WEEK 2 MODULE
BIOMEDICAL PERSPECTIVE IN GENDER AND SEXUALITY
ANATOMY AND PHSIOLOGY OR REPRODUCTION
LESSON OBJECTIVES: When you finish reading this chapter, you should be able to:
1. differentiate the female and the male reproductive systems; and
2. understand the basis for physiologic processes in female and males.
DEFINITION OF TERMS:
Reproduction - process of producing off springs.
Genitals - external sex organs.
Primary sex characteristic - sex characteristics that are present at birth.
Secondary sex characteristics - sex characteristics that emerge during puberty.
INTRODUCTION
Humans experience various physical and emotional changes from childhood to adulthood. These
changes are gradual and progress at different ages and speed in different people. These stages are based
on human growth and development from childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age. This chapter
focuses on the adolescent stage of human development, which is characterized by dynamic changes in
physical and behavioral traits.
Despite differences in physical appearance, the sexual organs of men and women arise from the same
structures and fulfill similar functions.
Each person has a pair of gonads: ovaries are female gonads; testes are the male gonads. The gonads
produce germ cells and sex hormones. The female germ cells are ova (egg) and the male germ cells are
sperm. Ova and sperm are the basic units of reproduction; their union can lead to the creation of a new
life.
THE BIOLOGICAL FEMALE
Anatomy - the study of body structure in relation to body parts.
The female sexual anatomy - is designed for the production and fertilization of ovum, as well as carrying
and delivering infant offspring. Puberty signals the final development of primary and accessory organs
that support reproduction.
THE FEMALE INTERNAL REPRODUCTIVE STRUCTURES CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING:
vagina-collapsible canal extending from vaginal opening back and upward into body to cervix and uterus.
During arousal, it is engorged with blood. This aids its expansion and triggers the release of lubricants
from vaginal mucosa;
cervix - small end of uterus to which vagina leads. It is the opening in cervix leading to interior of uterus-
uterus - womb, organ within pelvic zone where fetus is carried;
fallopian tubes - carry egg cells from ovaries to uterus, this is where fertilization occurs; and
ovaries - produce estrogen and progesterone.
Estrogen influences female sex characteristics and initiates menstrual cycle.
Progesterone aids in regulation of menstrual cycle and promotes mature development of uterine lining
to allow for zygote implantation. Also produce ova, egg cells, and bring them to maturity. As many as 1
million immature ova are present at birth, with about 400,000 surviving to puberty. Of these, only about
400-450 are typically brought to maturity and released into the fallopian tubes.
PUBERTY
The menstrual cycle marks the beginning of puberty in females.
The first episode occurs between 11 to 15 years of age referred to as menarche.
Menstruation pertains to the sloughing off of the uterine lining if conception has not occurred. It may
last within two to six days which follows a cycle ranging from 24 to 42 days. Regardless of the length of
the cycle, menstruation begins about 14 days after ovulation (plus or minus one to two days). The overall
cycle is governed by the hypothalamus as it monitors hormone levels in the bloodstream.
FEMALE SECONDARY SEXUAL CHARACTERISTICS EMERGE AFTER PUBERTY:
1. widening of hips and pelvis-accommodates giving birth, but also results in downward shift in
center of gravity.
2. enlargement of breasts - at puberty, both the glandular and fatty tissues of the breasts develop
considerably. Differences in breast size between women are primarily due to differences in the
amount of fatty tissue. It is also not uncommon for one of a woman's breasts to be slightly larger
than the other. The glandular tissue of the breasts responds to sex hormones, and the breasts
are involved in a women's sexual arousal. The glandular tissue produces milk toward the end of
pregnancy and after childbirth in response to hormone levels.
MORE FEMALE CHARACTERISTICS:
generally shorter than men;
greater proportion of body weight composed of fat than men;
two X chromosomes reduce expression of many sexes linked conditions;
and lower mortality rate at every age and longer projected lifespan than men.
THE BIOLOGICAL MALE
The male sexual anatomy is designed for the production and delivery of sperm for fertilization of the
female's ovum. Puberty signals the final development of primary and accessory organs that support
reproduction.
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE:
What is the difference between an uncircumcised and a circumcised penis? Is it necessary to undergo
circumcision in males? Why or why not?
