1. Female Reproductive System
8th Grade Health
Introduction to Female Anatomy

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

3. 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*

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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Internal Reproductive Parts
Vagina Uterus Fallopian Tubes Ovaries

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. Female Reproductive Diagram

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

14. Menstruation The shedding of the endometrial lining of the uterus
Occurs for 4-7 days on average every 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

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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)

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