Sexual Self

Androgens

Male sex hormones secreted by the testes at puberty; increase sex drive and produce secondary sex characteristics such as body hair growth and voice deepening; production is relatively constant in males.

Estrogens

Female sex hormones produced by the ovaries at maturity; production follows a cyclical pattern with greatest output during ovulation.

Ovulation

Release of an egg from the ovaries; period of highest fertilization probability; hormone output peaks at this time.

Erogenous Zones

Areas of the body with unusually rich nerve receptors; particularly sensitive to touch; interpretation of touch determines whether experience is sexual.

Sexual Fantasy

Sexual thoughts or imaginings occurring in daily life or during sexual activity; often involve people other than one's partner; men and women differ little in content or quantity.

Sexual Response Cycle (William Masters & Virginia Johnson, 1966)

Four-phase pattern of sexual response: excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution.

Excitement Phase

First phase of sexual response; arousing stimulus prepares genitals for intercourse; penis becomes erect; clitoris swells; vagina lubricates; may experience sex flush.

Plateau Phase

Second phase of sexual response; maximum arousal attained; heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure rise; muscle tension increases; body prepares for orgasm.

Orgasm Phase

Third phase of sexual response; intense pleasurable experience; rhythmic genital contractions every eight-tenths of a second; semen expelled through ejaculation in males; heart and breathing rates peak.

Resolution Phase

Final phase of sexual response; body returns to resting state; genitals resume unaroused size and shape; blood pressure, breathing, and heart rate normalize.

Refractory Period

Period following orgasm in males during which erection and another orgasm are impossible; may last minutes to hours; increases with age.

Alfred Kinsey

Biologist who launched first large-scale sexual behavior surveys in late 1930s; published Sexual Behavior in the Human Male (1948) and Sexual Behavior in the Human Female (1953); pioneered survey interview techniques.

Masturbation

Sexual self-stimulation; practiced by 94% of males and 63% of females at least once; considered healthy, harmless, and informative about one's sexuality.

Heterosexuality

Sexual attraction and behavior directed toward the other sex; includes kissing, caressing, and intercourse.

Premarital Sex

Sexual intercourse before marriage; attitudes have shifted dramatically since 1970s; majority now consider it acceptable under certain conditions.

Double Standard

Belief that premarital sex is acceptable for males but not for females; historically prevalent but declining.

Permissiveness with Affection

Contemporary view that premarital intercourse is acceptable for both genders if within a loving or committed relationship.

Extramarital Sex

Sexual activity by a married person with someone other than their spouse; rare; 85% of women and more than 75% of men remain faithful; widely disapproved.

Homosexuality

Sexual attraction to members of one's own sex; males prefer term gay; females prefer term lesbian.

Bisexuality

Sexual attraction to people of both the same and the other sex.

Kinsey Scale

Continuum of sexual orientation proposed by Alfred Kinsey; ranges from exclusively heterosexual to exclusively homosexual with intermediate categories.

Sexual Orientation

Pattern of sexual, romantic, and emotional attraction; likely determined by combination of biological and environmental factors.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Infections transmitted primarily through sexual contact; includes chlamydia, genital herpes, trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, syphilis, genital warts, and AIDS.

Chlamydia

Most widespread STI; often asymptomatic in females; causes burning urination and discharge in males; can lead to pelvic inflammation, sterility; treatable with antibiotics.

Genital Herpes

Viral infection causing recurring painful sores on genitals; cannot be cured; transmitted during active phases.

Trichomoniasis

STI caused by parasite; often asymptomatic especially in men; causes discharge, itching, painful urination; treatable with antibiotics.

Gonorrhea

Bacterial STI; may be asymptomatic; causes burning urination and discharge; can lead to infertility; drug-resistant strains emerging.

Syphilis

Bacterial STI; begins with painless sore; progresses to rash and systemic damage; treatable with antibiotics if caught early; fatal if untreated.

Genital Warts

Caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV); cauliflower-like growths on genitals; vaccines available to prevent high-risk strains.

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)

Late stage of HIV infection; severely damages immune system; spread through bodily fluids; major global health impact.

Contraception

Methods used to prevent pregnancy; considerations include effectiveness, availability, safety, affordability, and protection from STIs.

Intrauterine Device (IUD)

Small T-shaped device placed in uterus; Copper T lasts up to 10 years; Levonorgestrel IUD lasts 3–6 years; one of most effective reversible methods.

Contraceptive Implant

Thin rod containing progestin inserted under skin of upper arm; effective for 3 years; very low failure rate.

Injectable Contraceptive

Progestin injection administered every three months; typical use failure rate 4%.

Combined Oral Contraceptives

"The pill"; contains estrogen and progestin; taken daily; typical use failure rate 7%.

Progestin-Only Pill

Contraceptive pill containing only progestin; suitable for those who cannot take estrogen; typical use failure rate 7%.

Contraceptive Patch

Skin patch releasing estrogen and progestin; replaced weekly for three weeks; typical use failure rate 7%.

Hormonal Vaginal Ring

Ring placed inside vagina releasing hormones; worn three weeks then removed for menstruation; typical use failure rate 7%.

Male Condom

Sheath worn over penis; only single-use method; protects against both pregnancy and STIs; typical use failure rate 13%.

Female Condom

Barrier inserted inside vagina; available over the counter; typical use failure rate 21%.

Spermicides

Substances that kill sperm; available in multiple forms; used alone or with barrier methods; typical use failure rate 21%.

Fertility Awareness Methods

Avoiding intercourse on days of highest fertility; based on tracking menstrual cycle; effectiveness varies widely.

Emergency Contraception

Method used after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure; Copper IUD inserted within five days; pills taken within five days; not for regular use.

Tubal Ligation

Female sterilization procedure; fallopian tubes cut or blocked; permanent contraception; failure rate 0.5%.

Vasectomy

Male sterilization procedure; sperm ducts cut; sperm count zero after approximately 12 weeks; permanent; failure rate 0.15%.