What is the female reproductive system?

The female reproductive system is the body parts that help

women or people assigned female at birth (AFAB):

 Have sexual intercourse.

 Reproduce.
 Menstruate.

What are the functions of the female reproductive system?

The female reproductive system provides several functions. In

addition to allowing a person to have sexual intercourse, it also
helps a person reproduce.

Your ovaries produce eggs. These eggs are then transported to

your fallopian tube during ovulation where fertilization by a sperm
may occur. The fertilized egg then moves to your uterus, where
the uterine lining has thickened in response to the normal
hormones of your menstrual cycle (also called your reproductive
cycle). Once in your uterus, the fertilized egg can implant into the
thickened uterine lining and continue to develop. If implantation
doesn’t take place, the uterine lining is shed as your menstrual
period. In addition, the female reproductive system produces sex
hormones that maintain your menstrual cycle.

During menopause, the female reproductive system gradually

stops making the female hormones necessary for the menstrual
cycle to work. At this point, menstrual cycles can
become irregular and eventually stop. You’re considered to
be menopausal when you’ve gone an entire year without a
menstrual period.
External parts
The function of your external genitals is to protect the internal
parts from infection and allow sperm to enter your vagina.
Your vulva is the collective name for all your external genitals. A
lot of people mistakenly use the term “vagina” to describe all
female reproductive parts. However, your vagina is its own
structure located inside your body.
Internal
The main parts of your vulva or external genitals are:
 Labia majora: Your labia majora (“large lips”) enclose and
protect the other external reproductive organs. During
puberty, hair growth occurs on the skin of the labia majora,
which also contains sweat and oil-secreting glands.
 Labia minora: Your labia minora (“small lips”) can have a
variety of sizes and shapes. They lie just inside your labia
majora and surround the opening to your vagina (the canal
that joins the lower part of your uterus to the outside of
your body) and the urethra (the tube that carries pee from
your bladder to the outside of your body). This skin is very
delicate and can become easily irritated and swollen.
 Clitoris: Your two labia minora meet at your clitoris, a
small, sensitive protrusion that’s comparable to a penis in
men or people assigned male at birth (AMAB). Your clitoris
is covered by a fold of skin called the prepuce and is very
sensitive to stimulation. It is also the pleasure center.
Parts of Clitoris
External
 Glans clitoris: Most people referring to the clitoris
(or clit) mean the glans, the tiny nub that’s just above
your urethral opening. The glans is filled with nerve
endings that make it especially sensitive to touch.
 Clitoral hood: Your labia minora (inner vaginal lips)
meet at the top of your vulva to form a hood for your
glans. Your clitoral hood may cover all, some, or
none of your glans.
 Body (corpora): The body of your clitoris is located
behind your glans. Think of it as the top of the
wishbone that isn’t divided. The body extends
downward and branches off to form a pair of legs,
the crura.
 Crura: The crura are two legs that extend from the
clitoral body. They’re the longest part of your clitoris.
Together, they form the “V” of the wishbone and
surround your vaginal canal and urethra (the tube
that carries pee out of your body).
 Vestibular (clitoral) bulbs: The vestibular bulbs are
in between your crura and your vaginal wall. Like the
crura, the vestibular bulbs are a paired structure.
When you’re aroused, they swell with blood and can
even double in size.
 Root: The nerves from the erectile tissue that makes
up the various structures in your clitoris meet at the
root. The root is located where the legs of the crura
meet.
  Vaginal opening: Your vaginal opening allows menstrual
blood and babies to exit your body. Tampons, fingers, sex
toys or penises can go inside your vagina through your
vaginal opening.
 Hymen: Your hymen is a piece of tissue covering or
surrounding part of your vaginal opening. It’s formed
during development and present during birth.
 Opening to your urethra: The opening to your urethra is
the hole you pee from.
 Mons Pubis: This mound of tissue is prominent in females
and is usually covered in pubic hair. The mons pubis
functions as a source of cushioning during sexual
intercourse. The mons pubis also contains sebaceous
glands that secrete pheromones to induce sexual
attraction. It covers the pubic bone
Internal parts
