Textbook For Nursing Assistants Chapter 33 – The Reproductive System Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Reproduction Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Reproduction Reproduction is the process by which a living thing makes more living things like itself Because all living things eventually die, the ability to reproduce is essential for the survival of any species Without the ability to reproduce, the species would slowly die off and cease to exist Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Why do We Look Like Our Parents? Each of us receives our genes, the bundles of DNA that determine how we develop and what we look like physically, from our parents Your mother gave you half of your genes and your father gave you the other half, to make a full set This is why you may look a lot like either one of your parents, or like a blend of the two Or why you may look very much like one of your siblings, and not much like another one It all depends on the combination of genes that you received Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Why do We Look Like Our Parents? Each species has a set number of genes, or chromosomes (human beings have 46 chromosomes) This means that to keep the number of chromosomes the same from generation to generation, the father contributes 23 chromosomes and the mother contributes 23 chromosomes Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Why do We Look Like Our Parents? The special cells contributed by each parent that contain half of the normal number of chromosomes are called sex cells, or gametes The male sex cell is called a sperm cell The female sex cell is called an egg, or ovum (ova, plural) Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Conception When the sperm joins the egg, forming a cell that contains the complete number of chromosomes, conception (fertilization) occurs During the 9 months leading up to the birth of a baby, the single original cell that formed at conception copies itself over and over again, forming all of the baby’s tissues and organs Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Function of the Reproductive System One of the main functions of the reproductive system in both males and females is to produce and transport sex cells The male reproductive system is designed to produce sperm and deposit it inside the female’s body The female reproductive system is designed to produce eggs, receive sperm cells, contain and nourish a developing baby, give birth, and provide nourishment after the baby’s birth by producing breast milk Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

The Female Reproduction System Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

The internal organs are Structure of the Female Reproductive System The internal organs are The ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and vagina The outer structures are The labia, the clitoris, and the vaginal opening The accessory organs are The breasts (mammary glands) Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Structure of the Female Reproductive System Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Structure of the Female Reproductive System The ovaries The ovaries are two small, almond-shaped organs located deep inside the abdomen on either side of the uterus The ovaries store the ova, or eggs When a baby girl is born, her ovaries contain all of the eggs that she will ever have The stored eggs are kept in a “holding pattern” until they are needed Once a girl passes through puberty and reaches reproductive age, she begins to ovulate Ovulation is the release of a ripe, mature egg from the ovaries each month Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Structure of the Female Reproductive System The fallopian tubes The fallopian tubes, also called uterine tubes or oviducts, are slender tubes about 4 to 5 inches long that transport the egg from the ovary to the uterus After leaving the ovary, the egg moves through the fluid in the abdomen to the entrance of the nearest fallopian tube The open ends of the fallopian tubes nearest the ovaries have small, fringe-like projections called fimbriae Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Structure of the Female Reproductive System The fallopian tubes The fimbriae beat in a wave-like motion, helping to move the egg into the tube Once in the fallopian tube, the egg moves toward the uterus, helped along by the peristaltic contractions of the smooth muscle layer in the walls of the fallopian tube and the tiny, hair-like cilia on the lining of the fallopian tube Like the cilia in the airways of the lungs, the cilia in the fallopian tubes move gently back and forth, creating a sweeping motion that helps to move the egg along the length of the tube Conception, if it occurs, occurs in the fallopian tubes Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Structure of the Female Reproductive System The uterus The uterus, sometimes referred to as the womb, is a hollow, pear-shaped organ The uterus has three sections: The fundus is the upper, rounded portion of the uterus The body is the mid-portion of the uterus The cervix is the lower, narrow portion of the uterus Normally, the cervix is closed, except for a very tiny opening When a woman is about to give birth, the cervix dilates (opens), becoming as large as 10 centimeters in diameter Dilation of the cervix creates an opening wide enough for the baby to pass through into the vagina Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

