Psych of Human Sexuality

Bacterial vs Viral STI’s

Bacterial: Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Trichomoniasis

Viral: Herpes, HIV/AIDS, HPV, Hepatitis B

Chlamydia/Gonorrhea

Infection in the penis, vagina, cervix, anus, urethra, or throat. Can cause PID in women. Curable with antibiotics

Herpes

Causes sores on genitals or mouth. Can be passed through all types of sex and skin-to-skin contact. Medications can help with outbreaks but there is no cure.

HIV/AIDS

Passed through fluids (blood, semen, vaginal fluid, breast milk, rectal fluid). Depletes a person’s immune system making it harder to fight off infections (200 T cells or less for AIDS)

HPV

Can be passed by all types of sex and skin-to-skin contact. Can lead to cancer or genital warts.

Syphilis

infection in the vagina, anus, penis, scrotum, lips, or mouth. 3-4 stages that include sores and rashes. Can spread to brain and CNS which can lead to death. It is curable, but damage can’t be undone.

STI Prevention

Barriers/Protection, Vaccination (Gardasil to protect against HPV), prophylaxis (pre/post for HIV, Doxy PEP for bacterial STIs)

Hormonal contraception

(Most contain estrogen/progesterone)

Pills - Daily pill, 91-99% effective

Patch - Patch placed on torso, works for one week, 91-99% effective

Vaginal Ring - Round device inserted into vagina, works for 3 weeks, 91-99% effective

Shot - Injection into the arm or hip, works for 12 weeks, 94-99% effective

Implant - Rod placed into arm, works for up to 5 years, 99% effective

IUD - T-shaped method placed into uterus, works for 3-7 years, 99% effective

IUD

Hormonal - Releases progestin, makes it harder for fertilization to occur

Non-hormonal - Utilizes copper, which creates a hostile environment for sperm

Emergency Contraception

Works by either delaying ovulation (pills) or preventing fertilization (IUD)

Over-the-Counter Pills - Plan B or Levonorgestrel, progestin only, 75-89% effective, use up to 3 days

Prescription Pills - Ella/Ulipristal Acetate, 85% effective, use up to 5 days

Ovulation

A phase in menstrual cycles where an egg is released, leading to fertilization. Conception likely to occur 6 days before ovulation and the opportunity closes 24 hours after ovulation.

Enhancing Contraception Chances

Sperm most active 48 hours after ejaculation, female orgasm increases chances (increased blood flow, cervix tents, hormones help move sperm and create a favorable environment.

Infertility

Inability to conceive a child. 15% of Americans experience infertility. The term isn’t applied until the failure persists over a year.

Male Fertility Problems

Low sperm count, irregularly shaped sperm, low sperm mobility, chronic diseases, testicle injury, autoimmune response, pituitary imbalance/thyroid disease

Solutions to Male Infertility

Reducing environmental toxins (smoking, drinking, etc), daily ejaculations, avoidance of high temperatures to testes, medicine/surgery, assisted reproductive technologies (IUI, IVF, ICSI), acupuncture and herbal supplements

Female Infertility Problems

Irregular ovulation, obstructions/malfunctions in reproductive tract, endometriosis. declining hormone levels

Assistive Reproductive Technology

Fertility medications - Clomid (works like estrogen)

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) - sperm inserted into uterus during ovulation

In vitro fertilization (IVF) - removal of egg to be fertilized in an egg and transported back into uterus

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) - single sperm injected into center of egg using microneedle, used for male infertility or failed IVF

Donor IVF - egg from one women injected into another woman after being fertilized

Surrogacy - women artificially inseminated with sperm of a prospective father, carries fetus to term, gives child back to prospective parents

Pregnancy

Lasts 40 weeks (from beginning of last menstrual cycle), implantation occurs 8-9 days after fertilization

Sex Selection

Can be personal preference, family balancing, or avoidance of sex-linked disease. Certain folklore techniques exist such as different sex positions and having sex certain days before ovulation. Some techniques include sperm sorting and selective abortion/infanticide

Early Signs of Pregnancy

Missing a period, breast soreness/tenderness, morning sickness, fatigue and frequent urination

