Unit 12: Intimate Relationships and Human Sexuality

Characteristics of intimate relationships Love, sex and commitment Mutual trust and affection Realistic expectations: we’re not all perfect! Open communication Mutual respect Egalitarian roles They balance activities that they enjoy doing together and with others Agreement on religious and ethical values

Intimate Relationships and Health: Marriage Married people are generally healthier than non-married Why? Selection theory: healthy/happy people are the ones who seem more attractive to others and are more likely to get married Protection theory: married couples share responsibilities, exchange love/support

Love More than just sex or that ‘high’ you feel when they are around Real love is based on caring and commitment “falling in love” is sometimes a ‘trick’, not necessarily real love “the will to extend one’s self for the purpose of nurturing one’s own or another’s spiritual growth” (Peck 1978)

Sexual Anatomy! Warning: there are real pictures of human genitalia on the following slides

Male Anatomy The testes -produce sperm and testosterone Scrotum - encloses and protects the testes Epididymis – stores sperm Vas deferens - connects the epididymis with the urethra Urethra – transports both semen and urine

Male Reproductive Anatomy

The Penis! Composed of three masses of erectile tissue When the spaces in the erectile tissue fill with blood = erection! The end of the penis is the glans penis (7) which is a very sensitive part The border of the glans penis is the even more sensitive corona On the posterior side of the penis, there is a small triangular indentation on the corona called the frenulum (6) the frenulum is the most sensitive part of the male penis! T&M 27.10

The Penis! The size of a man’s flaccid penis has no correlation with the size of his erect penis Urethral opening

Does Size Matter? Average male penis length varies between 5-6 inches erect The first 5th of the female vagina has the most nerve endings The size of the penis can ‘shrink’ due to cold temperature or nervousness Survey of 52,031 heterosexuals found that 85% of women were satisfied with their partner’s penis size, only 55% of males were satisfied with their length

Reproductive Female anatomy Keywords Egg/ ovum – meets sperm Ovaries produce estrogen produce egg; released during ovulation Fallopian tube – site of fertilization Uterus – where the implanted fetus grows Vagina – passageway for penis, child

Female Reproductive Anatomy

Vulva The Vulva is the term for the female external genitalia Consists of the: Mons pubis – pubic region covered by hair Labia (minora/majora) – inner and outer flaps of skin that cover the vagina Clitoris – pleasure center!!!

Labias come in all shapes, sizes and colours!

The Clitoris! The visible clitoris is a small cylindrical mass of erectile tissue It has approx 8000 nerve endings It is covered externally by the prepuce of the clitoris (hood). The part of the clitoris you can see is the glans clitoris, however, believe it or not, most of the clitoris is internal! It is the only organ in the human body whose ONLY purpose is pleasure! (and it’s ours!!! Ha!) www.wikidoc.org

When ruptured, bleeding may results Hymen A fold of mucous membrane that partially covers the vaginal opening until ruptured. When ruptured, bleeding may results http://kuliahbidan.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/hymen_virginal.jpg

The “G-spot”!! It is widely accepted to be present in some females However, evidence is not definitive Women who reported g-spot orgasms tended to have thicker vaginal walls The location varies among females (if it’s there at all). It is in the general area of the anterior wall of the vagina May be the region responsible for female ejaculation

The G-spot

The Human Sexual Response

The Stages of the sexual response Masters and Johnson (1966) were the first to propose the four stages of the sexual response 1. Excitement 2. Plateau 3. Orgasm 4. Resolution

The male sexual response

The female sexual response

Female vs. Male sexual response Males, unlike females, experience a refractory period following the response, during which another orgasm cannot be achieved. Females have a prolonged orgasm The female resolution stage may be longer The female is able to have multiple orgasms! Men are generally aroused more easily A female may not have an orgasm with intercourse alone. It is more often than not the case that she also requires stimulation of the clitoris to achieve orgasm

Variations in sexual behaviour

Acceptable Variations in sexual behaviour Masturbation Oral sex Anal sex Homosexuality Approx 4% males, 2% females homosexual Commercial sex? (from a health perspective it’s acceptable, but it’s still debateable) Pornography prostitution

Unacceptable Variations in Sexual Behaviour Rape Any sexual activity involving children Forced prostitution