The uterus Structure of the Female Reproductive System The walls of the uterus are made of thick, smooth muscle tissue The muscular walls of the uterus expand to accommodate a growing baby and then contract during labor to push the baby out The inner cavity of the uterus is shaped like a capital “T” and is lined with tissue called endometrium Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Structure of the Female Reproductive System The vagina The vagina is a muscular tube about three inches long that connects the uterus to the outside of the body The vagina is the receiving organ for sperm It also serves as the birth canal, through which a baby passes during birth The mucous membrane lining of the vagina helps to lubricate the vagina during sexual intercourse and protect the body from infection It contains many folds, which allow the vagina to expand enough to allow a baby to pass through Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Structure of the Female Reproductive System The vulva The vulva consists of the vaginal opening, the labia, and the clitoris The vaginal opening, also called the vaginal orifice, is where the vagina opens to the outside of the body The vaginal opening is located between the external urinary opening (the urinary meatus or urethral orifice) and the anus The area between the vaginal opening and the anus is often called the perineum Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Structure of the Female Reproductive System The vulva The labia, or “lips,” are folds of tissue that surround the vaginal opening The many folds of the external female reproductive system can create difficulties with hygiene, especially if a woman is injured, ill, or otherwise unable to provide for her own cleanliness needs The clitoris is located at the upper folds of the internal labia This tissue, which is very sensitive to touch, helps to initiate a woman’s sexual arousal Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Structure of the Female Reproductive System The breasts (mammary glands) In women, the breasts are considered accessory organs of the reproductive system because they play a role in nourishing the newborn Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

The breasts (mammary glands) Structure of the Female Reproductive System The breasts (mammary glands) Although the female breasts develop during puberty, they do not become functional until the end of pregnancy The breasts are made up of lobes or sections that contain glandular tissue and fat Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

The breasts (mammary glands) Structure of the Female Reproductive System The breasts (mammary glands) When it is stimulated by the hormone prolactin (which is secreted by the pituitary gland at the end of pregnancy), the glandular tissue of the breasts produces milk, a process known as lactation In response to an infant’s suckling, the glandular tissue contracts, sending the milk through the ducts to the nipple Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Function of the Female Reproductive System Each month during a woman’s reproductive years (from puberty to menopause), her body prepares itself to become pregnant If pregnancy does not occur, the woman has a menstrual period and the cycle begins again Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Function of the Female Reproductive System A biofeedback mechanism limits the number of follicles that mature each month The cycle begins when the pituitary gland releases follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), a hormone that causes about 20 eggs in the ovaries to begin to grow and mature Each egg grows within its own “shell,” called a follicle FSH also stimulates the follicles to produce estrogen, another hormone As the estrogen level increases, it “turns off” FSH production One egg-containing follicle continues to grow and mature, and the others die off Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Function of the Female Reproductive System When the egg has matured, luteinizing hormone (LH), another hormone released by the pituitary gland, causes the follicle to burst, releasing the egg from the ovary (ovulation) Following ovulation, the empty follicle becomes known as the corpus luteum The corpus luteum continues to produce estrogen, and it also begins to produce progesterone Estrogen and progesterone cause the uterus to begin to prepare itself to receive a fertilized egg Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Function of the Female Reproductive System In response to estrogen and progesterone, the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) thickens, creating a soft, nourishing environment for a fertilized egg, should one arrive Estrogen and progesterone allow the fertilized egg to attach itself to the endometrium through a process called implantation Once the fertilized egg implants, it begins to divide, forming the cells and tissues that will eventually become a new human being Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Function of the Female Reproductive System If fertilization does not occur, the egg passes into the uterus, where it usually dissolves The levels of hormones decrease, causing the endometrial lining to break down and pass through the vagina as the menstrual period Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Function of the Female Reproductive System This cycle of hormone secretion and egg development occurs in a regular pattern throughout a woman’s reproductive years The cycle from the first day of one menstrual period until the start of another one averages from 22 to 45 days Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Increased difficulty becoming pregnant The Effects of Aging on the Female Reproductive System Increased difficulty becoming pregnant Many women in their late 30s and early 40s have difficulty becoming pregnant This is because each month, the number of healthy eggs remaining in a woman’s ovaries decreases Fertility treatments, such as the use of drugs to cause more eggs to ripen each month or in-vitro fertilization (IVF), are often very helpful for women in this age group who wish to become pregnant Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Decreased sex hormone production The Effects of Aging on the Female Reproductive System Decreased sex hormone production As a woman ages, her body produces lower amounts of sex hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone Eventually, this decreased hormone production results in menopause, the complete ending of a woman’s menstrual cycles Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

The Effects of Aging on the Female Reproductive System Menopause Occurs in most women sometime between the ages of 45 and 55 years and is caused by the loss of ovary function due to age After the onset of menopause, the reproductive organs do not function and shrink to the size they were before puberty Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

