Chapter 4: Physical Harmony 2: Sex Differences Understood

A young woman went to an older friend and said, "I am going to be married, but I don't know what it is all about." There are many like her, and perhaps as many more who know certain things in a misleading way. Persons approaching marriage and others who have entered it ignorantly are likely to need plain and concrete instruction dealing with the names and functions of the most important organs of sex. In past times an over prudish point of view was unwilling even to learn names for these parts of the body.

The bride will find that the husband's special organ for sexual union, the penis, is capable of becoming considerably enlarged for the experience of intercourse, so that it becomes stiff or erect. In this condition it projects outward at an angle which facilitates entrance into the vagina of the wife, which is able perfectly to receive it to the mutual pleasure of the mates. At the end of the penis the glans, or head, always maintains a soft and velvety condition. In this part of the organ the husband's sexual feeling is largely centralized.

While the body as a workshop is always a marvelous thing, it shows remarkable mechanisms in some of the sexual organs. The scrotum or flexible sac hanging back of the penis contains the two testicles, which are egg-shaped glands containing a series of tiny tubules in which sperm cells called spermatozoa are produced. In the intermediate structures is manufactured the chemical product called the male sex hormone which circulating day by day in the blood stream beginning at puberty acts to produce the traits of manhood, to aid physical and mental vigor, and to condition the system for sexual sensitivity.

The spermatozoa of microscopic size exist in the semen, a fluid which is produced in the testicles, prostate gland and seminal vesicles, and is discharged at the climax of intercourse, each act carrying hundreds of millions. These tiny sperm cells are vigorously active in the semen and in the secretions of the vagina, and if one meets and unites with an egg in the body of the wife, conception takes place. Within a minute or two from the time of its discharge the sperm cell may have passed from the vagina into the uterus, and in an hour, or a few hours, it may have reached the oviduct.

Two smaller glandular sacs located back of the bladder are called the seminal vesicles. These secrete an opalescent fluid, which with the addition of the secretion of the prostate gland, constitutes a large part of the semen, and acts as vehicle and stimulant for the spermatozoa.

As all the sex glands are secreting steadily, the supply of semen and its vehicles at times becomes such that distention occurs all along the tract. This produces a condition of sexual excitability, but Nature provides for occasional relief through emission of semen in sleep with sex feeling and usually with an erotic dream. In the case of a married man this condition gives an impulse toward the marital relationship with the wife. This urge is therefore a sign of health and of love rather than an unworthy thing as some have thought. Since men are accustomed to seminal emission from puberty onward the sex urge is more definite in the normal experience of the groom than in that of the virgin bride.

The female sex organs are chiefly internal. Between the thighs lies the vulva with the "outer lips," or fleshy folds, called "labia majors," and-the "inner lips," thinner folds, called "labia minora." Beneath the anterior junction of the "inner lips" is a very important organ called the clitoris, whose only purpose is to give sex feeling. This is a sort of miniature female replica of the male organ, and, like the penis, capable of erection in sex excitement. It is, however, very small. In perfect intercourse this organ is intensely stimulated by contact and by friction.
Within the vulva is the opening of the vagina, a passage lined with mucous membrane and circled by a loop of muscles, which in time of sex excitement relax to contain the husband's organ, and adjust themselves to it perfectly. The inner vulva is provided with glands which secrete a transparent fluid for the purpose of lubrication enabling the husband easily to effect an entrance. However, if the wife's sexual feelings are not aroused the entrance may be dry and unready. In this condition intercourse is likely to give discomfort which defeats the true aim of harmony and mutual delight.

The muscles looped around the vagina are capable also of spasm or closure in some cases of fear and mental antagonism, so that extra gentleness is required in these cases, otherwise the sex relationship may become unpleasant or virtually impossible.
In the condition of virginity the entrance to the vagina is partly covered by the hymen membrane, with an opening that can stretch easily an inch in diameter. Occasionally this will have been enlarged by local treatment by a physician. If this membrane remains and is nicked by intercourse, some pain will be experienced in the first act of union.

In the past the few drops of blood thus caused have been valued as proof of virginity. It may be argued, however, that a woman's virginity may be assured without this particular test. If, however, the bride is willing to have the sex life start with some discomfort or pain, and will make allowances in her mind for this sort of initiation, there is no great difficulty for the majority of women; for in many cases the distress is slight and the bleeding confined to a drop or two, so that even at the start pleasurable feeling predominates.

Ina few women, however, the hymen is so thick that treatment is needed. A physician can easily correct the situation in such rare cases. As gentle stretching is one method it is becoming not uncommon for medical counselors on marriage to advise self-stretching of the hymen and to let the sensible bride herself undertake the process by dilating the entrance to the vagina daily with her fingers just before marriage, and, if after marriage there is difficulty, to continue the process. This will usually remedy those cases which would otherwise cause difficulty in early sexual adjustment.

Examination of both parties by a physician is desirable in a number of ways. The doctor's counsel will help the couple to meet any special problems that they may have, and to remove fears or false ideas.

At the end of the vagina and at right angles with it is the uterus or womb, which though only three inches long can grow to hold a child. The sperm must pass from the vagina through a narrow neck into the womb if pregnancy is to take place. From the upper and outer corners of the uterus the Fallopian tubes lead right and left to the ovaries.

From the ovaries eggs, one about every twenty eight days, are released into the Fallopian tubes. If impregnation does not take place the egg, which is the size of the tiniest period in print, is expelled and menstruation occurs. The ovaries also produce hormones, which enter the blood stream and produce the traits of femininity.

In physical union it is desirable that the various sex parts should be brought into activity and vitality, each in its appropriate way. Perfect success at the beginning is almost too much to expect, but patience of each with the self and with the other will usually win its reward, for both husband and wife will improve with experience. Months may be needed for complete adjustment.