Republic of the Philippines

NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: IM-GE SELF-1stSEM-2024-2025

THE SEXUAL SELF

At the end of this learning module, the student is expected to:
a. Discuss the sexual development involving the human reproductive system, erogenous zones, sexual behavior and
human sexual response.
b. Demonstrate critical and reflective thought in understanding one’s sexuality, chemistry of lust, love and
attachment and psychological aspect of being turned on.
c. Examine the diversity of human sexuality, sexual health, sexually transmitted diseases and methods of
contraception.

WHAT IS SEXUAL SELF?

- The part of ourself where we learn and understand our sexual development and how people’s sexual activity,
belief, misconceptions and unlimited access from the internet on sex can influence one’s sexual behavior and
responses.
- Your sexual self speaks of your sexual health, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and values
around sexuality.

Sexual Development

- A lifelong process that starts at the moment of conception (Tsiaras, 2006). It can be predicted as part of
human development but not everyone is expected to have the same pattern of changes or the same pacing.

3 reasons why an individual’s sex is important in life long development (Hurlock 2001, p32).

1. Each year children come under increasing cultural pressures from parents, teachers, peer group and society at
large to develop attitudes and behavior patterns that are considered appropriate for members of their sex.
2. Learning experiences are determined by the individual’s sex. In the home, at school, and in play groups, children
learn what is considered appropriate for members of their sex.
3. The attitude of parents and other significant family members towards individuals because of their sex. Strong
preferences for a child of a given sex have marked influences on parents’ attitudes affecting relationship with the
child.

THE HUMAN REPRODUCTIVE ORGAN

a. THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

- The ovaries produce 400,000 eggs or so every 28 days. The ovum
is 100,000 times larger than the sperm cell.
- The eggs carry the X chromosomes.
- Puberty in girls usually starts between ages 8-13, along with all
the bodily changes (breast, hair, skin, hips, voice) it is also where
Menarche (from the Greek word ‘moon’ and beginning), the first
menstrual period, would seal the growth spurt and signal the female’s
sexual maturity.
 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: IM-GE SELF-1stSEM-2024-2025

b. THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

- The testes produce 200 million sperm
cells/spermatozoa every week.
- It carries X or Y chromosomes, which is the sex-
determining cell (Villafuerte, 2013).
- In boys, puberty starts around 10-15 years old and
explains why some girls look more mature than boys.
- The testosterone hormone causes most of the changes
in a boy’s body and men need sperm to reproduce.
- The physical changes (voice, hair, size of penis, larynx),
his brain also changes. Unlike women varying monthly
to create menstrual cycles, the hormones in men’s
brains are constantly active active (Tsiaras, 2006). This
may be the reason why men are said to think about sex
more than women .

The Human Sexual Response

- People’s sexual responses follow a regular pattern consisting of four phases: excitement, plateau, orgasm
and resolution.
- Sexual motivation – referred to as libido, is a person’s overall sexual desire for sexual activity. This is
motivated by biological, psychological, and social factors.

The sexual response cycle – a model that describes the physiological responses that take place during sexual activity.

According to William Masters and Virginia Johnson, the cycle consists of the four phases:
1. Excitement (desire/arousal) –
a. Desire phase – sexual fantasies trigger sexual urges.
b. Arousal stage – stimulation of sexual pleasure and physiological signs may include
• In males, penile tumescence (increased flow of blood into the penis; and
• Females release lubrication
(vasocongestion) and nipples
erect (breast tumescence)
during this stage.
2. Plateau – this stage characterized by rapid
breathing. The penis grows in size and the
testes enlarge, while the outer vagina
contracts and the clitoris retracts form
females.
3. Orgasm – the climax of the sexual activity
• Males experience the inevitability
of ejaculation.
• Vagina contracts for females
4. Resolution – sexual drives slow down
usually for men after ejaculation
Refractory period- a recovery time to
be sexually ready again.
 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: IM-GE SELF-1stSEM-2024-2025

Human Sexuality

- Sexuality is much more than sexual feeling or sexual intercourse. It is an important part of who a person is
and what she/he will become. I includes all the feelings, thoughts, and behaviors associated with being
female or male, being attractive and being inlove, as well as being in relationships that include sexual
intimacy and sensual and sexual activity. It also includes enjoyment of the world as we know it through the
five sense: taste, touch, smell, hearing, touch and sight.