 Vagina: Your vagina is a muscular canal that joins
the cervix (the lower part of uterus) to the outside of the
body. It is between the bladder and your rectum It can
widen to accommodate a baby during delivery and then
shrink back to hold something narrow like a tampon. It’s
lined with mucous membranes that help keep it moist.
Functions of Vagina
 Sexual pleasure: The walls of your vagina contain
nerve endings that allow you to experience pleasure
when a penis, a finger or fingers, or a sex toy
penetrates your vagina. Your vagina expands and
becomes lubricated when you’re aroused to prevent
the friction from feeling painful instead of
pleasurable.
 Menstruation: You shed your uterus lining
(endometrium) each month during your menstrual
cycle unless you become pregnant. The lining exits
your body through your vagina as menstrual blood.
You can insert tampons and menstrual cups inside of
your vagina to manage the blood flow.
 Pregnancy: During penis-in-vagina sex
(intercourse), sperm may get released into your
vaginal canal if your partner ejaculates. Sperm must
swim from your vagina and through your uterus and
fallopian tubes to fertilize an egg.
 Childbirth: People sometimes refer to the vagina as
a “birth canal” when referring to its role during
childbirth. Your baby travels from your uterus and
through your vagina to be born. Your vaginal opening
is your baby’s last stop on its journey from your body
to the outside world.
 Cervix: Your cervix is the lowest part of your uterus. A hole
in the middle allows sperm to enter and menstrual blood to
exit. Your cervix opens (dilates) to allow a baby to come
out during vaginal childbirth. Your cervix is what prevents
things like tampons from getting lost inside your body.
 Uterus: Your uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ that
holds a fetus during pregnancy. Your uterus is divided into
two parts: the cervix and the corpus. Your corpus is the
larger part of your uterus that expands during pregnancy.
Functions of Uterus
  Pregnancy: Your uterus stretches to grow your
baby during pregnancy. It can also contract to
help push your baby out of your vagina.
 Fertility: Your uterus is where a fertilized egg
implants during conception and where your baby
grows.
 Menstrual cycle: Your uterine lining is where
blood and tissue come from during menstruation.
The lining (endometrial lining) gets thicker and
rich with blood as you near ovulation. Endometrial
lining sheds during the period or when pregnancy
does not occur.
 Ovaries: Ovaries are small, oval-shaped glands that are
located on either side of your uterus. Your ovaries produce
eggs and hormones (estrogen, first half; and progesterone,
second half). Made up of three layers (capsule in
medicine, ovarian cortex, and medulla that contains blood
and lymphatic vessels)
 Fallopian tubes: These are narrow tubes that are
attached to the upper part of your uterus and serve as
pathways for your egg (ovum) to travel from your ovaries
to your uterus. Fertilization of an egg by sperm normally
occurs in the fallopian tubes. The fertilized egg then moves
to the uterus, where it implants into your uterine lining.
What happens during the menstrual cycle?
Women or people AFAB of reproductive age (beginning
anywhere from 11 to 16 years of age) experience cycles of
hormonal activity that repeat at about one-month intervals. With
every cycle, your body prepares for a potential pregnancy,
whether that’s your intention. The term menstruation refers to the
periodic shedding of your uterine lining when pregnancy doesn’t
occur that cycle. Many people call the days that they notice
vaginal bleeding their “period.”
The average menstrual cycle takes about 28 days and occurs in
phases. These phases include:
 The menstrual phase (period)
 The follicular phase (the egg develops).
 The ovulatory phase (release of the egg).
 The luteal phase (hormone levels decrease if the egg
doesn’t implant).
There are four major hormones (chemicals that stimulate or
regulate the activity of cells or organs) involved in the menstrual
cycle. These hormones include:
 Follicle-stimulating hormone.
 Luteinizing hormone.
 Estrogen.
 Progesterone.
Menstrual phase
The menstrual phase is the first stage of the menstrual cycle. It’s
also when you get your period.
This phase starts when an egg from the previous cycle isn’t
fertilized. Because pregnancy hasn’t taken place, levels of the
hormones estrogen and progesterone drop.
The thickened lining of your uterus, which would support a
pregnancy, is no longer needed, so it sheds through your vagina.
During your period, you release a combination of blood, mucus,
and tissue from your uterus.
You may have period symptoms like these:
