Human sexuality exam 2

GnRH

released by the hypothalamus and stimulates the pituitary

LH

released by the pituitary and stimulates testosterone production in interstitial cells of testes and estrogen production in ovaries

FSH

released by the pituitary and stimulates sperm production in seminiferous tubule of testes and ripening of follicles in ovaries

The male reproductive system relies on a negative feedback loop, meaning that as _______ rises above a certain level, the hypothalamus and pituitary are triggered to stop producing GnRH, FSH, and LH.

testosterone

sperm

susceptible to attack by antibodies once in the female vagina.

menstrual cycle

They are normal if the hormonal events occur in the proper sequence.

How do the estrogen levels and cervical mucus change during the follicular phase, and what do these changes indicate?

Increasing estrogen levels cause cervical mucus to become friendlier, indicating preparation for ovulation.

How does the follicular phase contribute to the overall variability in menstrual cycle length?

The length of the follicular phase varies significantly, influencing the total cycle length.

follicular phase

It is the first phase of the menstrual cycle.

parts of the destructive phase (menses)

The breakdown of the endometrium

Contractions of the uterine myometrium

Low levels of progesterone and estrogen

hormones corresponds to the most likely physiological cause of PMS symptoms?

Decreased estrogen: carbohydrate metabolism, intensified craving for sweets

sex during menstruation

it can lead to a decrease in uterine cramping if the female experiences orgasm.

menstruation in erotophilic (sex positive) cultures

Rite of passage into womanhood

When is a female most likely to be fertile?

Cervical os is soft and open

How can hormonal imbalances affect fertility in both males and females?

In females, hormonal imbalances can disrupt ovulation, while in males, they can lead to abnormal sperm production.

Which factor can lead to infertility due to an ovulation disorder in women?

Excessive production of thyroid hormone

As suggested by the "________ hypothesis," the cessation of the menstrual cycle while a female is at full physical capacity allows her to devote precious time and resources (namely food and knowledge) to their adult children, which in turn allows them to be better parents.

grandmother hypothesis

According to testosterone supplementation research, which of the following statements is true?

It is effective only in males who show below normal levels of testosterone, and even then it still carries risks.

whats recommended for males to optimize the health of their sperm

limit excessive alcohol intake

avoid sources of radiation

limit exposer to toxins in the enviornment such as gas fumes and pesticides

reliable signs ot pregnancy

Heagars signs include a softened uterus and changes in color of the labia and cervix

very high levels of hCG in the blood

detection of a fetal heartbeat using an ultrasound

Zygote

A single fertilized cell (ovum) that begins the process of development.

Blastocyst

A multi-celled structure that contains an inner cell mass and an outer membrane that will develop into the placenta.

Inner Cell Mass

The group of cells within the blastocyst that will develop into an embryo.

Trophoblast:

The outer layer of the blastocyst that contributes to placenta formation.

Blastocoele

The fluid-filled cavity within the blastocyst that surrounds the inner cell mass.

At about day 26, what will the chorionic villi do after sprouting from the blastocyst's outer membrane?

Make contact with the maternal blood supply

Which of the following causes morning sickness when levels begin to rise? 

hCG

What does a pregnant female tend to experience during the first trimester?

Great fatigue

In the early part of the second trimester, the pregnant female will begin to feel kicks from her fetus. What is this called?

quickening

During the second trimester, the majority of pregnant women receive which of the following tests?

quad test

During the second trimester, which of the following is not experienced by most pregnant females and/or their partners?

Increased fatigue and nausea

During the third trimester, a pregnant female will periodically experience a tightening sensation in her lower abdomen. What are these practice uterine contractions called?

Braxton Hicks

What usually happens with sex in pregnant couples during the third trimester of pregnancy?

It continues and even benefits if the couple experiments with positions.

which factor is the most predictive of neonatal survival rates?

The number of weeks the fetus spends in utero

How do epidurals potentially affect the fetus during childbirth?

They might cause short-term fetal heart rate abnormalities.

Which of the following is NOT a common experience for a mother who gave birth in the past week?

Pregnancy weight is mostly gone by the end of the week.

