The Female Reproductive System

by: DELA CRUZ, Hannah M.

 FEMALES

 Born with millions of oocytes (eggs).

 Female eggs are non renewable resource.
 The one who incubates the developing fetus and
delivers child into the world.
 Function of the
Female Reproductive System
 It produces the female egg cells (ova) necessary
for reproduction.
 Designed to transport the ova to the site of
fertilization.
 It supports and protects the developing embryo.
 How does the female reproductive
system work?
The ovaries produce the egg cells. Then, they are
transported to the fallopian tube where fertilization by a
sperm may occur. The fertilized egg then moves to the uterus,
where the uterine lining has thickened in response to the
normal hormones of the reproductive cycle. Once in the uterus,
the fertilized egg can implant into thickened uterine lining and
continue to develop.
• If implantation does not
take place, the uterine lining
is shed as menstrual flow.
 General Physical Changes

 Usually occurs at the age of 10-14

 Axillary & pubic hair growth
 Changes in body conformation [widening of hips,
development of breasts]
 Onset of first menstrual period
 Mental changes
Female Internal Genitalia
 Ovaries (gonads)
 Uterine tubes (fallopian tubes)
 Uterus
 Cervix
 Vagina
 Ovaries (Gonads)
 Women have two ovaries, one on each side of the uterus. Each ovary is
about the size and shape of an almond.
 Male homolog: Testes
Three important functions:
1) They protect the eggs a female is born with.
2) They secrete hormones called estrogen and progesterone.
● Three different types of estrogen: estrone, estradiol and
estriol. They are used by the body to help develop adult female
characteristics. Progesterone helps to regulate your cycle. But
its main job is to get your uterus ready for pregnancy.
Ovaries (Gonads)
3) They release eggs for possible fertilization.
Ovaries release one egg, or sometimes more, each
menstrual cycle. This process is called ovulation.
● If there is no sperm, or if the egg just doesn't get
fertilized, the body stops making progesterone around nine
days after ovulation. Then the egg is flushed from the
uterus during menstruation. Each menstrual cycle is around
28 days.
Oogenesis

