1. Name the five reproductive system functions that are necessary for reproduction.
1. produce sex cells
2. produce hormones
3. assist in uniting sperm and egg
4. supporting development of the new individual
5. giving birth
2. Describe the importance of sexual activity beyond its contributions to reproduction.
- pleasure and positive biological, social, and psychological impact such as decr. stress, bonding, self-esteem
3. Explain that the hormones produced in connection with reproductive systems have other important roles and describe three of these roles for testosterone and for estrogen.
- testosterone -> sebaceous gland function,
body hair, bones, muscles, incr. BMR, body contour, fluid balance, psychological
effects
- estrogen -> decr. risk of atherosclerosis,
sebaceous gland function, body hair, bones, body contour, fluid balance,
psychological effects
4. Describe the overall age changes and age-related changes in male reproductive functioning and describe the effects from these changes.
- very variable decline in testosterone production,
sperm production, production of normal sperm (incr. % of abnormal sperm)
(patchy and irregular degeneration of seminiferous tubules)
- effects = no significant changes in
reproductive capability (includes no significant changes in reproductive
capability in functioning of glands or other structures)
5. Name specific factors other than reproductive system aging that have significant effects on male and female sexual responses.
- factors affecting male sexual responses
1. aging nervous
system -> decr. sensitivity, decr. reflex responses
2. aging circulatory
system - decr. ability for active congestion
3. medications
such as reduce blood pressure, tranquilizers
4. reduced sexual
activity -> decr. ability
5. psychological
factors such as expectations, depression
6. social factors
such as partner availability, living situations
7. diseases
such as atherosclerosis, strokes, dementia, arthritis
- factors affecting female sexual responses
1. menopause
-> declining estrogen
2. diseases
such as reproductive system diseases, atherosclerosis, strokes, dementia,
arthritis
3. aging nervous
system -> decr. sensitivity, decr. reflex responses
4. medications
such as estrogen, tranquilizers
5. reduced sexual
activity -> decr. ability
6. psychological
factors such as expectations, depression
7. social factors
such as partner availability, living situations
6. Name and describe effects of aging on the five phases of male sexual response (p. 273), and describe the overall effects on sexual response from these individual effects.
- highly variable degrees of change
- excitement phase
1. erection
= reflex engorgement of penis,incr. muscle tension, nipple erection, (incr.
respiration, incr. BP, incr. HR, , swelling and elevation of scrotum and
testes)
effects
- need more stimulation
- slower to develop
- less firm
other effects
- decr. muscle tension, decr. nipple erection, (decr. scrotal swelling,
decr. testes elevation and swelling)
- plateau phase = incr. excitement phase changes
plus emission from glands
effects
1. same reductions as in excitement phase
2. may enter refractory phase without having ejaculation -> apparent "impotence"
3. incr. ability to delay ejaculation -> possible incr. pleasure
4. decr. amount and force of seminal vesicle and prostate secretion and
expulsion -> (1) decr. sensation of impending ejaculation -> decr.
pleasure or (2) sensation of impending ejaculation not followed by ejaculation
-> frustration
- orgasmic phase = pulsatile peristalsis of
urethra and other ducts, which gradually subside and cease
effects
1. decr. intensity of contractions -> decr. pleasure
2. decr. number of contractions - decr. pleasure
- resolution phase = loss of erection and
other excitement phase changes
effects
1. faster loss of erection
- refractory period = inability for erection
and other response changes
effects
1. longer refractory period (incr. from seconds-hours to minutes-days)
- overall effects = slower and less intense
arousal, less intense reactions, faster resolution, longer refractory period,
decr. intensity of physical pleasure but still able to be completely satisfactory
7. Define menopause and explain its significance with respect to the reproductive capabilities of women.
- menopause = cessation of menstrual cycles
for at least one year
- significance = (cessation of ovulation and
uterine functions ->) loss of reproductive capabilities
8. Explain why menstrual cycles seem to become irregular and lengthen and as menopause approaches.
- decreased hormone production by follicles -> less complete endometrial development -> decr. menstrual flow -> apparent skipping of "periods"
9. Describe the overall effects of menopause on female reproductive structures and explain the reason for these effects.
- effects = shrinkage and decreased functioning
- reason = decline in sex steroid hormones
(i.e., estrogen, progesterone)
10. Describe the overall effects of menopause and estrogen replacement therapy on the vagina, external genitalia, and breasts and describe consequences from these effects.
- vagina
1. shrinkage,
thinning, decreased elasticity -> incr. risk of pain and injury from intercourse
2. decr.
secretion during sexual arousal -> incr. pain and injury from intercourse
3. decr.
glycogen - decr. acids -> incr. risk of infection
note: reduced
by estrogen therapy and by continued frequent intercourse
- genitalia - shrinkage -> incr. risk of bacteria
entry and infection
- breasts
1. incr.
fat -> sagging and drooping (cosmetic effects -> other effects))
2. decr.
glandular tissue ->sagging and drooping (cosmetic -> etc.), ( no milk production)
3. stretched
fibrous support - sagging and drooping (cosmetic -> etc.)
note: reduced by estrogen therapy
11. Name and describe effects of aging on the four phases of female sexual response (p. 283), and describe the overall effects on sexual response from these individual effects.
