FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE

SYSTEM
Sexual Health Unit
What the Female Reproductive System
Does
• -Production of female sex hormones:
Estrogen and Progesterone
• -Creates and stores the female
reproductive cell: ovum
• -Intercourse
• -Houses and nourishes offspring from
conception to birth.
• -Nourishes a newborn.
 Female Puberty
• On average, a female will start puberty around
the age of 8.
• Puberty Event Age at which it happens
• Growth of breasts 8-13 years old
• Growth of pubic hair8-14 years old
• Body Growth 9 1/2-14 ½ years old
• First Menstruation 10-16 ½ years old
• Underarm Hair 2 years after pubic hair shows up
• Acne Around the same time as underarm hair
ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• Ovum (Ova is plural)
• This is the female sex cell.
• The creation of an ovum is known as Oogenesis (egg
creation)
• At birth, a female has already created all of the eggs
she will ever use and store them in her ovaries.
300,000 to 400,000 immature eggs are created for
each female. Only about 400 of the eggs will ever be
released during ovulation.
• One egg matures and is released each month from
puberty to menopause.
 ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• Ovulation is the process of releasing a mature ovum
into the fallopian tube each month. The ovaries take
turns, the right ovary will release an ovum one
month, and then the left will release an ovum the
next. This usually causes discomfort to the female
because the egg “explodes” out of the ovary when
released. A female is most fertile the day of and the
day after fertilization.
 ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• Ovary
• Female sex glands (gonads) that store that
store the ova and produce the female sex
hormones.
• They are about the size of an unshelled
almond.
ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• Fallopian Tubes (Oviduct)
• Tubes with fingerlike projections (fimbriae) that pull
in the released ovum
• The ovum is pushed through the tube by cilia and
muscle contractions.
• This is the sight of fertilization if sperm is present
as the egg moves through the tube.
• It takes 4-7 days after fertilization for the zygote
(fertilized egg) to reach the uterus. An unfertilized
ovum will degenerate.
ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• Fimbriae
• These fingerlike projections are at the end of
the fallopian tubes. They will move to create
a current drawing the released ovum into the
fallopian tube.
ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• Uterus
• A hollow, muscular, pear-shaped organ that
houses and nourishes a fertilized egg
through birth.
• A fertilized egg will implant itself into the side
of the uterus eventually creating the placenta
which houses the fetus.
• A uterus can grow up to 6times its normal
size during pregnancy.
ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• Endometrium
• Lining of the uterus where the fertilized egg
implants
 ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• Cervix
• The bottom of the uterus consists of the
cervix. It connects to the vagina and allows
sperm to enter the uterus and travels up to
the fallopian tube.
• The cervix helps to keep the unborn baby in
the body until it is ready to be born.
• It will open to be about 10cm in diameter
during birth.
ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• Vagina
• A muscular, elastic passageway that extends from
the uterus to the outside of the body.
• It releases menstrual fluids.
• Serves as a birth canal during birth.
• During sexual intercourse, the vagina stimulates
the male penis to the point of ejaculation in order
to collect the sperm.
• The vagina is slightly acidic to prevent the growth
of pathogens.
ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• Labia Majora and Labia Minora
• Folds of tissue that become engorged with
blood during sexual activity.
• These serve to protect the internal sexual
organs from infection and provide pleasure
during intercourse.
ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• Clitoris
• A small projection of erectile tissue that has
twice the number of nerve endings than that
of the head of the penis.
• It is the primary source of pleasure for the
female reproductive system.
ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• Bartholin’s Glands
• Two small glands on either side of the
vaginal opening that provide lubrication during
sexual arousal. This prevents pain for the
female during sexual intercourse.
ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• Breast
• Provides nourishment and an immune
system to a new born baby.
