Human Sexuality…

In all species of animals, including the human species, sexual behavior is directed by a
complex interplay between hormone actions in the brain that give rise to sexual
arousal and physical experiences with a sexual reward. In most animals, sexual
activity and responses are primarily a matter of biology.

Human sexual behavior is different

from the sexual behavior of other
animals, however. While "lower"
animals or species partake in sexual
behavior because they are driven by a
"force" to reproduce, humans are
not sexually active just for the sake
of reproduction. There are a variety
of complex factors that lead people to
have sex. Human sexuality is the way
in which we experience and express
ourselves as sexual beings.
 Human Sexuality…
From 1938 to 1963, biologist Alfred Kinsey used
interviews to research human sexual behavior and
responses. Although controversial, society was
intrigued with findings that showed men and women
were more alike in their sexual instincts and
preferences and their sexual behaviors were
shaped by social and cultural forces.
The Kinsey Institute used interviews to collect
data about human sexual practices, including
intercourse, anal and oral sex, masturbation,
extramarital sex, erogenous zones (parts of the
body involved in sexual arousal), sexual fantasy,
homosexual, heterosexual, bisexual
experiences, foreplay, nudity, orgasm, premarital
sex, and sex with prostitutes. Those and
current research findings have concluded
that the lower the socioeconomic class, the
more permissive the sexual behavior.
Human Sexuality…
Human Sexual Response by William Masters and
Virginia Johnson summarizes the research they did
over a 30 year period starting in the late 1950’s. They
used direct observation to examine sexual responses,
which was controversial but gave a reliable picture of
what happens to the body during sexual behavior.

Their primary contribution has been to help define

sexuality as a healthy human trait and the
experience of great pleasure and deep intimacy
during sex (rather than just to procreate) is a
socially acceptable goal. They focused on sexual
functioning, sexual problems and therapeutic
interventions (sexual therapy) for these problems,
and helped move society toward a more open
discussion of sexual practices and experiences.
Human Sexuality…
Sex and Health

• Palmore (1982) found that frequency of intercourse in males,

not females increased longevity
– Past enjoyment of intercourse increased longevity in females
• American nuns had a 20% higher breast cancer risk than sexually
active US females
• Associated with increased immune function in males
• Believed to be equivalent to a moderate bout of exercise
• Higher masturbation frequency is correlated with depression in
several studies
• Penile-Vaginal intercourse (PVI) promotes cardiovascular
function
Human Sexuality Laws…
A. Laws concerned with the preservation of public
sensibilities. These outlaw public sexual activity that is
found offensive, such as exhibitionism (displaying one’s
genitals to those not wanting to view them), voyeurism
(peeping), locations of strip clubs, sex shops, etc., and
obscenities (vulgar language or gestures).
Human Sexuality Laws…
B. Laws concerned with the protection
of the person. These are based on the
element of consent. Society views minors
(pedophilia), mentally ill, and mentally
handicapped individuals as too immature or
incapable of giving consent. Others choose
not to give consent. Sexual acts with these
individuals is called rape.

Sexual assault is any type of sexual activity that a person does not agree to, including
unwanted touching; putting something into the vagina; sexual intercourse; rape; and
attempted rape. Date rape refers to sexual assault by a ‘date’ or ‘an acquaintance’,
rather than by a stranger. Date rape, or ‘club drugs’ can easily be slipped into a drink;
they often have no color, smell, or taste. The drugs can make the victim weak and
confused, or pass out, or lose their memory. Date rape drugs are used on both females
and males, the three most of which are: rohypnol (roh-HIP-nol), GHB, and
ketamine(KEET-uh-meen)
Human Sexuality Laws…
C. Laws maintaining sexual
morality. This constitutes the
majority of legislation written, and
are heavily influenced by historical
and current religious perspectives.

They include laws about incest (having sexual relations with someone
too closely related by blood to be married to), prostitution (sexual acts
sold for money), beastiality (contact with an animal), transvestism
(dressing like the opposite sex), pornography (written and pictorial
material intended to sexually excite), and homosexuality (same sex
contact).
SEXUAL
INTERCOURSE
Sexual intercourse, also called coitus,
or copulation, is the reproductive act in
which the male penis enters the female
vagina. If the reproductive act is
complete, an average of 100 million
sperm are ejaculated from the male body
into the female.

