UNDERSTANDING THE HUMAN SEXUAL RESPONSE

 (https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Human+sexual+response)
A biochemical and physiological response to sexual stimulation that occurs in men and women in
and after Puberty stage- maturation of the sexual apparatus occurs and reproductive capacity as
is attained. (https://www.slideshare.net/amydelivios/gender-and-sexhuman-sexual-
responsediversity-of-sexual-behavior)

Biology of Sexual Behavior

The biology of human sexuality includes the reproductive system and the sexual
response cycle, as well as the factors that affect them.

Physical Anatomy and Reproduction

Different sexes are anatomically very similar; however, they each have different
physical mechanisms that enable them to perform sexual acts and procreate

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ANATOMY

Biology of female reproductive system: The female reproductive system consists of both internal organs and
external genitalia.

(https://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/guide/your-guide-female-reproductive-system#4)

The function of the external female reproductive structures

(the genitals) is twofold: To enable sperm to enter the
body and to protect the internal genital organs from
infectious organisms.

The main external structures of the female reproductive

system include:

 Labia majora: The labia majora enclose and protect

the other external reproductive organs. Literally
translated as "large lips," the labia majora are
relatively large and fleshy, and are comparable to the
scrotum in males. The labia majora contain sweat and
oil-secreting glands. After puberty, the labia majora
are covered with hair.
 Labia minora: Literally translated as "small lips," the
labia minora can be very small or up to 2 inches wide.
They lie just inside the labia majora, and surround the
openings to the vagina (the canal that joins the lower
part of the uterus to the outside of the body) and
 urethra (the tube that carries urine from
the bladder to the outside of the body).
 Bartholin's glands: These glands are located beside
the vaginal opening and produce a fluid (mucus)
secretion.
 Clitoris: The two labia minora meet at the clitoris, a
small, sensitive protrusion that is comparable to
the penis in males. The clitoris is covered by a fold
of skin, called the prepuce, which is similar to the
foreskin at the end of the penis. Like the penis, the
clitoris is very sensitive to stimulation and can become
erect.
 Vagina: It also is known as the birth canal.

The main internal structures of the female reproductive

system include:

 Uterus (womb): home to a developing fetus. The

uterus is divided into two parts: the cervix, which is
the lower part that opens into the vagina, and the
main body of the uterus, called the corpus. The corpus
can easily expand to hold a developing baby. A
channel through the cervix allows sperm to enter
and menstrual blood to exit.
 Ovaries: The ovaries produce eggs and hormones.
“At birth, there are approximately 1 million to 2
million eggs; by the time of puberty, only about
300,000 remain. Of these, only about 500 will be
ovulated during a woman's reproductive lifetime. Any
remaining eggs gradually die out at menopause”
 Fallopian tubes: serve as tunnels for the ova (egg
cells) to travel from the ovaries to the
uterus. “Conception, the fertilization of an egg by a
 sperm, normally occurs in the fallopian tubes. The
fertilized egg then moves to the uterus, where it
implants into the lining of the uterine wall.”

MALE REPRODUCTIVE ANATOMY

https://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/guide/male-reproductive-system#1

Unlike the female reproductive system, most of the male

reproductive system is located outside of the body. These
external structures include the penis, scrotum, and
testicles.
 Penis: This is the male organ used in sexual
intercourse. It has three parts: the root, which
attaches to the wall of the abdomen; the body, or
shaft; and the glans, which is the cone-shaped part at
the end of the penis. The glans, also called the head
of the penis, is covered with a loose layer
of skin called foreskin. This skin is sometimes
removed in a procedure called circumcision. The
opening of the urethra, the tube that transports
 semen and urine, is at the tip of the penis. The glans
of the penis also contains a number of sensitive nerve
endings.
The body of the penis is cylindrical in shape and
consists of three circular shaped chambers. These
chambers are made up of special, sponge-like tissue.
This tissue contains thousands of large spaces that fill
with blood when the man is sexually aroused. As the
penis fills with blood, it becomes rigid and erect, which
allows for penetration during sexual intercourse. The
skin of the penis is loose and elastic to accommodate
changes in penis size during an erection.
Semen, which contains sperm (reproductive cells), is
expelled (ejaculated) through the end of the penis
when the man reaches sexual climax (orgasm). When
the penis is erect, the flow of urine is blocked from the
urethra, allowing only semen to be ejaculated at
orgasm.
 Scrotum: This is the loose pouch-like sac of skin that
hangs behind and below the penis. It contains the
testicles (also called testes), as well as many nerves
and blood vessels. The scrotum acts as a "climate
control system" for the testes. For normal sperm
development, the testes must be at a temperature
slightly cooler than body temperature. Special muscles
in the wall of the scrotum allow it to contract and
relax, moving the testicles closer to the body for
warmth or farther away from the body to cool the
temperature.
  Testicles (testes): These are oval organs about the
size of large olives that lie in the scrotum, secured at
either end by a structure called the spermatic cord.
Most men have two testes. The testes are responsible
for making testosterone, the primary male sex
hormone, and for generating sperm. Within the testes
are coiled masses of tubes called seminiferous
tubules. These tubes are responsible for producing
sperm cells.