• Nipple
• Milk is released from the breast
• Become erect during sexual arousal
ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• Areola
• Darker part of the breast
• Allows a newborn to see where to latch
• Mammary Glands
• Part of the breast that creates milk for the new
born
ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Menstrual Cycle
 Menstrual Cycle
• Menstrual Cycle
• In a mature female, the uterus prepares for pregnancy
in a cycle of thickening and shedding of the
endometrium. This cycle usually last about 28 days but
can be longer or shorter. The first day of menstruation
(the shedding of the uterine lining) is considered the
first day of the menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle is
usually 3-7days long. 14 days into the cycle, ovulation
occurs. This is the height of a female’s fertility. 14 days
after ovulation, if implantation of a fertilized egg has not
occurred, the cycle starts over and menstruation
occurs.
 Problems of the Female Reproductive System:
• -Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
• The menstrual cycle is determined by the
raise and fall of female hormones
(progesterone and estrogen). The week
before menstruation occurs, both hormones
levels drop severely which can cause severe
mood swings, tender breasts, food cravings,
fatigue, irritability, and depression. A healthy
diet and anti-inflammatory medication (Advil)
can help relieve the symptoms.
 Problems of the Female Reproductive System:
• -Menstrual Cramps
• During menstruation, the uterus contracts to
help move the shedding endometrium out.
This can become painful. Light exercise, anti-
inflammatory medication (Advil), and applying
a heating pad to the abdomen can help to
relieve the symptoms.
 Problems of the Female Reproductive System:
• -Toxic Shock Syndrome (TTS)
• A rare but serious bacterial infection caused
by the use of tampons. This infection attacks
the immune system and liver. It can be fatal.
Symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, a
sunburn-like rash, red eyes, dizziness, and
muscle aches. Use a tampon with the lowest
absorbency possible and never exceed the 8-
hour time limit.
 Problems of the Female Reproductive System:
• -Vaginitis
• Bacterial vaginosis is the most common
vaginal infection. It often causes discharge,
odor, pain, itching, or burning. Antibiotics are
needed.
 Problems of the Female Reproductive System:
• -Vaginal Yeast Infection
• A yeast infection can cause itching, burning, and
discharge in and around the vagina. It is caused
by the overgrowth of yeast in the vagina. An
antifungal depository is used to kill the infection.
Many women experience a yeast infection after
a round of antibiotics because it kills the good
bacteria that keeps yeast from growing in the
vagina. Eating yogurt with probiotics can help
prevent a yeast infection from occurring.
 Problems Related to Infertility
• -Endometriosis
• This is a painful, chronic disease that occurs
when the tissue that lines the uterus migrates
and grows in the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
This tissue can block the egg from entering
the uterus. Surgery may be needed to clear
the fallopian tube to allow pregnancy to occur.
 Problems Related to Infertility
• -Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
• An infection of the fallopian tubes, ovaries,
and surrounding areas of the pelvis. It can
damage the female’s reproductive organs.
PID is usually caused by a sexually
transmitted infection.
 Problems Related to Infertility
• -Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)
• The most common cause of infertility and
other disorders of the reproductive system.
Usually symptoms for females are not evident
unless a medical examination occurs.
 Problems Related to Infertility
• Cervical, uterine, and ovarian cancer
• There is a genetic link for cancers of the
reproductive system. STIs such as the Human
Papillomavirus (HPV) are related to increased
incidence of cervical cancer.
 Care for the Female Reproductive System
• -Breast Exam
• Breast cancer is the most common cancer and
second leading cause of death among women.
Monthly breast exams are key to early detection of
breast cancer. On the same day of the menstrual
cycle, lie down and put one arm over your head. Start
near the areola and feel the breast in small circles
spanning outwards looking for any new bumps or
thickening of the breast. Then starting at the collar
bone near the sternum, feel the tissue until you are
an inch below the breast. Slowly move up and down
this area until you come to under the armpit.
Care for the Female Reproductive System
 Care for the Female Reproductive System

• -Pap Smear
• A pelvic exam is essential to the health of
women. Starting around 16-18 years of age
(especially if sexually active) females should
receive a pelvic exam every year. During the
exam, the doctor will check for any abnormalities
of the vagina, cervix, uterus, and ovaries. They
will also perform a Pap-smear. This will collect
cervix cells to test for cervical cancer. Usually,
the doctor will also check for STIs during this
exam.