Module 3: Sexual Health Flashcards
define sexual health
a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being related to sexuality
list the perspectives on sexual health and sexuality
- culture and religion
- economic
- legal
- political
describe sexual health from a cultural and religious persepctive
- marriage is universal theme in all cultures
- sexual health and sexuality is defined by cultural values
list cultural values that define sexual health and sexuality
- normative sex roles
- acceptable types of sexual activity
- sexual restraint for females
- same-sex relationships
- contraception decision making
describe sexual health from an economic perspective
- value of bride = virginity
- sexual aggression = power and economic dynamics
- commercial sex industry/sex work
describe sexual health and sexuality from a legal perspective
- laws prohibiting certain types of sexual behavior/intimacy (cohabitation, sodomy)
- same-sex partners
- marriage, annulment, separation, divorce, child custody, child support
describe sexual health and sexuality from a political persepctive
- sex education in schools
- abstinence-only until marriage programs
- comprehensive or abstinence-plus programs
list the anatomical features of the breast
- pectoralis muscle
- stroma
- lobes of mammary glands
- lactiferous ducts
- lactiferous sinuses
what is the purpose of the pectoralis muscle for the breast
where breast tissue anchors
why is the pectoralis muscle in women less defined than in men
men have higher levels of testosterone which contributes to muscle development
what are the components of the stroma in the breast
- suspensory ligaments
- adipose tissue
what feature of the breast gives it the general shape and size
stroma (suspensory ligaments and adipose tissue)
what is the function of suspensory ligaments in the breast
- anchors the breast tissue to the pectoralis muscle
- holds mammary tissue in place
- helps to give shape to the breast
what is the function of the lobes of the mammary glands
produce milk
what is the function of the lactiferous ducts
move milk from the lobes of the mammary glands to the lactiferous sinuses
what is the function of the lactiferous sinuses
hold milk until it is ready to be expressed
describe why milk can come out around the areola
- the lactiferous sinuses can get too full
- milk leaks out in any way it can
what are the 3 times that nipples will vasocongest in women
- breastfeeding
- cold
- arousal
where are breast implants placed and why
- under the pectoralis muscle
- so the implant stays in place and doesn’t migrate around the chest
what is removed during a breast reduction
- adipose tissue
- skin
what happens to the nipple during a breast reduction
the surgeon will shift the nipple up to keep it in a normal place when breast tissue is removed
what is the main hormone that triggers milk production in the breasts
oxytocin
describe when and why a male could lactate
- males have all of the breast structures, just underdeveloped
- estrogen and progesterone contribute to breast development
- a male with low testosterone levels would have a higher ratio of estrogen and progesterone which could develop breast tissue
- a male could then produce oxytocin that could invoke lactation
define gynecomastia
male breast tissue
what is the general cause of gynecomastia
low testosterone
what are the two main causes of low testosterone (and therefore gynecomastia) in men
- aging
- anabolic steroids injections
describe how anabolic steroid use can lead to gynecomastia
- anabolic steroids have lots of testosterone
- testes will stop producing testosterone
- all testosterone from steroids will go to muscle growth
- estrogen and progesterone can overtake remaining testosterone and cause male breast tissue growth
what is the main purpose of bras
to distribute the weight of breasts across the shoulder and away from the back
describe why wearing a sports bra over long periods of time can be dangerous
- sports bras are compression garments
- they may compress the lymphatic system near the breast
- the lymph will get backed up and a cyst may grow
what are 3 ways to do a breast self exam
- in the shower
- in front of a mirror
- lying down
describe how to perform a breast self exam in the shower
- check the entire breast and armpit areas
- press down with light, medium, and firm pressure
- use three fingers with overlapping pressure
why is the shower a good place to do a breast self exam
the heat from the shower can help to relax breast tissue
describe how to perform a breast self exam in front of a mirror
- visually inspect the breasts with your arms at your sides
- then inspect the breasts with the arms raised overhead
describe how to perform a breast self exam lying down
- place a pillow under your shoulder and put your arm behind your head