 when the girl becomes sexually mature, the primary

oocytes recommence their development, usually one at a
time and once a month.
 The primary oocyte grows much larger and completes the
meiosis I, forming a large secondary oocyte and a small
polar body that receives little more than one set of
chromosomes.
Oogenesis
 In humans (and most vertebrates), the first polar body
does not go on to meiosis II, but the secondary oocyte
does proceed as far as metaphase of meiosis II and then
stops.
 Only if fertilization occurs will meiosis II ever be
completed. Entry of the sperm restarts the cell cycle
Fallopian Tubes
 Known as oviducts or uterine tubes.
 Stretch from the uterus to the ovaries and measure about
8 to 13 cm in length.
 Its function is to transport the ova from the ovary to
the uterus each month. In the presence of sperm and
fertilization, the uterine tubes transport the fertilized
egg to the uterus for iimplantation.
 Fertilization typically occurs in fallopian tube.
 Parts of Fallopian
Tubes
The fallopian tube is
described as having four parts:
 Fimbriae – finger-like, ciliated projections which capture
the ovum from the surface of the ovary.
 Infundibulum – funnel-shaped opening near the ovary to
which fimbriae are attached.
 Ampulla – widest section of the uterine tubes. Fertilization
usually occurs here.
 Isthmus – narrow section of the uterine tubes connecting
the ampulla to the uterine cavity.
Uterus
 Also called womb.
 Pear-shaped muscular
organ in the upper female
reproductive tract.
 The uterus is where a fetus (unborn baby) develops and
grows.
 This organ is able to change in shape as muscles tighten
and relax to make it possible to carry a fetus.
 The fundus is the upper portion of the uterus where
pregnancy occurs.
Layers of the Uterus:
 Perimetrium: This is the
outside layer of tissue that lines
the outside of the uterus.
 Myometrium: The middle layer of the uterus is primarily
made up of smooth muscle.
 Endometrium: The inside layer of the uterus that is the layer
that builds up over the course of a month and is shed each
month if no pregnancy occurs.
● When pregnancy occurs, the endometrium supplies
nutrients to the fertilized egg, and eventually supports the
placenta.
 Cervix
 It is the lower most
part of the uterus and
is made up of strong muscles.
 It connects the main body of the uterus to the vagina
(birth canal).
 The function of the cervix is to allow flow of menstrual
blood from the uterus into the vagina, and direct the
sperms into the uterus during intercourse.
 The opening of the cervical canal is normally very
narrow.
Vagina
 An elastic, muscular canal that connects the external
genitals to the uterus.
 Functions as a two-way street, accepting the penis and
sperm during intercourse and roughly nine months later,
serving as the avenue
of birth through which
the new baby enters the world.
Female External Genitalia
The external genital organs include
the mons pubis, labia majora, labia
minora, Bartholin glands, and clitoris.
The area containing these organs is
called the vulva.
 Female External
Genitalia
 Vulva, which runs
from the pubic area downward to the rectum.
 Mons pubis or "mound of Venus" is the V-shaped area
covered with hair
 Labia majora or "greater lips" are the part around the
vagina containing two glands (Bartholin’s glands) which helps
lubrication during intercourse. Male
Homolog: scrotum
 Labia minora or "lesser lips" are the thin hairless ridges at
the entrance of the vagina, which joins behind and in front.
In front they split to enclose the clitoris.
Female External Genitalia
 Clitoris is a small pea-shaped structure. It is very sensitive to
sexual stimulation and can become erect. Male
Homolog: penis
 Urethral orifice or external urinary opening is below the clitoris on
the upper wall of the vagina and is the passage for urine.
 The introitus or opening of the vagina is separate from the urinary
opening (unlike males) and located below it.
 The hymen is a thin cresentic fold of tissue which partially covers
the opening of the vagina. medically it is no longer considered to
be a 100% proof of female virginity.
Mammary Glands
(Breasts)
 Present in both sexes –
normally only functional in
females.
 The mammary gland is located in the breasts of
females that is responsible for lactation, or the production of
milk.
 Slightly below center of each breast is a ring of
pigmented skin, the areola - this surrounds a central
protruding nipple.
 Each lobe is composed of smaller lobules- these
contain alveoli that produce milk when a women is lactating.
Menstruation
 Menstruation is bleeding from the vagina that happens
about once a month, as a normal part of the menstrual
cycle. It is also known as having a period.
 During this cycle, your hormones make the lining of the
uterus become thicker, getting ready in case of
pregnancy. Hormones also cause an egg to be released
from an ovary, which is known as ovulation.
 At age of 12-13 years old or can be earlier/later.
 Most menstrual periods last from 3 to 5 days.
 Ovulation
 Ovulation is the release of an egg from one of a woman's
ovaries. After the egg is released, it travels down the
fallopian tube, where fertilization by a sperm cell may
occur.
 One of your ovaries will release an egg about 14 days
before your period starts. The first day of your period,
when you start bleeding, is counted as the first day of your
cycle. If you have a 28-day cycle, you’ll usually ovulate
some time between day 10 and day 15 of your cycle.
Ovulation
Female Reproductive
System Diseases
 Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer occurs when the cells of the cervix grow
abnormally and invade other tissues and organs of the
body.