THE DIVERSITY OF HUMAN SEXUALITY

SEX GENDER
• Nature • Nurture
• Physical • Social
• Innate • Learned
• No choice • It is your choice

THE FIVE CIRCLES OF SEXUALITY

1. Sensuality – is awareness and feeling about your own body and other peoples bodies, especially the body of a
sexual partner. Sensuality enable us to feel good about how our bodies look and feel and what they can do.
Sensuality also allow us to enjoy the pleasure our bodies can give us and others.
2. Sexual intimacy – the ability to emotionally close to another human being and to accept closeness in return.
Several aspects of intimacy include sharing intimacy, caring about another, liking or loving a person, emotional
risk-taking and vulnerability to a loved one.
3. Sexual identity – a person’s understanding of who he/she is sexually, including the sense of being male or of
being a female. Sexual identity consists of three “interlocking pieces” that together, affect how each person sees
him/herself. Each “piece” is important.
4. Reproduction and sexual health – these are a person’s capacity to reproduce and the behaviors and attitudes
that make sexual relationships healthy and enjoyable.
5. Sexualization – the aspect of sexuality in which people behave sexually to influence, manipulate, or control other
people. Often called the “shadowy” side of human sexuality, sexualization spans behaviors that range from the
relatively harmless to the sadistically violent, cruel and criminal. These sexual behaviors include flirting,
seduction, withholding sex from intimate partner to punish him/her or to get something, sexual harassment,
sexual abuse, and rape.

Sensuality Your consciousness, acceptance, Body image

and enjoyment of your own and fantasy
other’s body
Intimacy Your experience of being close to Caring and loving
someone Self-disclosure
Trust
Sexual identity How you perceive yourself as a Biological sex
sexual being Gender identity
Gender role
Sexual orientation
Sexual health and reproduction Your attitude and behavior are Sexually transmitted infections
related to sexual health and Contraception
reproductive system, the Abortion
consequences of sexual behaviors,
hygiene, etc.
Sexualization How you use your sexuality to Flirting
control or manipulate others Seduction
Sexual harassment
Incest and rape
 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: IM-GE SELF-1stSEM-2024-2025

Sexuality in adolescent youth (ages 13-19)

- Once youth have reached puberty and beyond, they experienced increased interest in romantic and sexual
relationships and in genital sex behaviors.

THE CHEMISTRY OF LUST, LOVE AND ATTACHMENT

LUST – a phase which is driven by the sex hormones testosterone and estrogen – in both men and women.
Estrogen and testosterone are two basic types of hormones present equally in men and women’s body that excite the
feeling of lust within the brain.

ATTRACTION- this phase is said to be one of the beautiful moments of life. This is the phase when a person
actually starts to feel the love. Scientists think that three main neurotransmitters are involved in this stage; adrenaline,
dopamine, and serotonin.

ATTACHMENT – a bond helping the couple to take the relationship to advanced levels. It instigate the feeling of
bearing children and falling in love with them wholeheartedly. Scientists think there might be two major hormones
involved in this feeling of attachment; oxytocin and vasopressin.

THE DIVERSITY OF HUMAN SEXUALITY

GENDER BIAS
- Holding stereotyped opinions about people according to their gender. This include believing that women are
less intelligent or less capable than men.

Sexual orientation
- refers to an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions to men, women, or both
sexes.
- It also refers toa person’s sense of identity based on those attractions, related behaviors, and membership in
community of others who share those attractions.

SEXUAL HEALTH AND SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES/INFECTIONS

SEXUAL INTERCOURSE
- is one of the most common behaviors among human. Sexual behaviors is a behavior that may produce sexual
pleasure that often culminates in orgasm in females and in males.
- May result in pregnancy and/or STDs

SOME COMMON SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS

Caused by General information
Genital herpes Herpes simplex virus Effects: sores on the genital or rectal area,
buttocks, and thighs
Cause: unprotected and risky vaginal, oral, anal
sex with someone who is infected.
Gonorrhea Bacteria Effects: infects genital tract, mouth, or anus;
difficulty urinating
Cause: caused by Neisseria Gonorrhoeae;
unprotected and risky vaginal, oral, anal sex
with someone who is infected.
HIV/AIDS Virus Effects: slows down the immune system
Cause: unprotected and risky vaginal, anal, or
anal sex with someone who is infected;
syringes with infected blood strain; and
mother-to-child transmission
HPV Human papillomarvirus Effects: warts
Cause: intimate or skin to skin contact with
your body
 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: IM-GE SELF-1stSEM-2024-2025

Syphilis Bacteria Effects: infects the genital area, lips, mouth, or

anus
Cause: caused by treponema pallidum
Trichomoniasis Parasite Effects: it spreads from person to person
during sex. Symptoms may include discharge
from sex organs, itching or irritation, painful
urination, etc.

Prevention of sexually Transmitted Infections

Abstinence Abstinence means not engaging in any sexual activity. It considered the
most practical and effective way to avoid acquiring these STDs.
Monogamy Engaging in sexual activities with only one person is what is meant by
monogamy. Establishing a long-term monogamous relationship with an
uninfected partner can certainly keep your safe from infection.
Vaccination Vaccines to prevent infection are safe and highly recommended.
Check for infections Put yourself to the test. Early detection is better when there is no
prevention. Many STDs can be easily diagnosed and treated.
Education Educate yourself and your partner about hygiene, preventive measures
against STDs.