Miscarriage/Stillbirth

Miscarriage - pregnancy loss before 20 weeks of gestation

Stillbirth - pregnancy loss after 20 weeks

Abortion

Decision to terminate a pregnancy. Procedures include:

Medical abortion - use of medication (Mifeprex) to terminate pregnancy, can be performed up to 10 weeks of pregnancy

Surgical curettage - surgical technique performed 7-12 weeks past last menstrual period

Dilation & Evacuation (D&E) - surgical technique performed past 13 weeks

Prostaglandin induction - hormones causing uterine contractions used for second trimester pregnancies

Reactions to Abortions

Most commonly relief, but can depend on many factors including support from partners, friends, and family. Religious factors play a role in psychological conflict

Prenatal Development

Prenatal development typically takes 40 weeks and the fetus is viable at about 23 weeks. Embryonic stage is from implantation to 8 weeks and the fetal stage starts at week 9 and continues until birth. First trimester is up until 13 weeks.

Stages of Childbirth

First Stage - uterine contractions dilate the cervix to 4 in, can last from a couple hours to a day (shorter in subsequent births)

Second Stage - begins when cervix is fully dilated and baby moves into vagina, may require episiotomy (surgical incision in perineum), ends with birth of baby

Third Stage - placenta is expelled

Episiotomy

Surgical procedure that cuts through the perineum to widen the birth canal. Increasingly controversial as evidence suggests it may cause vaginal trauma

Vaginal Delivery

Typical birth as long as the baby is not breech or in a bad position, can utilize the Lamaze method (use of breathing to cope with painful contractions)

Cesarean (C-section)

Relies on an incision in the stomach and uterus, typically through a bikini cut. 1/3 of pregnancies utilize this but it carries additional risks

Postpartum Period

Marked by intense hormone changes in the first 48 hours (estrogen and progesterone levels drop and prolactin and oxytocin are secreted to support milk production)

Postpartum Conditions

Postpartum Depression - diagnosed as MDD with Postpartum onset, symptoms are consistent with depression after having a baby/becoming a parent and lasts for 2 weeks or more

Postpartum Anxiety - severe anxiety after having a baby or becoming a parent. Anxious feelings are out of control (compared with standard anxiety expected with postpartum periods) and can cause irrational fears and excessive worries

Pornography

Sexually explicit material intended to elicit/enhance sexual arousal; popular and controversial

Obscenity

What usually governs lawmaking on pornography. Defined as anything that offends people’s feelings or goes beyond prevailing standards of decency or modesty. Free speech does not cover obscenity

Pros/Cons of Pornography

Pros:

-Good in moderation

-Increases arousal during masturbation

-Tool to boost communication about desires in relationships

-Can be beneficial for marginalized groups

Cons:

—Not a form of sex education

-Can be addictive

-Repeated exposure to stimulus lessens response

-Sets up unrealistic expectations

-Ostracize/fetishize minority groups

-Young people are impressionable

Porn’s relationship with sexual violence

Generally correlated - porn often depicts sexual violence and men who are exposed to porn are more likely to be aggressive towards women and show less sensitivity to women who were assaulted

Revenge Porn

Sharing sexually explicit images without someone’s consent. In PA it’s a second degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 2 years of incarceration and $5,000

Consent

An agreement between participants to engage in sexual activity

Causes of Sexual Dysfunctions

Biological: Age, illness. substances, medications

Psychological: Worry about sex, relationship problems, trauma, cultural/familial beliefs about sex, poor sexual knowledge

Female Sexual Dysfunctions

Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder - absent/reduced arousal and difficulty responding to sexual stimulation

Female Orgasmic Disorder - inability or prolonged difficulty reaching orgasm

Genito-pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder - involuntary contraction of the pelvic floor muscles making penetration painful. Caused by traumatic past experiences

Male Sexual Dysfunctions

Erectile Disorder - difficulty achieving/maintaining an erection possibly due to performance anxiety. Seen mostly in men over 50

Male Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder - low desire for sex

Premature Ejaculation - orgasm reached with minimal stimulation. Many men report concern about their ejaculation speed

Delayed Ejaculation - inability to climax during sex with a partner

Treatment

Directive treatment and sensate focus (focus on touching instead of climaxing)