The Effects of Aging on the Female Reproductive System Effects of Menopause Can cause many bothersome symptoms, including “hot flashes,” irritability, a loss of energy, and an inability to sleep Decreased production of estrogen and progesterone, which are “feminizing” hormones, may also cause some women to develop facial hair and a coarse (“scratchy”) voice Some women experience vaginal dryness and irritation and may need to use a lubricant during sexual intercourse Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) The Effects of Aging on the Female Reproductive System Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) Oral estrogen and progesterone Helps to minimize some of the more annoying “side effects” of menopause (such as hot flashes); may also help keep bones strong and prevent heart disease and some types of dementia However, other research indicates that HRT may actually increase a woman’s chances of developing certain types of cancer Each woman must work with her health care provider to determine whether HRT is right for her, given her unique situation and health history Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Menstrual disorders Disorders of the Female Reproductive System A woman may have problems with her menstrual cycle, such as irregular periods, excessive pain, or excessive bleeding Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual flow Disorders of the Female Reproductive System Amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual flow Primary amenorrhea occurs when a girl has not begun to menstruate by the age of 16 years Secondary amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual flow in a woman who has had previous menstrual periods Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Dysmenorrhea is painful menstruation Disorders of the Female Reproductive System Dysmenorrhea is painful menstruation Many women experience cramps in the lower abdomen during menstrual periods, but for some women the pain is severe enough to interfere with daily activities Extremely painful periods that prevent a woman from doing what she normally does should be brought to the attention of a health care provider Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Disorders of the Female Reproductive System Menorrhagia is excessive bleeding during a menstrual period Either in terms of the amount of blood lost or the number of days that bleeding lasts Hormonal disturbances, infections, and growths inside the uterus can cause menorrhagia Excessive bleeding for an extended period of time can cause a woman to become anemic from the chronic blood loss Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Disorders of the Female Reproductive System Infertility is the inability to become pregnant or to carry a pregnancy to full term Although the cause of a couple’s infertility may be related to the man’s inability to produce the amount of sperm needed to fertilize the egg, in many cases, it is related to a problem with the woman’s reproductive system Hormone imbalances, deformities of the reproductive organs, or scar tissue can lead to infertility Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Disorders of the Female Reproductive System Cysts and non-cancerous growths or tumors Many organs in the female reproductive system can be affected by cysts or other non-cancerous growths Although these cysts and growths are not cancerous, they can still cause problems Cysts can form on the ovaries after ovulation or in the lubricating glands located inside the vagina, creating a painful, infected lump that may have to be surgically drained Fibroids (myomas) sometimes form in the muscle wall of the uterus Fibroids can cause problems during pregnancy if they are large enough to crowd a developing baby inside the uterus Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Cancer Disorders of the Female Reproductive System Common cancers affecting the female reproductive system include Cervical cancer Endometrial cancer Ovarian cancer Breast cancer Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Disorders of the Female Reproductive System Cervical cancer (cancer of the cervix, the lower region of the uterus) Is more common among women between the ages of 30 and 50 years and can be caused by a sexually transmitted viral infection Other factors that can increase a woman’s risk of developing cervical cancer include having sexual intercourse at an early age and having multiple sexual partners If diagnosed early enough, cervical cancer can be effectively treated without putting a woman’s ability to have children at risk Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus) Disorders of the Female Reproductive System Endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus) The most common type of cancer that affects the female reproductive tract Most commonly occurs after menopause First sign may be postmenopausal bleeding (uterine bleeding that occurs after a woman has completed menopause) Postmenopausal bleeding can also result from hormone imbalances Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Ovarian cancer (cancer of the ovary) Disorders of the Female Reproductive System Ovarian cancer (cancer of the ovary) Most commonly occurs in women between the ages of 40 and 65 years A leading cause of cancer death for women Associated with a high rate of death because it grows quickly and spreads easily to other organs Early diagnosis and treatment can improve a woman’s chances of survival Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in women Disorders of the Female Reproductive System Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in women Breast cancer can develop in women with relatives with breast cancer, especially a mother or sister But it can also develop in women who have no family history of the disease Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Disorders of the Female Reproductive System Women are encouraged to get into the habit of examining their breasts at the same time each month Monthly breast self-exams can help a woman to become familiar with the way her breast tissue normally looks and feels This knowledge may allow her to recognize lumps or other problems that need to be reported to the nurse or doctor for further evaluation Early detection and new treatment methods for breast cancer allow many women to be completely cured of this disease Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Common Diagnostic Procedures When preparing a female patient or resident for a procedure used to diagnose problems with the reproductive system: Be especially careful to help maintain a woman’s modesty and privacy Make sure that the privacy curtains and the door are closed, and keep sensitive body parts (such as the breasts or vulva) covered as much as possible Be aware that your patient or resident may be fearful or anxious about the test results Be careful not to give advice or tell the person what you would do if you were in her situation Instead, listen, give competent and compassionate care, and report your observations to the nurse Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Pap test Common Diagnostic Procedures A Pap test (named after the doctor who invented the test, George Papanicolaou) is routinely performed to detect changes in the cervix that may indicate early cervical cancer The doctor uses a swab to gather a sample of cells from the cervix, and then the cells are examined under a microscope to make sure they are healthy Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Biopsy Common Diagnostic Procedures In biopsy, a tissue sample is obtained and examined under a microscope for cancerous cells Biopsy may be used to detect endometrial, cervical, or breast cancer Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Dilation and curettage (D&C) Common Diagnostic Procedures Dilation and curettage (D&C) A D&C is a surgical procedure The cervix is dilated (made wider) and tissue is curetted (scraped) from the inside of the cervix and the uterus This tissue is then examined to determine the cause of abnormal bleeding Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Imaging studies Common Diagnostic Procedures Radiographic imaging studies can allow a doctor to see tumors or scar tissue that may be blocking the fallopian tubes, a common cause of infertility Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Common Diagnostic Procedures Ultrasonography During an ultrasound study, sound waves are “bounced off” an organ and then translated into a three-dimensional image Ultrasound can reveal tumors or cysts on the ovaries and in other structures of the female reproductive tract Ultrasound can also be used to check break cysts In addition, ultrasound is used when a woman is pregnant to check on the fetus and make sure that it is developing properly Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Mammography Common Diagnostic Procedures A mammogram is an x-ray of breast tissue Mammography can detect breast lumps at a very early stage, before they become large enough to be seen or felt Many doctors recommend that women receive routine mammograms, in addition to performing monthly breast self-exams Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Common Surgical Procedures Mastectomy A mastectomy (surgical removal of a breast) may be performed on a woman who has been diagnosed with certain types of breast cancer For some women with breast cancer, the cancer can be treated by removing only the cancerous lump and some of the surrounding tissue But for many women, the entire breast must be removed to treat the cancer effectively This means that in addition to healing physically from the procedure, the woman will need to heal emotionally Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Common Surgical Procedures Hysterectomy A hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus) is a very common procedure It may be used to treat uterine cancer, excessive bleeding, or other disorders of the female reproductive tract When a hysterectomy is performed through an incision in the abdomen, it is called a total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) When it is performed through the vagina by cutting around the cervix, it is called a total vaginal hysterectomy (TVH) Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

