Female Reproductive System
Unit 8 Lesson 2 Continued
Female Reproductive System
Female Reproductive System
• Female produce ovum
or egg cells.
• The egg (ovum) cell is
the female sex cell.
Female Reproductive System
• Like sperm (the male
sex cell), the female ova
or egg cell contains 23
chromosomes from the
women.
Female Reproductive System
• Women are born with as
many eggs cells they will
have for their entire life.
– About 1 to 2 million
• This is different than men
who produce sperm
starting at puberty and
will continue until they
day they die.
– Remember men create
about 100 million sperm
cells per day.
Female Reproductive System
• Gestation is the physical
development of a fetus
inside the womb during
pregnancy.
• During gestation the
ovaries create and store
immature egg cells in the
developing female fetus.
• It is not until puberty that
the egg cells become
mature enough to be
released and fertilized.
Female Reproductive System
• The ovaries are two
small glands that create
and store egg cells and
also produce estrogen
and progesterone.
Female Reproductive System
• Estrogen and
progesterone are the
two female sex
hormones.
• Each hormone has
different characteristics
to balance out the
other.
Female Reproductive System
• Estrogen and
progesterone work
together to stimulate
secondary sex
characteristics in
women.
• Example:
– Increased breast size
– Widening of hips
– Softer features
Female Reproductive System
• Estrogen and
progesterone also work
together to regulate the
menstrual cycle.
• We will be learning
about this later.
Female Reproductive System
• Remember that the egg
cells in the ovaries do
not become mature
enough to be fertilized
until puberty.
• Once a female reaches
puberty, hormones
cause an egg cell to
mature in the ovaries.
Female Reproductive System
• Usually only one ovary
produces one mature
egg cell per month.
• Let’s take a break and
talk about how twins
can happen.
Female Reproductive System
• If a women has two or
more egg cells that
mature in one 28 day
cycle, there is a
possibility of fraternal
twins.
• Fraternal twins happen
when two eggs are
fertilized by two
separate sperm cells.
Twins
• Fraternal twins:
– Do not share identical
genes.
– Do look identical to
each other.
– Can be the same
gender or different
genders.
– Are like any other
siblings just born at the
same time.
Twins
• Sometimes a newly
fertilized egg cell
separates into two
fertilized egg cells.
• Each cell has the same
genetic code because
the codes came from
one sperm cell and one
egg cell.
• The result is identical
twins.
Twins
• Identical twins come from
one fertilized egg that has
separated into two before it
begins to grow.
• Identical twins are:
– Always the same gender
– Have very similar genetics
– Rare in occurrences
• It is not known why some
fertilized eggs divide and
other do not.
Twins
• Conjoined twins occur
when the fertilized egg
starts to divide but does
not completely divide.
• The result is the two
identical twins that
share the same physical
body where the
fertilized egg did not
completely split.
Female Reproductive System
• Now you know how
twins can happen – let’s
go back to the egg cell
developing in the ovary.
• It takes about 14 days
for one egg cell to fully
develop in the ovary.
Female Reproductive System
• Once an egg cell is
mature enough, it is
released into the fallopian
tube.
• The process of releasing
an egg into the fallopian
tube is ovulation.
– Out of the 1 to 2 million
egg cells in the women,
usually only 400 egg cells
will be released in a life
time.
Female Reproductive System
• For ovulation to occur,
there must be a change
in the hormone balance
of estrogen and
progesterone.
• Notice in the diagram
that at the time of
ovulation estrogen is at
it’s peek and
progesterone is at a
low.
Female Reproductive System
• Once ovulation occurs,
the egg cell is released
into the fallopian tube.
• The fallopian tubes are
the pathways that the
egg travels from the
ovary to the uterus.
Female Reproductive System
• It will take about 5 days
for an egg cell to travel
through the fallopian
tube which is only 4-5
inches long.
• It is in the fallopian tube
that fertilization must
take place.
Female Reproductive System
• Remember that
fertilization is when the
23 chromosomes from
a sperm cell the and 23
chromosomes of an egg
cell combine together
to create an embryo
with 46 chromosomes.
Female Reproductive System
• This means that there is
only about 5 days in
which a female can
become pregnant.
• If the egg and sperm
cell meet outside the
fallopian tube,
pregnancy will CANNOT
happen.
Assignment #1
• Why do you think that
fertilization must occur
in the fallopian tubes.
• Hint:
– Use the picture to the
right to figure out your
answer.
Female Reproductive System
• Once the egg cell leaves
the fallopian tube, it
enters the uterus.
• The uterus is an organ
that shelters the and
nourishes a developing
baby during pregnancy.