Depressed mood following birth…….

Can be exacerbated if the mother lacks emotional and social support

info

• Scientists find that most women don't show measurable symptoms of PMS

• Women are most likely to become pregnant if they have sex 2 days before ovulation

• Having regular orgasms can help prevent menstrual cramping

The endometrium is built and maintained primarily during the ____ stage of menstruation.

luteal

According to the textbook: Angelica doesn't feel like she'll be successful in her math class, because she believes "girls are bad at math." This causes her anxiety which makes her underperform in the math class. This phenomenon is termed...

stereotype threat

According to the documentary we watched about intersex people: The documentary discusses Dr. John Money's theory about gender. What did his theory posit?

Gender is mostly about nurture and how one is raised - FALSE

____medical procedure performed during labor has the highest risk of serious and long-lasting complications?

Episiotomy

When experiencing premenstrual syndrome (PMS), someone may experience oily skin and pimples primarily due to...

Unmasked androgen

what are ways to optimize pregnancy

• Measuring the temperature of the vagina daily to check for signs of ovulation

• Avoiding contamination of the vagina with lubricants or douches that may impede sperm

• Having sex once a day, everyday

From the talk with Kelly (trans woman): Why did Kelly sue her school district?

Her insurance would not cover gender affirming medication

_____trimester has the most pregnancy symptoms (e.g., headaches, fatigue, morning sickness)?

1st trimester

According to the textbook: Approximitely 15% of known pregnancies end in a miscarriage, with the vast majority being due to ____, which is when a blastocyst spontaneously aborts soon after implantation.

chemical pregnancy

According to the documentary we watched about intersex people: The medical model for treating intersex babies, which was developed in the 1950s, recommended what treatment for most people born intersex?

Surgical intervention

In studies where an attractive, male confederate goes up to a female stranger and offers to have sex with her, what percentage of female participants agree to have sex?

0

true regarding sexual activity during the postpartum period in women who nurse their infants?

Can result in milk release and ejection during orgasm and nipple stimulation

Chromosomal gender

XX or XY genes

Hormonal gender

testosterone vs. estrogen

Genital gender

penis vs. vulva

Gonadal gender

testicles vs. ovaries

Assigned gender

assigned by society

Gender identity

felt gender

At 7 weeks, both girls and boys have

Gonads (inside body)

Tubercle

Swelling

Urethra

Anus

Homologous organs

arising from the same tissue

Intersexuality

when genitals are ambiguous - in-between female and male

ex: Micro-penis,Enlarged clitoris

Androgen-insensitivity syndrome

Cause: testosterone

Symptoms:

Lack of body hair

Female-like genitalia

Infertility

Micro-penis

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

Causes: Testosterone over-production

Symptoms:

Enlarged clitoris

Altered growth (growth

spurts)

Menstrual irregularities (interrupted ovulation)

Klinefelter’s Syndrome

Causes:

XXY chromosomes

Symptoms

Long limbs - underdeveloped motor

skills

Enlarged breasts/hips

Fertility issues

Learning disorders

About____ of people are born intersex

1%

As common as red hair

Many people don’t fit a _____

binary model

ex) Native American tribes commonly recognized two-spirit people

Janet Hyde conducted a

“meta-analyses” of gender differences in sexuality

Examining data spanning decades (1960s – present)

Examining large, inter national datasets

men and women dont differ in: Age of first having sex

Both average 18 years old

men and women dont differ in: number of sexual partners

Both average around 5 partners

men and women dont differ in: No average differences in...

Sexual frequency

Sexual satisfaction

Beliefs about masturbation, oral sex, etc.

Men gender differences

Men masturbate 50% more than women

Men use porn 2 – 3x more often than

women

Largest difference: Men are more likely to

cheat

20% of men have affairs

13% of women do too

“Do you wish to have sex with more than

one person per month?”

Women = 3% said “Yes”

Men = 25% said “Yes”

“How long would you want to date someone before having sex?”

Women: 3 months

Men: 1 week

“Attractive” confederates walked up to opposite-sex strangers and said... “I have been noticing you around campus. I find you to be very attractive. Would you go to bed with me tonight?”

