Human sexuality

Sexuality is the way people experience and express themselves through sexual activities. This includes biological, psychological, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual feelings and behaviors. Because sexuality is a broad term, its meaning has changed over time and varies in different places.

The biological and physical parts of sexuality are mainly about human reproductive functions and how people respond to sexual experiences. Someone's sexual orientation is their pattern of interest in people of the opposite sex, the same sex, or both. Physical and emotional aspects of sexuality include strong bonds between people, shown through love, trust, and care.

When people reach puberty, their interest in sexual activity usually increases. Scientists are still learning about what causes sexual orientation, but there is more evidence that it is not mainly due to social factors. Different cultures have different views on sexuality, with some being more open and others more private. The study of sexuality also looks at how people see themselves in groups, health topics related to sexual activity, and ways to prevent unintended pregnancies.

Development

Main article: Sexual orientation

People have different ways of feeling and thinking about relationships and closeness with others. These feelings can be natural and are often a mix of many things that make each person unique. Scientists have studied these differences and found that many come from things we are born with, like family traits or how our bodies develop before we are born.

Sometimes, people think that how we grow up or what we learn affects these feelings, but there isn’t strong proof for this. In some cultures, people have different ideas about relationships, but this doesn’t always change how many people feel a certain way. Researchers are still learning more about why these feelings exist and how they continue through generations.

See also: Sex differences in psychology § Sexual behavior

Biological and physiological aspects

Main article: Human reproductive system

Like other mammals, humans are mainly grouped into either male or female.

The biological side of how people experience themselves includes the body parts used for having families, how the body reacts during close moments, and things that can influence these parts. This also looks at how the body affects other parts of who we are, such as how we feel, inherited traits, hormones, and challenges some people face.

Physical anatomy and reproduction

Men and women have similar body parts, but as adults, they have different ways to make families and share close moments. Women have a monthly cycle, while men's ability to make sperm works all the time.

Brain

The hypothalamus is an important part of the brain for how we feel during close moments. It is a small area at the bottom of the brain made of groups of cells that get information from the limbic system. Studies on animals show that damaging certain parts of the hypothalamus can stop these feelings. The hypothalamus works with the pituitary gland, which releases hormones made in the hypothalamus. Important hormones include oxytocin, prolactin, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone.

Oxytocin, called the "love hormone," is released during close moments when a special feeling happens. It helps in keeping close relationships. It is also released when women give birth or nurse their babies. Prolactin and oxytocin help make milk in women. Follicle-stimulating hormone helps women’s eggs mature and men’s sperm production. Luteinizing hormone causes the release of a mature egg.

Male anatomy and reproductive system

Main article: Human male reproductive system

Men have parts inside and outside their bodies used for making families and close moments. Men produce millions of sperm each day.

External male anatomy

The outside parts of a man’s body used for making families are the penis and the scrotum.

The penis helps carry sperm and urine. It has nerves, blood vessels, and tissue filled with blood. Parts of the penis include the shaft, glans, root, cavernous bodies, and spongy body. During excitement, these parts fill with blood and the penis stands up.

The scrotum holds the testicles away from the body to keep the right temperature for sperm.

Internal male anatomy

Inside, men have testicles, tubes, the prostate, seminal vesicles, and the Cowper's gland.

The testicles make sperm and hormones. Sperm moves through tubes including the epididymis, vas deferens, and ejaculatory ducts. The prostate and seminal vesicles make fluid that mixes with sperm to create semen. The Cowper’s glands make a small amount of fluid that helps sperm move.

Female anatomy and reproductive system

Main article: Human female reproductive system

External female anatomy

The outside parts of a woman’s body used for making families are the vulva, which includes the mons pubis, labia minora, labia majora, clitoris, and Bartholin's glands.

The clitoris is very sensitive and is important for feelings during close moments. The vaginal opening and urethral opening are also sensitive.

Internal female anatomy

Inside, women have the vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. The vagina receives the penis during close moments and can stretch during birth. The uterus is where a baby grows. The fallopian tubes carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. The ovaries make eggs and hormones.

Sexual response cycle

The sexual response cycle describes how bodies change during close moments. It has four parts: excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution.

For men, excitement includes changes like increased heart rate and blood flow to the penis. Plateau leads to orgasm, which includes contractions and ejaculation. Resolution is when the body returns to normal.

For women, excitement includes changes like increased heart rate and swelling of certain body parts. Plateau leads to orgasm, which includes contractions and pleasure. Resolution is when the body returns to normal.

