Lesson 3: The Sexual Self P2

infodump central

Erogenous Zones

• Refer to an area or type of bodily sensation that can produce se//xual arousal or pleasure when stimulated. 

• It is particularly sensitive to se//xual stimulation.

• “Hot Spots”

• Coined by Daddy Freud

Role of the Brain

• Plays an important role in how erogenous zones are experienced

• Receives and interprets sensory signals 

• Determines whether the stimulation feels pleasurable or uncomfortable

Tactile Stimulation

Activation of the body’s touch receptors through physical contact or pressure

Examples of Tactile Stimulation

1. Touching or stroking the skin

2. Pressure

3. Vibration

4. Gentle rubbing

5. Temperature-related sensations

Nociceptive Stimulation

Activates nociceptors (pain receptors) that can detect harmful/tissue damaging stimuli

Examples of Nociceptive Stimulation

1. Excessive heat/cold

2. Strong mechanical pressure

3. Tissue injury

4. Chemical irritation

Human Sexual Behavior

Refers to the ways people experience and express sexuality

Includes:

• Sexual thoughts

• Feelings

• Attraction

• Relationships

• Communication

• Physical or Intimate Activities

It is influenced by biological, psychological, social, cultural and personal factors.

Solitaire Behavior

• Refers to sexual activities performed alone

• Involves exploring one’s body and experiencing pleasure without another person

• ex.) Masturbation, Sexual Self Stimulation

Sociosexual Behavior

• Refers to how people express and manage sexual relationship/ interactions with others

• Influenced by personal emotional, social and cultural factors.

• ex.) Sexual Attraction, Dating, Intimacy, Relationships, and Sexual Activity

What is Love?

A strong feeling of affection, care and attachment for another person, 

• Involves emotional connections, trust, respect, commitment, and a desire for another person’s well-being.

• Love can exist between romantic partners, family members, friends, and other people.

Lust

Strong feeling of sexual desire/physical attraction towards another person.

• Focused on sexual pleasure or  physical intimacy

• Influenced by biological, psychological, and emotional factors.

• Desire for sex, driven by instinct aimed at reproduction

• Freaky

Testosterone

• Increases libido in both men and women and plays a crucial role in sexual desire.

Estrogen

• Influential  especially around ovulation and enhances sexual desire and attractiveness

Attraction

Feeling of being drawn/interested in another person because of their characteristics.

• Intense emotional connection and infatuation

• Experienced as excitement and euphoria 

Dopamine

• Responsible for feelings of pleasure and reinforcement.

Norepinephrine

• Increases heart rate and adrenaline response, associated with heightened emotional arousal

Serotonin

• Decreases, linked to obsessive thoughts about the partner

Attraction

The emotional bond that makes you feel deeply connected to someone and creates a desire for their presence, affection, and continued place in your life.

• Develops after infatuation, crucial for maintaining relationships over time.

Oxytocin

• Cuddle hormone that fosters trust and bonding.

Vasopressin

• Supports long-term commitment and pair-bonding

Human Sexual Response

• Refers to the physical and emotional changes that occur when a person experiences sexual stimulation or sexual activity.

Excitement

Arousal begins. Heart rate and breathing increases, blood flow to the genitals increases, and genital tissue may become engorged. Freak turns the f on.

Plateau

Arousal becomes stronger and more sustained. Physical changes continue, and muscle tension, heart rate and breathing may increase further.

Orgasm

This is the peak. Rhythmic muscle commonly occurs in genital and pelvic areas accompanied by strong sensation of pleasure.

Resolution

The body gradually returns to its resting state. Everything decreases. Some people experience relaxation. Men experience a refractory period, where another orgasm may be difficult or impossible, but the duration varies.

Refractory Period

The period of time after orgasm when the body temporarily needs to recover before another orgasm can occur.

Sexual Problem

Also called sexual dysfunctions. These are difficulties  that interefere with a person’s ability to experience desire, arousal, orgasm, or satisfaction.

Erectile Dysfunction

Inability of a male to maintain an erection.

Premature Ejaculation

Inability of a male to delay an orgasm as long as he wishes.

Inhibited Ejaculation

Inability of a male to ejaculate when he wants to.

Anorgasmia

A female’s lack of orgasm

Inhibited Sexual Desire

A sexual dysfunction in which motivation for sexual activity is inhibited entirely.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)

An infection that can spread from one person to another mainly through sexual contact, including vaginal anal or oral sex. 

