Human Sexuality - Exam 3
Chapters 6, 14, and 10
Note – I have left two items (in bold) from each chapter that you will need to look up on your own
Chapter 6
What parts of the brain have been implicated in sexual response and arousal?
ü What is the role of the cerebral cortex (crucial role in our fantasies, values, etc).
ü What is the Medial-Preoptic Area (part of the hypothalamus directly involved in sexual arousal and response)
What two neurotransmitters have been implicated in sexual response?
ü Which one may facilitate arousal (dopamine)
ü Which one may suppress arousal (serotonin)
What roles do sex/steroid hormones play in arousal?
ü Which type of testosterone is responsible for arousal (free/unattached) which type is not involved in sexual arousal (bound/attached)
ü What role does estrogen play (indirect role in sexual arousal)
Be able to differentiate between primary and secondary erogenous zones.
ü primary zones are erogenous zones that you are born with like, groin, neck, inner thighs, etc, secondary zones are erogenous zones that are learned
What role does oxytocin play in arousal and bonding?
ü cuddling and intimacy increases bonding and arousal.
What role does vision and audition play in sexual arousal?
ü Know the sex differences in visual erotica research:
o When asked, women report less arousal than men. When measured in a lab, men and women show the same level of arousal.
ü For heterosexual partners, research shows women are more vocal in bed then men.
Specifically, women report their partner’s silence inhibits their satisfaction, whereas men report their partner’s vocalizations facilitate their satisfaction.
Pheromones - Where are EST and AND found (women’s urine and men’s sweat) What are aphrodisiacs (substances that increase sexual desire).
ü What are anaphrodisiacs (substances that inhibit sexual desire/response).
ü Why do people incorrectly think alcohol is an aphrodisiac – because it decreases inhibitions but is still an anaphrodisiac.
How is Kaplan’s model different from Masters and Johnson’s model? o It includes desire, whereas Masters and Johnson don’t include it.
Know the 4 stages of sexual response reported by Masters and Johnson (what order they occur in).
ü What happens physically in the Excitement phase (e.g., vasocongestion, myotonia, etc)?
o Vaginal tissues engorge with blood, uterus begins to elevate, testes begin to pull closer to the body.
o What is vasocongestion (engorgement of bodily tissues with blood) o Myotonia – voluntary and involuntary muscle contractions throughout body
ü Be able to describe the plateau phase (physiological reactions level off at a high state of arousal).
ü Does the subjective experience of orgasms differ between the sexes (No) How does the sexual response cycle change as we age?
o Better ejaculator control due to longer plateau period, faster resolution in all sexes.
What are the major differences between the sexes regarding sexual response (e.g., refractory period and multiple orgasms)?
- Most cis-gender women have the capacity for multiple orgasms
Chapter 14
Know sexual difficulties/problems are common.
What are the four types of sexual difficulty.?
ü Lifelong – has occurred throughout entire life
ü Situational – occurs intermittently (in different situations)
ü Acquired – began at a specified point in time
ü Generalized – occurs across all situations
Be familiar with the symptoms of hypoactive sexual desire disorder so you can recognize it in an example.- reduced libido, avoidance of sex, lack of sexual response from cues, and or a loss of desire during sex.
Recognize an example of desire discrepancy.
ü You are satisfied with 2 sexually intimate encounters a week and your partner desires 4.
What is sexual aversion disorder?
ü Fear, anxiety, and panic in response to sexual intimacy or the thought of sexual intimacy.
Know the three forms of sexual arousal disorder (inability to attain arousal sufficient for sex). genital, subjective, and combined.
Know possible causes of restless genital syndrome (formerly known as persistent genital arousal disorder) discussed in class. Will be a which one doesn’t belong question.
ü Restless leg syndrome, pelvic varicose veins, using/abruptly stopping SSRIs, overactive bladder
How is erectile disorder defined (erection insufficient for penetration, lasting at least 3 months)?
ü Know it is more common with age, can be physical or psychological in origin, may be related to underlying medical condition, and that you can still have sexual pleasure/response with ED.
What is female orgasmic disorder? How many people possibly fall into this category?
ü Inability to achieve an orgasm. 5-10% of people with vulvas have not experienced an orgasm.
What is premature ejaculation?
ü Going through a full sexual response cycle in 60 seconds or less.
Faking an orgasm can affect the relationship in what ways?
ü provide false reinforcement about sexual technique to the partner
ü lead to sexual dissatisfaction in the relationship
ü become a vicious cycle, impeding communication
What are possible causes of dyspareunia if you have a vulva/vagina (focus on the ones discussed in class). This question will be a “which one doesn’t cause it” question. Inadequate lubrication, infections, vestibulodynia (vulvar pain), jarring ovaries, endometriosis (lining of the uterus forms outside the uterus most commonly in the pelvic cavity), vaginismus (involuntary constriction of muscles in the vaginal canal)
ü What is vaginismus (involuntary, painful contractions of outer two-thirds of vaginal canal)
What’s the relationship between body image and sexual difficulty?
ü A negative view of one’s body is associated with increased sexual difficulty, regardless of actual body shape and size.
Chapter 10
What are the Comstock laws (banned distribution of obscene information, including information on reproductive healthcare and pregnancy)
ü Know they were introduced by Anthony Comstock
What is outercourse? Be able to recognize an example of outercourse.
ü Any activity for sexual pleasure (e.g., oral sex, mutual masturbation) except that which would result in semen being near the vulva.
How is failure rate determined (100 couples use the method for 1 year – failure rate is the number of couples who ended up pregnant)
ü What’s the most common source for the failure of contraception (human error)
Know the different types of oral contraceptives.
ü What’s different between Triphasic and Constant dose pills?
o Constant – same dosage of hormones all three weeks
o Triphasic – gradually increasing levels of hormones over three weeks
ü What’s the Extended Cycle pill?
o Releases a constant does of estrogen and progestin each week, for several weeks.
Know the three ways ovarian (hormonal) contraception works? altering the lining of the uterus
ü altering cervical mucus so the passage of sperm is blocked inhibiting ovulation
How does the vaginal ring and transdermal patch work?
ü absorbs hormones through vaginal wall and skin)
Know the difference between condoms with and without a reservoir tip.
ü What kind of lubrication should be used (water or silicone based)?
ü What’s the average shelf-life (5 years)?
ü What should be done in the event of a condom break (emergency contraception)?
ü Know that non-lubricated condoms can be used for protection during oral sex. Also know that condoms can help men delay ejaculation (extend intercourse).
Be able to describe the vaginal condom.
ü comes in latex & polyurethane, lubricated, protects against STDs.
What is the newest form of insertable contraception?
ü gel that is inserted one hour before intercourse – called Phexxi
Know the difference between ParaGard and hormonal IUD (i.e., copper vs progestins).
ü Know that the IUD should not be used if you have a history of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
ü How does someone determine if their IUD is still in place? -if the string is still hanging out of the cervix
What types of EC are there?
ü hormone blockers, IUDs, hormone pills How does it work (the pills)? – use hormones like progestin and estrogen to prevent an egg from releasing.
Who can purchase emergency contraception in the United States (everyone – not age restricted)