THE MALE EXTERNAL GENITALIA CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING STRUCTURES:
prepuce - foreskin covering head of penis, removed in male circumcision;
penis - glans (head), shaft, and root. The glans is particularly sensitive to stimulation. Running the length
of the penis is the urethra surrounded by the spongy body and two cylindrical chambers known as the
cavernous bodies. During arousal, these become engorged with blood, resulting in erection;
corona - rim of glans where it arises from shaft.
THE MALE EXTERNAL GENITALIA CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING STRUCTURES:
frenulum-thin strip of skin connecting glans and shaft on underside of penis;
scrotum - sac that encloses the two compartments housing the testes;
urethral opening - found on head of penis this is the end of tube connected to bladder and used for
urination. It is also tube to which internal structures deliver semen by which male ejaculates; and
perineum - area of skin separating the genitalia from the anus, distance is greater in males than
females.
THE MALE INTERNAL REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS:
testes-produce androgen, particularly large quantities of testosterone, which greatly influence male
development and drive sexual motivation; also produce sperm cells in virtually unlimited quantity over
the entire course of the lifespan;
vas deferens-travels from testicle toward urethra carrying sperm;
seminal vesicles - two glands that produce alkaline fluid rich in fructose sugar, comprising some 70% of
semen volume. Alkaline nature may stimulate sperm to start self-propulsion and sugar may provide
sperm nutrients. Ducts carry fluid and connect with vas deferens forming ejaculatory ducts:
ejaculatory ducts - connect vas deferens to urethra.
THE MALE INTERNAL REPRODUCTIVE
ORGANS:
prostate - gland producing alkaline
secretions that account for about 30%
of semen volume. Alkaline nature may
help counteract otherwise, acidic
environment of urethra and vagina
making them more hospitable for
sperm. Fluid passes through a series of
ducts along wall of urethra;
urethra - tube within penis that carries
sperm and semen the rest of the way to
the opening of the penis.
MORE MALE CHARACTERISTICS:
generally taller and greater proportion of body weight composed of water;
proportionately larger heart and lungs, presumably to handle greater blood fluid volume;
exposure to greater levels of testosterone resulting in heavier body and facial hair, but also
increased frequency and degree of baldness;
single X chromosome resulting in sex-linked conditions such as colorblindness and hemophilia.
SUMMARY
Humans experience various physical changes from childhood to adulthood. The adolescent stage is
characterized by dynamic changes in physical and behavioral traits. Despite differences in physical
appearance, the sexual organs of men and women arise from the same structures and fulfill similar
functions. Each person has a pair of gonads: ovaries are female gonads; testes are the male gonads. The
gonads produce germ cells and sex hormones. The female germ cells are ova (egg) and the male germ
cells are sperm. Ova and sperm are the basic units of reproduction; their union can lead to the creation
of a new life.
GENDER ISSUES IN THE PHILIPPINES (FOR REPORTING TOPIC)
1. Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
Prevalence & Forms
Around 17.5% of Filipino women aged 15–49 experienced physical, sexual, or emotional violence
from intimate partners in 2022
reddit.com+2time.com+2frontiersin.org+2psa.gov.ph+2en.wikipedia.org+2en.wikipedia.org+2.
Over 76,000 cases of violence against women and children were reported in 2022–2023,
including physical assault and rape rcademy.com.
Digital forms (online GBV) remain alarming—56 cases in 2023 included sextortion, cyberstalking,
doxxing, and intimate image misuse fma.ph+1fma.ph+1.
Research & Insights
The FMA reports over 686 tech-facilitated violence cases mapped between 2012 and mid-2023
psa.gov.ph+2fma.ph+2fma.ph+2.
Most victims are female, especially under 18, and perpetrators are often known to them
(partners, friends, family) .
Examples & Legislation
Laws exist—e.g. Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children (RA 9262), Safe Spaces Law,
Cybercrime Prevention Act—but enforcement gaps persist fma.ph+1en.wikipedia.org+1.
A national forum in Nov 2024 addressed fragmented GBV data systems to better support
survivors philippines.unfpa.org.