 cramps (try these home remedies), tender breasts,
bloating, mood swings, irritability, headaches, tiredness,
low back pain
Follicular phase
This phase starts on the first day of your period. During the
follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, the following events occur:
 Two hormones, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and
luteinizing hormone (LH) are released from your brain and
travel in your blood to your ovaries.
 The hormones stimulate the growth of about 15 to 20 eggs
in your ovaries, each in its own “shell,” called a follicle.
 These hormones (FSH and LH) also trigger an increase in
the production of the hormone estrogen.
 As estrogen levels rise, like a switch, it turns off the
production of follicle-stimulating hormone. This careful
balance of hormones allows the body to limit the number
of follicles that will prepare eggs to be released.
 As the follicular phase progresses, one follicle in one ovary
becomes dominant and continues to mature. This
dominant follicle suppresses all the other follicles in the
group. As a result, they stop growing and die. The
dominant follicle continues to produce estrogen.
Ovulatory phase
The ovulatory phase (ovulation is when ovary releases a mature
egg) usually starts about 14 days after the follicular phase started
(the exact timing varies). The ovulatory phase is the second
phase of your menstrual cycle. Most people will have a menstrual
period 10 to 16 days after ovulation. During this phase, the
following events occur:
 The rise in estrogen from the dominant follicle triggers a
surge in the amount of luteinizing hormone (LH) that your
brain produces.
 This causes the dominant follicle to release its egg from
the ovary.
 As the egg is released (a process called ovulation) it’s
captured by finger-like projections on the end of the
fallopian tubes (fimbriae). The fimbriae sweep the egg into
the fallopian tube.
 For one to five days prior to ovulation, many women or
people AFAB will notice an increase in egg white cervical
mucus. This mucus is the vaginal discharge that helps to
capture and nourish a sperm on its way to meet the egg
for fertilization.
Luteal phase
The luteal phase begins right after ovulation and involves the
following processes:
  Once it releases its egg, the empty ovarian follicle Difference between Estrogen and Progesterone
develops into a new structure called the corpus luteum.
 The corpus luteum secretes the hormones estrogen and Estrogen is the hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle while
progesterone. Progesterone prepares your uterus for a progesterone is the hormone that supports pregnancy. During
fertilized egg to implant. pregnancy, these two works together and are responsible for the
 If intercourse has taken place and sperm has fertilized the changes that take place during pregnancy.
egg (conception), the fertilized egg (embryo) will travel
through your fallopian tube to implant in your uterus. This
is how pregnancy begins.
 If the egg isn’t fertilized, it dissolves in your uterus. Not What is birth control?
needed to support a pregnancy, the lining of your uterus
breaks down and sheds. This is when your period begins. Birth control, also known as contraception, is the use of
medicines, devices, or surgery to prevent pregnancy. There are
How many eggs does a woman have? many different types. Some are reversable, while others are
permanent. Some types can also help prevent sexually
You’re born with all the eggs you’ll ever produce. During fetal transmitted diseases (STDs).
development, you have about 6 million eggs. At birth, there are
approximately 1 million eggs left. By the time you reach puberty, Barrier methods
only about 300,000 remain. The number of eggs you have Male condom A thin sheath that covers the penis to
continues to decline as you age and menstruate each cycle. collect sperm and prevent it from
Fertility also declines with age due to the decreasing number and entering the woman's body. Condoms
quality of your remaining eggs. that are made of latex and
polyurethane can help prevent STDs.
How does reproduction work? Female A thin, flexible plastic pouch. Part of
condom the condom is inserted into the vagina
In humans, female and male reproductive systems work together before intercourse to prevent sperm
to reproduce. There are two kinds of sex cells — sperm and from entering the uterus. The uterus, or
eggs. When a sperm meets an egg, it can fertilize it and create a womb, is the place where the baby
zygote. This zygote eventually becomes a fetus. Both a sperm grows during pregnancy. Female
and an egg are needed for human reproduction. condoms can also help prevent STDs.
Contraceptive A small sponge that you put into the
