FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

1. FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

2. Anatomy & Physiology Cont… • The female is born with about 2 million ____________ halted at Prophase I, only 400 of which will mature into _______within her lifetime. On about the _________ day of the menstrual cycle, the ovum is released from a ___________ on the surface of the ____________ at ovulation. ____________ move it into the ___________. OOCYTES (immature eggs) OVA 14TH FOLLICLE FIMBRIAE OVARY FALLOPIAN TUBES.

3. Anatomy & Physiology Cont… • Sperm are deposited in the ______ which leads to the mouth of the _____. They must make their way through the _______, the muscular sphincter at the opening of the uterus, and up the Fallopian tube to fertilize the ovum within about 24 hours or the ovum will die. Peristaltic contractions move the ovum or zygote to the _______ in about 3 days. If the ovum is not fertilized or implanted, ____________ will occur on day 28. VAGINA UTERUS CERVIX UTERUS MENSTRUATION

4. Anatomy & Physiology Cont… • In any egg cell, the sex chromosome is a(an) ____ chromosome. In a sperm cell, the sex chromosome is either a(an) ___ or a(an) ___ chromosome. If a sperm with an X chromosome fertilized the egg, the sex chromosome pattern of the fertilized egg is _____ and the offspring will be a ________. If a sperm with a Y chromosome fertilizes the egg, the sex chromosome pattern of the fertilized egg is ___ and the offspring will be a ________. X Y X XX GIRL XY BOY

5. Anatomy & Physiology FALLOPIAN TUBE OVARY UTERUS CERVIX URINARY BLADDER VAGINA URETHRA

6. Anatomy & Physiology Cont… FALLOPIAN TUBE FIMBRIAE DISCHARGED OOCYTE RUPTURED FOLLICLE PRIMARY OOCYTE

7. External Anatomy

8. VULVA • All of the external organs of the (F.R.S.) • MONS PUBIS • Rounded, fatty pad of tissue • Covered in pubic hair after puberty begins • Front of body, on top of pubic bone (protection)

9. LABIA • Rich in nerve endings and blood vessels (similar…) • Protects internal organs against pathogens • Functions in sexual arousal • Labia Majora • OUTER fold of tissue on either side of the vaginal opening • Covered in pubic hair after puberty begins • Labia Minora • INNER fold of tissue, just inside the majora • Extends forward covering the clitoris

10. Vaginal Opening • Hymen • Located just inside the vaginal opening • Thin tissue stretching across the opening • No known function; not always present • Some females may be born w/o; usually has several holes • Allows passage of menstrual flow • 1ST time w/intercourse – female may experience pain & bleeding, NOT ALWAYS true with all females! • Tissue is very flexible & may stay intact during intercourse! • b/c it has openings, sperm released at the vaginal opening can swim into vagina and up to the ovum • Can get pregnant & still have hymen intact!

11. Clitoris • Small knob of tissue above & in front of vaginal opening • Rich supply of nerve endings & blood vessels • Important in sexual arousal • Similar in sensitivity & # of nerve endings to head of penis

12. INTERNAL ANATOMY

13. Vagina = “birth canal” • Elastic tube-like pathway • 4-5” long • At rest, walls of vagina touch • During arousal, they expand to allow penis to enter • If not ready/aroused, walls of vagina will tear • Capable of stretching to allow birth VAGINA • Leads to CERVIX • - “neck of the uterus” • - Opening is small, dilates (“opens”) to allow passage of baby. CERVIX

14. UTERUS • Strong elastic muscle; about the size of a fist • Primary fxn – hold & nourish developing embryo & fetus • Endometrium • Inner lining of uterus • Rich supply of blood vessels • Builds up w/blood tissue to prepare for a possible pregnancy UTERUS

15. The parts on the inside are: • Uterus • Sometimes called the womb. • Muscular organ about the size of a pear. • Where developing baby, called a fetus, grows and is fed. • Where the period comes from. Cervix • The lower part of the uterus. • Makes mucus to keep sperm alive. • Has opening where sperm enter uterus and where the baby comes out of the uterus. • Vagina • Warm, soft, moist passageway joining outside and uterus.

