Chapter 2 Unpacking the Self

Intended Learning Outcomes: At the end of this chapter, the students are expected
to:

1. Identify the different aspects of self and identity

2. Demonstrate critical, reflective thought in integrating the various aspects of self and
identity through video presentation
3. Identify the different forces and institutions that impact the development of various
aspects of self and identity
4. Reflect on one’s self against the different aspects of self

2.1. The Physical Self

2.1. Sexual Self

It has been believed that the sex chromosomes of humans define the sex (female
or male) and their secondary sexual characteristics. From childhood, we are controlled
by our genetic make-up. It influences the way we treat ourselves and others. However,
there are individuals who do not accept their innate sexual characteristics and they tend
to change their sexual organs through medications and surgery. Aside from our genes,
our society or the external environment helps shape our selves.

Gonads – reproductive gland that produce the gametes: testis or ovary begin to form
until about the eighth week of embryonic development (Marieb, E.N., 2001)
Puberty – generally between the ages of 10 and 15 years old – the period when the
reproductive organs grow to their adult size and become functional under the
influence of rising levels of gonadal hormones (testosterone in males and
estrogen in females). After, reproductive capability continues until old age in
males and menopause in females.

Diseases Associated with the Reproductive System

Infections – most common problems associated with the reproductive system in adults.
Vaginal infections are more common in young and elderly women and in those
whose resistance to diseases is low. The usual infections include those caused by
Escherichia coli which spread through the digestive tract; the sexually
transmitted microorganisms such as syphilis, gonorrhea, herpes virus; and yeast
(a type of fungus). Vaginal infections that are left untreated may spread
throughout the female reproductive tract and may cause pelvic inflammatory
disease and sterility. Problems that involve painful or abnormal menses may also
be due to infection or hormone imbalance.
In males, the most common inflammatory conditions are prostatitis, urethritis, and
epididymitis, all of which may follow sexual contacts in which sexually
transmitted disease (STD) microorganisms are transmitted. Orchiditis, or
inflammation of the testes, is rather uncommon but is serious because it can
cause sterility. Orchiditis most commonly follows mumps in an adult male.
Most women hit the highest point of their reproductive abilities in their late 20s. A
natural decrease in ovarian function usually characterized by reduced estrogen
that causes irregular ovulation and shorter menstrual periods. Consequently,
ovulation and menses stop entirely, ending childbearing ability. This event is
called menopause, which occurs when females no longer experience
menstruation.
There is no counterpart for menopause in males. Although aging men show a steady
decline in testosterone secretion, their reproductive capability seems unending.
Healthy men are still able to father offspring well into their 80s and beyond.

Erogenous Zones – refers to parts of the body that are primarily receptive and increase
sexual arousal when touched in a sexual manner.
- mouth, breasts, genitals, and anus
- may include the neck, thighs, abdomen, and feet
-
Human Sexual Behavior – any activity – solitary, between two persons, or in a group –
that induces sexual arousal (Gebhard, P.H. 2017).
1. Solitary Behavior – self-gratification means self-stimulation that leads to arousal and
generally, sexual climax
- generally beginning at or before puberty, is very common among young males
but becomes less frequent or is abandoned when sociosexual activity is available
- some adolescents become aggressive when responding to stimuli like
advertising and social media
- the rate of teenage pregnancy is increasing in our time
- develop self-control in order to balance suppression and free expression
- adolescents need to control their sexual response in order to prevent
premarital sex and acquire sexually transmitted disease
2. Sociosexual Behavior
Heterosexual behavior – male with female
Homosexual behavior – male with female or female with female
If three or more individuals are involved, it is possible to have heterosexual and
homosexual activity simultaneously

Physiology of Human Sexual Response

1. Excitement phase – cause by increase in pulse and blood pressure; a sudden rise in
blood supply to the surface of the body resulting in increased skin temperature,
flushing, and swelling of all distensible body parts (particularly noticeable in the
male reproductive structure and female breasts), more rapid breathing, the
secretion of genital fluids, vaginal expansion, and a general increase in muscle
tension. These symptoms of arousal eventually increase to a near maximal
physiological level that leads to the next stage.
2. Plateau phase – generally of brief duration; if stimulation is continued, orgasm usually
occurs.
3. Sexual climax – marked by feeling of abrupt, intense pleasure, a rapid increase in
pulse rate and blood pressure, and spasms of the pelvic muscles causing
contractions of the female reproductive organ and ejaculation by the male. It is
also characterized by involuntary vocalizations. Sexual climax may last for a few
seconds (normally not over ten), after which the individual enters the resolution
phase.
4. Resolution phase – the last stage that refers to the return to a normal or subnormal
physiologic state. Males and females are similar in their response sequence.
Whereas males return to normal even if stimulation continues, but continued
stimulation can produce additional orgasms in females. Females are physically
capable of repeated orgasms without the intervening “rest period” required by
males.

