biology 30 final

kinky

-variety of sexual and romantic thoughts, fantasies, behaviors and interactions

-this can be one person's foreplay and other person's main source of pleasure

paraphilia

an abnormal sexual desire that typically involves extreme or dangerous activities

Sadism (giving)

describes sexual pleasure derived by inflicting pain, degradation humiliation on another person or causing another person to suffer

-practitioner

fetish

sexual arousal that is fixated on an inanimate object, non genital body part, body fluid or a specific situation that is typically not seen as sexual

bdsm

-acronym

-catch all

-power dynamic

masochism (receiving)

describes sexual pleasure derived from receiving pain, humiliation, or suffering

-the practitioner may be described as a masochist or masochistic

noncoercive paraphillia

all parties want to participate

coercive paraphilia

lack of consent

-force, intimidation or coercion

Nocturnal Orgasm

involuntary orgasm during sleep

erotic dreams

sexual experiences taking place within the mind and without a person's conscious direction

Erotic fantasies

commonly occur during daydreams, masturbation or sexual encounters with a partner

What are the traditional condemnations about masturbation?

-cannot result in conception

-myth and erroneous health concerns

Why do people masturbate?

-relieves sexual tension

-means of self-exploration

-assists in physical relaxation

cock rings

-fit around the base of penis and scrotum

-resulting pressure can be very pleasurable and heighten sensation in penis and testicles

is there such thing as a fracture of the penis?

no this refers to a tear in the capsule of the corpus cavernosum

outercourse

sexual activity without penetration

frottage

dry humping

why is touch important

-critical for growth, development and health

-plays primary role in sexuality

-sexual stimulation of the primary erogenous zones

cunnilingus

oral stimulation of the vulva

fellatio

oral stimulation of the penis

anal stimulation

this area of the body contains dense nerve endings that can respond erotically, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation

Anningulus

oral rimming

risks of anningulus

possible transmisison of intestinal infections, hepatitis, STI

Anal intercourse

insertion of penis into partners anus

-thin delicate lining of anus lots of blood vessels

-anal sphincter tightens ordinarily if stimulated

According to Emily Nagoski

pleasure is a measure of sexual well being and nothing else. the main question is do you like the sex you are having?

According to Dominick Quartuccio

Get Curious - Anyone who have gotten curious have had better sex, more sex, feel more empowered, find more

partners that are into what they are into, and more able to talk about it.

Factors that influence sexual satisfaction

many are psychological rather than physiological mutual pleasure (crucial), romance , expression

of feelings and desires, openness, creativity and

the frequency of sexual interaction

Sexual Arousal terms

Refer to as "turned on" or "revved up" or

"hot" like an energy system

Biology behind sexual arousal

-a state of activation of a complex system of reflexes involving sexual organs, hormones, and the nervous system including the brain

the brain

Storehouse of our memories and

cultural values, and so it has profound influence over our sexual

arousability.

Cerebral Cortex

-Outer layer of the cerebral hemispheres

that is responsible for higher mental

processes

-represents only one

level of functioning at which the brain

influences human sexual arousal and response

The limbic system

at a subcortical level, the limbic system eems to play an important part in determining sexual behavior, both in

humans and in other animals.

a study involving fMRI scanning

-20 males and 20 females viewed erotic video clips and reporting changes in their sexual arousal (2016 Prada)

What brain region showed activity that corresponded with the intensity of subjective arousal?

Specific regions of the parietal lobe of the cerebral cortex.

Which gender showed significantly greater activation in the lateral occipital cortex during the study of subjective arousal?

females

In the study of subjective arousal, which part of the cerebral cortex was more active in females?

the lateral occipital cortex

What are the key structures of the limbic system related to sexual function?

The cingulate gyrus, portions of the hypothalamus (including the MPOA), amygdala, and hippocampus.

Which part of the limbic system is vital for sexual arousal and functioning?

the hypothalamus.

What are the main functions of the hypothalamus in relation to sexual behavior?

Controls hormone release, biological rhythms, and sex drive.