The Male Reproductive System Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Structure of the Male Reproductive System The organs and structures of the male reproductive system include: The testicles (testes) The epididymis The vas deferens The penis Accessory organs include: The seminal vesicles The prostrate gland Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Structure of the Male Reproductive System The testicles (testes) The testicles are two walnut-like organs located in the scrotum, a loose, bag-like sac of skin that is suspended outside of the body, between the thighs The testicles have two important functions: They secrete testosterone, the hormone that is responsible for the development of male secondary sex characteristics and for the proper functioning of the male reproductive system They produce sperm cells Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

The epididymis Structure of the Male Reproductive System After the sperm cells leave the testes, they move into the epididymis, a series of coiled tubes where the sperm cells mature and gain the ability to “swim.” Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Structure of the Male Reproductive System A sperm cell’s ability to swim comes from its flagellum, a whip-like “tail” The whip-like motion of the flagellum moves the sperm cell forward, allowing it to “swim” through the female reproductive tract in search of an egg to fertilize The sperm cell is the only human body cell that has a flagellum Sperm cells Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Structure of the Male Reproductive System The vas deferens From the epididymis, the sperm cells move into the vas deferens, a passageway that transports the sperm cells to the urethra While in the vas deferens, the sperm cells are mixed with the secretions from the seminal vesicles and the prostate gland These secretions, which nourish and protect the sperm, form the fluid portion of semen In the prostate gland, the vas deferens joins with the urethra, which is the final passageway through which the sperm leaves the man’s body Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