Female Reproductive System
• Monthly the uterus
prepares itself for the
chance that a fertilized
egg will come out of the
fallopian tube.
• It does this by
increasing the tissue
that makes up the
endometrium.
Female Reproductive System
• The endometrium is
the lining the of the
uterus.
• Depending if it is a
fertilized egg or non
fertilized egg will
determine the next
step.
Female Reproductive System
• If a fertilized egg comes
out of the fallopian tube
into the uterus, it will
attach itself to the wall
of the uterus.
• This means that
pregnancy has started.
Female Reproductive System
• The extra blood and
tissue provide the
protection and nutrients
the developing embryo
needs to grow.
• It is important the
understand that the only
way there could be a
fertilized egg is if sperm
cells from a man reach
the egg cell in the
fallopian tube.
Female Reproductive System
• If a non fertilized egg
comes out of the fallopian
tube, it will float around
in the uterus for about 5
days.
• After 5 days the body
realizes that there is not a
fertilized egg present and
that there is no a need for
the extra tissue and blood
of the endometrium.
Female Reproductive System
• When this happens the
endometrium will begin
to shed.
• This means the extra
blood and tissue will
leave the body.
• The shedding of the
endometrium is called
menstruation or having
a period.
Female Reproductive System
• Menstruation usually
occurs every 28 days on
average for most
women.
• It usually takes 5 to 7
days for the uterus to
completely shed the
extra blood and tissue.
Female Reproductive System
• To push out the extra
blood and tissue the uterus
must contract or squeeze.
• The contraction of the
uterus can cause some
women to experience
cramping in the abdomen.
• Cramping is normal, but
can be unpleasant and
painful.
Female Reproductive System
• The extra blood and
tissue from the uterus
leave the female body
through cervix and then
through vagina.
Female Reproductive System
• The cervix is a large
muscles that sits at the
bottom of the uterus.
• The job of the cervix is
to hold the baby in
during pregnancy .
Female Reproductive System
• During labor the cervix
must stretch and open
to allow the baby to
leave the uterus.
• Because it is a muscle,
the stretching and
thinning of the cervix
can cause pain during
the labor process.
Female Reproductive System
• The vagina is a
muscular passageway
that leads from the
uterus to the outside of
the body.
Female Reproductive System
• The vagina has several
functions:
1. Menstruation: The
blood from the uterus
leaves the body
2. Intercourse: The male
penis enters the body
to deliver sperm to
reach the egg
3. Birth Canal: The baby
will leave the uterus
through the vagina
Female Reproductive System
• The urethra is not part
of the female
reproductive system like
it is in the male system.
• The urethra carries
urine from the bladder
to the outside of the
body.
Female Reproductive System
• It is important to
understand that the
opening to the urethra
is not the same opening
as the vagina.
• Girls urinate and bleed
from two different
openings in the genital
area.
Anus
Urethra
Vagina
Menstruation
• Understanding the
menstrual cycle can be
confusing
• Now that you understand
the different body parts
of the female
reproductive system and
how they work…
• You can now start to learn
about the menstrual cycle
Menstruation
• Let’s start at the
beginning
• Most girls will start
menstruating between
the ages of 11 and 16
years of age.
• Some girls could start
earlier and others might
start later because of
when they enter
puberty.
Menstruation
• A girl will not know
when her first
period will start.
• The process starts
many days before
the bleeding
begins.
Menstruation
• Once a girl begins to go
through puberty her body
and hormones begin to
change.
• This change in hormones
begins the process of
developing an immature
egg into a mature egg in
the ovary.
• It takes about 13 days for
the egg cell to develop.
Menstruation
• While the egg is
maturing in the ovary,
the endometrium
(lining of the uterus)
starts to thicken.
• It is preparing itself just
in case there is a
fertilized egg that
comes from the
fallopian tube.
Menstruation
• Maturing the egg cell
and preparing the
uterus usually takes 13
days.
• We call this day 1
through day 13 of the
menstrual cycle.
Menstruation
• The hormones estrogen
and progesterone cause
the mature cell to be
released in the fallopian
tube.
• This is called ovulation.
• It usually occurs on day
14 of the monthly cycle.
• The walls of the uterus
continue to thicken.
Menstruation
• During days 15 through
20.
• The mature egg cell will
float in the fallopian
tube for about 5 days.
• Remember in the
fallopian tube is where
fertilization must take
place in order for
pregnancy to happen.
Menstruation
• This means that there is
about 5 days per
menstrual cycle that a
female could become
pregnant.
• In order for fertilization to
take place; sperm cells
must be present inside
the female’s fallopian
tubes at the same time
an egg cell is in the
fallopian tube.
