Scientists have shed light on the process that causes the penis to form in the womb, in research that brings us closer to understanding why some babies are born with genital defects. We already know that a fetus' testes need to give off the hormone testosterone so the penis can form in the womb. Now, an international team of researchers has presented a new piece of the puzzle, by building on previous research indicating another or "backdoor process takes place that also results in DHT being created independent of the testes. They think this happens in non-genital tissue like the placenta. Of the androgens hormones including testosterone, DHT, and androstenedione found in the circulatory system of male fetuses, androsterone was the principal androgen in the backdoor process, the authors wrote.
Scientists Shed Light on How the Penis Forms in the Womb
Fetal Development: Baby's Reproductive System and Sex Organs
Embryos with XY chromosomes become boys, and those with XX chromosomes become girls. That means that all our sex organs come from the same foundations: The testes in men are equivalent to labia and ovaries in women, and the penis is the equivalent of the clitoris. At around week 7 , the Y chromosome signals for the start of testosterone production, and male genitalia begin to develop. Between 16 and 20 weeks, testosterone levels fall until they reach the range found in early puberty by about 24 weeks.
The roles that the vagina and clitoris play in sexual pleasure are well-known. However, there is a third "spot" that some people say can produce intense, full-body orgasms. This form of stimulation is known as cervical penetration, although this term is misleading, as the cervix is not actually penetrated.
NCBI Bookshelf. The female sex organs make it possible for women to become pregnant and give birth to children. But they have other important jobs, too: They produce hormones, control the process of girls maturing into grown women, and make sex and sexual pleasure possible.