Female Female Reproductive Reproductive SystemSystem

What the Female What the Female Reproductive System DoesReproductive System Does

The function of the female reproductive The function of the female reproductive system is to make eggs and to provide a system is to make eggs and to provide a place to support and nourish a place to support and nourish a developing humandeveloping human

How the Female How the Female Reproductive System WorksReproductive System Works

Female PubertyFemale Puberty

Girls usually begin the process of puberty Girls usually begin the process of puberty between the ages of 9 and 13, slightly earlier between the ages of 9 and 13, slightly earlier than boysthan boys

At this time the body releases the female sex At this time the body releases the female sex hormone estrogen that causes physical hormone estrogen that causes physical changes to occur. changes to occur.

While girls are often fully developed by age 16, While girls are often fully developed by age 16, some continue to mature physically through some continue to mature physically through age 18. age 18.

Female PubertyFemale Puberty

Changes that occur:Changes that occur: Growth spurtGrowth spurt Acne may appearAcne may appear Underarm hair Underarm hair

appearsappears Perspiration Perspiration

increasesincreases Breasts developBreasts develop Waistline narrowsWaistline narrows

Hips widenHips widen Uterus and ovaries Uterus and ovaries

enlargeenlarge Pubic hair appearsPubic hair appears External genitals External genitals

enlargeenlarge Ovulation occursOvulation occurs Menstruation beginsMenstruation begins Long bone growth Long bone growth

stops stops

OvaryOvary

Female reproductive Female reproductive organs that produce organs that produce eggs and the female eggs and the female sex hormone sex hormone estrogen and estrogen and progesteroneprogesterone

Each ovary is about Each ovary is about the size of the top the size of the top joint of a thumb and joint of a thumb and contains 1-2 million contains 1-2 million eggseggs

EstrogenEstrogen

Female sex hormone that causes sex Female sex hormone that causes sex hormones to mature into adult shape and hormones to mature into adult shape and sizesize

Causes secondary sex characteristics to Causes secondary sex characteristics to develop, bones to strengthen, regulate develop, bones to strengthen, regulate the menstrual cycle, and prepare the the menstrual cycle, and prepare the body for pregnancybody for pregnancy

EggsEggs

Sex cells that are produced in the ovariesSex cells that are produced in the ovaries Eggs start to develop before the female is bornEggs start to develop before the female is born By the time the female is born, only 700,000 By the time the female is born, only 700,000

eggs remain from the 1-2 million that were eggs remain from the 1-2 million that were present in the female while in the wombpresent in the female while in the womb

400,000 eggs will remain by the time a girl 400,000 eggs will remain by the time a girl reaches pubertyreaches puberty

About 400 eggs will mature in a women’s lifeAbout 400 eggs will mature in a women’s life Each egg is about .135mm or the size of a very Each egg is about .135mm or the size of a very

sharp pencilsharp pencil

VaginaVagina Reproductive organ that Reproductive organ that

connects the outside of connects the outside of the women’s body to the the women’s body to the uterusuterus

Secretes acid type liquid Secretes acid type liquid at certain times of the at certain times of the month that can kill spermmonth that can kill sperm

Elastic like skin that can Elastic like skin that can stretch as neededstretch as needed

Allows menstrual fluid to Allows menstrual fluid to exit the body and is part exit the body and is part of the birth canalof the birth canal

UrethraUrethra

The long narrow tube that carries urine The long narrow tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the bodyfrom the bladder out of the body

Fallopian TubesFallopian Tubes Transports the egg from the Transports the egg from the

ovary to the uterusovary to the uterus The end of the fallopian The end of the fallopian

tube contains fimbria that tube contains fimbria that help to pull the ripened egg help to pull the ripened egg out of the ovary and down out of the ovary and down the tubethe tube

This organ is about 4-5 This organ is about 4-5 inches long and is lined with inches long and is lined with cilia that help to sweep the cilia that help to sweep the egg down the tubeegg down the tube

UterusUterus A pear shaped, A pear shaped,

muscular cavity about muscular cavity about the size of a fistthe size of a fist

It is found at the top of It is found at the top of the vaginathe vagina

The uterus is the The uterus is the organ where a organ where a fertilized egg is fertilized egg is implanted so a baby implanted so a baby may developmay develop

The uterus is known The uterus is known as the wombas the womb

CervixCervix

Where the uterus meets the vaginaWhere the uterus meets the vagina At times it gives off substances that kill At times it gives off substances that kill

the sperm and at other times helps the the sperm and at other times helps the sperm to live easiersperm to live easier

OvulationOvulation The releasing of the egg The releasing of the egg

from the ovaryfrom the ovary Each month in the left or Each month in the left or

right ovary, an egg right ovary, an egg ripens and is swept into ripens and is swept into the fallopian tube where the fallopian tube where it is capable of being it is capable of being fertilizedfertilized

It takes about 72 hours It takes about 72 hours for the egg to travel the for the egg to travel the tube, most sperm have tube, most sperm have the same lifespanthe same lifespan

The egg will only live a The egg will only live a few hours in the uterus if few hours in the uterus if not fertilizednot fertilized

BladderBladder A triangular sac that stores urine before it A triangular sac that stores urine before it

is excreted out of the bodyis excreted out of the body

Menstrual CycleMenstrual Cycle

A monthly series of hormone controlled A monthly series of hormone controlled changes that prepare the body for pregnancychanges that prepare the body for pregnancy

If the egg is not fertilized, menstruation occursIf the egg is not fertilized, menstruation occurs The lining of the uterus is shed, about 2-4oz. The lining of the uterus is shed, about 2-4oz.

over 3-7 daysover 3-7 days If fertilization occurs, bleeding stops and a If fertilization occurs, bleeding stops and a

mucus plug is formedmucus plug is formed

Premenstrual Syndrome - Premenstrual Syndrome - PMSPMS

Mental and physical changes that occur Mental and physical changes that occur based upon hormonal shiftsbased upon hormonal shifts

Mood swings, head aches, bloating and Mood swings, head aches, bloating and breast tenderness are common breast tenderness are common symptomssymptoms

Menstrual CrampsMenstrual Cramps

Cramp like pain that is caused by Cramp like pain that is caused by contractions of the uteruscontractions of the uterus

InfertilityInfertility

The inability to reproduce – may be The inability to reproduce – may be caused by a number of factors from a low caused by a number of factors from a low sperm count, endometriosis, genetics or sperm count, endometriosis, genetics or STI’sSTI’s

Pelvic ExamPelvic Exam

An annual examination by a doctor or An annual examination by a doctor or gynecologist to detect any problems that gynecologist to detect any problems that a women may be unable to detect with a women may be unable to detect with her reproductive systemher reproductive system

Women should begin having this exam Women should begin having this exam when they reach 18 or if they become when they reach 18 or if they become sexually active beforesexually active before

Pap SmearPap Smear

A test that examines the cells of the A test that examines the cells of the uterusuterus

Breast ExamBreast Exam

A self exam women should perform at A self exam women should perform at the same time each month usually the the same time each month usually the week following their period to detect any week following their period to detect any lumps, swelling, pain in the breastslumps, swelling, pain in the breasts

MammogramMammogram

An exam that is recommended annually An exam that is recommended annually once a woman reaches 40once a woman reaches 40

This test detects cancerThis test detects cancer

MenopauseMenopause

When a women is no longer able to When a women is no longer able to reproduce and her body goes through a reproduce and her body goes through a series of changesseries of changes

Usually happens between the ages of 45 Usually happens between the ages of 45 and 60and 60