sexuality

1. SEXUALITY

2. Overview
 SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGHOUT LIFE
 SEXUAL HEALTH
 SEXUAL ORIENTATION.
 FACTORS AFFECTING SEXUALITY.
 PREVENTION OF STIS, UNWANTED PREGNANCY, AVOIDING SEXUAL
HARASSMENT AND ABUSE.
 DEALING WITH INAPPROPRIATE SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR.

3. Introduction
 Sexuality is part of a person's personality and is important for overall
health.
 It is the process by which people experience and express themselves as
sexual beings, which is determined by anatomy, physiology, relationships
with others, the culture in which a person lives, and developmental
experiences.
 Sexually healthy people have a positive and respectful approach to
sexuality and sexual relationships.

4. ABOUT SEXUALITY
DEFINITION :
 SEXUALITY IS THE QUALITY OR STATE OF BEING SEXUAL: ESPECIALLY SEXUAL ORIENTATION
AND BEHAVIOUR.
 HUMAN SEXUALITY REFERS TO PEOPLE'S SEXUAL INTERESTAND :ATTRACTION TO OTHERS, AS
WELLAS THEIR CAPACITY TO HAVE EROTIC EXPERIENCES AND RESPONSES.
 A BASIC AWARENESS REGARDING SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, FACTORS
AFFECTING ,SEXUALITY, PREVENTION OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS IS NECESSARY
TO RENDER QUALITY CLIENT CARE.

5. SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT
SEXUALITY CHANGES AS A STAGES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT :
1. INFANCY AND EARLY CHILDHOOD
2. SCHOOL-AGE YEARS
3. PUBERTY / ADOLESCENCE
4. YOUNG ADULTHOOD
5. MIDDLE ADULTHOOD
6. OLDER ADULTHOOD

6. STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT
1. INFANCY AND
 While many people believe that sexual development does not become an important issue until
puberty and adolescence, children begin showing sexual behaviour and interest in their sexual
functioning from infancy. Babies are continually exploring their bodies to learn about them.
2. SCHOOL-AGE YEARS
 During the school-age years, the child might start asking specific questions about the physical
and emotional aspects of sex. They need accurate information from home and school about
changes in their bodies and emotions during this period and what to expect as they move into
puberty.

7. STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT
3. PUBERTY / ADOLESCENCE
 Puberty is the process of physical changes through which a child's body matures into an
adult body capable of sexual reproduction. It is initiated by hormonal signals from the
brain to the gonads: the ovaries in a girl, the testes in a boy. During the teen years, the
hormonal and physical changes of puberty usually mean persons start noticing an increase
in sexual feelings
4. YOUNG ADULTHOOD
 During the young adulthood period, youth engage in increased cross-sex interaction,
experiment with adult sexualities, and begin to sort into different romantic and career
trajectories. Although young adults have matured physically, they continue to explore
and mature emotionally

8. STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT
5. MIDDLE ADULTHOOD
The period of middle adulthood cannot be defined under a specific time limit. Cognitive,
physical and psycho-social changes take place all the time throughout one's lifespan, yet
middle adulthood is a particularly sensitive time for both men and women as their bodies
continue to change even more than usual.
6. OLDER ADULTHOOD
Many people want and need to be close to others as they grow older. For some, this includes
the desire to continue an active, satisfying sex life. With ageing, that may mean adapting
the sexual activity to accommodate physical, health, and other changes. There are many
different ways to have sex and be intimate alone or with a partner.

