complete the sentences below.
1. For me, beauty means…
2. A beautiful person is…
3. I am beautiful because…

ANALYSIS
As the time goes by, the population increases. Do you agree in the legalization of the
abortion in the Philippines?

ABSTRACTION
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Puberty
Puberty is the period of life, generally between the ages of 10 and 15 years old, when the
reproductive organs grow to their adult size and become functional under the influence of rising levels
of gonadal hormones (testosterone in males and estrogen in females).
After this time, reproductive capability continues until old age in males and menopause in females.
Puberty in Males
The changes that occur during puberty is similar in sequence in all individuals but the age
which they occur differs among individuals. In males, as they reach the age of 13, 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.
Puberty in Females
In females, the budding of their breasts usually occurring at the age of 11 signals their puberty
stage. Menarche is the first menstrual period of females which happens two years after the start of
puberty.
Erogenous Zones
• Erogenous zones refer to parts of the body that are primarily receptive and increase sexual
arousal when touched in a sexual manner.
• One of the commonly known erogenous zones are the mouth, breasts, genitals, and anus.
• It may vary from one person to another. Some people may enjoy being touched in a certain
area more than the other areas.
• Other common areas of the body that can be aroused easily may include the neck, thighs,
abdomen and feet.
Human Sexual Behaviour
Human sexual behaviour is defined as any activity – solitary,
between two persons, or in a group, that includes sexual arousal. There are
two major factors that determine human sexual behavior; the inherited sexual
response patterns that have evolved as a means of ensuring reproduction and
that become part of each individual’s genetic inheritance, and the degree of
restraint or other types of influence exerted on the individual by the society
in the expression of his sexuality.

TYPES OF BEHAVIOR
The various types of human sexual behaviour are usually classified according to the gender
and number of participants. There is solitary behaviour involving only one individual, and there is
sociosexual behaviour involving more than one person.
Solitary Behaviour - Self-gratification means self-stimulation that leads to sexual arousal
generally, sexual climax. Usually, most gratification takes place in private as an end in itself, but can
also be done in a sociosexual relationship.
• Nowadays, humans are frequently being exposed to sexual stimuli especially from advertising
and social media. Some adolescents become aggressive when they respond to such stimuli.
• The rate of pregnancy is increasing in our time. Adolescents need to control their sexual
response in order to prevent premarital sex and acquire sexually transmitted diseases.
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Sociosexual Behaviour – Heterosexual behaviour is the greatest amount of sociosexual behavior that
occurs between only one male and female. It usually begins in childhood and may be motivated by
curiosity, such as showing or examining genitilia.
This behaviour is generally divided into heterosexual behaviour (male and female) and homosexual
behaviour (male with male and female with female).

PETTING
• Petting differs from hugging, kissing, and generalized caresses of the
clothed body to practice involving stimulation of the genitals.
• Petting may be done as an expression of affection and a source of
pleasure, preliminary to coitus.

COITUS
It is the insertion of the male reproductive structure into the female
reproductive organ, is viewed by society quite differently depending upon the
marital status of the individuals.

PHYSIOLOGY OF HUMAN SEXUAL RESPONSE

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, swelling of all distensible
body parts, more rapid breathing, the secretion of genital fluids, vaginal expansion and a general
increase in muscle tension. These symptoms of arousal eventually increase to a near maximal
physiological level that leads to the next stage.
2. Plateau Phase – it is generally of brief duration, if stimulation is continued, orgasm usually occurs.
3. Sexual climax- it is marked by feeling of abrupt, intense pleasure, a 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.
Sexual climax may last for a few seconds (normally not over ten), after which the individual enters he
resolution phase.
4. Resolution Phase - it is the last stage that refers to the return to a normal or subnormal physiologic
state, Males and females are similar in their response sequence. Whereas males return to normal even
if stimulation continues, but continued stimulation can produce additional orgasms in males. Females
are physically capable of repeated orgasms without intervening “rest period” required by males.
Nervous System Factors
- The entire system plays a significant role during sexual response.
Sexual Problems
- Sexual problems may be classified as physiological, psychological, and social in origin.
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Premature emission of semen is a common problem, especially for young males. Sometimes this is
not the consequence of any psychological problem but the natural result of excessive tension in male
who has been sexually deprived.
Ejaculatory Impotence, which results from the inability to ejaculate in coitus, is uncommon and is
uncommon and is usually of psychogenic origin.
Vaginismus is a strong spasm 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 that serves as an unconscious defense against coitus.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

