Female Reproductive System

1. Female Reproductive System

2. Functions and Structure • Stores female reproductive cells: Ovum or Ova (egg) • Nourishes and protects each fertilized ovum • beginning of pregnancy to birth

3. Female Reproductive Organs

4. Ovaries • The female sex glands that house the ova and produce female sex hormones • Almond shaped/located on each side of lower abdomen • At birth a female has 400,000 immature ova

5. Female Sex Hormones • Estrogen and Progesterone • Present in the ovaries • At puberty secondary sex characteristics develop • Development of breasts • Increased percentage of adipose tissue

6. Fallopian Tubes • Pair of muscular tubes which carries the egg to the uterus • 4 inches long and ½ inch in diameter • Fimbriae – (finger like projection) draws the egg into the fallopiantube • How the egg gets to the uterus • Cilia (tiny hair like structures) • Muscular contractions of fallopian tube

7. Uterus • Muscular pear-shaped organ about the size of your fist • The lining has several layers • Rich supply of capillaries • Estrogen causes lining of the uterus to thicken with blood vessels. • Ovulation causes the rise in estrogen levels.

8. Fertilization • If occurs: the zygote (fertilized egg) attaches to the wall of the uterus. • The lining of the uterus continues to thicken. • If fertilization does not occur: the egg (ovum) disintegrates and the lining of the uterus breaks apart and passes through the cervix and vagina. (Menstruation)

9. Cervix • Neck of the uterus • Will open or dilate during delivery

10. Vagina • Muscular, elastic passageway that extends from the uterus to the outside of the body. • Also called the birth canal • 3½ inches long

11. Ovulation • The process of releasing one mature ovum each month • Each ovary switches off releasing an ovum each month. • Early teen years • Hormones cause immature ova to mature

12. Menstruation • Lining of uterus breaks down into blood, tissue, and fluids • Usually lasts about 3-5 days • Menstrual Cycle – time from the beginning of one menstrual period to the onset of the next • lasts 28 days • Is regulated by endocrine hormones

14. Problems of Reproductive System

15. Menstruation Problems • Menstrual Cramps • Abdominal cramps • Light exercise or heating pad may help relieve cramps • Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) • Several Days to weeks before period • Nervous tension, anxiety, irritability, bloating, weight gain, depression, mood swings, and fatigue – Hormone imbalance • Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) • Risk to all women using tampons • Rare but could be fatal • Bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, that causes an infection • Signs: aching muscles, bloodshot eyes, soar throat, high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, fainting and a rash

16. Infertility • Inability for a woman to become pregnant • Causes: • Blocked Fallopian Tube (leading cause) • Endometriosis – uterine tissue grows outside uterus • Found on Ovaries, fallopian tubes, and abdominal cavity • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease • Infection of fallopian tubes, ovaries, other surrounding areas in pelvis • Usually caused by STI’s

17. Other Disorders • Ovarian Cysts • Fluid-filled sac on ovary • Small usually dissolve on own • Cancers • Breast • Cervix, uterus and ovaries are common sites • Pap test: cells taken from cervix to detect cervical cancer