Can also spread through blood, share needles, pregnancy or childbirth, or close skin to skin contact.

They can occur without symptoms

They are curable with treatment, while others can be managed with medication.

Chlamydia

• Caused by Chlamydia trachomatis

• Can infect genitals, rectum, or throat

• Usually no visible symptoms

CURE & TREATMENT Chlamydia

• Prescription antibiotics

• Doxycycline for 7 days

• Can differ on pregnancy and site of infection

Trichomoniasis

• Caused by Trichomonas vaginalis

• Curable with prescription medication

CURE & TREATMENT Trichomoniasis

• Oral antibiotics, usually Metronidazole or Tinidazole

• Sex partners have to get treated at the same time to prevent reinfection

• Avoid sex 

• Testing for other STIs is recommended

Syphilis

• Caused by Treponema palladium. 

• Transmitted with direct contact with a syphilis sore during any kind of sex.

• Can be passed from mother to baby during pregnancy.

Primary Stage Chlamydia

A single, painless sore (chancre) at the site where bacteria entered the body. Typically heals on its own, but the infection remains.

Secondary Stage Chlamydia

A rash, involving palms of the hands and soles of the feet, with fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, or patchy hair loss.

Latent Stage Chlamydia

May be no symptoms but infection remains.

Tertiary/Late Stage Chlamydia

Can eventually damage the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, and other organs without treatment. Can occur years after the initial infection.

CURE & TREATMENT Chlamydia

• Antibiotics, specifically penicillin.

• Varies depending on stage of infection and whether other parts are involved.

Genital Herpes

• Usually caused by herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) or sometimes HSV-1

• Spreads through skin to skin contact in any kind of sex.

• Can spread without visible sores

SYMPTOMS Genital Herpes

• Can have low to no symptoms 

1. Small blisters around genital areas

2. Blisters that break and become sores

3. Itching, burning, tingling

4. Pain or burning when urinating

5. Swollen lymph nodes

6. Fever, headache, or body aches (esp. during first outbreak)

CURE & TREATMENT Genital Herpes

There is no cure that eliminates HSV from the body. 

Medicines include:

• Acyclovir

• Valacyclovir

• Famiciclovir

Genital Warts

• Caused by Human papillomavirus (HPV)

• Spread through intimate sexual contact in all types of sex

SYMPTOMS Genital Warts

Small bumps or growths on or around the

• Penis, scrotum, vulva, vagina

• Anus

• Groin or upper thighs

wart visual

• Flesh-colored, pink, or slightly darker

• Smooth or rough

• Flat or raised

• Single or grouped together, with a cauliflower-like appearance

Gonorrhea

• caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae

• Can infect genitals, rectum, throat, and is spread through any sex.

SYMPTOMS Gonorrhea

• Pain or burning when peeing

• Unusual discharge from genitals

• Pain/swelling in the testicles

• Vaginal bleeding in between periods

• Rectal pain, itching, discharge, or bleeding

• Discharge in the eyes

CURE & TREATMENT Gonorrhea

Curable with antibiotics, specifically Ceftriaxone.

HIV

stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, particularly CD4 cells which help fight infections.

CD4 Cells

A kind of white blood cell

AIDS

It progresses to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, the most advanced stage of HIV infection

Early HIV

Flu-like symptoms may occur about 2-4 weeks after infection

Chronic HIV

A person may have few or no symptoms when HIV continues affecting the immune system

AIDS Stage

Severely weakened immune system, which leads to serious infection, cancer, weight loss, fever, night sweats, and other illnesses.

CURE & TREATMENT HIV

There is no cure for HIV, but it can be controlled with antiretroviral therapy (ART)

ART

• Reduces amount of HIV in the blood

• Protects the immune system

• Helps HIV patients live long, healthy lives

• Can prevent progression to AIDS

U=U

Undetectable = Untransmittable 

A person with HIV who takes treatment and maintains undetectable viral load has zero risk of HIV during sex

HIV Reduction

• Using condoms correctly.

• Taking PrEP when appropriate for people who do not have HIV.

• Taking PEP as soon as possible after a potential exposure.

• Never sharing needles or injection equipment.

• Getting tested regularly.

• If living with HIV, taking ART consistently and maintaining an undetectable viral load.