- move the pads of your fingers around your breast gently covering the entire breast and armpit area
what position are clinical breast exams performed in
lying down
describe the area and direction you should be palpating on a breast self exam
- armpit to nipple
- nipple to armpit
what is the purpose of a breast self examination
check for your own normalcy to see if anything is changing
should you diagnose yourself with a breast self exam
no, only a physician should diagnose
should performing a breast self exam ever be painful
no
when should you perform a breast self exam
2 weeks after the start of your last period
list the anatomical features of the vulva
- mons veneris
- labia majora
- clitoral hood
- clitoris
- labia minora
- urethral orifice
- hymen
- vaginal orifice
what aspect of all vulvas will be the same
- all vulvas will look slightly different
- the general placement/arrangement of structures will be similar in all vulvas
what area of the female body has the most sweat glands per in
vulva
what does mons mean
mountain
what does veneris mean
venus/love
what does pubis mean
to become covered with hair
describe the mons veneris
- fat pad above the pelvic bone and above other vulvar structures
- covered with the majority of pubic hair
who is the term mons veneris and mons pubis used for
- mons veneris: women
- mons pubis: men and women
what is the function of the mons veneris
- protect the pubic bone
- limit friction with pubic hair
should you remove your pubic hair
- removal of pubic hair is an entirely personal choice
- is it not hygienic or unhygienic to remove or not remove pubic hair
what can happen if you remove your pubic hair by shaving
- ingrown hairs
- the pore grows over the blunt end of the hair, the hair begins to grow under the skin
how can you prevent ingrown hairs from shaving
- use a clean and sharp razor
- exfoliate before shaving
- use toner (witch hazel) after shaving
what does labia mean
lips
what does majora mean
large/major
what does minora mean
small/minor
describe the labia majora
- outermost lips of the vulva
- encircle the sensitive structures of the vulva
- is the first layer of protection for vulvar structures
describe the clitoral hood
- tissue covering the clitoris when unaroused
- protects the clitoris
- erectile tissue
what happens to the clitoral hood when aroused
- vasocongests (fills with blood)
- contracts to reveal the surface of the external clitoris
what is the most densely packed site of nerves in the female body
clitoris
what percent of women need clitoral stimulation to orgasm
70%
is the clitoris external or internal
- both
- small external surface
- wishbone shaped under the skin, extends down the vaginal canal
what is the function of the clitoris
pleasure
what type of tissue is the clitoris made of and what does this mean it can do
- erectile tissue
- vasocongests when aroused
what is the size of the external clitoris when unaroused and aroused
- unaroused: 1/2 inch
- aroused: 1-2 inches
what is the analogous structure to the clitoris in men
head/glands of the penis
describe the labia minora
- smaller inner lips
- provide extra protection for urethral and vaginal openings
- may extend beyond the labia majora in some women
describe the urethral orifice
- where urine exits the body
- opens to the urethra
describe why women are more likely to get UTIs than men
the urethral opening is in a moist, warm, and dark environment which is perfect for bacterial growth
describe why women are more likely to get bladder infections than men
- the female urethra is shorter than the male urethra
- bacteria have a shorter distance to travel to the bladder in females
what is the number one way to prevent UTIs
proper hygiene
list ways to prevent UTIs
- change your underwear often
- wear breathable underwear (cotton)
- wash the vulva with mild soap and water
- pee after sex, masturbation, or baths
- drink 100% cranberry juice everyday (or take supplement)
describe why peeing after sex or a bath can prevent UTIs
the acidic urine can flush out bacteria and kill bacteria
describe why taking cranberry supplements may not be a good way to prevent UTIs
- you must take them everyday for it to be effective
- supplements are not regulated by the FDA so it may not be good quality
where is the hymen located
- just inside the labia minora, around the vaginal opening
- is considered external anatomy because it can be visualized without an internal exam
what is the function of the hymen
it has no function
what are the 2 species that have hymens
- humans
- horses
describe the vaginal orifice
- opening to the vagina
- where menstrual blood/tissue passes through and a penis may enter
what is another name for the vagina
birth canal
how long is the vagina when unaroused and aroused
- unaroused: 3-4 inches
- aroused: 7-8 inches
describe the anatomy of the vagina
- muscular
- hollow
- elastic (able to stretch)