2. LGBTQ+ Discrimination
Legal Landscape
The SOGIE Equality Bill has been pending since the early 2000s; only local anti-discrimination
ordinances (e.g., Quezon City Gender-Fair Ordinance) are in place
hrw.org+8en.wikipedia.org+8frontiersin.org+8.
Despite being socially tolerant, there’s no national legislation protecting LGBTQ+ individuals .
Empirical Research
HRW (2017) documented pervasive bullying in schools: LGBT students face anxiety, depression,
and higher suicidal ideation compared to their heterosexual peers
en.wikipedia.org+5hrw.org+5hrw.org+5.
A 2024 college study at Notre Dame of Midsayap found transgender and bisexual students
report the highest levels of mental health challenges, discrimination, and harassment
rsisinternational.org.
Frontiers (2023) warns of pervasive heteronormative norms that contribute to minority stress
and mental health disparities frontiersin.org.
Real-Life Cases & Culture
In 2014, transgender model Mara La Torre sued her workplace for being barred from using the
women's restroom—leading to local restroom policies
psa.gov.ph+8alljournals.blog+8en.wikipedia.org+8en.wikipedia.org.
LGBT advocacy continues: Quezon City is pushing the SOGIE bill in June 2025
frontiersin.org+5en.wikipedia.org+5them.us+5.
Organizations like Bahaghari lead rallies, Pride marches, and calls for national anti-discrimination
legislation time.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2time.com+2.
Social Visibility
Manila Rainbow Ball and other events create safe, affirming spaces vogue.com.
Boxer Nesthy Petecio, openly lesbian, dedicated her Olympic silver medal to the LGBTQ+
community, spotlighting representation them.us+1time.com+1.
Religious inclusion continues to evolve—many LGBT Catholics find ways to reconcile identity with
faith despite Church opposition time.com.
3. Unequal Access to Education
Formal & Informal Barriers
While overall school access is high, LGBTQ+ students face bullying, harassment, and exclusion
under dress-code rules, which disproportionately affect transgender youth
hrw.org+1rsisinternational.org+1.
Comprehensive sexuality education often excludes LGBTQ+ topics, reinforcing stigma .
Local policies exist (e.g. DepEd’s Anti-Bullying Act, 2013), but rollout is inconsistent, and many
schools neglect enforcement .
Impact Studies
HRW and DepEd find LGBT students have higher rates of depression and suicidal ideation,
impacting academic performance .
Notre Dame research (A.Y. 2022–23) highlighted school-based prejudice and mental health
problems as key stressors for LGBTQ+ students rsisinternational.org.
4. Gender Stereotypes in Media
Representation Trends
Historically, Filipino media portrayed LGBTQ+ people with stereotypical, comic roles
alljournals.blog.
In recent years, films like Die Beautiful, Bwakaw, and series such as The Rich Man’s Daughter
present more nuanced LGBTQ+ stories alljournals.blog+1reddit.com+1.
Rocco Nacino’s portrayal of a trans man was a groundbreaking moment in mainstream
representation alljournals.blog+1them.us+1.
Impact & Challenges
Positive depictions foster empathy and challenge old stereotypes—but diversity and depth
remain lacking in some narratives time.com.
Gender Pay Gap & Workplace Discrimination
Wage Disparities
In digital jobs, women earn ~18.4% less than men; in agriculture (2018), women earned ₱0.92
for every peso earned by men rcademy.com+2diskurso.ph+2fma.ph+2.
Women remain underrepresented in higher-paying STEM careers diskurso.ph+1frontiersin.org+1.
Workplace Bias
LGBTQ+ individuals face hiring discrimination, limited promotion, and hostile units—transgender
people hit hardest .
No national SOGIE-based employment protection exists, though some corporations have internal
policies en.wikipedia.org+3taasnoopilipino.com+3them.us+3.
Summary
Issue Key Challenges
High rates of partner violence and emerging online abuse; laws weakly
GBV
enforced.
LGBTQ+ Discrimination No national anti-discrimination law; high mental health burden; active advocacy.
Education Access Bullying and exclusion in schools; insufficient sex-ed and guidance.
Media Stereotypes Shift toward complexity, but media still shows uneven representation.
Pay & Workplace Bias Significant gender wage gaps; LGBT workplace discrimination persists.
