Female Reproductive Organs

Female Reproductive Organs : Female Reproductive Organs (Their Parts and Functions) Facts About the Female Sexuality

The Female Reproductive System : The Female Reproductive System The female reproductive system is designed to carry out several functions. It produces the female egg cells necessary for reproduction, called the ova or oocytes. The system is designed to transport the ova to the site of fertilization. Conception, the fertilization of an egg by a sperm, normally occurs in the fallopian tubes (uterine tubes). After conception, the uterus offers a safe and favorable environment for a baby to develop before it is time to make its way into the outside world. If fertilization does not take place, the system is designed to menstruate (the monthly shedding of the uterine lining). In addition, the female reproductive system produces female sex hormones that maintain the reproductive cycle For more information, Click here.

What Parts Make-up the Female Anatomy? (External and Internal Structures) : What Parts Make-up the Female Anatomy? (External and Internal Structures) External Organs Labia majora encloses and protects the other external reproductive organs. literally translated as “large lips” relatively large and fleshy Comparable to the scrotum in males Contains sweat and oil-secreting glands. Covered in hair (after puberty)

Slide 4 : Labia minora Literally translated as “small lips” Can be very small or up to 2 inches wide Lies just inside the labia majora Surrounds the openings to the vagina and urethra Bartholin’s glands Located next to the vaginal opening and produce fluid secretion.

Slide 5 : Internal Organs Vagina A canal that joins the cervix to the outside of the body Also known as birth canal Uterus A hollow, pear shaped organ Home to a developing fetus Divided into two parts: the cervix (lower part that opens to into the vagina) and corpus (the main body of the uterus). Corpus can easily expand to hold a developing baby Cervix allows sperm to enter and blood to exit

Slide 6 : Ovaries Small, oval shaped glands that are located on either side of the uterus Produces eggs and hormones Fallopian Tubes Narrow tubes attached to the upper part of the uterus Serves as tunnels for the ova Conception normally occurs in the fallopian tubes For more information, Click here.

The Menstrual Cycle : The Menstrual Cycle (All about menstruation)

Menstrual Cycle : Menstrual Cycle Females of reproductive age (anywhere from 11-16 years old) experience cycles of hormonal activities that repeat at about one month intervals. With every cycle, a woman’s body prepares for a potential pregnancy, whether it is or it is not intentional. The term menstruation refers to the periodic shedding of the uterine lining. The average menstrual cycle takes about 28 days and occurs in phases : follicular phase, ovulatory phase and the luteal phase. There are four major hormones involved in the menstrual cycle: follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estrogen and progesterone.

Phases in Menstruation : Phases in Menstruation (Follicular Phase, Ovulatory Phase and Luteal Phase)

Follicular Phase : Follicular Phase This phase starts on the first day of your period. During the follicular phase, the following events occur: Two hormones, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are released from the brain and travel in the blood to the ovaries The hormones stimulate the growth of about 15-20 eggs in the ovaries each in its own “shell”, called the follicle. These hormones (FSH and LH) also trigger an increase in the production of the female 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 complete maturation or growth As the follicular phase progresses, one follicle in one ovary becomes dominant and continues to mature. This dominant follicle suppresses all of the other follicles in the group. As a result, they stop growing and die. The dominant follicle continues to produce estrogen.

Ovulatory Phase : Ovulatory Phase This ovulatory phase, or ovulation, starts about 14 days after the follicular phase started. The ovulatory phase is the midpoint of the menstrual cycle, with the next menstrual period starting about 2 weeks later. During this phase, the following events occur: The rise in estrogen from the dominant follicle triggers a surge in the amount of luteinizing hormone that is produced by the brain. This cause the dominant follicle to release its egg from the ovary. As the egg is released, it is captured by finger like projections on the end of the fallopian tubes (fimbriae). The fimbriae sweep the egg into the tube Also during this phase, there is an increase in the amount and thickness of mucus produced by the cervix. If a woman were to have intercourse during this time, the thick mucus captures the man’s sperm, nourishes it and helps it move towards the egg for fertilization.

Luteal Phase : Luteal Phase The luteal phase begins right after ovulation and involves the following process Once it releases the egg, the empty follicle develops into a new structure called the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum secretes the hormones estrogen and progestrone. Progestrone prepares the uterus for a fertilized egg to implant. If intercourse has taken place and a man’s sperm has fertilized the egg, the fertilized egg will travel through the fallopian tube to implant in the uterus. The woman is now pregnant. If the egg is not fertilized, it passes through the uterus. Not needed to support pregnancy, the lining of the uterus breaks down and sheds, and the next menstrual period begins.

How Many Eggs Does a Woman Have? : How Many Eggs Does a Woman Have? During fetal life, there are about 6 million to 7 million eggs. From this time, no new eggs are produced. The vast majority of the eggs within the ovaries steadily die, until they are depleted at menopause. At birth, there are approximately 1 million eggs and by the time of puberty, only about 300,000 remain. Of these, 300-400 will be ovulated during the woman’s reproductive lifetime. The eggs continue to degenerate during pregnancy, with the use of birth control pills and in the presence or absence of regular menstrual cycles.

End of the report : End of the report By Diane Faie Valenzuela