In human beings, a pattern of physiological events occurs during

sexual arousal and intercourse. These events take place in 4
stages or phases identified by Masters & Johnson: excitement,
plateau, orgasm, and resolution.
SEXUAL
INTERCOURSE
Activities that create General characteristics of the
excitement phase, which can last from a few minutes
this sexual arousal to several hours, include the following:
are commonly
• Muscle tension increases.
referred to as • Heart rate quickens and breathing is accelerated.
‘foreplay’. • Skin may become flushed (blotches of redness
appear on the chest and back).
• Nipples become hardened or erect.
• Blood flow to the genitals increases, resulting in
swelling of the woman's clitoris and labia minora
(inner lips), and erection of the man's penis.
• Vaginal lubrication begins.
• The woman's breasts become fuller and the
vaginal walls begin to swell.
• The man's testicles swell, his scrotum tightens,
and he begins secreting a lubricating liquid.
SEXUAL
INTERCOURSE
Activities that create
this sexual arousal Erogenous Zones
are commonly • Specific - have increased surface
referred to as area of dermal layers, thus more
‘foreplay’. sensory nerves
– Penis, foreskin, perianal skin, lip,
nipple, vulva, clitoris

• Non-specific - similar to the other

normal hairy skin nearby
– Sides of back/neck, armpits, sides of
lower back
SEXUAL
INTERCOURSE General characteristics of the plateau
phase, which extends to the brink of
orgasm, include the following:

• The changes begun in phase 1 are intensified.

• The vagina continues to swell from increased blood
flow, and the vaginal walls turn a dark purple.
• The woman's clitoris becomes highly sensitive
(may even be painful to touch) and retracts under
the clitoral hood to avoid direct stimulation from the
penis.
• The man's testicles are withdrawn up into the
scrotum.
• Breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure continue
to increase.
• Muscle spasms may begin in the feet, face, &
hands.
• Muscle tension increases.
SEXUAL
INTERCOURSE
The orgasm is the climax of the sexual response
cycle. It is the shortest of the phases and generally
lasts only a few seconds. General characteristics of
this phase include the following:

• Involuntary muscle contractions begin

• Blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing are at
their highest rates, with a rapid intake of oxygen.

Orgasm
• Muscles in the feet spasm.
• There is a sudden, forceful release of sexual
tension.
• In women, the muscles of the vagina contract. The
uterus also undergoes rhythmic contractions.
• In men, rhythmic contractions of the muscles at
the base of the penis result in the ejaculation of
semen.
• A rash, or "sex flush" may appear over the entire
body.
SEXUAL
INTERCOURSE
During the final resolution phase, the body
slowly returns to its normal level of functioning,
and swelled and erect body parts return to their
previous size and color. This phase is marked
by a general sense of well-being, enhanced
intimacy and, often, fatigue. Some women are
capable of a rapid return to the orgasm phase
with further sexual stimulation and may
experience multiple orgasms. Men need
recovery time after orgasm, called a refractory
period, during which they cannot reach orgasm
again. The duration of the refractory period
varies among men and usually lengthens with
advancing age.
SEXUAL
INTERCOURSE
The sex act itself is simply biology: chemical (hormonal) influences and physical
stimulation followed by physical responses that provide sexual release. This can be
achieved without sexual intercourse. Many human beings, however, prefer sexual
intimacy within a loving relationship to achieve full satisfaction.

Men equate satisfaction more with

having an orgasm (physical
satisfaction), while women report
more importance on emotional
satisfaction.

It has been suggested that human

beings are supposed to be in a loving
relationship to have a satisfying sexual
experience… since we are ‘the only
animal species that has intercourse
‘face-to-face’.
Ejaculation...
in males
The Penis
Composed of three masses of erectile
tissue. When the spaces in the erectile
tissue fill with blood = erection!

The end of the penis is the very sensitive

glans penis(7). The border of the glans
penis is the even more sensitive corona

On the posterior side of the penis, there is a

small triangular indentation on the corona
called the frenulum(6)(where foreskin used
to or does attach)

The frenulum is believed to be the most

sensitive part of the male penis!
 The Penis
Male circumcision has been
associated with decrease risk of STI’s
and general infections.

No conclusive evidence either way as

to whether it decreases sensitivity

Uncircumcised penis

The size of a man’s flaccid penis

has no correlation with the size of
his erect penis
The Penis
 PrePex Device Procedures
PrePex Device Application