Nervous System Factors

The entire nervous system plays a significant role during sexual response. The
autonomic system is involved in controlling the involuntary responses. In the presence
of a stimulus capable enough of initiating a sexual response, the efferent cerebrospinal
nerves transmit the sensory messages to the brain. The brain will interpret the sensory
message and dictate what will be the immediate and appropriate response of the body.
After interpretation and integration of sensory input, the efferent cerebrospinal nerves
receive commands from the brain and send them to the muscles; and the spinal cord
serves as a great transmission cable. The muscles contract in response to the signal
coming from the motor nerve fibers while glands secrete their respective products.
Hence, sexual response is dependent on the activity of the nervous system.
The hypothalamus and the limbic system are the parts of the brain believed to
be responsible for regulating the sexual response, but there is no specialized “sex
center” that has been located in the human brain.
Apart from brain-controlled sexual responses, there is some reflex (i.e., not
brain-controlled) sexual response. This reflex is mediated by the lower spinal cord and
leads to erection and ejaculation for male, vaginal discharges and lubrication for female
when the genital and perineal areas are stimulated. But still, the brain can over-rule and
suppress such reflex activity – as it does when an individual decides that a sexual
response is socially inappropriate.
Sexual Problems – classified as physiological, psychological, and social in origin.
- Physiological problems – least among the three categories. Some common
physiologic conditions include vaginal infections, retroverted uteri, prostatitis,
adrenal tumors, diabetes, senile changes of the vagina, and cardiovascular problems
- Psychological problems – comprise by far the largest category; caused by socially
induced inhibitions, maladaptive attitudes, ignorance, and sexual myths held by
society. Premature emission of semen is a common problem, especially for young
males. Erectile impotence is almost always of psychological origin in males under 40;
in older males, physical causes are more often involved. In other cases, the
impotence may be the result of disinterest in the sexual partner, fatigue, and
distraction because of nonsexual worries, intoxication, or other causes – such
occasional impotency is common and requires no therapy.

Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) – are infections transmitted from an infected person
to an uninfected person through sexual contact.
- STDs can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites
- Include gonorrhea, chancroid, trichomonas vaginalis, genital herpes, human
papillomavirus infection, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Acquired
Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), chlamydia, and syphilis (National Institute of
Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institute of Health of the United
States 2017).

Methods of Contraception and the Reproductive Health Law

Contraception refers to methods that are used to prevent pregnancy. Some methods of
contraception such as the use of condoms can be used to prevent some STIs.
Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012, also known as
Reproductive Health Law or RH Law, guarantees universal access to methods
of contraception, fertility control, sexual education, and maternal care. The
RH Law provides for the “prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS and other
STIs/STDs,” especially since the number of HIV cases among the youth is
increasing. Further, the RH Law aims to keep couples and women especially,
well-informed about available family planning methods that they can freely
use depending on their needs and beliefs. It also aims to promote awareness
among adolescent and youth on sexuality and reproductive health through
proper sex education.

Methods of Contraception
Natural Method – natural family planning methods do not involve any chemical or
foreign body introduction into the human body
a. Abstinence – refraining from sexual intercourse and is the best method in
preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections or diseases. However,
most people find it difficult to comply with abstinence, so only a few use this
method.
b. Calendar Method – also called the Rhythm method – the number of days in each
menstrual cycle is recorded for 6 months in order to calculate the woman’s safe
days and the couple avoids sex during the fertile period
c. Basal Body Temperature – the Basal Body Temperature (BBT) indicates the woman’s
temperature at rest. The woman must record her temperature before any
activity. A slight decrease in the BBT followed by a gradual increase in the BBT
can be a sign that a woman has ovulated.
d. Cervical Mucus Method – also called the Billings Ovulation Method – based on
careful observation of mucus patterns during the course of the menstrual cycle;
the pattern may help in determining when a woman is most likely to conceive or
not.
e. Symptothermal Method – a combination of the BBT method and the cervical mucus
method. The woman records her temperature every morning and also takes note
of changes in her cervical mucus. She should abstain from sexual intercourse 3
days after a rise in her temperature or on the 4th day after the peak of a mucus
change.
f. Ovulation Detection – uses an over-the-counter kit that requires the urine sample of
the woman. The kit can predict ovulation through the surge of luteinizing
hormone (LH) that happens 12 to 24 hours before ovulation.
g. Coitus Interruptus –one of the oldest methods that prevents conception. A couple
still goes on with coitus or sexual intercourse, but the man withdraws the
moment he ejaculates to emit the spermatozoa outside of the female
reproductive organ. A disadvantage of this method is the pre-ejaculation fluid
that contains a few spermatozoa that may cause fertilization.

