Female Reproductive System 8th Grade Health Introduction to Female Anatomy

OVERVIEW Purpose Reproductive Organs External Internal Female Vocabulary Menstrual Cycle Menstrual Health Care

Purpose of the Female Reproductive System To produce an ovum or egg cell To carry and protect the embryo/fetus as it grows *FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SEX ORGAN IS THE OVARY*

External Reproductive Organs External  Found outside of the body * All of the female’s external reproductive organs form something called the VULVA

External Parts Continued Mons pubis  round fatty pad of tissue that is directly above the pubic bone. Used for protection Labia Majora outer fold of tissue on either side of the vagina Labia Minora  inner folds of tissue around the vaginal opening.

External Organs Continued The Vaginal Opening Typically covered by a thin membrane called the hymen Whether the hymen is intact or not, sperm can still swim into vagina, and pregnancy can occur Misconception that an intact hymen indicates virginity.

Internal Reproductive Parts Vagina Uterus Fallopian Tubes Ovaries

Female Reproductive VOCABULARY Amenorrhea- the absence of the menstrual cycle Cervix- the neck of the uterus Dysmenorrhea- painful contractions in the uterus. Ectopic – a pregnancy that happens in the fallopian tubes Endometrium- the inner layer of the uterus

Female Vocab Continued Estrogen- sex hormone produced by ovaries Fallopian Tubes- usual site of fertilization Menarche- the initial menstrual period Menopause- the period that marks the permanent ending of the menstrual activity Myometrium- the muscular wall of the uterus Ova/Egg- Female reproductive cells

Female Vocab Continued Ovary- where estrogen is produced; eggs are stored Ovulation- the time of the month that a female releases an egg Pap Smear- taking cells from uterine wall and cervix for early detection of cancer cells or HPV PMS- pre menstrual syndrome. A variety of symptoms that females experience before period.

Female Vocab Continued Progesterone- a sex hormone produced by the ovaries Uterus- fertilized egg will grow; also known as the womb. Vagina- the muscular tube in the female that serves as a passageway to uterus. Also known as the birth canal.

Female Reproductive Diagram

MENSTRUAL CYCLE Physiological changes that can occur in fertile women for the purpose of sexual reproduction and fertilization.

Menstruation The shedding of the endometrial lining of the uterus Occurs for 4-7 days on average every 28-32 days Most females begin menstruating between 9-15 Only a small amount of blood is lost, so menstruation does not make a person weak or ill Menstruation only occurs if fertilization does not occur

Menstrual Cycle Menstruation occurs- woman gets period Endometrium Builds up in the Uterus Ovulation occurs around the 14/15th day Ova/Egg travels down the fallopian tube into uterus. The ova reaches the uterus; either dissolves or is fertilized and implantation occurs.

MENOPAUSE Definition: the complete end of the menstrual period for 12 consecutive months. At this stage in a females life estrogen begins to decrease in a woman’s body. The fall in estrogen may cause hot flashes, drier, itchier skin and overly sensitive to touch. After the last ovulatory cycle progesterone is no longer secreted.

Menstrual Health Care Cleanliness is particular important during menstruation Maxi pads absorb the flow, but should be changed every 3-4 hours depending on the flow Tampons may also be used but they need to be changed more often and should not be worn overnight This is important so that potential infections are prevented (toxic shock syndrome)

Disorders Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) Breast Cancer Ovarian Cancer Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)