Week 2 Flashcards
What are the three stages of sex and which biological processes are involved in each stage?
- Desire (hormones & neurotransmitters)
- Excitement & arousal (circulation)
- Orgasm (nerves & neurotransmitters)
The brain is involved in all three stages
When does puberty start biologically?
When the hypothalamus starts to secrete GnRH, which causes the pituitary to release LH and FSH.
In men: LH and FSH stimulate the testes to produce sperm and secrete testosterone (androgens).
In women: LH and FSH stimulate the ovaries to produce estradiol (estrogens).
What are the erection enemies?
Obesity, smoking, alcohol, drugs, stress
What are non-religous and non-medical reasons for female genital cutting/mutilation?
Cleanliness, beauty, sexual morality, femininity
What are risks of female genital cutting/mutilation?
Problems with urination, infections, childbirth, risk of newborn deaths, cysts (blaasjes)
What are three forms of female genital cutting?
Clitoridectomy, excision, infibulation
What does the paraventricular nucleus (part of the hypothalamus) produce? (6)
- Noradrenaline
- Cortisol
- Oxytocin
- Serotonin
- Dopamine
- Testosterone
What are inhibitory factors?
- Prolactin
- Serotonin
- Opioids
What are excitatory factors?
- Testosterone
- Estrogen
- Dopamine
- Progesterone
What happens after a male orgasm?
Prolactin production which is inhibitory –> erection calms down
When is the parasympathetic system involved in male in sex?
Erection and everything before orgasm
When is the sympathetic system involved in male in sex?
Orgasm
What is a cause of having a micropenis?
Lack of androgen in early age (prepuberty)
What part is responsible for the blood stream during an erection?
Pudental artery
What are characteristics of the corpus spongiosum?
Surrounds the urethra; is never really hard. Mostly inside of the penis
Why can the corpus cavernosum get hard?
Because they’re filled with blood.
From what age does it get harder to get an erection? (need to touch and work)
40-50
What is the difference between a psychogenic erection and a reflexogenic erection?
Psychogenic: (sensory/visual/auditory) stimuli or fantasy triggers the cortex which creates an erection
Reflexogenic: direct genital stimulation results in reflex erection
What type of reflexogenic erection can happen during REM-sleep?
Nocturnal erection
How can we use nocturnal erections to examine if someone has problems with the physical body or psychogenic part?
If someone still has nocturnal erections, the system works and it has to be a problem with psychogenic erection
What are the mechanics of getting an erection?
Erotic stimuli (start release neurotransmitters) –> neural initiation (parasympathic) –> to genitals via spinal cord –> relaxation of muscles –> erection
How does the penis stay firm enough for intercourse?
More blood will fill up the penis than that will flow out. It keeps blood
What six things is the pelvic floor involved in?
- Support bladder and uterus
- Closing mechanism anus and urethra
- Birth process in women
- Mobility and stability
- Sexual arousal and enjoyment
- Emotion
Which muscles facilitate and maintain an erection?
Ischiocavernous muscle facilitates, bulbocavernous muscle maintains, by enhancing the blood flow
