The Female Reproductive System

Females go through many different physical changes during puberty

A girl’s body begins to produce ova, mature egg cellsMany hormones (in the Endocrine system) work together to produce mature eggs

If this is fertilized by a sperm cell, a baby may be developed

The female reproductive system…

Is like the male reproductive system, it is made up of both external and internal structuresThe internal organs provide the environment in which a fertilized egg can develop into a baby

Ovaries

There are two of them, ~ the size of an almondThey are just below the waist with one on each side of the bodyThey have two important jobs

Release estrogen and progesteroneRelease mature egg cells

When a girl is born, she is born with hundreds of thousands of immature eggs in each ovaryThe eggs begin to mature when the female reaches pubertyPuberty = ovaries usually release one ripened egg every monthThis is called OvulationThe egg is no bigger than a typewriter dot

Fallopian Tubes

There are two of them, one for each ovarySmall tubes that carry the released eggs from the ovaries to the uterusHave finger-like ends to sweep the released egg into the fallopian tubesEggs can’t swim, so the fallopian tubes have tiny hairs that sweep the egg through the tube

Uterus

Each of the fallopian tubes lead hereIt is a a hollow, muscular, pear-shaped organ located between the two ovaries and behind the bladder.This is where the fertilized egg will develop and grow into a babyRich supply of bloodCervix

Vagina

Birth canalHollow, muscular passage leading from the uterus to the outside of the bodySperm enters the female body hereDuring childbirth, the baby passes through the vaginaThe walls of the vagina are very elastic

Menstrual Cycle

The process during which an egg matures and is released and the uterus prepares to receive It begins when an egg starts to mature in one of the ovariesAt the same time, the endometrium is thickening

If the egg is not fertilized, the endometrium breaks down and is discharged from the bodyThis is called menstruation, or the menstrual periodAs menstruation is taking place, another egg begins to mature in one of the ovariesMenstruation marks the beginning of one cycle and the end of another

Stages of the Menstrual Cycle

On average, it lasts 28 daysIt is normal though to have a cycle that is 21 days or as long as 35 days

The menstrual cycle is controlled by the endocrine systemThe first 1/2 cycle (1-14 days) a hormone stimulates an egg to mature in an ovary

Egg develops, this causes the endometrium to thickenDay 14 Ovulation occursThe mature egg is releasedA woman is most fertile around ovulation

It takes ~ 7 days for the egg to travel down the fallopian tubes If the egg has not been fertilized by arrival to the uterus, hormone levels dropEndometrium breaks down and passes out of the body through the vaginaMenstrual period on average lasts about 3-5 days

Factors affecting menstruation

Diet, stress, illness, travel, exercise, and weight gain/lossEvery aspect of menstruation varies from female to femaleIt is normal, for the first couple of years, for the menstruation cycle to not be consistent

The menstrual cycle is a normal, natural sign of a healthy reproductive systemExcept during pregnancy, menstruation occurs each month from puberty until about 45 – 55Menopause = ovaries slow down their hormone production and they don’t release mature eggs

After menopause women are no longer fertile.

Keeping the reproductive system healthy

Cleanliness is very importantIf normal body odors are not eliminated through washing, or if any unusual discharge is noted, seek medical attentionMonthly breast self-examination

Mammogram (x-ray of the breast)A yearly checkup of the reproductive system is recommended for all women who have reached pubertyTalk to your doctor about the need for pap and mammogram tests

Female reproductive disordersVaginitis, Endometriosis, Toxic Shock Syndrome, Sterility, and Cysts and Cancer

The pathway that sperm takes to meet an egg

Testicles – epididymis – vas deferens – prostate gland – urethra – vagina – cervix – uterus – fallopian tubes