CAUSES:
 Early sexual contact
 Multiple sexual partners
 Taking oral contraceptives
(birth control pills)
 Cigarette smoking
 Cervical Cancer
SYMPTOMS:
As in many cancers, you may have no signs or symptoms
of cervical cancer until it has progressed to a dangerous
stage. They may include:
 Pain, when the cancer is advanced
 Abnormal vaginal bleeding (other than
during menstruation)
 Pelvic pain
 Kidney failure due to a urinary tract or bowel obstruction,
when the cancer is advanced
 Cervical Cancer
TREATMENT:
The most common treatment for early-stage cervical
cancers is radical hysterectomy (surgical removal of
the cervix, uterus, and surrounding tissues called the
parametrium).
For advanced cervical cancer – radiotherapy with or
without chemotherapy, and surgery is also sometimes
used.
 Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Most women with PCOS grow a number of small cysts,
or fluid-filled sacs on their ovaries. The cysts are not
harmful, but they can lead to an imbalance in hormone
levels.
Women with PCOS may also experience
menstrual cycle abnormalities,
increased androgen
(sex hormone) levels,
excess hair growth, acne,
and obesity.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
CAUSES: SYMPTOMS:
Currently, there is no Apart from cysts on the
known cause of PCOS. ovaries, symptoms of PCOS
However, there are include:
associations with  irregular menses
excess insulin , low-grade  high stress levels
inflammation.  high blood pressure
 infertility
 acne, oily skin, and
dandruff
 dark patches of skin
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
TREATMENT:
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) cannot be cured, but
the symptoms can be managed.
 Lifestyle changes
 Medications - a medication called clomifene is usually
the first treatment recommended for women with PCOS
who are trying to get pregnant.
Clomifene encourages the monthly release of an
egg from the ovaries (ovulation).
 Endometriosis
Endometriosis is an
often painful disorder
in which tissue that
normally lines the inside
of your uterus —
the endometrium — grows outside your uterus.
It occurs when bits of the tissue that lines the uterus
(endometrium) grow on other pelvic organs, such as the
ovaries or fallopian tubes.
 Endometriosis
CAUSES:
Although the exact cause of endometriosis is not
certain, possible explanations include:
 Retrograde menstruation: Menstrual blood enters the
fallopian tubes and the pelvis instead of leaving the
body in the usual way.
 Genetics: A woman with a close family member who has
endometriosis is more likely to develop endometriosis
herself.
 Hormones: Endometriosis is stimulated by the hormone
estrogen.
 Endometriosis
SYMPTOMS:
 Severe menstrual cramps
 Long-term lower-back and pelvic pain
 Periods lasting longer than 7 days
 Heavy menstrual bleeding where the pad or tampon
needs changing every 1 to 2 hours
 Bowel and urinary problems including pain, diarrhea,
constipation, and bloating
 Bloody stool or urine
 Endometriosis
TREATMENT:
 A hysterectomy, or the removal of the uterus, will be
considered when all other avenues of treatment have
been exhausted.
Other options include:
 Pain medications
 Surgery: Initial surgery will seek to remove the areas of
endometriosis.
 Fertility treatment
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
A.k.a. sexually transmitted infections (STIs) — are
generally acquired by sexual contact. The organisms
(bacteria, viruses or parasites) that cause sexually
transmitted diseases may pass from person to person in
blood, semen, or vaginal and other bodily fluids.
Sometimes these infections can be transmitted
nonsexually, such as from mother to infant during pregnancy
or childbirth, or through blood transfusions or shared
needles.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
CAUSES:
 Bacteria (gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia)
 Parasites (trichomoniasis)
 Viruses (human papillomavirus, genital herpes, HIV)
 Sexual activity plays a role in spreading many other
kinds of infections, although it's possible to be infected
without sexual contact. Examples include the hepatitis A,
B and C viruses, shigella, and Giardia intestinalis.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
SYMPTOMS:
 Sores or bumps on the genitals or in the oral or rectal
area
 Painful or burning urination
 Unusual or odd-smelling vaginal discharge
 Unusual vaginal bleeding
 Lower abdominal pain
 Fever
 Rash over the trunk, hands or feet
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
TREATMENT:
STDs/STIs caused by bacteria or parasites can be treated
with antibiotics. These antibiotics are most often given by
mouth (orally). However, sometimes they are injected or
applied directly to the affected area.
 Uterine Fibroids
Also called leiomyomas or myomas.
Fibroids are abnormal growths that develop in or on a
woman’s uterus. Sometimes these tumors become quite
large and cause severe abdominal pain and heavy periods.
In other cases, they cause no signs or symptoms at all. The
growths are typically benign, or noncancerous.
 Uterine Fibroids
CAUSES:
It’s unclear why fibroids develop, but several factors
such as hormones, pregnancy, and family history may
influence their formation.
SYMPTOMS:
 heavy bleeding between or during your periods that
includes blood clots
 pain in the pelvis or lower back
 increased menstrual cramping
 increased urination
 pain during intercourse
 Uterine Fibroids
TREATMENT:
There are several uterine fibroids treatment options,
including:
 Surgery (hysterectomy, myomectomy, cryosurgery),
 MRI-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MRgFUS),
and
 Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE).
 Medications
END OF PRESENTATION