The Female Reproductive System

Females go through many different physical changes during puberty A girl’s body begins to produce ova, mature egg cells Many 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 structures The 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 almond They are just below the waist with one on each side of the body They have two important jobs Release estrogen and progesterone Release mature egg cells

When a girl is born, she is born with hundreds of thousands of immature eggs in each ovary The eggs begin to mature when the female reaches puberty Puberty = ovaries usually release one ripened egg every month This is called Ovulation The egg is no bigger than a typewriter dot

Fallopian Tubes There are two of them, one for each ovary Small tubes that carry the released eggs from the ovaries to the uterus Have finger-like ends to sweep the released egg into the fallopian tubes Eggs can’t swim, so the fallopian tubes have tiny hairs that sweep the egg through the tube

Uterus Each of the fallopian tubes lead here It 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 baby Rich supply of blood Cervix

Vagina Birth canal Hollow, muscular passage leading from the uterus to the outside of the body Sperm enters the female body here During childbirth, the baby passes through the vagina The 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 ovaries At the same time, the endometrium is thickening

If the egg is not fertilized, the endometrium breaks down and is discharged from the body This is called menstruation, or the menstrual period As menstruation is taking place, another egg begins to mature in one of the ovaries Menstruation marks the beginning of one cycle and the end of another

Stages of the Menstrual Cycle On average, it lasts 28 days It 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 system The first 1/2 cycle (1-14 days) a hormone stimulates an egg to mature in an ovary

Egg develops, this causes the endometrium to thicken Day 14 Ovulation occurs The mature egg is released A 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 drop Endometrium breaks down and passes out of the body through the vagina Menstrual period on average lasts about 3-5 days

Factors affecting menstruation Diet, stress, illness, travel, exercise, and weight gain/loss Every aspect of menstruation varies from female to female It 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 system Except during pregnancy, menstruation occurs each month from puberty until about 45 – 55 Menopause = 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 important If normal body odors are not eliminated through washing, or if any unusual discharge is noted, seek medical attention Monthly breast self-examination

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

Female reproductive disorders Vaginitis, 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