1. Measure 2. and 3. Placement of Inner Ring 4. Placement of elastic ring 5. Penis after
placement
PrePex Device Removal

1. and 2. Excision of foreskin 3. and 4. Removal of Inner Ring 5. Penis after

removal device
& foreskin
The Penis
 Does Size Matter?
• Average male penis length varies between 5-6 inches
erect
• The first 5th of the female vagina has the most
nerve endings
• The size of the penis can ‘shrink’ due to cold
temperature or nervousness
• Survey of 52,031 heterosexuals found that 85% of
women were satisfied with their partner’s penis
size, only 55% of males were satisfied with their
length
Male Sexual
Dysfunction
 Male Performance
Concerns
• Erectile Dysfunction - inability to achieve full
erection or an erection at all
• 2 main types
– Physiological
• Hormonal, age-related, side-effect of prescription drugs,
alcohol, drugs, obesity
• Associated with Diabetes, decreased testosterone
– Constriction ring may help
– Drugs can treat
» Viagra allows the erectile tissue to
become filled with blood
– Psychological
• Performance anxiety, stress,
• mental disorders
 Male Performance
Male Concerns
Performance
Concerns
• Premature Ejaculation - when a man ejaculates
before he wants to, to a point where it causes
distress/concern
• Treatments:
– Practicing control/endurance during masturbation
– The “squeeze technique”
• When ejaculation is imminent, penis is squeezed between shaft and
glans, until sensation disappears.
• Wait 30 seconds
• Resume fun!
– Non-sexual thoughts
– Swapping foreplay and sex throughout?
– Yoga? Keggels?
– Topical aesthetic creams
– Sexual therapy
– Antidepressants
– Psychotherapy
 Ejaculation...
even in females
• Study found that women who reported
The G-spot G-spot orgasms tended to have thicker
vaginal walls
• The location varies among females (if
it’s there at all). It is in the general area
of the anterior wall of the vagina, a
few centimetres in
• Best way to stimulate the region:
• A) during foreplay: two fingers are
inserted into the vagina and the
anterior wall is palpated with a
“come hither” motion.
• B) during intercourse: woman on top
or during rear entry (Ladas et al.
2005)
• Could be the region responsible for
female ejaculation
The VULVA
The Vulva is the term for the female
external genitalia
This entire area is a specific erogenous zone
with increased density of sensory nerves
– Consists of the:
– Mons pubis – pubic region covered by hair
– Labia (minora/majora) – inner and outer
flaps of skin that cover the vagina
– Clitoris – pleasure center!!!

The Clitoris!
It is covered externally by the prepuce

It is the only organ in the female body

whose ONLY purpose is pleasure!
 The Penis vs the Clitoris

Both the penis and clitoris develop from the same embryonic tissue, making them similar
in structure
Ejaculation...
even in females
• Not fully understood in the scientific
community
• Emitted from some women during
orgasm from the urethra or para-urethral
glands (controversial)
• NOT urination (although may contain
traces); chemically similar to seminal
fluid
• Can inhibit orgasm for a woman if she
believes she is about to urinate and stops
herself
• Anecdotal evidence has described the
area that produces the response as a
“ball” a few centimetres into the vagina,
that enlarges once aroused, producing a
sensation similar to the urge to urinate
Fertilization
SPERM
The male sperm have 3 parts: the head
that contains the genetic information
from the male; the midpiece that serves
as an energy source, and the tail or
flagellum that provides locomotion. The
coating on the head of the sperm
contains acrosome which allows it to
penetrate the outside of the female egg.

About 100 million sperm are deposited inside the

female vagina during sexual intercourse when the
male has an ejaculation. Unhealthy or limited
numbers of sperm can be caused by smog or other
environmental toxins, cigarettes, alcohol, illicit drugs,
or anabolic steroids.
• Once a month, a woman releases an egg during the process
of ovulation, which is part of the menstrual cycle.
• Ovulation is triggered by the release of hormones by the
pituitary gland and usually occurs during day 14 of an
average 28-day cycle.

In humans, the fertile

phase, or time during
which a woman can
become pregnant, occurs
during the few days near
ovulation.

OVARY
 During sexual intercourse, If one

CONCEPTION sperm makes its way into the

Fallopian tube and burrows into
the egg, it fertilizes the egg. That
is the moment of conception. The
egg changes so that no other sperm
can get in. At the instant of
fertilization, the genetic information
is passed on, and the sex of the
infant is determined.

All eggs carry the X chromosome. If

the egg is fertilized by a sperm with
a Y chromosome, the baby will be a
boy. If the egg is fertilized by a
sperm with an X chromosome, the
baby will be a girl. If the sperm has
a Y chromosome, your baby will be
a boy. If it has an X chromosome,
the baby will be a girl.
CONCEPTION
The fertilized egg, or zygote,
stays in the Fallopian tube for
about three to four days, but
within 24 hours of being
fertilized it starts dividing very
fast into many cells. It keeps
dividing as it moves slowly
through the fallopian tube to
the uterus.

