Agenda

1
Agenda

• Chapter 3 The Female Body
• Female Sexual Anatomy
• Female Sexual Physiology
• Sexual Response patterns

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Chapter 3

• Female Sexual Anatomy

3
Female Sex Organs

• All embryos appear as female at first
• Genetic and hormonal signals trigger the
  development of male organs in those embryos with
  XY chromosomes that will become male

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Female Sex Organs in Utero
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Female Sex Organs

• In spite of all that is known about female sex
  organs, some anatomical questions remain unknown
  or disputed
• Range in clitoral size
• Existence and function of the G-spot
• Placement of nerves in the pelvic cavity

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Female Sex Organs

• Sex organs serve a reproductive function
• They also serve other functions
• Bringing pleasure to self
• Giving pleasure to others
• May serve to attract potential sexual partners
• Sharing of genital sexuality can play a bonding
  role in relationships

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External Structures

• External female genitals
• mons pubis
• clitoris
• labia majora
• labia minora
• These genitals are collectively known as the
  vulva
• Often referred to as vagina, yet the vagina is
  an internal structure

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External Structures
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Mons Pubis

• Latin for pubic mound
• The pad of fatty tissue that covers the area of
  the pubic bone about 6 below navel.
• Pubic hair grows on mons pubis beginning in
  puberty
• In many women, this area is sensitive to
  stimulation

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Clitoris

• The Clitoris is the center of sexual arousal in
  the female
• Contains a high concentration of nerve endings
• Exquisitely sensitive to stimulation
• shaft external
• glans clitoris the tip of the shaft
• Clitoral hood covers glans when clitoris not
  engorged
• Structurally analogous to penis, though sole
  function of the clitoris is sexual arousal

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Clitoris

• Clitoris also has an internal structure
• Two 3.5 long branches called crura
• crura contain two corpora cavernosa hollow
  chambers that fill with blood and swell during
  arousal
• The clitoris when stimulated
• Enlarges initially, then retracts beneath hood
  just before and during orgasm
• Follows same pattern with repeated orgasms,
  though swelling is less pronounced

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Labia Majora and Minora

• Labia Majora
• Two folds of spongy flesh extending from the mons
  pubis and enclosing the labia minora, clitoris,
  urethral opening, and vaginal entrance

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Labia Majora and Minora

• Labia Minora
• Small folds within the labia majora that meet
  above the clitoris to form the clitoral hood
• They vary in appearance from woman to woman
• They are sensitive to the touch and swell during
  sexual arousal
• They enclose the vestibule the vaginal opening

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External genitals during sexual arousal

• Clitoris becomes erect
• Labia minora widen
• Vestibule (vaginal opening) becomes visible
• Bartholins glans (located in the vestibule)
  secrete small amount of moisture

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Internal Structures

• Vagina from Latin word for sheath
• Two indispensable reproductive functions
• Encompasses penis during coitus (vaginal
  intercourse)
• Birth canal
• Introitus the lower third of the vagina
• The majority of the vaginas nerve endings are
  there
• Hymen (named for Roman god of marriage)
• a thin membrane that partially covers introitus
  prior to first intercourse or other insertion

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Internal Structures
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Internal Structures

• Grafenberg Spot (G-spot)
• An erotically sensitive area on front wall of the
  vagina mid-way between pubic bone and cervix
• Existence somewhat controversial
• Uterus a hollow, thick-walled muscular organ
• Accommodates developing fetus during pregnancy
• Only 3 by 3 in women who have not given birth
• Inner lining of uterine walls known as
  endometrium
• Cervix the tapered end of the uterus, extends
  and opens into the vagina
• Secretes mucous menstrual fluid travels through

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Internal Structures
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Internal Structures

• Ovaries gonads that produce gametes
• Produce egg cells (oocytes ova) for reproduction
• Two ovaries size and shape of large almonds
• Ovaries release oocytes in a process called
  ovulation
• Fallopian tubes
• Also known as uterine tubes or oviducts
• One tube extends toward each ovary
• They fan over the ovaries, and carry oocytes into
  the uterus during ovulation

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Other Structures

• Urethra tube through which urine passes
• Urethral opening
• Perineum area between genitals and anus
• Pelvic floor

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Other Structures

• Anus opening of rectum
• Contains two sphincters (circular muscles that
  open and close like valves)
• Some women and men find that the tissue of the
  anus is erotically sensitive
• The lining of the rectum is fragile
• if engaging in anal sex play, care must be taken
  not to rupture the delicate tissues (lubrication
  important)

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Other Structures

• Breasts both women and men have them
• Reproductive function of female breasts is to
  nourish offspring through lactation
• Composed of fatty tissue and 15-25 lobes that
  radiate around a central nipple
• Areola the ring of darkened skin around nipple
• Nipples get erect in response to touch, cold, and
  / or sexual arousal
• Many (not all) women find breast stimulation
  pleasurable.