- highly variable degrees of changes
- excitement phase = vaginal exudation
for lubrication, nipple erection, clitoral and labial swelling, vaginal
enlargement, uterine elevation, areolar and breast swelling, incr. muscle
tension
effects
1. decr. vaginal exudation -> difficult and painful intercourse
- minimized by (1)frequent intercourse, (2)estrogen therapy, (3)lubricants
2. diminishing or loss of all excitement phase changes except nipple erection
- plateau phase = clitoral elevation, incr.
excitement phase changes, (incr. respiration, incr. HR, incr. BP, thickening
of vagina lining at introitus, sex flush on labia minora)
effects
1. diminished plateau phase changes except elevation of the clitoris
- orgasmic phase = pulsatile vaginal contractions
and uterine contractions, which gradually subside in frequency and intensity
effects
1. diminished vaginal contractions (less reduction with frequent intercourse)
2. incr. incidence of painful uterine contractions (minimized by estrogen
therapy)
- resolution phase = cessation of orgasmic
contractions and reversal of excitement phase changes
(note: repeated orgasms or cycling between plateau, excitement,
or resolution phases and orgasmic phases may occur)
effects
1. more rapid return to resting conditions
- overall effect = slower and less intense
arousal, less intense reactions, faster resolution, possible decr. intensity
of physical pleasure but still able to be completely satisfactory
12. Describe age-related trends in sexual activity, discuss reasons for these trends including specific examples, and name ways of reducing these trends.
- general decrease in frequency and enjoyment
- frequency is directly related to frequency
during youth
- factors affecting decreases
1. higher previous
frequency -> greater decrease in frequency
2. diseases
(e.g., emphysema, atherosclerosis, stroke, Alzheimer's, arthritis, cancer)
3. medications
and other treatments (e.g., surgery, radiation)
4. changes in
other systems (e.g., circulation, nervous, muscle, skeletal)
5. menopause
(vaginal changes, + and - psychological changes)
6. social (e.g.,
loss of spouse), psychological (e.g., self-image), economic (e.g., living
arrangement factors - institutionalization, living with children)
preventing and minimizing decreases
1. maintain
health
2. prevent abnormalities
and disease
3. adjust medications
4. attitude
adjustment
5. compensations
(e.g., lubricants)
6. adjust techniques
(e.g., positions)
7. seek professional
help (e.g., medical, psychological)
13. Describe benign prostatic hypertrophy including what it is, its effects, and ways to minimize its effects.
1. description - enlargement of the prostate
2. effects - blocks urine flow -> (p. 285)
abnormal urinary functions and incontinence
3. treatments - regular evaluation, medications,
surgery
14. Describe impotence including what it is, contributing factors, its effects, and ways to prevent or minimize this condition.
1. description - "frequent" inadequate penile
erection for intercourse (primary with no erection vs secondary with loss
of erection)
2. contributing factors - (pp. 267-268)
3. effects - biological, social, psychological
4. treatments - identify factors, treat causes
(medications, diabetes, atherosclerosis, hormone imbalance, malnutrition,
alcoholism, psychological factors), surgery, prostheses
15. Describe prostate cancer including what it is, its effects, and ways to prevent or minimize this condition.
1. description - cancer of the prostate, which
metastasizes (e.g., bones, lungs, liver)
2. effects - destroys organs
3. treatments - early diagnosis (e.g., rectal
exams, blood test), cancer therapy (radiation, surgery, hormones)
16. Describe breast cancer including what it is, its effects, and ways to prevent or minimize this condition.
1. description - breast cancer, which infiltrates
and metastasizes (e.g., bones, lungs, liver, kidneys)
2. effects - destroys organs
3. treatments - prevention (e.g., minimal
estrogen therapy), early detection, (e.g., breast self-exams, mammography),
treatment (e.g., radiation, surgery, hormones)
17. Describe endometrial cancer including what it is, its effects, and ways to prevent or minimize this condition.
1. description - cancer of the uterine lining,
which infiltrates and metastasizes
2. effects - destroys organs
3. treatments - prevention (e.g., minimal
estrogen therapy), early detection, (e.g., unusual vaginal bleeding), treatment
(e.g., surgery, hormones)
18. Describe ovarian cancer including what it is, its effects, and ways to prevent or minimize this condition.
1. description - cancer of the ovary, which
infiltrates and metastasizes
2. effects - destroys organs
3. treatments - prevention (e.g., avoid smoking,
minimal estrogen therapy), early detection is difficult, treatment (e.g.,
radiation, surgery, hormones)
19. Describe cervical cancer including what it is, its effects, and ways to prevent or minimize this condition.
1. description - cancer of the cervix
2. effects - destroys organs
3. treatments - prevention (Herpes, papilloma,
Chlamydia, smoking, oral contraceptives, promiscuity), early detection
(e.g., Pap smears), treatment (e.g., radiation, surgery, chemotherapy)
20. Describe uterine fibroids including what they are, effects, and ways to prevent or minimize this condition.
1. description - non-cancerous growth of connective
tissue and muscle in the middle layer of the uterus
2. effects - may cause bleeding, pressure
on neighboring organs (e.g., intestine, bladder)
- usually shrink
after menopause
- may enlarge
with estrogen supplementation
3. treatments - treatment (e.g., surgery)
21. Compare sexually transmitted diseases among young adults and older adults.
- lower incidence (possibly from lower multiple
partner contacts)
- no significant difference in other factors
(e.g., transmission, effects)
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© Copyright 1999 - Augustine G. DiGiovanna - All rights reserved.
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