9. SEXUAL HEALTH
 Sexuality differs from sexual health.
 According to the world health organization (who) sexual health is a state of
physical, emotional, mental and social wellbeing in relation to sexuality; it is not
merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity.
 It's essential to be well-informed about all aspects of sexual health. Similarly, it's
important to be aware of factors that can complicate an individual's sexual health

10. SEXUAL ORIENTATION
 Sexual orientation is an enduring personal quality that inclines people to feel romantic or
sexual attraction to persons of the opposite sex or gender, the same sex or gender, or both
sexes or more than one gender.
TYPES OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION :
HETEROSEXUAL
HOMOSEXUAL
BISEXUAL
PANSEXUAL

11. • Heterosexual: this sexual preference means that an individual feels attraction on an
emotional, romantic or sexual level to people of the opposite sex.
• Homosexual: Homosexuality refers to those with a sexual preference for people of the
same sex.
• Bisexual: means when one feels emotional, romantic, sexual, or affective attraction
towards both sexes.
• Pansexual: not limited in the sexual choice concerning biological sex, gender, or gender
identity.
• Pansexuality is sexual, romantic, or emotional attraction towards people regardless of
their sex or gender identity. Pansexual people may refer to themselves as gender-blind,
asserting that gender and sex are not determining factors in their romantic or sexual
attraction to others.

12. FACTORS AFFECTING SEXUALITY
1. SOCIO-CULTURAL DIMENSIONS OF SEXUALITY
Cultural rules and regulations influence sexuality. Culture, gender, education, socioeconomic status and
religion influence sexuality
2. DECISIONAL ISSUES
Individuals decide their sexuality. Nurses can help patients to make decisions regarding contraception and
abortion.
3. ALTERATIONS IN SEXUAL HEALTH
INFERTILITY: Infertility is the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse. Some
experience a sense of failure and may feel their bodies are defective.

13. Socio-cultural dimensions of sexuality
• Family: children view parents as their role models. If parents can share affection and with
other family members, when children become adults, they can give and receive affection.
• Culture: different cultures differ concerning which body part they find to be erotic or sexiest.
In some cultures legs are erotic. Bodyweight may be a determinant of sexual attractiveness.
• Religion: religion provides guidelines for sexual behaviour and influences sexual expression.
• Pregnancy and menstruation: sexual interests of women and their partners vary during
pregnancy and menstruation. Some cultures encourage sexual intercourse during pregnancy
and menstruation, but other cultures strictly forbid it. In hindu culture, women avoid cooking
and worship during menstruation.

14. • DISCUSSING SEXUAL ISSUES: Sexuality is an Important part of an individual's life
but sexual assessment and interventions are not usually included in health care. The area of
sexuality is emotionally charged for patients and health team members especially nurses.
Nurses usually avoid discussing sexual issues with patients because they have different
values than their patients. If nurses are uncomfortable in discussing a topic related to
sexuality, the patient is unlikely to share their sexual issues.
• Personal and emotional conflicts: sex is a natural and spontaneous act that passes easily
through several physiological stages and ends in orgasms. Nurses meet patients who have
problems with one or more of the stages of sexual activity. For example, some women and
men who are on antidepressants usually report that their ability to reach orgasm is
negatively affected.

15. Decisional Issues
• Contraception: choice for the methods of contraception varies concerning the age, income,
marital status, education and previous pregnancies of the woman.
• Abortion: almost half of the unintended pregnancies end in abortion. Half of all pregnancies in
the united states are unplanned. The majority of unplanned pregnancies occur in teenagers.
Abortions are safer and less costly if it is performed in the early weeks of pregnancy. When a
woman chooses abortion as a way of handling an unwanted pregnancy, she experiences a sense
of loss, grief and guilt.

16. Alterations in sexual health
• Sexual Dysfunction: Sexual dysfunction is defined as the inability to fully enjoy sexual
intercourse.
Female Sexual Dysfunction
• Primary or pre-orgasmic dysfunction- The impaired ability of women to have an orgasm.
• Secondary or orgasmic dysfunction - The impaired ability of women to have an orgasm
currently but with a history of ability to have an orgasm.
• Dyspareunia - Painful intercourse.
Male Sexual Dysfunction
• Primary erectile dysfunction- Inability of the man to penetrate during sexual contact.
• Secondary erectile dysfunction- Inability of the man to maintain an erection but has a
history of penetration earlier.
• Premature Ejaculation- Premature ejaculation occurs when a man reaches orgasm and
ejaculates too quickly and without control. In other words, ejaculation occurs before a man
wants it to happen. It may occur before or after beginning foreplay or intercourse.

