Female Reproductive System

1. Female Reproductive System

2. Function of the Female Reproductive System • To house/store maturing egg cells  ovum • Born with approximately 40,000 – most will die by puberty. The rest will remain which will be ovulate during a lifetime. • Puberty – development and maturation of the body • Begins around 10-13 yrs old • Hair growth on legs, arms, pubic area, and underarms, breast development, menstruation, oily skin causing acne, increased perspiration, height and weight gain, emotional

3. External Vulva – all of the external female reproductive organs (5) • Mons Pubis – rounded fatty pad of tissue covered with pubic hair a. Function – prevents bacteria from entering the vulva 2. Labia Majora – outer fold of vulva a. Function – protects the vaginal opening • Labia Minora – inner fold of the vulva a. Function – protects the vaginal opening

4. Vaginal Opening – entranceway to the vaginal canal a. Hymen – thin membrane located inside the vaginal opening b. No function, not present on every female c. Some tear, some do not • Clitoris – small knob of tissue located in front of the vaginal opening a. ** Very Sensitive – millions of nerve endings located here b. Important in sexual arousal (swells)

5. 000000000000000000000000 VaginalOpening 000000000000000000000000 Labia Majora 000000000000000000000000 Labia Minora

6. Mons Pubis

7. Internal • Ovary – also known as the female sex gland • Function – (1) houses the maturing egg cells and (2) produces the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone • 1 egg matures at a time, grows inside a follicle, when it breaks, a mature egg is released • This is known as ovulation Ovaries

8. Fallopian Tubes • Function - Connects the ovaries to the uterus • Lined with tiny hair follicles (cilia) ** fertilization occurs here!!**

9. Uterus – about the size of a fist • Function – houses a developing fetus • Elastic Uterus Uterus

10. Endometrium – lining of the uterus • Function – this lining develops monthly getting ready for a fertilized egg to implant into the uterine wall • Made up of blood vessels and blood cells

11. Cervix – neck of the uterus • Function – important during labor • Dilates to 10 centimeters

12. Vagina – female sex organ • Function - Birth canal and passageway for menstrual period • You DO NOT urinate through the vagina!!! • Expands during arousal

13. Occurrences & Concerns • Menstruation – the shedding of the endometrium monthly • 28 day cycle Days Days Days DaysDays 1-7 8-13 14-17 18-23 24-28 Period Pre Ovulation (estrogen levels are highest) feel optimistic, confident Premenstrual Syndrome – emotional, cramps, bloating Hormone levels drop – feel sluggish Ovulation – most fertile

14. Menopause – the stoppage of the menstrual cycle • Egg are depleted • Women experience – hot flashes, mood swings, irritability • Endometriosis – when the lining of the uterus develops on the outside of the uterus. This lining develops monthly but when it’s time to be shed, the blood flow has no where to go • Symptoms – heavy elongated periods, abnormal periods, bloating, cramping, trouble conceiving • Treatment – anti inflammatory antibotics

15. Hysterectomy – surgical removal of the uterus that may or may not also be accompanied by the removal of the cervix and/or ovaries. • Why? Abnormal bleeding, cancers, tumors, or endometriosis,

16. Ectopic Pregnancy – when the fertilized egg does not drop into the uterus to develop. It begins developing in the fallopian tubes. • Most pregnanciess will naturally abort • Very painful – organ will burst

17. Tubal Ligation – Sterilization which requires the sealing of the fallopian tubes so egg cells cannot drop into the fallopian tubes • Most insurances will cover • Considered surgery

18. “G” Spot – Grafenburg Spot • Located within the front wall of the vagina • When stimulated, it produces an intense orgasm