Sexuality over the lifespan Flashcards
What are the 5 circles of sexuality
- Sensuality
- Intimacy
- Sexual Identity
- Sexual Health and Reproduction
- Sexualization

OBI model of sexual orientation
O = Orientation or attraction who gives you butterflies in your stomach
B = Behavior with whom do you do sexual things
I = Identity how do you publicly identify (which can be different than how you privately identify)
Common normal and developmentally appropriate sexual behaviors in young children
Self-stimulation
Personal space intrusiveness
Interest in language or images of a sexual nature
Exhibitionism
Mutual curiosity in peers’ genitals- Tends to be transient and responsive to parental redirection or admonishment, Younger the age, the more normal this behavior
Solitary sexual behaviors which are inappropriate in children
Repeated penetration of vagina or anus with an object or digit
Behaviors that are persistent, and child becomes angry if distracted
Behaviors associated with conduct disorders or aggression
A variety of sexual behaviors displayed frequently or on a daily basis
Sexual behaviors involving other persons which are inappropriate in children
Sexual behaviors involving children four or more years apart in age
One child coercing another into participating
Explicit imitation of sexual intercourse
Oral-genital contact
Asking an adult to perform a specific sexual act
Progression of puberty in girls

Progression of puberty in boys

What is the parent factor
The amount of warmth, love, affection, communication teens receive from their parents influences sexual behaviors
A higher Parent Factor is associated with older age of 1st intercourse and lower frequency of sex during adolescence
Lower amounts of perceived Parent Factor correlates with emotional distress, lower self esteem, school problems, drug use, and sexual risk behaviors
The level of parental involvement and communication affects sexual behaviors and activities.
What social institutions influence sexuality
School
Sex education, implementation and supportive services at school affect sexual behaviors. Poor support and lack of sex ed can increase the risky sexual behaviors.
Laws
Laws regarding accessing healthcare services influence the likelihood teenagers access these services and barriers to accessing healthcare services increase risky sexual behaviors.
Religion
Teenagers who are more actively involved in religious activities tend to initiate sex later.
Contraception use in adolecents
Only about 78% of adolescents use any sort of method of contraception. The most common method of contraception is condoms (68%), followed by OCPs (16%).
STIs in young adults
When to start taking a sexual history
Age 11
What is the HEEADSSS model
tool for providers for taking a comprehensive psychosocial history for adolescent patients.
–H: Home
–E: Education/Employment
–E: Eating
–A: Activities
–D: Drugs
–S: Suicide/depression
–S: Sexuality
–S: Safety
–*Additional questions:
•Strengths, Spirituality
Progression of gender development
From Birth to 1 year of age, babies typically discover their genitals.
Between Ages of 1 and 2 years, children become conscious of physical differences between genders.
By the Age of 3, children can typically label themselves as boy or girl.
At the Age of 4 years, Gender identity is generally stable and constant.
Average age of coming out as transgender or nonbinary
14-15
Requirements of KY sex ed
The state Law requires STDs and HIV/AIDS education.
Abstinence must be covered as the only completely effective protection against unplanned pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and HIV/AIDS. Teaching about contraceptives, such as condoms, the Pill, or the Patch, is NOT required in KY sex education
Age of consent KY
In Kentucky, a person can legally consent to sexual intercourse at 16 years old ( However, a minor is younger than 18 years).
Parent involvement in sexual health
A teenager does not need permission from a parent or guardian to get tested for STDs and HIV or to consent to treatment. However, the Physician may (but is not required to) inform the parents.
All minors are allowed to get a prescription for birth control without a parent’s permission. Again, the Physician may (but is not required to) inform the parents.
If a person under 18 years old desires an abortion in Kentucky, only One parent must give permission. However, an individual can ask a judge for permission, or get special permission if it’s an emergency, called “judicial bypass’ without parental permission.
There is a 24-hour mandatory waiting period before a teen can get an abortion.
Stats on sexuality of older adults
54% had sex 2-3 times per month
23% reported sex at least 1 time per week
70% of men > 65 remain interested in sex
50% of women > 65 express interest in sex
Greater than 50% of respondents report a sexual problem!
Goal-directed sexual experience
In goal directed sexual experience, good sex includes penetration, ends in orgasm. Anything else is “preliminary stuff”. This can lead to feelings of failure if an orgasm does not occur as the finale.
Non-Goal Directed Sexual Experience
In non-goal directed sexual experience, each act of intimacy is satisfying on its own. Penetration/orgasm is not necessary. This sexual experience can be more fulfilling for many individuals, including older adults.
Basson’s Non-Linear Model of Sexual Response

Hormonal Changes with Menopause
- Perimenopausally, ovarian follicles decrease which causes ovarian estrogen production to decrease.
- FSH increases greater than LH increases.
Etiology of increased FSH is due to loss of negative feedback by gonadal steroid and cessation of ovarian follicular production of inhibin
Ovarian production of androgens continues under increased LH
- In most postmenopausal women, the majority of the estradiol results from peripheral aromatization of androgens.
- Decreased ovarian androgen production as well as decreased adrenal androgens, especially DHEA.
Female Sexual Response with Aging
- Excitement: decreased vaginal blood flow, genital engorgement, and lubrication
- Plateau phase: prolonged, decreased color change of labia
- Orgasm: multi-orgasmic capacity is maintained but weaker and less frequent contractions occur
- Resolution: associated with more rapid loss of vasocongestion than in younger years

