Module 8: Understanding Your Sexuality Flashcards
define sexuality
- all thoughts, feelings, and behaviors associated with being male or female
- experiencing attraction
- being in love
- being in relationships that include sexual intimacy
define sexual identity
- recognition and acknowledgment of oneself as a sexual being
- determined by complex interaction of genetic, physiological, environmental, and social factors
when does the beginning of sexual identity occur
- conception
- combining of chromosomes that determine sex
define intersexuality
- chromosomes added, lost, or rearranged
- sex of baby is not clear
- aka disorders of sexual development
what is the range of babies born with disorders of sexual development
1 in 1500 to 1 in 4500 births
when are gonads (reproductive organs) developed
8th week of fetal life
what are the primary female sex hormones
estrogen and progesterone
what is the primary male sex hormone
testosterone
where are hormones released during puberty that stimulate the release of sex hormones from the testes/ovaries
pituitary gland
what are male secondary sex characteristics
- deepening of voice
- development of facial and body hair
- growth of skeleton and musculature
what are female secondary sex characteristics
- growth of breasts
- widening of hips
- development of public and underarm hair
define gender
characteristics and actions typically associated with men or women as defined by the culture in which one lives
define gender roles
behavior and activities we use to express masculinity or femininity in ways that conform to society’s expectations
define androgyny
combination of traditional masculine and feminine traits in a single person
define gender identity
- person’s sense of awareness of being masculine or feminine
- does not always match biological sex (transgender)
define sexual orientation
person’s enduring emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction to others
how many hate crimes in the US are related to sexual orientation
21%
what three factors help to best understand sexual orientation
- biological
- psychological
- socio-environmental
what structures are included in the term vulva
- mons pubis
- labia minora and majora
- clitoris
- urethral and vaginal openings
- vestibule of the vagina and its glands
define mons pubis
- pad of fatty tissue covering and protecting the public bone
- covered with hair after puberty
define labia majora
folds of skin and erectile tissue that enclose the urethral and vaginal openings
define labia minora
folds of mucous membrane found just inside the labia majora
define clitoris
- upper end of labia minora and beneath mons pubis
- provides sexual pleasure
define hymen
- covers vaginal opening in some women
- thin membrane
define vagina
- muscular, tubular organ
passageway from uterus to the outside of the body - allows menstrual flow to exit
- receives penis during intercourse
- birth canal during childbirth
define uterus/womb
- hollow, muscular organ
- inner lining called endometrium
- endometrium receives hormones that tell it to either prepare for implantation and development of fertilized egg or signal no fertilization which causes menstrual flow
define cervix
lower end of uterus
define ovaries
- on either side of uterus
- produce hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and small amounts of testosterone)
- reservoir for immature eggs
define fallopian tubes
- two thin and flexible tubes extending from upper end of the uterus
- do not touch ovaries
- capture eggs as they are released
- where sperm and egg meet and fertilization occurs
what hormone does the hypothalamus secrete in girls at the onset of puberty and what does it do
- gonadotropin-releasing hormones (GnRH)
- signals pituitary gland to release hormones
what hormones does the pituitary gland release in girls at the onset of puberty after being signaled by GnRH and what do they do
- follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
- luteinizing hormone (LH)
- signal ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone
what does estrogen do
- regulates menstrual cycle
- development of secondary sex characteristics in females
what does progesterone do
- helps endometrium to develop in preparation for fertilized egg
- maintains pregnancy
what are the 3 phases of the menstrual cycle
- proliferative phase
- secretory phase
- menstrual phase
what happens during the proliferative phase
- end of menstruation
- hypothalamus senses low blood levels of estrogen and progesterone
- increase secretions of GnRH
- GnRH signals pituitary gland to release FSH
- FSH signals ovarian follicles to being maturing and producing estrogen
- endometrium proliferates
- high estrogen levels signal pituitary gland to slow FSH production and increase release of LH
- mature ovarian follicle ruptures and releases mature ovum (ovulation)
what happens during the secretory phase
- ovum remains in ovary and is transformed into corpus luteum which starts to secrete large amounts of estrogen and progesterone
- hormone secretions peak at day 20 to 21 of the average cycle
- endometrium thickens
- if fertilization occurs, cells around the embryo release human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) hormone which signals pituitary gland to not start new cycle
- if fertilization doesn’t occur, the hypothalamus signals pituitary gland to stop producing FSH and LH which causes progesterone levels to peak and corpus luteum decomposes
what happens during the menstrual phase
- endometrium sloughs off from decline of estrogen and progesterone
- hypothalamus releases GnRH and cycle starts again
define premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- collection of physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms that many women experience
- 7 to 14 days prior to menstrual period
- tender breasts, bloating, food cravings, fatigue, irritability, depression
what percent of women experience at least one PMS symptom
85%
define premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
- PMS symptoms severe enough to affect daily routines and activities
- severe depression, hopelessness, anger, anxiety, low self-esteem, difficulty concentrating, irritability, tension