Artificial Methods
a. Oral Contraceptive Pills – also known as the pill, oral contraceptives contain
synthetic estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen suppresses the Follicle
Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and LH to prevent ovulation. Progesterone also
 decreases the permeability of the cervical mucus to limit the sperm’s access to
the ova. It is suggested that the woman takes the first pill on the first Sunday
after the beginning of a menstrual flow, or as soon as it is prescribed by the
doctor.
b. Transdermal Patch – contains both estrogen and progesterone. The woman should
apply one patch every week for 3 weeks on these areas: upper outer arm, upper
torso, abdomen, or buttocks. The area where the patch is applied should be
clean, dry, and free of irritation. At the 4th week, no patch is applied because the
menstrual flow would then occur.
c. Vaginal Ring – release a combination of estrogen and progesterone and it surrounds
the cervix. This silicon ring is inserted into the female reproductive organ and
remains there for 3 weeks and then removed on the 4th week, as the menstrual
flow would occur. The woman becomes fertile as soon as the ring is removed.
d. Subdermal Implants – two rod-like implants inserted under the skin of the female
during her menses or on the 7th day of her menstruation to make sure that she
will not get pregnant. The implants are made with etonogestrel, desogestrel, and
progestin and can be helpful for 3 to 5 years.
e. Hormonal Injections – contains medroxyprogesterone, a progesterone, and is
usually given once every 12 weeks intramuscularly. The injection causes changes
in the endometrium and cervical mucus and can help prevent ovulation.
f. Intrauterine Device (IUD) – a small, T-shaped object containing progesterone that is
inserted into the uterus via the female reproductive organ. It prevents
fertilization by creating a local sterile inflammatory condition to prevent
implantation of the zygote. The IUD is fitted only by the physician and inserted
after the woman’s menstrual flow. The device can be effective for 5 to 7 years.
g. Chemical Barriers – spermicides, vaginal gels and creams, and glycerin films are
used to cause the death of sperms before they can enter the cervix and to lower
the pH level of the female reproductive organ so that it will not become
conducive for the sperm.
h. Diaphragm – a circular, rubber disk that fits the cervix and should be placed before
coitus or sexual intercourse. Diaphragm works by inhibiting the entrance of the
sperm into the female reproductive organ and it works better when used
together with a spermicide. The diaphragm should be fitted only by the physician,
and should remain in place for 6 hours after coitus.
i. Cervical Cap – made of soft rubber and filled on the rim of the cervix. It is shaped like
a thimble with a thin rim, and could stay in place for not more than 48 hours.
j. Male Condoms – a latex or synthetic rubber sheath that is placed on the erect male
reproductive organ before penetration into the female reproductive organ to
trap the sperm during ejaculation. It can prevent STIs (Sexually Transmitted
Infections) and can be bought over-the-counter. Male condoms have an ideal fail
rate of 2% and a typical fail rate of 15% due to a break in the sheath’s integrity or
spilling of semen.
k. Female Condoms – made up of latex rubber sheaths that are pre-lubricated with
spermicide. They are usually bound by 2 rings. The outer ring is first inserted
against the opening of the female reproductive organ and the inner ring covers
the cervix. It is used to prevent fertilization of the egg by the sperm cells.
l. Surgical Methods - vasectomy for male while tubal ligation for female. During
vasectomy, a small incision is made on each side of the scrotum. The vas
deferens is then tied, cauterized, cut, or plugged to block the passage of the
sperm. The patient is advised to use a backup contraceptive method until 2
negative sperm count results are recorded because the sperm could remain
viable in the vas deferens for 6 months.
In women, tubal ligation is performed after menstruation and before ovulation.
The procedure is done through a small incision under the woman’s umbilicus
that targets the fallopian tube for cutting, cauterizing, or blocking to inhibit the
passage of both the sperm and the ovary.