MISCONCEPTIONS ON HAVING SEX

• All teens are having sex
• Having sex makes you matured and an adult
• Something is wrong with an older teen (17-19) who is not having sex
• A girl can’t get pregnant if it’s her first time
• You are a virgin as long as you don’t have sexual intercourse – oral sex doesn’t count
• Oral sex is not sex

PREMARITAL SEX
- Sexual activity practiced by people who are unmarried. It can be any sexual relations a person has prior to
marriage.
- The alternative terms for premarital sex have been suggested, including non-marital sex, youthful sex,
adolescent sex, and young-adult sex.

FACTORS THAT ENCOURAGE HAVING PREMARITAL SEX

• Having poorly educated parents
• Unsupportive family relationships
• Lack of parental supervision
• Friends who are sexually active
• Poor school grades/poor academic performance
• Poor spiritual exercises
• Engaged in risky leisure activities.

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES/INFECTION

- These are also known as venereal diseases (VD).
- They are passed through sexual contact or genital – through vaginal intercourse, oral sex and anal sex.
- The term STI evolved from “venereal diseases” to sexually transmitted diseases which has a briader range of
meaning: that it can be passed without disease.

HIV /AIDS
- HIV – “Human Immunodeficiency Virus” is a retrovirus—genetic info @RNA than DNA.
- The first virus that causes AIDS and it is preventable and manageable but not curable.

How do people get AIDS?

1. Bodily fluids (blood products – transfusion, semen and vaginal fluids)
2. Intravenous (IV) Drug abuse (sharing needles and use of unsterilized blades)
 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: IM-GE SELF-1stSEM-2024-2025

3. Sexual intercourse (unprotected vaginal, oral and anal sex)

HIV/AIDS Situationer in the Philippines

2000 1 case in every 3 days
2009 2 cases in each day
2010 5 cases in each day
2012 1 in every 3 hours (8 cases in each day)
2014 17 cases in each day
2015 22 cases in each day
Around the world, there are 488 million new infections of curable sexually transmitted infections which occur yearly.

TEENAGE PREGNANCY
- This is the pregnancy in human females under the age 20 at the time that the pregnancy ends.
- In teenage pregnancy, there are risks of low birth weight, premature labor, anemia, and pre-eclampsia are
connected to the biological age itself, as it was observed in teen births
- Everyday in developing countries, 20,000 girls under age 18 give birth. This amount to 7.3 million birth a
year.

PREVENTION OF TEENAGE PREGNANCY

- Comprehensive sex education and access to birth control appear to reduce unplanned teenage pregnancy.
a. Education
b. Abstinence only education

FAMILY PLANNING/RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD

- It is a simple way of regulating and spacing the births of children. It is giving birth according to the health and
economic conditions of the family, giving birth of the mother according to her right age.
a. Natural birth control
b. Artificial birth control

CONTRACEPTION
NATURAL METHODS
1. CALENDAR METHOD It helps you monitor and predict your fertility by noting the length of your
menstrual cycle every month.
2. Temperature method This method traces the changes in body temperature to determine the
ovulation period.
3. Cervical mucus method It helps to monitor the changes in vaginal discharge or cervical mucus to
determine the ovulation period.
4. Withdrawal The practice of withdrawing the penis away the vagina when it’s about to
ejaculate to prevent sperm from entering the vagina to avoid pregnancy.

HORMONAL METHOD

1. Injection/shot – progesterone is injected into a woman’s buttocks or arm every

three months.
 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: IM-GE SELF-1stSEM-2024-2025

2. Pill – it is a medicine that is taken orally by women to prevent pregnancy.

3. Patch – it is worn on the lower abdomen or buttocks.

4. vaginal ring – this is placed inside the vagina.

BARRIER METHOD

1. Diaphragm or cervical cap – works by providing a barrier inside the vagina

that blocks the sperm cells from entering the cervix. In order to lessen the
likelihood of becoming pregnant, it is critical to first kill the sperm by treating
them with spermicide.

2. Sponge – works just like cervical cap, but the method of using it differs. After
sexual intercourse, it should not be removed for at least six hours.
 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: IM-GE SELF-1stSEM-2024-2025

3. Male Condom – prevents sperm cells from entering the

vagina. It has different sizes and flavors.

4. Female condom – helps block sperm cells from entering women’s body.

5. Spermicides – kill sperm cells. It can come in

various forms, like gel, foam, etc.

PERMANENT/SURGICAL METHODS

1. Female sterilization or ligation/tying tubes – fallopian tubes are tied to

prevent sperm and eggs from meeting and being fertilized. This method is
permanent.

2. Male sterilization
Vasectomy – the vas deferens is cut and tied to prevent sperm
during ejaculation, thus making egg and fertilization and
pregnancy impossible.
 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: IM-GE SELF-1stSEM-2024-2025

REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY

1. Artificial insemination – fertilization is aided by placing the semen

inside a syringe that is connected to a catheter that is inserted
inside the uterus to facilitate pregnancy.

2. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) – fertilization happens outside

a women’s body, usually in a laboratory using a test tube. Thus,
offspring from IVF are sometimes r referred to as “test-tube
babies”.

3. Surrogacy – a donor or second woman legally agrees to become

pregnant with the sperm of the first woman’s husband.