1. Female Reproduction System What a Girl’s Gotta Know

2. Female Reproductive System

5. Key Terms Ovaries – (2) produce and contain eggs as well as produce hormones (Females are born with all eggs that mature as needed) Ova – the eggs – Ovum – one egg (smaller than a grain of salt) Fallopian Tubes – Slowly carries the egg from the ovaries to the uterus. Uterus– A muscular organ about the size of an upside down pear, located between the hips - source of menstruation Womb – Another name for the uterus. A place where the baby grows and develops. Cervix – The narrow end of the uterus which has a small opening that connects the vagina and the uterus Vagina – The tube-shaped passageway that leads from the uterus to the outside of the body - Birth Canal

6. Key Terms Menarche- first menstrual period Menopause- time when menstruation ceases---48-55 years Estrogen and progesterone- female hormones Menstrual cycle is 28 days [ average] Endometrium- the lining of the uterus.

7. Menstrual Cycle Cycle is counted from the first day of one period to the first day of the next. An average cycle is 28 days, but anywhere from 23-35 in normal. The first day bleeding starts is counted as day one of the cycle. Menstrual cycle is controlled by hormones. The cycle has 4 stages

8. Menstrual Cycle Stages Stage 1 – The Menstrual stage is when the woman is having her period. The lining of the uterus is breaking down and slowly flowing out of her body through the vagina. Menstruation may last between 3 and 8 days (usually 5 days) Stage 2 – The pre-ovulatory stage (before egg is released) Starts after menstruation and begin the thickening of the uterus lining. Uterus beginning to prepare itself for the possibility of supporting a fertilized egg.

9. Stages Cont. Stage 3 – The ovulation stage (28 day cycle would be day 14) is when a mature egg is released from one of the ovaries. Stage 4 – The postovulatory stage – The stage after the egg has been released. (if no fertilization has occurred the hormone levels drop and the Uterine lining begins to break down and menstruation begins and the cycle starts again.

10. Hormone Level During Cycle

12. The Process Ovulation- -The time when the egg [ ovum] is released from the ovaries -Happens in the middle of the cycle -Maturing egg  produces estrogen  causes the lining of the uterus to prepare for implantation -Takes 4 days for egg to travel down the fallopian tubes Fertilization-when the egg meets a sperm

13. What Happens If… No fertilization  hormones decrease  menstruatio n Menstruation- the uterus walls (lining) breakdown and blood flow

14. Reasons for not conceiving Low sperm count Blocked fallopian tubes Infection (ie yeast infections) Imbalance in hormones Structural abnormality