The penis Structure of the Male Reproductive System The male urethra is contained in the penis Semen (and urine) leave the man’s body by way of the external urinary opening, which is located at the tip of the glans penis, the enlarged portion at the end of the penis If a male has not been circumcised, a loose fold of skin called the foreskin covers the glans penis Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

The function of the male reproductive system is to: Produce and nourish male sex cells (sperm) Deposit these cells inside the female’s body so that fertilization can occur Sperm cells are deposited in the female reproductive tract through the process of ejaculation Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

The Effects of Aging on the Male Reproductive System Decreased frequency and duration of erections Beginning at around the age of 20 years, production of testosterone and sperm begins to gradually decline A man can remain fertile until late in life, even as late as 80 years of age But, due to decreased testosterone, effects of aging on the cardiovascular system, medications: erections occur less frequently and for a shorter period of time Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Enlargement of the prostate gland The Effects of Aging on the Male Reproductive System Enlargement of the prostate gland As a man ages, the prostate gland tends to enlarge Because the prostate gland surrounds the urethra, this enlargement can make urination difficult Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Disorders of the Male Reproductive System Impotence (erectile dysfunction) The inability to achieve or maintain an erection long enough to engage in sexual activity A patient or resident may experience erectile dysfunction for several reasons Lowered levels of male hormones Circulatory problems that restrict blood flow to the penis Medications Emotional disturbances Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Cancer Disorders of the Male Reproductive System Testicular cancer usually affects young to middle-aged adult men and can easily spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system before it is detected Prostate cancer most commonly occurs in men older than 50 years Penile cancer Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Common Diagnostic Procedures Bloodwork A blood sample can be used to determine hormone levels (for example, in a man with erectile dysfunction) or for prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a substance that is found in the blood of men with prostate problems Biopsy A biopsy may be necessary to test tissue for the presence of cancer in the prostate gland or the testes Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases A sexually transmitted disease (STD) is an infection that is most often transmitted by sexual contact These infections, also known as venereal diseases, can be caused by bacteria or viruses The pathogens are transmitted through semen and vaginal secretions Some STDs, such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), involve the entire body Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Herpes simplex is a viral infection Types of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Herpes simplex is a viral infection There are two forms of herpes simplex Herpes simplex type I causes the common “cold sore” or “fever blister” on the lip Herpes simplex type II, or genital herpes, causes painful blisters to form around the vaginal opening and perineum (in women) or the external urinary opening (in men) Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection Types of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection In men, the bacterium that causes gonorrhea infects the urethra In women, the bacterium can travel to the fallopian tubes and into the abdominal cavity, resulting in a condition called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Types of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Chlamydia, the most commonly occurring STD, is caused by a type of bacteria Like gonorrhea, chlamydia often is not associated with any noticeable symptoms Chlamydia can cause infertility in both men and women and is treated with an antibiotic Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Types of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Genital (venereal) warts are caused by a virus In men infected with the virus, small, wart-like growths may occur inside the urethra In women, the warts may be seen around the vaginal opening, inside the vagina, or on the cervix Infection with genital warts increases a woman’s risk of developing cervical cancer Treatment may involve removal of the growths with a laser Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Types of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Syphilis is a bacterial infection The signs and symptoms of syphilis occur in three stages During the first stage, a painless lesion is seen on the genitals In the second stage this lesion heals, and 2 to 4 weeks later, the person develops a skin rash and a fever As many as 20 or more years later, the pathogen can become active again, resulting in the third stage Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

AIDS is caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Types of Sexually Transmitted Diseases AIDS is caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) HIV can be transmitted in semen, vaginal secretions, or blood To date, there is no cure for AIDS, and most people with AIDS die as a result of the disease Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases The following methods are useful in the prevention of STDs When having sexual relations, use a barrier, such as a condom Some contraceptive creams, when used with a condom, help to increase the condom’s effectiveness against both pregnancy and STDs If you or your partner have signs or symptoms of an STD, do not have sexual relations until treatment has been sought Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.

End of Presentation Copyright © 2005.  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Instructor's Manual to Accompany Lippincott's Textbook for Nursing Assistants.