HEA 201 Chapter 6, Fall 2007

Personal Sexuality 1. Becoming male or female  Biological sex versus gender - Biological sex: indicated by sex chromosomes, hormones & anatomy - Gender: determined by biological sex, psychological, sociological factors  Role of X and Y chromosomes in female or male development - Development starts early during fetal life - Is initiated by instructions carried by sex chromosomes (X, Y) Y (XY)  testes develop  produce ♂ hmn  ♂ reproductive system no Y (XX)  ovaries develop  produce ♀ hmn  ♀ reprod. system  Role of hormones - ♂: testosterone ♀: estrogens - During embryo’s development  ♂ or ♀ system - At puberty: key role in development of secondary sex characteristics - Men & women have small amounts of hormones of opposite sex  Brain differences - Anatomical differences which account for behavioral differences  Sexuality throughout life - Starts as early as infancy - Adulthood: most intense sexual interest - Aging decline in sexual interest/activity more drastic for women than for men 2. Female sexual health issues  Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) - Physiological disorder that manifest itself as bodily discomfort emotional distress - Can start as soon as ovulation - Possible causes hormonal imbalances changes in brain chemicals social & environmental factors (mostly stress) - Symptoms include mood changes water retention digestive problems appetite changes, cravings (usually for sweet & salt) - Treatment (depends on specific symptoms) e.g. diuretics: for water retention relaxation techniques: for mood swings  Dysmenorrhea - Discomfort during menstruation, including abdominal cramps, back & leg pain water retention depression - Probable cause: excessive prostaglandin production during menstruation - Treatment: prostaglandin inhibitors & exercise  Amenorrhea - Absence of menstrual cycle for at least 3 consecutive months - Possible causes hormonal disorder drastic weight loss change in environment strenuous exercise - Health consequences (if prolonged):  bone density  osteoporosis  Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) - Potentially deadly bacterial infection - Strikes young women who use tampons - Symptoms include fever, rash dangerously low blood pressure abnormalities in several organ systems - Treatments: antibiotics - Risk reduction preferring sanitary napkins to tampons (or alternating) using minimum absorbency tampons & changing them frequently  Perimenopause & menopause - Occur between age 45 and 54 - Perimenopause: period from first irregular cycles to last menstruation - Menopause: complete cessation of menstrual periods (generally  age 50) - Symptoms include hot flashes hair loss breast or ovarian cysts mood swings dry skin, mouth & genital tissues - Cause: decline in estrogen levels - Associated health hazards: atherosclerosis & osteoporosis - Treatment: hormone-replacement therapy (has pros & cons) 3. Male sexual health issues  Prostate problems (gland around urethra at the base of the bladder) Prostatitis (common in younger men) - Infection of prostate - Possible cause: infrequent sexual activity - Symptoms:pus in urine fever pain - Treatment: antibiotics Benign prostatic hypertrophy (generally after age 40) - Enlargment of the prostate - Symptoms: sense of urinary urgency difficult urination, decreased urinary flow blood in the urine painful ejaculation - Treatments: surgery replaced by medications Prostate cancer (risk increases with age) - May be curable at early stage - Detection: annual rectal examination for men above 50 & blood test  Midlife changes - Starting from ~ age 50: testosterone level  - Symptoms  muscle mass &  body fat  bone density  fertility & virility  energy  Impotence - Erectile disorders - Clinical definition: erection not possible more than once in 4 attempts - Occasional pb have various causes: stress, fatigue, alcohol, drugs… - Causes: 80% of cases: physical/physiological origin sometimes psychological factors (e.g. anxiety) - Incidence increases with age - Treatment of physiological impotence includes medications (Viagra) 4. Drugs and sex - Drugs interfere with normal sexual response psychoactive drugs (e.g. marijuana, cocaine, LSD) some medications 3. Sexual Diversity  Sexual orientation - Attraction to members of a certain sex - Determined by physiological, psychological and social factors - Types Heterosexuality: attraction to members of opposite sex Homosexuality: attraction to members of same sex called gays (mostly men), lesbians (women) Bisexuality: attraction to members of both sexes  Atypical behaviors (socially unacceptable) - Sexual addiction/compulsion: intense/chronic preoccupation with sex Can be male or female & have different sexual orientations Relieve Θ feelings only through sex generally socially unacceptable activities includes sex with prostitutes, pornography, voyeurism, rape … - Sexual deviations (predominantly male behaviors) Pedophilia: sex between an adult & a child Zoophilia: sex with an animal Necrophilia: sex with a dead body Fetishism: sexual pleasure from object or asexual body part Transvestitism: wearing clothing of opposite sex Exhibitionism: exposing one’s genitals to an unwilling observer Voyeurism: observing people undressing or in sexual activity Sadism: sexual pleasure by inflicting physical or psychological pain Masochism: sexual pleasure by suffering physical/psychological pain - Treatment: psychiatric therapy, medications