1. The Female Reproductive System

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Egg develops, this causes the endometrium to thicken
Day 14 Ovulation occurs
The mature egg is released
A woman is most fertile around ovulation

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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

17. 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

18. Female reproductive disorders
Vaginitis, Endometriosis, Toxic Shock Syndrome, Sterility, and Cysts and Cancer

19. The pathway that sperm takes to meet an egg
Testicles – epididymis – vas deferens – prostate gland – urethra – vagina – cervix – uterus – fallopian tubes