The internal organs of the male reproductive system, also

called accessory organs, include the following:
 Epididymis: The epididymis is a long, coiled tube that
rests on the backside of each testicle. It transports
and stores sperm cells that are produced in the testes.
It also is the job of the epididymis to bring the sperm
to maturity, since the sperm that emerge from the
testes are immature and incapable of fertilization.
During sexual arousal, contractions force the sperm
into the vas deferens.
 Vas deferens: The vas deferens is a long, muscular
tube that travels from the epididymis into the pelvic
cavity, to just behind the bladder. The vas deferens
transports mature sperm to the urethra, the tube that
carries urine or sperm to outside of the body, in
preparation for ejaculation.
 Ejaculatory ducts: These are formed by the fusion of
the vas deferens and the seminal vesicles (see below).
The ejaculatory ducts empty into the urethra.
 Urethra: The urethra is the tube that carries urine
from the bladder to outside of the body. In males, it
 has the additional function of ejaculating semen when
the man reaches orgasm. When the penis is erect
during sex, the flow of urine is blocked from the
urethra, allowing only semen to be ejaculated at
orgasm.
 Seminal vesicles: The seminal vesicles are sac-like
pouches that attach to the vas deferens near the base
of the bladder. The seminal vesicles produce a sugar-
rich fluid (fructose) that provides sperm with a source
of energy to help them move. The fluid of the seminal
vesicles makes up most of the volume of a man's
ejaculatory fluid, or ejaculate.
 Prostate gland: The prostate gland is a walnut-sized
structure that is located below the urinary bladder in
front of the rectum. The prostate gland contributes
additional fluid to the ejaculate. Prostate fluids also
help to nourish the sperm. The urethra, which carries
the ejaculate to be expelled during orgasm, runs
through the center of the prostate gland.
 Bulbourethral glands: Also called Cowper's glands,
these are pea-sized structures located on the sides of
the urethra just below the prostate gland. These
glands produce a clear, slippery fluid that empties
directly into the urethra. This fluid serves to lubricate
the urethra and to neutralize any acidity that may be
present due to residual drops of urine in the urethra.

How Does the Male Reproductive System

Function?
The entire male reproductive system is dependent on
hormones, which are chemicals that regulate the activity of
many different types of cells or organs. The primary
hormones involved in the male reproductive system are
follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and
testosterone.
Follicle-stimulating hormone is necessary for sperm
production (spermatogenesis), and luteinizing hormone
stimulates the production of testosterone, which is also
needed to make sperm. Testosterone is responsible for the
development of male characteristics, including muscle
mass and strength, fat distribution, bone mass,
facial hair growth, voice change, and sex drive.

Sexual Behavior
Like food, sex is an important part of our lives. From an evolutionary perspective, the
reason is obvious—perpetuation of the species. Sexual behavior in humans, however,
involves much more than reproduction. This section provides an overview of research
that has been conducted on human sexual behavior and motivation. This section will
close with a discussion of issues related to gender and sexual orientation.

MALES
 The testes begin to secrete androgen - male sex hormones.

 Not only do androgens produce secondary sex characteristics, such as the growth of body
hair and a deepening of the voice, they also increase the sex drive.

 Men are capable of (and interested in) sexual activities without any regard to biological
cycles.
FEMALES

 When they reach maturity and puberty, the two ovaries begin to produce estrogens and
progesterone – female hormones.

 Follows a cyclical pattern.

 The greatest output occurs during ovulation- egg is released from the ovary.
MEN THINKABOUT SEX MORE THAN WOMEN: 54 % OF MEN REPORT THINKING ABOUT
SEX EVERY DAY, ONLY 19% OF WOMEN REPORT THINKING ABOUT IT ON A DAILY BASIS.

IT TAKES MORE THANHORMONES TO MOTIVATE & PRODUCE SEXUAL BEHAVIOR

Humans are considerably more versatile; not only other people but nearly any object, sight,
smell, sound, or other stimulus can lead to sexual excitement.

PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF SEXUAL EXCITEMENT: WHAT TURNS PEOPLE ON?

PHASES OF SEXUAL RESPONSE

1. Motivation, Excitement - arousal phase of the sexual response cycle, and it is

marked by erection of the penis or clitoris and lubrication and expansion of the
vaginal canal. It lasts from just a few minutes to over an hour, an arousing stimulus begins
a sequence that prepares the genitals for sexual intercourse.