Sexual dysfunction and sexual problems

Main article: Sexual dysfunction

Sexual problems happen when there are difficulties with how we feel or our bodies during close moments. These can be caused by health issues or feelings like stress or worry. Both men and women can face these challenges.

Psychological aspects

People feel deep emotions and thoughts about closeness and relationships, which are part of what makes us who we are. Scientists and thinkers have studied these feelings for many years. One famous thinker, Sigmund Freud, looked at how early experiences shape who we become.

Everyone has a sense of whether they feel like a boy, a girl, or another way — this is called gender identity. It might match what people thought when we were born, or it might be different. Our feelings of love and closeness also shape how we connect with others. Some people feel love and attraction toward people of the same gender, different genders, or both — and that’s okay. Everyone’s feelings are unique and valid. People have many reasons for being close and affectionate, like feeling happy, building strong friendships, or feeling more secure.

Sexuality and age

Child sexuality

Main article: Child sexuality

Before 1905, many people thought children didn’t have feelings about relationships or bodies until they were older. Sigmund Freud was one of the first to study these feelings in children. He believed that how babies connect with their parents helps shape their feelings and relationships later in life. Freud talked about how children have both caring feelings and curious feelings about bodies.

Children are naturally curious about their bodies. They might wonder where babies come from or notice differences between boys and girls. Some children might explore their bodies or talk about these topics with friends, which is a normal part of learning and growing. This curiosity usually lessens as they get older, but interest in relationships often grows during the teenage years.

Sexuality in late adulthood

Main article: Sexuality in older age

Feelings about relationships and closeness start in childhood and continue throughout life. Some people think older adults don’t care about these things anymore, but this isn’t true. While the way couples show affection might change over time, the importance of closeness and connection can actually grow stronger.

Sociocultural aspects

Human sexuality is part of how people live together in groups. It is shaped by rules, traditions, and changes in society. Over time, ideas about relationships and behavior have shifted due to movements for equality and changes in how people think.

Different places teach children about relationships in various ways. Some start early, while others wait until later years. These lessons cover many topics, including health and respect. Some programs focus only on not being active, while others teach how to make safe choices if someone decides to be active. Both approaches aim to help young people understand and make good decisions.

Throughout history, many cultures have had their own ways of thinking about relationships. These ideas have changed with new discoveries, laws, and understandings of health. People have always sought to balance personal feelings with what helps communities stay strong.

Sexual behavior

Main article: Human sexual activity

See also: Sexual intercourse § Health effects, and Sexually active life expectancy

Sexual activities can bring many good things for our health. Being close with another person can help us feel better, reduce stress, and even make us feel younger. It also helps us build trust and strong bonds with others. These good effects can also happen when people are alone, through private moments that are a normal part of growing up.

People often look for friends and partners to share deep connections. This can be for friendship, having a family, or being close in other ways. Finding someone special can include fun and playful moments, like sharing jokes or spending time together. How people show interest can be different in each culture, but it’s a normal part of building relationships.

Main article: Sexual attraction

Everyone feels drawn to different people for many reasons. This can be because of how someone looks, how they act, or even how they smell. What one person finds special might be different for another person, and that’s okay. People are also interested in others for many reasons, such as how they think or feel. Some people don’t feel this kind of interest at all, and that’s also normal.

Main articles: Paraphilia, Sexual fetishism, and Kink (sexuality)

Every person’s feelings and ways of showing care are unique. Some ways might seem different from what many people do, but all feelings are part of being human. What is normal can change depending on where and when you live. Laws and cultures can affect what people are allowed to do, and sometimes these rules can be unfair. It’s important for everyone to be treated with respect, no matter what.

Main articles: Family law, Divorce, Marriage, Human sexual activity § Legal issues, and Sex and the law

Laws help protect people’s choices about who they care for and how they live. These laws can support fairness and safety. Sometimes, laws need to change to make sure everyone is treated right, especially when it comes to who people love and how they express their feelings. It’s important that laws help protect people instead of hurting them.

Religious sexual morality

Main article: Religion and sexuality

Further information: History of human sexuality

Different religions think about relationships in unique ways. Some see them as deeply spiritual, while others focus more on the physical side. Beliefs about relationships can change depending on the religion, the type of relationship, and even the purpose behind it.

For example, some religions blend the physical and spiritual together, seeing them as connected. Others separate the two, with some activities only acceptable in certain situations. Many religions have strong views on what kinds of relationships are right or wrong, and these views can differ widely from one faith to another.