Ch. 8 Ch. 8

The Female Reproductive SystemThe Female Reproductive System

PubertyPuberty

When a female enters puberty they too go When a female enters puberty they too go through many physical changes. Most through many physical changes. Most obvious are breast development and obvious are breast development and widening of the hips. Also, a girl’s body widening of the hips. Also, a girl’s body begins to produce ova, mature egg cells.begins to produce ova, mature egg cells.

Structure and FunctionStructure and Function

OvariesOvaries – Two small organs, each about – Two small organs, each about the size of an almond located a few inches the size of an almond located a few inches below the waist. Serve as two important below the waist. Serve as two important functions;functions; 1.) Release estrogen and progesterone1.) Release estrogen and progesterone 2.) Release mature egg2.) Release mature egg

Once puberty begins, the ovaries usually Once puberty begins, the ovaries usually release one ripened egg every cycle in a release one ripened egg every cycle in a process called process called OvulationOvulation

Fallopian TubesFallopian Tubes – The two fallopian tubes or – The two fallopian tubes or oviducts are small tubes that carry the release oviducts are small tubes that carry the release eggs from the ovaries. Inside the tubes, tiny eggs from the ovaries. Inside the tubes, tiny hairs sweep the egg through the tube into the hairs sweep the egg through the tube into the uterus. The egg may or may not be fertilized by uterus. The egg may or may not be fertilized by sperm. Fertilization usually occurs here.sperm. Fertilization usually occurs here.

UterusUterus – A hollow, muscular, pear-shaped – A hollow, muscular, pear-shaped organ located between the two ovaries and organ located between the two ovaries and behind the urinary bladder. The uterus has behind the urinary bladder. The uterus has several layers of tissue and a rich supply of several layers of tissue and a rich supply of blood to protect and nourish a developing fetus. blood to protect and nourish a developing fetus. The narrow base of the uterus is called the The narrow base of the uterus is called the

Cervix. When a baby is born, the cervix Cervix. When a baby is born, the cervix expands to allow the baby to pass throughexpands to allow the baby to pass through

Vagina – also known as birth canal, is a Vagina – also known as birth canal, is a hollow, muscular passage leading from the hollow, muscular passage leading from the uterus to the outside of the body. Sperm uterus to the outside of the body. Sperm from the male enters the females body from the male enters the females body through the vagina. The walls of the through the vagina. The walls of the vagina are very elastic, which allows it to vagina are very elastic, which allows it to expand during child birth. expand during child birth.

On the outside, there are two flaps of skin On the outside, there are two flaps of skin called the labias (Majora and minora)called the labias (Majora and minora)

Outside View of VaginaOutside View of Vagina

The Menstrual CycleThe Menstrual Cycle

Process during which an egg matures and is Process during which an egg matures and is released and the uterus prepares to receive it.released and the uterus prepares to receive it.

Characteristics of the Menstrual Characteristics of the Menstrual CycleCycle

As an egg matures in the ovaries and gets As an egg matures in the ovaries and gets released, the wall of the uterus released, the wall of the uterus ((EndometriumEndometrium) begins to thicken with ) begins to thicken with tissue and blood vessels. tissue and blood vessels.

If the released egg is NOT fertilized, then If the released egg is NOT fertilized, then the Endometrium begins to break down the Endometrium begins to break down and is discharged from the body. This and is discharged from the body. This process is called process is called MenstruationMenstruation..