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Other Structures Breasts
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Female Sexual Physiology Reproductive Hormones

• Hormones chemical substances that serve as
  messengers
• Gonadotropins act directly on gonads
• Estrogens affect maturation of reproductive
  organs, menstruation, and pregnancy
• Progesterone helps maintain the uterine lining

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Female Sexual Physiology Reproductive Hormones
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Female Sexual Physiology Reproductive Hormones
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Female Sexual Physiology The Ovarian Cycle

• Cycle averages 28 days
• Normal womens cycles last between 21 40 days
• Generally occurs in only one ovary per month

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The Ovarian Cycle
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The Ovarian Cycle

• 3 Phases
• Follicular phase Days 1-10
• Hormones signal 10 to 20 follicles to grow on
  ovaries Estrogen matures one oocyte
• Ovulatory phase Days 11-14
• Oocyte undergoes cell division Follicle wall
  thins and ruptures oocyte enters abdominal
  cavity near fimbrae of fallopian tube
• Luteal phase Days 14-28
• Estrogen levels drop egg travels through
  fallopian tube towards uterus

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The Ovarian Cycle Follicular Phase
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The Ovarian Cycle Ovulatory Phase
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The Ovarian Cycle Luteal Phase
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Menstruation
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The Menstrual Cycle

• 3 Phases
• Menstrual phase (about 3-5 days)
• Endometrium is shed
• Endometrial tissue, mucous, other secretions, and
  2-5 oz. Blood is expelled through vagina
• Proliferative phase (about 9 days)
• Endometrium thickens, clear thin mucus secreted
• Ends with ovulation
• Secretory phase (14 days)
• endometrium prepares for arrival of fertilized
  ovum
• If no fertilization, ends with shedding of
  endometrium and cycle repeats.

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Possible Menstrual Effects

• Emotional, physical, or behavioral changes
• The vast majority of women notice mild changes in
  the week prior to menstruation
• More severe symptoms are associated with Pre-
  Menstrual Syndrome (PMS)
• Dysmenorrhea
• pelvic cramping and pain during menstruation
• Caused by prostaglandins, a type of hormone
• Amenorrhea
• absence of menstruation for reasons other than
  aging
• often occurs in anorexia nervosa

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Female Sexual Response Models

• Masters Johnson 4 Phase Model
• excitement
• plateau
• orgasm
• resolution

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Female Sexual Response Models

• Kaplans Tri-Phasic Model
• Desire
• Excitement
• Orgasm

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Female Sexual Response Models

• Loulans Sexual Response Model
• Incorporates both biological affective
  dimensions
• Willingness
• Desire
• Excitement
• Engorgement
• Orgasm
• Pleasure

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Desire Mind or Matter?

• Desire is the psychological component of sexual
  arousal.
• A complex interaction between
• Thoughts and feelings
• Sensory organs
• Neural responses
• Hormonal reactions
• Occurs throughout many parts of the body

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Womens Sexual Excitement

• Sweating moistening of vaginal walls
• Tenting inner 2/3 of vagina expands
• Labia may enlarge or flatten separate
• Clitoris swells
• Breathing and heart rate increase
• Nipples become erect, breasts may enlarge
• Uterus elevates

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Womens Sexual Excitement

• As excitement increases
• Clitoris retracts beneath clitoral hood
• Vaginal opening decreases by about 1/3
• Outer third of vagina becomes more congested,
  forming the orgasmic platform.
• Continued stimulation brings orgasm
• Rhythmic contractions of the vagina, uterus, and
  pelvic muscles accompanied by pleasurable
  sensation.

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The Great Orgasm Debate

• Is there a difference between vaginal orgasm and
  clitoral orgasm?
• Is it a quantitative (degree) or qualitative
  (experiential) difference?