What does the hypothalamus regulate that is related to sexual functioning?

emotions and behaviors

What specific area of the hypothalamus is key to sexual arousal and behavior?

MPOA the medial preoptic area of the hypothalamus

Neurotransmitters

-messengers within the brain discussed in topic of love

-several are involved in sexual arousal and response too

Dopamine

-facilitates sexual arousal and activity

-induces neural activity of MPOA of the hypothalamus

-involved in the 'rewarding' feeling

Seratonin

-inhibits sexual arousal and activity

-possibly involved in sexual satiety

what five senses provide information to the central nervous system (CNS)?

touch, vision, hearing, olfaction and taste give information to the CNS

How does interpretation by the brain influence sexual behavior?

if interpretation is:

"sexy", behavior will

change accordingly

Most important source of arousal

skin

Erogenous zones

areas of body particularly

sensitive to touch, and that lead to sexual arousal

when stimulated

Primary erogenous zones

Dense in nerve endings

Often located around body openings, such as genitals,mouth, ears and anus

Secondary erogenous zones

Become sensitized through personal experience,

and are specific for each person

What is the hypothesis about visual sexual stimuli and gender?

it is common for both genders to reply to sexual stimuli but most hypothesize it is more stimulating for males

What did Rupp & Wallen (2008) find about female responses to erotic films?

Most females showed physiologically measurable arousal even if they reported not feeling aroused.

According to Chivers et al. (2010), how do females typically report sexual arousal in response to visual or audio erotica?

females are less inclined than males to report being sexually aroused by visual or audio erotica

Taste

-intimate sense because object must be taken into body

through the mouth

-Many bodily secretions may be tasted during sexual activity; preferences depend on type of secretion as

well as state of arousal

Hearing

Sounds can both enhance or

lessen arousal

What part of the brain do olfactory signals travel to, and what functions is it involved in?

The limbic system; it's involved in motivation, memory, and emotional responses.

How does olfaction influence sexual arousal in humans?

the effect is subtle and subconscious.

Aphrodisiacs

-substances that are thought to arouse or increase sexual response

-generally this is placebo

Anaphrodisiac

substance that diminishes sexual behavior

What herbs or plants are traditionally used to treat impotence or enhance erections?

tea from muira puama used to treat in South America

what substance is important for sperm production, vaginal lubrication, and hormone metabolism

zinc in high levels in oysters

what substance converts to (nitric oxide) NO for proper erectile functioning

arginine found in brown rice, peanuts, and chocolate

Drugs that people think are aphrodisiacs but are not

-poppers (amyl nitrate- dilate blood vessels)

-alcohol (increases arousal but decreases performance)

How do antidepressants like Prozac affect sexual functioning?

impact serotonin levels and delay/increase difficulty in achieving erection

What substances are known to diminish sexual function?

Opioids (e.g., codeine, heroin, oxycontin) and dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant).

How does nicotine affect sexual response?

constricts blood vessels, impairing the ability of genitals to become engorged with blood.

Where are testosterone and estrogen produced before puberty, and in what amounts?

in the adrenal gland in low levels

Where are hormones produced after puberty for men?

in the testes and this produces T and a little E

Where are hormones produced after puberty for women?

in the ovaries and adrenal glands produce for E and a little T

What is the role of estrogen in sexual arousal?

It's unclear, but a certain level of estrogen is needed for vaginal lubrication and genital blood flow.

Testosterone

necessary for optimal sexual functioning

Hypogonadism

low-functioning of ovaries or testes

Castration

surgical or chemical disabling of testes drastically reducing T levels. Some states require convicted sex offenders

to receive weekly injections of Depo-Provera reducing T, sex

drive, function

Oxytocin

-"love hormone" or "snuggle chemical" produced in

hypothalamus. Released during breast feeding & bonding effect

on sexual partners.

-Can boost trust, empathy, mind-reading, + relationship

memories, partner communication, bonding cues, & reduce

stress, anxiety.