17. Causes of Sexual Dysfunction
1. Biological contributions
• Physical illness.
• Medications eg. Alpha-blockers, Antianxiety agents etc.
• Use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs
2. Psychological contributions
• a. Performance anxiety
3. Social and cultural contributions
• a. A negative attitude about sexuality Sexuality
• Traumatic sexual experiences
• Lack of communication and interpersonal relationships

18. FACTORS FOR PREVENTING STI’S
 Abstinence is considered to be 100% effective in preventing the transmission of STI’S.
Responsible sexual behaviour helps to prevent STI’S.
 Limit the number of sexual partners.
 Use condoms.
 Abstain from sexual activity with a partner known to have or suspected of having stis.
 Report to a health care facility whenever in doubt about possible exposure.
 When an STI’S is diagnosed, notify all partners and encourage them to seek immediate
treatment.
 Avoid unnecessary transfusions of blood or blood products

19. CAUSES OF UNWANTED PREGNANCY
 Wrong use of contraceptives
 Wrong calculation of safe days
 Irregular use of contraceptives
 Non-availability of emergency contraceptive pills
 Lack of knowledge
 Failure of contraceptive
IF ONE HAS TO AVOID UNWANTED PREGNANCIES, TAKE THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS:
• Avoid penetrative sex if you are still in your teens.
• If you have plans to get sexually active, be prepared with all available options of
• contraception.
• Use an emergency contraceptive if you are unsure of the birth
•-Control methods used.

20. Sexual Harassment
 Sexual harassment Is unwelcome sexual behaviour that's offensive, humiliating or
intimidating. It can be written, verbal or physical, and can happen in person or online.
Both men and women can be victims of sexual harassment
 Sexual abuse Means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature,
whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. It includes sexual slavery,
pornography, child abuse and sexual assault. Sexual abuse of a child is a criminal
act.
 Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse or other forms of
sexual penetration carried out against a person without that person's consent.
Rape and sexual assault have been used interchangeably. Usually, a sexual assault
occurs when someone touches any part of another person's body sexually, even through
clothes, without that person's consent.

21. Dealing with inappropriate sexual behaviour
• When inappropriate sexual behaviours occur, it's important to respond in a
non-shaming way. eg., if your 4-year-old reaches down his pants while
you're in the grocery store, remind him that it is inappropriate to do so in
public. Teach him about the difference between private and public
behaviour.
• Most of these behaviours are the result of a youth being abused, witnessing a
traumatic experience, or lack of supervision in the home.

22. • Families must understand the emotional and psychological implications of sexually
inappropriate behaviours by children and adolescents. Some children and adolescents will
be acting out what they have witnessed in their own homes, on tv, online, or with their
parents. Other children are acting out the abuse they have experienced or even witnessed.
Children and adolescents who are exhibiting sexually inappropriate behaviours must see a
therapist so that they can explore the reasons for their behaviours.
• For many parents, it is very difficult to acknowledge sexually maladaptive behaviours
(smb) in their children. It is even more difficult for parents to spot sexually maladaptive
behaviours( smb) in a child.

23. SIGNS THAT INDICATES MALADAPTIVE BEHAVIOUR
I. LACK OF BOUNDARIES AND RESPECT FOR THE PRIVACY OF OTHERS.
II. AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR
III. BEING THE VICTIM OF SEXUALABUSE OR BEING EXPOSED TO IT.
IV. WATCHING PORN OR ATTEMPTING TO VIEW EXPLICIT MATERIAL.
V. BEING INAPPROPRIATELY EXPOSED TO PARENTAL SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR.
VI. FREQUENT SELF-STIMULATION.

24. Thank You