what percent of women have PMDD
5-8%
ways to manage PMS
- eating healthy carbs (grains, fruits, vegetables)
- reducing caffeine and salt intake
- exercising
- measures to reducing stress
define dysmenorrhea
- menstrual cramps
- pain or discomfort in lower abdomen before or during menstrual period
what is the difference between primary and secondary dysmenorrhea
- primary: no physical abnormality, beings 6 months to a year after first period
- secondary: underlying physical cause (endometriosis or uterine fibroids)
how does birth control help menstrual cramps
- prevents ovulation
- fewer prostaglandins to trigger muscle contractions
define toxic shock syndrome
- caused by bacterial infection facilitated by use of tampon
- symptoms occur during or few days after period
- symptoms mimic the flu
define menopause
- permanent cessation of menstruation
- decrease of estrogen
define perimenopause
- 4 to 6 years preceding menopause
- between 45 and 55 years of age
- hormonal changes take place that cause menstrual cycle and flow to become irregular
what is used to relieve menopausal symptoms
- hormone replacement therapy
- synthetic forms of estrogen and progesterone
what structures secrete components that help make semen
- accessory glands:
- seminal vesicles
- prostate gland
- Cowper’s glands
define penis
- deposits sperm in the vagina during intercourse
- urethra passes through the center and moves urine and semen to the outside of the body
- spongy tissue in the penis fills with blood during sexual arousal
define ejaculation
- series of rapid, spasmodic contractions
- propels semen put of the penis
define scrotum
- protects testes
- maintains ideal temperature for sperm production by raising to body or lowering away
define testes
manufacture sperm and testosterone
define spermatogenesis
- development of sperm
- governed by pituitary gland and FSH
define epididymis
- in the back of each testis
- where immature sperm are released and ripen to full maturity
define vas deferens
- tubular transport for storing and moving sperm
- connect epididymis to ejaculatory ducts
what structure provides sperm with nutrients and other fluids to create semen
seminal vesicles
define prostate gland
- contributes more fluids to the semen
- chemicals that help sperm fertilize ovum and neutralize acidic environment of vagina
define Cowper’s glands
- secrete preejaculate fluid that lubricates the urethra and neutralizes any acid that may remain in the urethra after urination
how many babies in the US are now circumcised
60%
what are the medical benefits of circumcision
- decreased risk of UTI in the first year
- decreased risk of penile cancer
- decreased risk of sexual transmission of HPV and HIV
what are the four categories of sexual response
- excitement/arousal
- plateau
- orgasm
- resolution
what happens during the first phase of sexual response
- excitement/arousal
- vasocongestion (blood flow to genitals)
- vagina lubricates; penis becomes erect
- breathing and heart rate speed up
what happens during the second phase of sexual response
- plateau
- initial responses continue and intensify
- penis secretes preejaculatory fluid
- uterus rises, vagina swells with increased blood flow, and clitoris retracts under clitoral hood
what happens during the third phase of sexual response
- orgasmic
- vasocongestion and muscle tension reach peak
- rhythmic contractions occur through genital regions
- contractions in uterus, outer vagina, and anal sphincter in women
- contractions first in prostate gland then muscles of pelvic floor, urethra, and anal sphincter in men
what happens during the fourth stage of sexual response
- resolution
- muscle tension and vasocongestion subside
- feelings of well-being and profound relaxation
- men experience refractory phase where they can’t get subsequent arousal for minutes to hours
what are the four categories of sexual dysfunction
- desire disorders
- arousal disorders
- orgasmic disorders
- pain disorders
define celibacy
- abstention from all sexual activities
- including masturbation is complete celibacy
- only abstention from activities with another person (partial celibacy)
define abstinence
- avoidance of intercourse: oral, vaginal, or anal
- can engage in other sexual behaviors such as kissing, touching, or masturbation
how many college students report being abstinent
30%
define autoerotic behaviors
- sexual self-stimulation
- sexual fantasy and masturbation
define sexual fantasy
- sexually arousing thoughts and dreams
- does not mean you what to or have to act out the experience
define masturbation
- self-stimulation of the genitals
- natural behavior in children and infants
what are the 3 times consent cannot be given
- underage
- drunk
- under pressure
define erogenous zones
- areas of the body that when touched lead to sexual arousal
- can include genitals and nongenital areas
what is the difference between cunnilingus and fellatio
- cunnilingus: oral stimulation of women’s genitals
- fellatio: oral stimulation of men’s genitals
what is the most frequently practiced form of sexual expression
vaginal intercourse
what percent of college students report having had oral sex in the past month
45.5%
what percent of college students report having had vaginal intercourse in the past month
49.2%
what percent of college students report having had anal sex in the past month
5.2%
why is it so important to wear protection during anal sex
- delicate tissues of the anus are more likely to tear than vaginal tissues
- increases risk of HIV and other STIs
define variant sexual behavior
- less common sexual activities
- group sex, swinging, BDSM
is alcohol or date rape drugs more commonly associated with sexual assault
alcohol
what is included in healthy and responsible sexuality
- good communication
- acknowledging that you are a sexual person
- understanding sexual structures and their functions
- accepting and embracing your gender identity and sexual orientation
what is the purpose of the CERTS model
used for evaluating sexual behaviors as healthy or unhealthy for you
what does CERTS stand for
- consent
- equality
- respect
- trust
- safety