What does an increase in circulating oxytocin show?

it stimulates sexual

activity in a variety of animals, humans too. Increases skin

sensitivity to touch & encourages or facilitates affectionate

behavior

-In humans, these levels increase in sexual response cycle &

high levels of this is associated with orgasmic release

How do excitatory and inhibitory processes function in the dual control model?

Excitatory processes (SES) act like a gas pedal; inhibitory processes (SIS) act like a brake pedal.

What determines an individual's sexual response in a given situation?

The balance between excitation and inhibition, influenced by a person's unique sexual history.

vasocongestion

body tissues become engorged with blood

myotonia

increased muscle tension throughout the body

Examples of vasocongestion

blood inflow> blood outflow

-penis becomes erect

-vaginal tissue swells

-scrotum, testes, nipples, earlobes

Examples of myotonia

-increased muscle tension

-voluntary flexing

-involuntary muscle contractions which include contractions of the limbs, facial grimaces, orgasmic contractions

How does nitric oxide (NO) contribute to an erection?

released from the corpus cavernosa, causing smooth muscles in the penis to relax and allowing blood to flow in.

What physiological changes occur during the plateau phase?

increased heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure; pronounced myotonia causing involuntary limb contractions

what happens to the vagina during the plateau phase?

-uterus elevates further

-upper part of vagina expands fully and outer walls swell

-labia minora darken and erect clit withdraws from under clitoral hood

-bartholin's gland may secrete a few drops of fluid

what happens to the penis during the plateau phase?

-cowpers gland secretion

-corona may become further engorged

-cowpers gland becomes active

-testes become completely engorged and elevated

-scrotum maintains its thickened and tensed state

orgasm

a series of muscular contractions of the sex organs,

with ejaculation in the male, it typically occurs after a period of sexual stimulation

Secretion of hormones prolactin (sleepy, refractoryperiod),oxytocin(bonding, contractions),

vasopressin (contractions), and endorphins

(pleasure)

What are the two stages of spermatogenic orgasm?

emission and ejaculation

What happens during the emission stage?

Seminal fluids move into the upper urethra.

what happens during the ejaculation phase?

ejaculation of semen from penis

orgasm for women

-uterine contractions beginning at the top (fundus) and moving down towards the cervix

-inner two- thirds of bagina remains motionless

-three to fifteen rhythmic contractions of orgasmic platform

-fluid may be expelled from skene's glands

resolution phase

-sexual systems return to non-excited

-usually begins immediately following orgasm

-can take seconds to minutes

-relaxed feeling

resolution for men

-erection subsides

-unstimulated state

-skin of scrotum thins and wrinkles return

-testes descend and return to unstimulated size and shape

resolution for women

-cervix widens slightly

-vagina returns to its unaroused size and shape

-anal sphincter contracts

-labia majora and minora return to unaroused color and shape

-clitoris loses erection

age related changes in sexual response for women

-intensity of response cycle decreases

-vasocongestion occurs slower

-intercourse may become painful

-reduced contractions and more difficult to reach orgasm

-more rapid resolution phase

age related changes in sexual response for men

intensity and duration of response reduced

-slower,less firm erection

-less myotonia

-delayed ejaculation/greater control

-decline in intensity of orgasm

-more rapid resolution

sexual assault

when one intentionally sexually touches another person without consent or coerces or physically forces a person to engage in a sexual act against their will.

sexual battery

unwanted sexual touching of intimate body parts without consent or through fraud

Vicarious Trauma

trauma developed from repeatedly witnessing someone else cope with traumatic experiences

Comstock Laws 1873

succeeded inenacting national laws prohibiting dissemination of contraceptive info through U.S. mail on the grounds that such information was obscene

-believed only legitimate form of BC wasabstinence. Reproduction viewed as the only acceptable reason for intercourse.

Margaret Sanger

-horrified as a obgyn nurse

-promoted changes in legislation and availability of bc- opened illegal clinic where women would obtain diaphragms shipped in bulk

-led movement for distribution about sexuality and contraception

-opened first birth control clinic and was arrested and spent 30 days in prison