1. Female Reproductive Health
Chapter 18

2. Structure and Function
The Female reproductive system has several functions: produces sex hormones, reproductive cells called Ova, nourishes and protects a fertilized ovum in the Uterus. Each organ has a specific role in the process of reproduction.
Ovaries are the organ that store and release the ova each month as well as produce the female sex hormones.
The ovaries sit next to the Fallopian tubes: these are a pair of tubes with fingerlike projections that draw in the ovum.
Tiny hair like structures called cilia work along with muscular contractions in the tubes to move the ovum along.
Ova (ovum): female reproductive cells, the eggs Size of a period at the end of a sentence

3. Reproductive Organs
The process of releasing a mature ovum into the fallopian tube each month is called Ovulation.
After the ovum is moved through the fallopian tube it enters into the uterus.
Uterus: a hollow, muscular, pear-shaped organ that nourishes and protects the fertilized ovum.
At the base of the uterus is the cervix which is the muscle that dilates to allow the baby to be born.
If the ovum is not fertilized the uterus will shed the lining and the ovum leading to menstruation. If the ovum is fertilized the ovum will implant in the wall of the uterus where it will begin to grow into a fetus.
Fertilization of the ovum with the male sperm cell occurs in the fallopian tube. After fertilization occurs the ovum moves to the uterus where it will implant and start to grow.
The vaginal canal is the last organ of the system it is an elastic passageway that extends from the uterus to the vaginal opening.
Women are born with all the ova she will ever use and more during her mature life. Estimated 450,000. One mature egg is release per month from one ovary, the right and left side ovary take turns each month releasing the mature egg.

4. Ovum with sperm cell close to fertilization.

5. Menstruation
In a mature female, each month the uterus prepares for possible pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur, the thickened lining of the uterus called the endometrium breaks down into blood, tissue and fluids.
The shedding of the uterine lining is called menstruation and is part of the menstrual cycle.
This process is controlled by the production of hormones which are chemical messengers that are secreted by on organ to act on another organ.
Female hormones that control menstruation are Estrogen and Progesterone. Estrogen prepares the lining of the uterus for a possible pregnancy. Both estrogen and progesterone keep the uterus ready for pregnancy by making the lining thick.
If fertilization does not occur then estrogen and progesterone levels drop. This drop causes the endometrial lining to slough off causing your period to begin.
The menstrual cycle lasts for approximately 28 days. This is the time between the start of one period to the start of the next. A cycle as short as 22 days or as long as 35 days is considered acceptable. About 14 to 16 days before the start of your period, ovulation occurs.
By the end of your period all hormones have returned to a normal baseline and the body will start the process over.

6. Process of ovulation and menstruation

7. Problems
Menstrual cramps are caused by contractions in the uterus, which is a muscle. The release of Prostaglandins, hormone-like substances involved in pain and inflammation, trigger the uterine muscle to contract.
If the uterus contracts too strongly, it can press against nearby blood vessels, cutting off the supply of oxygen to the muscle tissue of the uterus. Pain results when part of a muscle briefly loses its supply of oxygen.
Higher levels of prostaglandins are associated with more severe menstrual cramps.
Treatment
Light exercise relaxes the muscles allowing proper blood flow decreasing pain.
Heating pad on the abdomen or back relaxes the muscles.
Soaking in a hot tub
Pain medication if severe enough

8. Problems Causes of Cramps
Caffeine can increase tension as well as constrict blood vessels, which can worsen menstrual cramps and breast tenderness. (tea, coffee, soda drinks, energy drinks)
Chocolate contains caffeine
Red meat contains substances known as arachadonic acids have been linked to the stimulation of prostaglandins Milk, cheese, yogurt and butter also contain these substances.
Foods high in salt can cause you to retain water placing pressure on blood vessels block oxygen flow.

9. Problems
Premenstrual Syndrome PMS: is a disorder caused by hormonal changes.
Symptoms:
Nervous tension and Anxiety
Irritability and Mood swings
Bloating and Weight gain
Depression and Fatigue
Treatment: regular physical activity and good nutrition may reduce the severity of the symptoms. Medications such as Midol, and Pamperin can also treat the symptoms.
Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS): is a rare but serious bacterial infection that affects the immune system and the liver and it can be fatal.
Fever, vomiting, diarrhea, a sunburn like rash, red eyes, dizziness, and muscle aches.
Treatment: To reduce the risk use tampons with lowest possible absorbency and change frequently. If you sleep using tampons make sure to change it when you first wake up.

10. Problems with Fertility
Endometriosis: a painful, chronic disease occurs when tissue that lines the uterus grows in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, the uterus or the lining of the pelvic cavity. Treatment includes pain medication, hormone therapy or surgery. Makes it difficult for the egg to implant in the correct location.
PID: an infection of the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and the surrounding areas of the pelvis. Creates scar tissue to form blocking the path way for the egg to travel and implant in the uterus.
Ovarian cysts: are fluid filled sacs on the ovary. They are noncancerous and will disappear on their own. When sacs bursts causes intense abdominal pain and bleeding.
Cervical, uterine and ovarian cancer: normal cells reproduce but do not know when to stop eventually forming a tumor. These cells can move to other places of your body causes more tumors eventually disturbing normal organ function causing death.

11. Twins
Fraternal, or "dizygotic", twins happen when the women releases two eggs (either at the same or different times during her cycle), and 2 different sperm fertilize each egg.
Fraternal twins share up to 50% of their genes, and are no more alike or different than any two siblings would be. The similarity between fraternal twins can be close to identical - there are many fraternal twins that look identical - even more identical than some identical twins!
Fraternal twins is hereditary and can run in families, rates increase for the chance of fraternal twins is partner also has fraternal twins in their family.
Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen “ Full House”
Identical Twins monozygotic. Form from a single fertilized egg (zygote). The zygote splits into two parts after conception, resulting in the development of two individual embryos.

12. Twins
Because the two embryos are the result of a single egg/sperm combination, they have the same genetic origins. They have the same DNA.
No known cause for identical twins technically it's a malfunction of the normal development process.
Dylan and Cole Sprouse “The Suite Life”
Conjoined twins or Siamese twins are identical twins whose bodies are joined in the uterus; it is a rare phenomenon
The theory is fission, in which the fertilized egg splits partially. Conjoined twins share a single umbilical chord, placenta, and amniotic sac, although these characteristics are not exclusive to conjoined twins as there are some monozygotic but non-conjoined twins that also share these structures in the uterus.

13. A: Identical Twins B: Fraternal Twins
Conjoined Twins as eggs are still attached and did not complete separation

14. Fertilization