16. FALLOPIAN TUBES • Fallopian Tubes • Tubes on each side of the uterus • Leads to ovaries • Extremely narrow; lined with cilia (similar…?) • Fimbriae • Finger-like projections at the end of the fallopian tubes • Surrounds the top part of each ovary • Gathers ovum into tube • Fertilization usually occurs in the widest part of the fallopian tube (upper 1/3) near the ovaries FIMBRIAE

17. OVARY OVARIES • Female sex glands/organs • Situated on both sides of the uterus; end of fallopian tubes • 2 main functions • House ova • Produce female sex hormones • Estrogen & Progesterone

18. The parts on the inside are: • Fallopian tubes • Narrow tubes between the uterus and the ovary. • Ovaries • Glands that make egg cells and female sex hormones.

19. Ovulation • Process of releasing one mature ovum each month into that ovary’s fallopian tube • 2-300,000 immature ova in ovaries at birth • Hormones from pituitary cause ovaries to begin producing female sex hormones • Ova begin to mature • Ovum can live about 2 days in fallopian tube • One sperm will enter ovum = fertilization/conception

20. MENSTRUATION

21. Each month, uterus prepares for possible pregnancy • Hormones cause thickening of endometrium • If ovum is fertilized, it moves into the uterus and may burrow into this lining • Will divide millions of times over 9-10 months

22. Menstrual Period • If the ovum is not fertilized – it doesn’t attach to the uterine lining/endometrium • Muscles of the uterus contract  lining breaks down (“cramps”) • Lining passes through the cervix into the vagina and out of the vaginal opening

23. Menstruation • Process of shedding the lining of the uterus • Usually lasts 4-7 days (may be shorter or longer depending on the female’s individual cycle) • Regulated by hormones • 2-3 tablespoons of blood • Rest of flow is other tissue that makes up the endometrium • Blood and tissue are not needed, person should not be weak or ill from loss • After period (“menses”), cycle begins again.

24. Menstruation cont… • Most females begin menstruation between 10-15 • As with males, many hormonal changes are occurring, so the body may take a couple of years to adjust • Cycle may be irregular Menopause • Ceasing of menstruation • Between 45-50 • Hormones control the cycle • Nutrition, stress & diet can influence cycle

25. Menstrual Health Care • Should not be an odor from vagina at any time • Menstrual flow should not have an odor until it mixes with air Products • Absorb menstrual flow • Sanitary napkin/panty shield • Worn outside the body • Should be changed every 3-4 hours, depending on the heaviness of flow • Tampons • Worn inside the body/vagina • Must be changed frequently to avoid risk of infection

26. FEMALE MENSTRUAL CYCLE Structural & Hormonal Changes

27. MENSTRUAL PHASE • Days 1-5 • Uterus sheds the endometrium • Gonadotropin & ovarian hormones are at their lowest normal levels • Gonadotropin hormones = FSH & LH • Ovarian hormones = estrogen & progesterone • DAY 5 • Start producing more estrogen

28. PROLIFERATIVE PHASE • Days 6-14 • Changes are stimulated by estrogen levels • Endometrium rebuilds itself • Rising levels of estrogen cause the endometrium to make a new layer • Layer becomes thick & well supplied with blood

29. Proliferative phase cont… • Cervical mucus is normally thick & sticky • estrogen = thin cervical mucous (let’s sperm through!!!!!!) • Ovulation! • Occurs at the end of this stage • Usually around day 14 (theoretically) • Sudden release of LH!

30. SECRETORY PHASE • Days 15-28 • Endometrium prepares for implantation of embryo • Embryo = fertilized egg • progesterone = thicker cervical mucous

31. Secretory phase cont… IF NOT FERTILIZED!!! • Endometrial cells begin to die • As the blood vessels die, they constrict and then open wide, causing blood to gush out, causing the functional layer of the endometrium to slough off MENSTRUAL CYCLE STARTS ALL OVER AGAIN

32. CONCERNS ABOUT THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

33. PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME (PMS) • Variety of symptoms that some females experience • Occurs before the menstrual period • 2 weeks – couple days before period • Some females never experience PMS • Symptoms • Nervous tension, anxiety, irritability, Bloating, weight gain, depression/mood swings, fatigue

34. PMS cont… • Causes aren’t completely understood… • More common in 30’s women • Related to hormone imbalance • Nutritional deficiency • Treatment • Change in diet & exercise • Serious cases = antidepressant meds

35. Dysmenorrhea • Aka “menstrual cramps • Painful contractions in the uterus • Usually mild – lasting several hours • More painful cramping lasting 1-2 days is normal • Treatment • * Light exercise • * OTC pain reliever can help (except aspirin!) • * Warm bath/heating pad may relax muscles • * Severe or persistent cramping may be an indication that medical attention is necessary*

