In this lesson, you will learn to

1
The Female Reproductive System
Unlike other body systems, the reproductive
system is different for males and females

• In this lesson, you will learn to
• identify the parts of the female reproductive
  system.
• describe the functioning of the female
  reproductive system.
• identify problems of the female reproductive
  system.
• recognize the importance of early detection in
  the treatment of conditions of the female
  reproductive system.
• describe ways to keep your reproductive system
  healthy.

2
Reproductive System

• The body system containing the organs that make
  possible the production of offspring

3
The Female Reproductive System
Three Functions of the Female Reproductive System
Create offspring
Store egg cells
Give birth
to allow fertilization to occur
to nourish and protect the fertilized egg
4
Female Reproductive Organs

• External Vulva

• Internal

• ovaries
• fallopian tubes
• fimbriae
• uterus (womb)
• cervix
• vagina

• mons pubis
• labia majora (outer lips)
• labia minora (inner lips)
• vaginal opening
• hymen thin membrane partially covering the
  opening of vagina
• clitoris

Vulva the external part of the female
reproductive organs . external genitalia
5

• ovaries
• female sex glands
• two rounded organs, one on either side of the
  uterus
• contains the ova, eggs, and hormones that cause
  the egg to mature
• estrogen
• progesterone
• ova (ovum)
• egg, female sex cells
• a female is born with hundreds of thousands of
  immature ova in her ovaries
• from puberty to menopause hormones cause ova
  mature
• a few hundred will mature during reproductive
  years

• Female Reproductive Organs

6

• fallopian tubes
• tubes that carry eggs, ova, from ovaries to
  uterus
• fimbriae
• finger-like projections at the end of the
  fallopian tubes that reach out and grab the
  egg as it leaves the ovary

• Female Reproductive Organs

7

• uterus (womb)
• pear shaped hollow muscular
• organ that receives, holds, and
• nourishes the fertilized ovum during
• pregnancy
• with thick muscular walls
• which are
• the thick muscular walls
• are highly elastic and can stretch many
  times its normal size

Female Reproductive Organs

• Endometrium
• the uterine lining bloody tissue lining
• thickens to prepare for the attachment
• of the embryo
• is shed during monthly menstrual period
• if pregnancy does not occur

8
Female Reproductive Organs

• cervix
• the neck of the uterus, (lower portion)
• protrudes into the top of the vagina
• the passageway between the uterus and the vagina
• site of glands that secret mucus to lubricate the
  vagina

9

• vagina
• an elastic, muscular tube that is a passage way
  between the uterus and the outside of the body,
  (vulva)
• also called the birth canal
• the female organ for intercourse
• repository for semen when a male ejaculates with
  the penis inside the vagina during intercourse
• It is possible for the sperm to enter the
  reproductive system if the male ejaculates near
  the vagina
• 3 to 4 inches long
• capable to stretch for birth of baby

Female Reproductive Organs

• Vulva
• the external part of the female reproductive
  organs .
• external genitalia

10

• ovulation when a mature ovum,(egg) is released
  from the ovaries
• it travels along the fallopian tubes to the
  uterus
• usually once a month from one ovary
• an ovum can live about a day in a fallopian
  tube
• ova (ovum)
• egg, female sex cells
• a female is born with hundreds of thousands of
  immature ova in her ovaries
• from puberty to menopause hormones cause ova
  mature
• a few hundred will mature during reproductive
  years
• IF A SPREM IS PRESENT AND ONE SUCCESSFULLY
  PENETRATES THE OVUM
• Fertilization
• union of a sperm and an egg to form a single
  cell PREGNANCY

11
Female Reproductive Organs
Fimbriae
Fimbriae
Ova (inside)
Ovary
12
MenstruationThe menstrual period

• the process of shedding the uterine lining
  (discharging blood and tissue out of the female
  body)
• Occurs only when an ovum is not fertilized
• Page 38 in Human Sexuality Book

13
menstrual cycle

• the time from one menstruation to another
• first day of period to first day of next period
• usually 28 days
• starts at puberty and continues until menopause
• due to increase levels of hormones
• purpose is to prepare the body for fertilization
  get ready to have a baby

14
4 stages of the cycle

• Days 1-8 menstruation menstrual period
• about 5-7 days average not always
• Days 9-13 days before release egg
• hormones cause an egg to mature in one ovary
• body is preparing for egg
• Day 14 ovulation egg is released into one
  fallopian tube
• 14 days before menstrual period
• 4. Days 15-28 days after egg is released egg
  travel through the fallopian tube to the uterus
  waiting to be fertilized
• IF EGG NOT FERTILIZED CYCLE BEGINS AGAIN

15
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28

• 1. menstruation
• 2. body is preparing for egg
• 3. ovulation
• egg travel through the
• fallopian tube to the uterus
• waiting to be fertilized

IF EGG NOT FERTILIZED CYCLE BEGINS AGAIN
16
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

• the average length of the menstrual cycle is 28
  days, however
• it is normal for the cycle to be longer or
  shorter
• Blood passing out of the body is about 3-10 table
  spoons
• This is blood the body does not need so it does
  not make the women ill or weak
• the most likely time to get pregnant is around
  ovulation time
• ovulation occurs on or about 14 days before your
  period starts regardless of the length of your
  cycle
• to count the days of the menstrual cycle
• day 1 first day of menstrual period
• last day of cycle day before your period
  starts again
• Menstruation continues until menopause

17
Menstrual Problems
A variety of menstrual problems can affect girls.
Some of the more common conditions are

• Cramps uterus is contracting
• mood swings or sadness hormones
• Less often
• painful periods
• very heavy periods with excess bleeding.
• missed or infrequent periods, even though she's
  been menstruating for a while and isn't pregnant.
  

18
Problems of the Female Reproductive System
Infertility This is the inability to get
pregnant. It may be due to blocked fallopian
tubes, a failure to produce eggs, endometriosis,
or and STD left untreated. Ovarian cysts These
are growths on the ovary. Symptoms of ovarian
cysts include a feeling of heaviness in the
abdomen and abdominal pain, swelling, and
bloating. Infections - Vaginitis inflammation
of vaginal tissue, Yeast infections symptoms
inflammation of vaginal tissue, discharge,
burning, itching,
and painful urination Toxic shock syndrome -
Associated with tampon use and some contraceptive

devises symptoms include fever, chills,
vomiting, diarrhea, rash Cancer Breast
Cervical Sexually Transmitted Diseases
(STDs) These are diseases spread through sexual
contact.
19
GynecologistGYN

• a physician who specializes in caring for the
  female reproductive system
• women should start to see a gynecologist by
  about age 18 or when they begin to be sexually
  active

20
Caring for The Female Reproductive System

• Practice abstinence from sex - this can prevent
  infections with HIV and other STDs
• Bathe or shower daily - keep the external
  reproductive organs clean especially during
  menstruation.
• Sanitary pads and tampons should be changed often
  - every four hours.
• Perform self breast examinations - a way to check
  your own breast for lumps or tenderness.
• Have regular medical checkups Pap Test - a
  physician can answer any question she has.
  Gynecologist.
• Get medical attention for signs of infection -
  lumps, sores, rashes, or a discharge that require
  medical attention.

21

• What happens if an egg is not fertilized?
• It is eliminated from the body through
  menstruation ... Woman has her period
• What happens if it is fertilized?
• An egg that is fertilized moves down into
  uterus and implants in the endometrium and
  develops into a baby.. No period

22

• What are the three most important functions of
  the female reproductive system?
• to store eggs
• to allow fertilization to occur
• to nourish and protect the fertilized egg until
  it is ready to live outside the females body