2. Plateau - The period in which the maximum level of arousal is attained, women
experience further swelling of the vagina and increased blood flow to the labia
minora, and men experience full erection and often exhibit pre-ejaculatory fluid.
Both men and women experience increases in muscle tone during this time.
3. Orgasm - The peak of sexual excitement, during which rhythmic muscular contractions occur
in the genitals. Orgasm is marked in women by rhythmic contractions of the pelvis
and uterus along with increased muscle tension. In men, pelvic contractions are
accompanied by a buildup of seminal fluid near the urethra that is ultimately
forced out by contractions of genital muscles, (i.e., ejaculation)
4. Resolution- the interval after orgasm in which the body returns to its unaroused state,
reversing the changes brought about arousal. While many women can quickly repeat
the sexual response cycle, men must pass through a longer refractory period as
part of resolution. Refractory - temporary period that follows the resolution stage and
during which the male cannot develop an erection again.

UNDERSTANDING THE CHEMISTRY OF LUST, LOVE AND ATTACHMENT

https://sexologyinternational.com/lust-love-and-attachment/
Depending on the person, love may start out with any of these feelings. Each drive instructs
sexual desire and mating differently. Each involves different neurochemicals in your brain.
Figure A: The testes and ovaries secrete the sex hormones testosterone and estrogen,
driving sexual desire. B and C: Dopamine, oxytocin, and vasopressin are all made in the
hypothalamus, a region of the brain that controls many vital functions as well as
emotion. D: Several of the regions of the brain that affect love. Lust and attraction shut
off the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which includes rational behavior.
  LUST- is animal attraction, your desire to have sex with any semi- appropriate partner.
Driven by the sex hormones testosterone and estrogen (sex hormones) in both males and
females, lust involves cravings for sexual gratification and biological horniness.
 ROMANTIC ATTRACTION- makes you focus on a particular partner and occurs
when you are truly love-struck and can think of little else. The three main
neurotransmitters involved in this stage, backed by science, are;
https://thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/i/i_01/i_01_m/i_01_m_ana/i_01_m_ana.html
Norepinephrine (released during attraction, important for attentiveness,
emotions, sleeping, dreaming, and learning), Dopamine ( produced by the
hypothalamus, is a particularly well-publicized player in the
brain’s reward pathway – it’s released when we do things that
feel good to us. In this case, these things include spending time
with loved ones and having sex. High levels of dopamine and a
related hormone, plays a central role in positive reinforcement- SEEKING
PLEASURE AND AVOIDING PAIN (Pleasure is the mechanism that evolution has
developed to encourage us to eat, find a sexual partner, take refuge from the cold, etc. When
action is possible, pleasure is very often the goal, through the desire-action-satisfaction
cycle.) https://thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/i/i_03/i_03_p/i_03_p_que/i_03_p_que.html and
serotonin (a
hormone that’s known to be involved in appetite and
mood. Interestingly, people who suffer from obsessive-
compulsive disorder also have low levels of serotonin, leading
scientists to speculate that this is what underlies the
overpowering infatuation that characterizes the beginning stages
of love.).
 Attachment - is the bond that keeps partners together long enough for them to have and
raise children. The two major hormones involved in this feeling of attachment are
empathy, trust,
vasopressin (arousal phase) and oxytocin (love hormone -

sexual activity, and relationship-building.)

 LOVE – (WIKIPEDIA)
noun

1. an intense feeling of deep affection.

2. a great interest and pleasure in something
verb
1. feel a deep romantic or sexual attachment to (someone).
“what would love be without embarrassment? Sexual arousal (but not
necessarily attachment) appears to turn off regions in our brain that
regulate critical thinking, self-awareness, and rational behavior,
including parts of the prefrontal cortex (Figure 2). In short, love makes
us dumb. Have you ever done something when you were in love that
you later regretted? Maybe not. I’d ask a certain star-
crossed Shakespearean couple, but it’s a little late for them.

So, in short, there is sort of a “formula” for love. However, it’s a work in
progress, and there are many questions left unanswered. And, as
we’ve realized by now, it’s not just the hormone side of the equation
that’s complicated. Love can be both the best and worst thing for you
– it can be the thing that gets us up in the morning, or what makes us
never want to wake up again. I’m not sure I could define “love” for you
if I kept you here for another ten thousand pages.

In the end, everyone is capable of defining love for themselves. And,

for better or for worse, if it’s all hormones, maybe each of us can have
“chemistry” with just about anyone. But whether or not it goes further
is still up to the rest of you.” CHAROT hahahahahahah