75% of men accepted the offer

About 40% were already in a relationship

0% of women accepted the offer

This explanation posits that as cultures change, so should gender differences

as cultures become more gender equal, women...

Masturbate more

Have more sexual partners

Have more casual sex

Women may commonly ____ sexual partners, affairs, masturbation, etc.

under-report

Sometimes researchers use “bogus pipeline” (fake lie detector)...

Women report same amount of masturbation as men

Women reported 30% more porn use

gender differences are most rooted in

culture

Humans likely evolved to be sexually similar to

bonobos

F & M

• show equal interest in sex

• both engage w/ multiple partner sex

• offspring raised by the entire tribe

  • No recognition of paternity

Sperm

ejaculation ranges from 15-200 million sperm

produce 5,000 sperm each second

Only 10 - 15% of sperm are viable

• Most sperm are immobile or deformed

Why are so many sperm needed for fertilization

• half drain out of vagina after sex

• many killed by acidity of vagina

• Only 1% make it through the cervix

• Half of those enter the wrong fallopian tube

• Only 1% of the remaining reach the egg

• In end, only 1 in 500,000 sperm make it

  to the egg!

Sperm competition

human males compete w/ their sperm

• produce more to out number other males

shovel shape of penis evacuates competitors sperm

Necessitates “thrusting”

Some animals produce “gladiator” sperm

sperm count decreases dramatically over time

Dropped 60% over last 40 years

Likely caused by endocrine disruptors

Blocking testosterone channels

the 3 Ps: plastics, pesticides, pollution

other causes of sperm count

1. Obesity

2. Poor diet (vitamin deficiency)

3. Stress

4. Psychiatric medications

5. Smoking, drinking, drugs

What boosts sperm count

• Exercise (especially weightlifting)

• Vitamin supplements

• Getting at least 7 hours of sleep a night

• Repairs cellular damage

• Ejaculate regularly (at least once a week)

Menarche - first menstruation

typically occurs around age 12 ( 1st few months are inviable)

occurring earlier; Similar pattern in male puberty (spermarche)

Menarche age predicted by leptin

• Hormone stored in body fat

• Tied with body weight

  • Overweight à Early menarche

  • Underweight à Late menarche

Follicular Phase

oocytes (immature eggs)

develop into ovum (mature egg) in ovaries

Occurs between days 6 and 14 (of 28-day cycle)

Ovulation

when egg fertilization can occur

Egg begins traveling down fallopian tube

Creates 12 – 24 hours of fertility

Ovulation

cant tell when a women is ovulating - its “covert”

encourages pair bonding

• Males must “mate guard” at

  all times Or risk raising another man’s

  children!

subtle signs of ovulation

Increased redness ( lips, cheeks, breasts)

increase pheromone production

prefer “manlier” men - high testosterone

how to know your ovulating

Temperature method

• Use vaginal thermometer every morning

• Slight rise in temperature (0.5OF) occurs 2 – 3 days after ovulation

Cervical mucus method

Luteal Phase

endometrium builds up to support fertilized egg

• Endometrium – tissue generated in uterus

Premenstruation

estrogen and progesterone drops preparing for menstruation

Menstruation

if egg remains unfertilized,endometrium is “sloughed” off

• Exits vagina over the course of 3 – 7 days

Alternatives to pads and tampons

mensural cup - healthy, reusable, money saver

Period panties - easy to wash, reduce money

Dysmenorrhea

menstrual cramping

Prostaglandin (hormone) causes uterine contractions

Dislodges endometrium during menstruation

common in women under age 25

Dysmenorrhea treatments

Anti-inflammatory meds

E.g., Motrin, Aleve

Regular orgasms strengthen and stretch uterine muscles

• Decreasing cramping

Endometriosis

endometrium grows outside of womb

Causes painful cramps, sex, bowel movements 1 – 2 weeks around period

• Must be treated by a doctor as soon as possible

Mittelschmerz

ovaries hurt when they ovulate, not cramp-like pain but a

very sharp pain

Premenstrual syndrome

psychological/physical symptoms occurring 1 – 3 days before menses