Ectopic pregnancies result

from a fertilized egg staying in
the tube rather than traveling
to the uterus. Un-aborted
ectopic pregnancies can rupture
the uterine tube causing life-
threatening bleeding or loss of
fertility.
As the zygote travels down the fallopian tube towards the
uterus, it begins a series of cell divisions:
 Mariana Ruiz Villarreal, 2008

Adapted by TutorVista.com from

Grey’s Anatomy

• Following intercourse during this fertile phase, millions of

sperm travel from the vagina to the uterus and into the
fallopian tubes.
• Several thousand sperm reach the egg and one will fertilize it.
• When the sperm fuses with the egg it initiates a series of
chemical changes that prevent any other sperm from entering.
As early as 12 hours after fertilization you can see the two
bundles of genetic material (two pronuclei), one from each
parent.
By 18-20 hours after fertilization, these pronuclei fuse, and
what starts out as two cells becomes one (called a zygote)
As the zygote travels down the fallopian tube towards the
uterus, it begins a series of cell divisions:

© 2001 Terese Winslow, U.S. Govt. has certain rights

On day 2, the zygote has divided into two identical cells. At this stage it
is called a 2-cell embryo.
And then into four identical cells (also on day 2)
By day 3, each of those four cells has divided again, making eight identical cells.
This is the early morula (“berry-like” shape).
The morula undergoes several more cell divisions (16, 32, 64-cells) and
the individual cells are now indistinct.
 On day 5 fluid builds up inside the ball of cells making it
hollow. This is the blastocyst.

trophoblast

embryonic
stem cells

The embryonic stem cells clump together inside the blastocyst.

The trophoblast will become the placenta.
•Between days 6 and 14, implantation (the adhering of the blastocyst to
the wall of the uterus) occurs.
•The placenta also begins to form.
•At this stage, there are no more embryonic stem cells.
•The blastocyst attaches to the endometrial epithelium, usually adjacent to
the embryonic pole.
PREGNANCY
The divided zygote,
now called a
blastocyst, moves
into the uterus. It will
burrow into the
endometrium; that
process is called
implantation.

If successfully implanted, pregnancy occurs. The lining of the

uterus gets thicker and the cervix is sealed by a plug of mucus that
will stay in place until the baby is ready to be born. Human
Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG) is a pregnancy hormone present
in the woman’s blood from the time of conception; it is produced by
the cells that form the placenta. A blood or urine test will usually
detect hCG.
PREGNANCY
Normal Implantation Sites
➢The implantation site
determines the site of
formation of the placenta
➢Normally it occurs in the
upper part of the body
of uterus, more often on
the posterior wall
 Gray’s Anatomy, 1918 (not the show!) ’

• Between days 14 through 21, neurulation – the beginning of future nervous system –
takes place.
• By day 24, the beginnings of the future face, neck, mouth, and nose occur.
 7 weeks

5 weeks

Images by Ed Uthman, MD

• Organogenesis, or organ formation, occurs during weeks 3 through 8. The

primitive heart starts beating at 4 weeks.
• By week 8 the developing embryo has become a FETUS (although
definitions of this timepoint vary, up to 10 weeks).
•At 20 weeks, the fetus is roughly 11 inches long and weighs about 1 lb 10
oz.
•It can suck its thumb, yawn and stretch.
•The mother can now feel it moving (called “quickening”).
 Birth
• A full-term pregnancy lasts 9 months, or 38
weeks.
• After 22 weeks the fetus is considered viable.
This means it could survive outside the uterus if
there is a premature birth.

Thomas Hartwell, 2004

Menstruation 😣😱
Menstrual Cycle
• The process in which females ripen or release one mature
egg.

• The average menstrual cycle will repeat itself about every

28 days, but normal menstrual cycles can range from 21
to 40 days.
Proliferative Stage
Pituitary
Gland

Produces
FSH
Follicle Stimulating Hormone

Triggers formation of the

Follicle
Within the ovary

Produces
Estrogen & Ovum

Triggers uterine lining thickening

Secretory Stage
Pituitary
Gland

Produces
LH
Lutinizing Hormone

Triggers Ovulation
and the formation of the
Corpus Lutium
Within the ovary

Produces
Progesterone

Continues uterine lining thickening

 Changes in Ovarian
Hormones
Estrogen - gradually increases during days 1-14;
signals body to thicken the lining of the
uterus. Levels drop sharply after ovulation.
Progesterone - Levels remain low during the first
half of the cycle and then increase sharply during
the second half of the cycle maintaining the
growth of the endometrium lining.
Changes in the Uterus

Stage 2 Day 5-13

Stage 1 Day 1-5 pre-ovulatory stage Stage 3 Day 14
menstruation Ovulation

Stage 4 Day 15-28

post-ovulatory stage
Changes in the Uterus
Stage 1- Menstruation- Endometrium breaks down and
blood, mucus, tissue, and the egg are shed through the
vagina.

Stage 2- Menstrual flow stops & endometrium begins to

thicken.

Stage 3- Endometrium continues to thicken.

Stage 4- The endometrium is at it’s thickest point.