Health & Sexuality

Hedonism

A perspective that believes the pursuit of pleasure is the most important goal in life, including sexual pleasure.

Absolutism:

belief system where sexual decisions are made according to a strict set of moral or religious rules.

Right and wrong are seen as absolute, with no exceptions depending on the situation.

realitivsm

A perspective that sexual decisions should be based on the context of the relationship and the situation.

• Instead of fixed rules, morality depends on individual values, circumstances, and mutual consent.
  
  

yin and yang

An ancient Chinese philosophy describing how opposite forces are interconnected and complementary.

• Applied to sexuality, Yin (feminine, passive, receptive) and Yang (masculine, active, assertive) must be balanced for harmony and health.

Alfred Kinsey (1894–1956):

Conducted the first major sex survey in the U.S.

• Founded the Kinsey Institute.

• Published two reports: Sexual Behavior in the Human Male (1948) and Sexual Behavior in the Human Female (1953).

• Did not use random sampling, which led to criticism of generalizability.

Social Scripts:

Culturally learned guidelines for how people are expected to behave in sexual and romantic situations.

• Act like “scripts” people follow in dating, flirting, and sexual behavior.

operant learning

From B.F. Skinner and Albert Bandura.

• Behavior (including sexual and relational behaviors) is shaped by rewards (reinforcement) and punishments.

Masters & Johnson:

Published Human Sexual Response (1966).

• Directly observed over 10,000 sexual response cycles in a lab.
  Provided groundbreaking physiological data on sexual arousal and orgasm.

• Criticized because people might not act naturally when they know they’re being observed.

romanticizers

1. Have unrealistic expectations about relationships (“fairy tale” mindset).

maximizers

1. Have unrealistic expectations of partners, always searching for the “perfect” person.

hesitaters

1. Have unrealistic expectations of themselves, believing they’re not ready to date or commit.

igeon Experiment (B.F. Skinner)

• Demonstrated the difference between continuous reward and partial reward.
  In dating, partial reinforcement (like unpredictable texting or affection) can make people persist in unhealthy relationships, similar to pigeons pressing a lever even with inconsistent rewards.

self selection bias

• Only certain people volunteer for sex research, so the sample may not be representative.

non response bias

Many refuse to participate or answer sensitive questions, limiting accuracy.

self support bias

• People may not remember accurately or may alter answers to appear socially acceptable.

relationshopping

Treating dating like shopping for a product.

• Mistakenly assuming you can “search” for a partner like you do for a TV or shoes.

• Difference: searchable goods (like electronics) can be judged on clear features, but experience goods (like wine, art, or relationships) require direct experience.

analysis paralysis

too many choices

paradox of choice

more choices = less satisfied

penis

External male organ, includes glans, corona, meatus, frenulum. No bone, but can “fracture” if erectile tissue tears.

scrotum

Sac that holds testes; keeps them 2–3°C cooler than body temp for sperm production.

Seminiferous Tubules

Located inside testes; site of sperm production.

Epididymis

Long, coiled duct where sperm mature and are stored.

Vas Deferens –

Tube that carries sperm from epididymis toward the urethra.

prostate

Walnut-sized gland, produces ~30% of seminal fluid (alkaline). Often called the “male G-spot.” Prone to enlargement and cancer.

Cowper’s (Bulbourethral) Gland

– Produces pre-ejaculate fluid that lubricates and neutralizes acidity in urethra.

Vulva –

External female genitalia (mons, labia, clitoris, vaginal opening).

Mons Veneris –

Fatty tissue covering pubic bone, cushions during intercourse.

Transition/Transformation Zone

– Area of the cervix where columnar cells meet squamous cells; prime site for STIs and cervical cancer. Cells here are sampled during Pap smears.

follicular phase

follicles develop (variable length).

ovulatory phase

14 days before next period

luteal phase

time from ovulation until menstruation

Endometriosis – Prevalence –

Affects ~10% of reproductive-age women (5.5M in N. America; ~90M worldwide). Most common in 30s–40s.

Symptoms of ENDO

Painful menstrual cramps, chronic pelvic/back pain, pain during or after sex, intestinal pain, painful urination/defecation during periods, heavy bleeding, infertility.

Endo

inside

metrium

mother (uterus)

IVF

Eggs retrieved, fertilized in lab, embryos implanted in uterus. Costly but most effective assisted reproductive technology.