Stages of the Menstrual CycleStages of the Menstrual Cycle

On average, cycle lasts 28 days.( Teens On average, cycle lasts 28 days.( Teens usually occurs every 21 -35 days)usually occurs every 21 -35 days)

Controlled by the Endocrine SystemControlled by the Endocrine System

Day 1-14Day 1-14 The pituitary hormone FSH stimulates an egg The pituitary hormone FSH stimulates an egg

to mature inside the ovariesto mature inside the ovaries As the egg develops estrogen is released, As the egg develops estrogen is released,

which causes the endometrium to thickenwhich causes the endometrium to thicken

Day 14 – middle of the cycleDay 14 – middle of the cycle The level of LG (a hormone) level begins to rise, and The level of LG (a hormone) level begins to rise, and

ovulation occurs and the mature egg is released by the ovulation occurs and the mature egg is released by the ovary and travels into the fallopian tubeovary and travels into the fallopian tube

At this time a woman is most fertile (able to get At this time a woman is most fertile (able to get pregnant)pregnant)

Day 15-28Day 15-28 It takes about 7 days for the egg to travel to the uterus.It takes about 7 days for the egg to travel to the uterus. Progesterone and estrogen levels dropsProgesterone and estrogen levels drops Endometrium breaks down , and along with the Endometrium breaks down , and along with the

unfertilized egg leaves the body through the vagina.unfertilized egg leaves the body through the vagina.

Generally Generally Menstruation lasts 3 Menstruation lasts 3 to 5 days. to 5 days. About 2 ounces (50-About 2 ounces (50-60 milliliters of fluid is 60 milliliters of fluid is lost during lost during menstruation.menstruation.Most women wear Most women wear sanitary pad or a sanitary pad or a tampon to absorb the tampon to absorb the menstrual flowmenstrual flow

Factors Affecting MenstruationFactors Affecting Menstruation

DietDiet

StressStress

IllnessIllness

TravelTravel

ExerciseExercise

Weight GainWeight Gain

Weight LossWeight Loss

Life Style ChoicesLife Style Choices

CrampsCramps

During the Menstrual period some women During the Menstrual period some women may experience cramps or other may experience cramps or other discomfort. This results from the discomfort. This results from the breakdown of the Endometrium and the breakdown of the Endometrium and the muscle contractions of the Uterus. Often a muscle contractions of the Uterus. Often a warm bath, heating pad, exercise, or a warm bath, heating pad, exercise, or a change in diet can relieve these cramps.change in diet can relieve these cramps.

PMSPMS

Some women experience discomfort some time Some women experience discomfort some time before the menstrual cycle, this condition is before the menstrual cycle, this condition is known as premenstrual syndrome (PMS). known as premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

PMS is characterized as a woman having;PMS is characterized as a woman having; Nervous tensionNervous tension Mood swingsMood swings HeadachesHeadaches BloatingBloating IrritabilityIrritability

Treatment for PMSTreatment for PMS

Alter diets to reduce intake of sugars, Alter diets to reduce intake of sugars, caffeine, and alcohol.caffeine, and alcohol.

Regular exercise and other stress-Regular exercise and other stress-reduction techniques. reduction techniques.

MenopauseMenopause

Except during pregnancy, Menstruation Except during pregnancy, Menstruation occurs until about the age of 45 to 55. At occurs until about the age of 45 to 55. At this time, menopause will start to occur.this time, menopause will start to occur.

During Menopause, the ovaries slow down During Menopause, the ovaries slow down their hormone production and no longer their hormone production and no longer release mature eggs. Gradually release mature eggs. Gradually menstruation stops, and the woman is not menstruation stops, and the woman is not longer fertile.longer fertile.

Disorders of the Female Disorders of the Female Reproductive SystemReproductive System

VaginitisVaginitis

EndometriosisEndometriosis

Toxic Shock SyndromeToxic Shock Syndrome

SterilitySterility

Cysts and CancerCysts and Cancer

Ovarian CystOvarian Cyst

Keeping the System HealthyKeeping the System Healthy

Cleanliness is always important, especially Cleanliness is always important, especially during menstruation. during menstruation.

Mammogram – X-ray of breasts for cancerMammogram – X-ray of breasts for cancer

Pap Test – Done by doctor. Should be Pap Test – Done by doctor. Should be done yearly, every 6 months if sexually done yearly, every 6 months if sexually active teen (to check for abnormal cell active teen (to check for abnormal cell formation and STD’s). formation and STD’s).