1. The female reproductive system matures at puberty and enables women to reproduce.

2. eggs
ovaries
uterus
ovulation
fallopian tubes
vagina
menstruation
cervix

3. Female Reproductive Organs
The organs of the female reproductive system enable pregnancy to occur with the first monthly ovulation.
The female reproductive system matures at puberty.

4. Female Reproductive Organs
The female reproductive system has several functions, including producing female sex hormones and storing the eggs.
Eggs
Female gametes

5. Female Reproductive Organs
A female at birth has more than 400,000 immature ova in her ovaries.
Ovaries
The female sex glands that store the ova, or eggs, and produce female sex hormones

6. Female Reproductive Organs
The ovaries are located on each side of the uterus.
Uterus
The hollow, muscular, pear-shaped organ that nourishes and protects a fertilized ovum until birth

7. Female Reproductive Organs
The process of ovulation is controlled by the release of luteinizing hormone by the pituitary gland.
Ovulation
The process of releasing a mature ovum into the fallopian tube each month

8. Female Reproductive Organs
A mature ovum is released from an ovary and moves into one of the two fallopian tubes.
Fallopian tubes
A pair of tubes with fingerlike projections that draw in the ovum

9. Female Reproductive Organs
Cervix
The cervix is the opening of the uterus.
The uterus protects and nourishes a developing fetus.
Uterus
The ovaries contain ova and produce hormones.
Ovaries
Ova travel to the uterus through the fallopian tubes.
Fallopian Tubes
Endometrium
Endometrium tissue lines the uterus.
The passageway from the uterus to the outside of the body.
Vagina

10. Female Reproductive Organs
Sperm from the male enter the female reproductive system through the vagina.
Vagina
A muscular, elastic passageway that extends from the uterus to the outside of the body

11. Female Reproductive Organs
The fertilization of an egg by a sperm produces a cell called a zygote.
When the zygote leaves the fallopian tube, it enters the uterus and attaches itself to the uterine wall. The fetus remains in the uterus until birth.

12. Female Reproductive Organs
After a female matures, the uterus prepares each month for possible pregnancy. If pregnancy doesn’t occur, menstruation occurs.
Menstruation
The shedding of the uterine lining

13. Female Reproductive Organs
The endometrium tissues pass through the cervix and into the vagina.
Cervix
The opening to the uterus

14. Female Reproductive Organs

15. Maintaining Reproductive Health
Good hygiene, breast self-exams, and abstinence from sexual activity help female reproductive system health.
Sound health practices will help females care for their reproductive systems.

16. Maintaining Reproductive Health
Tips for Maintaining Your Reproductive Health
Bathe regularly.
Have regular medical exams.
Practice abstinence.

17. Breast Self-Exam
Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of death, after lung cancer, for women in the United States.

18. Breast Self-Exam
The American Cancer Society recommends that females examine their breasts once a month, right after the menstrual period, when breasts are not tender.
Early detection is critical for successful treatment of breast cancer.

19. Female Reproductive System Problems
Several disorders can affect the female reproductive system, and some can lead to infertility.
While menstrual cramps and premenstrual syndrome are common, toxic shock syndrome is uncommon.

20. Female Reproductive System Problems
Menstrual Cramps
Cramps that occur at the beginning of a menstrual period
Premenstrual Syndrome
A disorder caused by hormonal changes
Toxic Shock Syndrome
A rare but serious bacterial infection that affects the immune system and the liver

21. Infertility and Other Disorders
Infertility in females can have several causes.
Endometriosis
Uterine tissue grows outside the uterus
STDs
Diseases spread through sexual contact
Infection that causes discharge, odor, pain, itching, or burning
Vaginitis
Ovarian cysts
Fluid-filled sacs on the ovary
Cancer
Cancer of the cervix, uterus, or ovaries

22. After You Read Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary
What is the function of the uterus?
The uterus protects and nourishes a developing fetus.

23. After You Read Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary
Distinguish between ova, ovaries, and ovulation.
The ova are egg cells. The ovaries are the female sex glands that store the ova and produce female sex hormones. Ovulation is the process of releasing a mature ovum into a fallopian tube each month.

24. After You Read Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary
Identify a kind of cancer of the female reproductive system that is linked to a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
Cervical cancer