1. The Female Reproductive System
Chapter 16, Lesson 3
The Female Reproductive System

2. Female Reproductive Organs
The system has several functions:
Producing female sex hormones
Storing eggs
Female gametes or ova (singular: ovum)
Ovaries
The female sex glands that store the ova and produce female sex hormones
Located on each side of the uterus
The hollow, muscular, pear-shaped organ that nourishes and protects a fertilized ovum until birth
At birth a female has over 400,000 immature ova
At puberty, the pituitary gland produces hormones that cause these ova to mature
Ovulation
The process of releasing a mature ovum into the fallopian tube each month

3. Female Reproductive Organs
Figure 16.8
Cervix
Opening of the uterus
Uterus
Protects and nourishes a developing fetus
Urinary bladder
Uretha
Labia minora
Labia majora
Ovaries
Contain ova and produce hormones
Fallopian tubes
Ova travel from the ovaries to the uterus
Endometrium
Tissue that lines the uterus
Vagina
Passageway from the uterus to the outside of the body, aka the birth canal

4. Female Reproductive Organs cont.,
Ovum is released from an ovary and moves into one of the two fallopian tubes
A pair of tubes with fingerlike projections that draw in the ovum
Cilia helps to move the ovum in the fallopian tubes
Sperm enters through the vagina
Muscular, elastic passageway that extends from the uterus to the outside of the body
If the sperm is present in the fallopian tubes, the sperm and ovum might unite, resulting in fertilization
Produce a zygote, which moves through the fallopian tubes, enters the uterus, where it attaches itself to the uterine wall, blood thickens to nourish the zygote, fetus remains in the uterus until birth

5. Menstruation
If pregnancy does not occur, the thickened lining of the uterus, called the endometrium, breaks down into blood, tissue, and fluids
Cycle of Menstruation
The shedding of the uterine lining
The endometrium tissue pass through the cervix, the opening to the uterus, and into the vagina
Most females begin their menstrual cycles between the ages of 10-15
At first the period might be irregular but then should become more predictable
Endocrine hormones control the cycle
Stress, poor nutrition, excessive exercise, low body weight, and illness can influence your period

6. The Menstrual Cycle
Figure 16.9

7. Maintaining Reproductive Health
Bathe regularly
Have regular medical exams
Practice abstinence

8. Breast Self-Exam One week after your menstrual cycle
Look in the mirror using different views
Tips of three fingers as memory pads
Vertical patterns
Light, medium, hard pressure

9. Female Reproductive System Problems
Menstrual Cramps
Sometimes occur in the beginning of a menstrual period
Light exercise and heat help to relieve them
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Caused by a hormonal change
Symptoms include: anxiety, irritability, bloating, weight gain, depression, mood swings, fatigue
Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)
Rare, but serious bacterial infection caused by use of tampons
Use low absorbency and change them often

10. Infertility and Other Disorders
Endometriosis
Uterine tissue grows in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or the lining of the pelvic cavity
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Untreated STDs
Vaginitis
Discharge, odor, pain, itching, or burning
Yeast infections
Ovarian cysts
Fluid filled sac on the ovary
Some may disappear on their own, larger ones tend to be removed surgically
Cervical, Uterine, and Ovarian Cancers