- STD’s are infections transmitted from an infected person to an uninfected person
through sexual contact. STD’s can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
- Examples include gonorrhoea, genital herpes, human papillomavirus infection,
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
(AIDS), chlamydia and syphilis.
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV attacks the body’s immune
system so that it can no longer fight off even minor

NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL METHODS OF

CONTRACEPTION
NATURAL METHOD
The natural family planning methods do not involve any chemical or foreign body.
People who are very conscious of their religious beliefs are more inclined to use the natural
way of birth control and others follow such natural methods because they are more cost-
effective.

ABSTINENCE
This natural method involves refraining from sexual intercourse and is the most
effective natural birth control method with ideally 0% fail rate. It is considered to be the
most effective way to avoid STI’s (Sexually Transmitted Infections). However, most people
find it difficult to comply with abstinence, so only a few use this method.

CALENDAR METHOD
This method is also called as rhythm method. It entails withholding from coitus
during the days that the woman is fertile. According to menstrual cycle, the woman is
likely to conceive three or four days before and three or four days after evolution. The
woman needs to record her menstrual cycle for six months in order to calculate the
woman’s safe days to prevent conception.
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BASAL BODY TEMPERATURE

The basal body temperature BBT indicates the woman’s temperature at
rest. Before the day of ovulation and during ovulation. BBT falls at 0.50F; it
increases to a full degree because progesterone and maintains its level throughout
the menstrual cycle. This serve as the basis for method. The woman must record
her temperature every morning before any activity. A slight decrease in the basal
body temperature followed by a gradual increase in the basal body temperature
can be a sign that a woman has an ovulation.

CERVICAL MUCUS METHOD

The change in the cervical mucus during ovulation is the basis for this
method. During ovulation, the cervical mucus is copious, thin, and watery. It also
exhibits the property of spinnbarkeit, wherein it can be stretched up until at least
1inch and is slippery. The woman is said to be fertile as long as the cervical mucus
is copious and watery. Therefore, she must avoid coitus during those days to
prevent conception.

SYMPTOTHERMAL METHOD
- Is basically a combination of BBT method and the cervical mucus method? The
woman records her temperature every morning and also takes note of changes in
her cervical mucus. She should abstain from coitus three days after a rise in her
temperature or on the fourth day after the peak of mucus change.

OVULATION DETECTION
The ovulation detection method uses an over-the-counter kit that requires
the urine sample of the woman. The kit can predict ovulation through the surge of
luteinizing hormone LH that happens 12 to 24 hours before ovulation.

COITUS INTERRUPTUS
Coitus interrupts is one of the oldest methods that prevents conception. A
couple still goes on with coitus, but the man withdraws the moment he ejaculates
to emit the spermatozoa outside of the female reproductive organ. A disadvantage
of this method is the pre ejaculation fluid that contains a few spermatozoa that may
cause fertilization.

ARTIFICIAL METHODS
ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES
Also known as the pill, oral contraceptives contain synthetic estrogen and
progesterone. Estrogen suppresses the follicle Stimulating Hormone FSH and LH to
prevent ovulation. Moreover, progesterone decreases the permeability of cervical
mucus to limit the sperm’s access to the ova.
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TRANSDERMAL PATCH
The transdermal patch contains both estrogen and progesterone.
The woman should apply one patch every week for three weeks on the
following areas; upper outer arm, upper torso, abdomen. At the fourth week,
no patch is applied because the menstrual flow would then occur. The area
where the patch is applied should be clean, dry, and free of irritation.

VAGINAL RING
The vaginal ring releases a combination of estrogen and progesterone and it surrounds the
cervix.

SUBDERMAL IMPLANTS
Subdermal implants are two rod-like implants inserted under the skin of the female
during her menses or on the seventh day of her menstruation to make sure that she will not
get pregnant.