sponge vagina to cover the cervix (the opening
 of the uterus). The sponge also
contains a spermicide to kill sperm.
Spermicide A substance that can kill sperm cells. It
comes in a foam, jelly, cream,
suppository, or film. You put it into the
vagina near the uterus. Spermicide can
be used alone or with a diaphragm or
cervical cap.
Diaphragm and Cups that are placed inside the vagina
cervical cap to cover the cervix to block sperm.
They may be used with spermicide.
They come in different sizes.
Hormonal methods
Oral Pills that a woman takes every day.
contraceptives They may contain only progestin or
("the pill") both progestin and estrogen.
Combined oral contraceptives—Also
called “the pill,” combined oral
contraceptives contain the hormones
estrogen and progestin. It is prescribed
by a doctor. A pill is taken at the same
time each day. If you are older than 35
years and smoke, have a history of
blood clots or breast cancer, your
doctor may advise you not to take the
pill.
Progestin only pill—Unlike the
combined pill, the progestin-only pill
(sometimes called the mini-pill) only
has one hormone, progestin, instead of
both estrogen and progestin. It is
prescribed by a doctor. It is taken at
the same time each day. It may be a
good option for women who can’t take
estrogen.
Contraceptive A patch that a woman puts on her skin
patch each week. The patch releases
hormones progestin and estrogen into
the bloodstream.
Vaginal ring A thin, flexible ring. The woman inserts
the ring into the vagina, where it
continually releases hormones
progestin and estrogen for three
weeks. She takes it out for the fourth
week. After that week, she puts in a
new ring.
Injectable birth An injection of a hormone progestin in
control the buttocks or arm that a woman gets
once every three months. This is done
in your provider's office.
Implant A single, thin rod that a provider inserts
under the skin of a women's upper
arm. It is done in your provider's office.
The implant can last for four years.
Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs)
Intrauterine A small, T-shaped device that a
device (IUD) provider inserts into the uterus. This is
done in the provider's office. IUDs can
last from 3 to 10 years. There are two
types: hormonal IUDs and copper
 IUDs.
Levonorgestrel intrauterine system
(LNG IUD)—The LNG IUD is a small
T-shaped device like the Copper T
IUD. It is placed inside the uterus by a
doctor. It releases a small amount of
progestin each day to keep you from
getting pregnant. The LNG IUD stays
in your uterus for up to 3 to 8 years,
depending on the device.
Copper T intrauterine device (IUD)—
This IUD is a small device that is
shaped in the form of a “T.” Your
doctor places it inside the uterus to
prevent pregnancy. It can stay in your
uterus for up to 10 years.
Sterilization
Tubal ligation A surgery that prevents a woman from
getting pregnant. It is permanent.
Vasectomy A surgery that prevents a man from
getting someone pregnant. It is
permanent.
Other forms of pregnancy prevention
Fertility They are also called natural rhythm
awareness- methods. They involve tracking the
based woman's fertility cycle and avoiding sex
methods or using barrier methods on the days
when she is most likely to get pregnant.
This method may have higher
pregnancy rates than other types.
Lactational A form of natural birth control for
amenorrhea breastfeeding mothers. It relies on the
method (LAM) new mother feeding her baby only
breastmilk for up to six months and
having no periods or spotting during that
time. Lactational Amenorrhea Method
(LAM) can be used as birth control
when three conditions are met: 1)
amenorrhea (not having any menstrual
periods after delivering a baby), 2) fully
or nearly fully breastfeeding, and 3) less
than 6 months after delivering a baby.
LAM is a temporary method of birth
control, and another birth control
method must be used when any of the
three conditions are not met.
Withdrawal During intercourse, the penis is pulled
out of the vagina before ejaculation. The
goal is to keep sperm from entering the
vagina. But the sperm can leak out
before the penis is pulled out, so this
method has higher pregnancy rates
than other types.
What is emergency contraception?
Emergency contraception is not a regular method of birth control.
But it can be used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected
intercourse or if a condom breaks. There are two types:
 Copper IUD, which is a small, T-shaped device that a
provider inserts into the within 120 hours of unprotected
intercourse.
 Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs), which are hormonal
pills which the woman takes as soon as possible after
unprotected intercourse.