36. Amenorrhea • Lack of menstruation by age 16 or stopping of menstrual cycle in a female who previously menstruated • Cause • Physical defects in sex organs • Diseases • Diabetes • Tumors • Infections • Lack of maturation of the endocrine system • Excessive athletic activities • Emotional distress • Eating disorders/starvation

37. Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) • Rare disease caused by common pathogen • Staphylococcus aureus • Commonly found on skin, in mouth, and in vagina • Under certain conditions, bacterium can produce a poison/toxin that affects the immune system and liver • Symptoms • High fever -- Vomiting -- Diarrhea --Dizziness • Low blood pressure – Fainting – Rash resembling a sunburn

38. TSS Cont… • Can result in liver and kidney damage • In 5% of cases = DEATH! • Treatment • Antibiotics • Fluids & supportive therapy • More than ½ of all cases occur in women • Traced to the use of super-absorbent tampons • They absorb Mg & provide 02-rich environment • Enables bacterium to easily produce its toxins • Also been diagnosed in men & children

39. Vaginitis • Common term for vaginal infections • Will affect most females at some point • 3 common types • Yeast infection • Nonspecific vaginitis • trichomoniasis PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE ON GOOGLE, BUT THEY ARE NOT FUN TO LOOK AT…

40. Vaginitis Types YEAST INFECTION • Caused by a fungus • White odorous discharge • Genital itching NONSPECIFIC VAGINITIS • Caused by bacteria • Itching • Odorless discharge • Burning sensation during urination TRICHOMONIASIS • Caused by a protozoan • Often occurs at the end of the menstrual period • Odorous discharge • Genital itching • Occasionally burning sensation during urination

41. Vaginitis Treatment • * Contact doctor for proper diagnosis !* • Yeast Infection • Yeast-killing cream • Suppository medication, placed in the vagina • Trich & NSV • Antibiotic prescribed by Doctor • mostly the result of imbalance of organisms normally present in the vagina • Some can also be the result of sexual contact with an infected person

42. Sterility • Inability to reproduce • Causes • Blocking of 1 or both fallopian tubes • Ova cannot pass into the uterus • Female does not ovulate • Endometriosis • Endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus in other areas of the pelvic cavity • Surgery can sometimes correct this problem! • Untreated STDs • Untreated Chlamydia & gonorrhea are the most common STDs that cause sterility

43. BREAST CANCER • Most common form of cancer in females • 2ND leading cause of death in females (1ST = lung cancer) • Prevention • Maintain ideal weight for height • Eat foods high in Vitamin A & C • Treatment • Most treatable & curable when detected early • Limited & less disfiguring if detected when in a small area of the breast

44. Breast Cancer Cont… • Symptoms • Change in breast or nipple appearance • Lump or swelling in breast • Lump under the armpit • 90% of all breast lumps in females are discovered by the females themselves! • Most are benign (harmless)

45. CERVICAL CANCER • Pap Smear • Test done by Doctors to detect abnormal cells • Uses along instrument to gather cells from cervix • Lab techs examine the cells for cancer/precancerous cells • Female should have a pap smear every year from age 18 (earlier if she’s sexually active!) • If not detected early, cancer cells spread more deeply into the cervix & its surrounding areas

46. Cervical Cancer Cont… • Symptoms • No Early Symptoms • Risk Factors • Age 20-30 • Never having a pap smear • Sexual intercourse at an early age • Multiple sex partners • Treatment • Can be treated with surgery to remove part or all of the cervix and other affected areas • Radiation or chemotherapy

47. OVARIAN CANCER • 2 types • Lining of the ovary • Cells that make eggs • “germ cell tumor” of the ovary • Usually occur in teen girls or young women • RARE

48. Ovarian Cancer Cont… • Symptoms • Early • Vague gastrointestinal discomfort • Pelvic pressure • pain • Later • Deepened voice • Unusual hair growth • Unexplained weight loss • Enlarged, hard and sometimes tender mass in lower abdomen • Painful interourse • Anemia • By this time… the disease is quite advanced

49. FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

50. Common hygiene methods are important • Vagina is self-cleaning • Cells in the lining of the vagina are constantly being shed • Forms a slight vaginal discharge (NORMAL!) • Douches & feminine hygiene sprays are not necessary • May cause irritation • Disrupt female’s natural cleansing method