HORMONAL INJECTIONS
It contains medroxyprogesterone, a progesterone, and is usually given once
every 12 weeks intramuscularly. The injection causes changes in the endometrium and
cervical mucus and can help prevent ovulation.

INTRAUTERINE DEVICE
IUD is a small t-shirt shape object containing progesterone that is inserted into
the uterus via the female reproductive organ. It prevents fertilization by creating a local
sterile inflammatory condition to prevent implantation of the zygote. The IUD is fitted
only by the physician and inserted after the woman’s menstrual flow. The device can be
effective for five to seven years.
CHEMICAL BARRIERS
Chemical barriers such as spermicides, vaginal gels and creams, and glycerine
films are used to cause the death of sperms before they can enter the cervix and to lower
the pH level of the female reproductive organ so it will not become conducive for the
sperm. On the other hand, these chemical barriers prevent sexually transmitted
infections.

DIAPHRAGM
It is a circular, rubber disk that fits the cervix and should be placed before
coitus. Diaphragm works by inhibiting the entrance of the sperm into the female
reproductive organ and it works better when used together with a spermicide. The
diaphragm should be fitted only by the physician, and should remain in place for six
hours after coitus.
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CERVICAL CAP
The cervical cap is made of soft rubber and fitted on the rim of the
cervix. It is shaped like a thimble with a thin rim, and could stay in place for
not more than 48 hours.

MALE CONDOM
It is a latex or synthetic rubber sheath that is placed on the erect male
reproductive organ before penetration into female organ to trap the sperm.

FEMALE CONDOM
Female condoms are made up of latex rubber sheaths that are pre-
lubricated with spermicide. It is used to prevent fertilization of the egg by
sperm cells.
SURGICAL METHOD
Vasectomy, a small incision is made on each side of the scrotum.
The vas deferens is then tied, cauterized, cut, or plugged to block the
passage of the sperm. Tubal ligation is performed after menstruation and
before ovulation. The procedure is done through a small incision under the
woman’s umbilicus that targets the fallopian tube for cutting, cauterizing,
or blocking to inhibit the passage of both the sperm and the ovary.

APPLICATION
Answer the following questions
1. Removing condom during sex may lead to rape charge. Do you agree or not? Explain.
2. Does the used of contraceptive is a way of abortion? Explain.

SELF-ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES (SAA) SHEET

ACTIVITY
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2._________________________________________________________________________
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3._________________________________________________________________________
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ANALYSIS
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APPLICATION
1.___________________________________________________________________________________
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2.___________________________________________________________________________________
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KEY POINTS

✓ Puberty is the period of life, generally between the ages of 10 and 15 years old, when the
reproductive organs grow to their adult size and become functional under the influence of rising
levels of gonadal hormones
✓ Human sexual behaviour is defined as any activity – solitary, between two persons, or in a
group, that includes sexual arousal.
✓ STD’s are infections transmitted from an infected person to an uninfected person through
sexual contact. STD’s can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites.

SELF-ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES (SAA) ANSWER KEY

Application
For item A. each answers corresponds 2 points and 5 points for item B.A1. Such behavior may
be regarded as sexual assault or rape and is a form of reproductive coercion.
A2. It is perhaps NOT a way of abortion. Partly, in some illegal ways.
B. The Philippine government should take measures to legalize abortion in certain
circumstances and provide sexual and reproductive health information and services.

END OF MODULE ASSESSMENT

Now that you have finished the review of the various concepts outlined above, it is now time for an
assessment to see how far you have improved. On every module’s “End of Module Assessment” (this
part), write your answers on separate sheet/s provided. (See separate sheets for the questions.)
 The Physical and Sexual Self |9

LOOKING AHEAD

Congratulations for making it till the end of this module! If you aced the assessments, I am
happy for you. If you have not reached your desired level of competence, just keep going! Remember
that an expert was once a beginner. The next topic will deal on the Lesson 2: To Buy or Not to Buy?
That is a Question!! Happy learning ☺

SELF AND MODULE EVALUATION

This part requires you to rate the quality of the module to help you continuously improve the
development of this learning module. This also asks you to rate your learning experience for each of the
modules. Rate the module using the following:

1 - Strongly disagree
2 - Disagree
3 - Agree
4 - Strongly agree

The learning module 1 2 3 4

Please check the appropriate column.

was engaging
allowed for self-checking (SAAs)
developed in gradual, manageable steps
provided independent, self-paced learning
contained relevant information I needed
SELF-EVALUATION
Rate the extent of your learning in this module using the scale below. Check the column
corresponding to your rating in the space provided. Do not hesitate to contact me if you need further
assistance.
4 - I’m an expert. I understand and can teach a friend about it.
3 - I’m a Practioner. I understand and can cite examples on the topics given.
2 - I’m an apprentice. I understand if I get help or look at more examples.
1 - I’m a novice. I do not understand the topic.
My Learning: 1 2 3 4
I can now

Please check the appropriate column.

discuss the developmental aspect of the reproductive system;
describe the erogenous zones;
explain human sexual behaviour and its diversity;
describe sexually transmitted diseases;
characterize the diversity of sexual behavior; and
differentiate natural and artificial methods of contraception
 T h e P h y s i c a l a n d S e x u a l S e l f | 10

REFERENCES

Lourdes L, Evangelista, Ed.D. Personality Development and Human Relations (With Questions and Answers) Revised
Edition 2005
Periodicals; Newsletter, Peace Ideas No.28 Theosophical Society of the Philippines, Q.C. Mission Magazine, 2004.

END OF MODULE ASSESSMENT (Answer Sheet)

 T h e P h y s i c a l a n d S e x u a l S e l f | 11

END OF MODULE ASSESSMENT (Answer Sheet)

(Please do not forget to provide information on this part)

Name: _____________________________________________ Course& Year:_____________
Module Number and Title: ______________________________________________________
Contact number & email (if any):_______________________________
Date accomplished: ________________________
Now that you have finished the review of the various concepts outlined above, it is now time for an
assessment to see how far you have improved. Write your answers on the blank space provided for
each question.
A. True or False. Write the TRUE if the statement is correct, and write FALSE if the statement is
incorrect. Write your answers on the space provided. (These items include the whole Chapter)
_____________ 1. Male condom is a latex or synthetic rubber sheath that is placed on the erect
reproductive organ before penetration into female organ to trap the sperm.
_____________ 2. Diaphragm is shaped like a thimble with a thin rim, and could stay in place
for not more than 48 hours.
_____________ 3. The cervical cap is made of soft rubber and fitted on the rim of the cervix.
_____________ 4. Tubal ligation is performed after ovulation and before menstruation.
_____________ 5. Vasectomy, a small incision is made on each side of the scrotum.
_____________ 6. Hormonal injections are two rod-like implants inserted under the skin of the
female during her menses or on the seventh day of her menstruation to make sure that she will
not get pregnant.
_____________ 7. The vaginal ring releases a combination of estrogen and progesterone and it
surrounds the cervix.
_____________ 8. The subdermal implants contains both estrogen and progesterone
_____________ 9. IUD is a small t-shirt shape object containing progesterone that is inserted
into the uterus via the female reproductive organ.
_____________ 10. Premature emission of semen is a common problem, especially for young
females.
_____________ 11. Coitus interrupts is one of the oldest methods that prevents conception. A
couple still goes on with coitus, but the man withdraws the moment he ejaculates to emit the
spermatozoa outside of the female reproductive organ.
_____________ 12. Abstinence, which results from the inability to ejaculate in coitus, is
uncommon and is uncommon and is usually of psychogenic origin.
_____________ 13. The basal body temperature BBT indicates the woman’s temperature at rest.
Before the day of ovulation and during ovulation.
_____________ 14. Cervical cap are made up of latex rubber sheaths that are pre-lubricated with
spermicide. It is used to prevent fertilization of the egg by sperm cells.
_____________ 15. Calendar method is also called as rhythm method.
 T h e P h y s i c a l a n d S e x u a l S e l f | 12

B. Discuss the Physiology of Human Sexual Response. (5 points)

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C. Differentiate the NATURAL METHOD from ARTIFICIAL METHOD. (5 points)

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