Assignment # 2
• Why are days 11, 12,
and 13 marked as fertile
days if ovulation occurs
on day 14?
• Hint:
– Sperm cells can live 48 to
72 hours inside a female.
Menstruation
• Once the egg cell
reaches the uterus it is
day 21 of the
menstrual cycle.
• If the egg is fertilized it
will attach itself to the
walls of the uterus and
pregnancy begins
• After about 40 weeks,
the fetus is mature and
a baby is born
Menstruation
• A non fertilized egg will
remain in the uterus for
about 7 days.
• After 7 days the body
realizes that there is not
a fertilized egg and it
does not need all the
extra blood and tissue
that has built up on the
endometrium.
Menstruation
• Once this happens the
walls of the endometrium
will begin to slough off.
• This is the beginning of
menstruation or period
• This is also day 28 of the
menstrual cycle.
• For most women this is
the first and only sign
during their menstrual
cycle.
Menstruation
• The extra blood and
tissue leaves the uterus
through the cervix.
• And then from the cervix
to the vagina and out of
the body.
• Most females will bleed
on average from 5-7 days.
• Some days the bleeding
could be heavier than
other days - this is
normal.
Menstruation
• If a women becomes
pregnant, she will not
have her period.
• The developing fetus is
attached to the
endomentrium.
Assignment # 3
• Why do you think a
women does not have a
period if she is
pregnant.
• Hint:
– If a women has a period
the endometrium leaves
the body.
Menstruation
• Not having a period is
one way to know if
someone if pregnant.
• But other tests should
be conducted to know
for sure.
• But, having a late or
missing period does not
always mean that a
women is pregnant.
Menstruation
• Many women do not
have regular menstrual
cycles.
• Irregular menstrual
cycles occur often
during adolescences.
• It is important that
women keep track of
their menstrual cycle.
Menstruation
• Women should count
the number of days
from the start of their
period to the start of
their next period.
• This will help them to
know their own cycle
and prepare for their
next period.
Menstruation
• Many things can
contribute to having
longer or shorter spans
between periods.
–
–
–
–
–
Age
Stress
Diet
Exercise
Illnesses
Menstruation
• It is important to
understand that if you
are sexually active and
you have a late or
missed period, you
should always get
checked by a doctor
and seek help from a
trusted adult.
Menstruation
• At the same time the
female is having her
period - day 1 has started
again in the ovary.
• Another egg cell is
beginning to mature in
the ovary in preparation
for the next cycle.
• The menstrual cycle then
starts all over again.
Menstruation
• Most women will have a
menstrual cycle from the
time of puberty to into
their 50’s.
• Women will stop having
their periods as they get
older.
• This is called menopause.
• The time that menopause
occurs is different for all
women.
Female Reproductive Problems
PMS
• In order for ovulation to
happen, the hormones
must change their
balance
• Sometimes this change
in hormone balance can
cause women to have a
change in behavior,
moods, and emotions
• This change is called
PMS or premenstrual
syndrome
• Most women will not
experience severe
symptoms of PMS.
• But for those who do,
their emotions,
behaviors, and normal
physical functions could
change.
• Some of these changes
include moodiness,
quick to anger, sadness,
and tiredness.
• It is important for
women to understand
and recognize these
changes.
• There are medications
that can help regulate
the shift in hormones so
they are not as severe.
Urinary Track
Infection (UTI)
• The symptoms of a UTI
include:
– Frequent urination
– Burning during urination
– Fever
– Back ache
• Antibiotics can be used to
cure a UTI but they must be
prescribed by a doctor
Vaginitis
• This is an infection in the vagina by
bacteria, fungi, or protozoa.
• The symptoms include:
– Itching
– Odor
– Discharge from the vagina
• Medical treatment is required to
prescribe antibiotics and creams help to
cure.
• Avoiding sexual activity (abstinence)
and keeping the genital area dry helps
avoid the spread and growth.
Endometriosis
• Sometimes during the
menstrual cycle the lining
(endometrium) will start to
grow outside of the uterus in
the wrong places of the
females body
• During her period the
endometrium will bleed and
cause pain
• Hormones can help stop the
abnormal growth although
surgery might be required
• This abnormal growth of the
endometrium can lead to
sterility (the inability to
become pregnant)
Toxic Shock Syndrome
• This a bacterial infection of the
reproductive system
• Symptoms include:
–
–
–
–
Fever
Chills
Weakness
Rash on the palms of the hands
• The main cause of toxic shock happens
when females do not change their
tampons and maxi pads frequently during
their periods
• It is important for girls to follow the
manufacture directions on how to proper
use feminine hygiene products and change
them frequently (every 4-6 hours)
• Immediate medical care is required for
treatment with antibiotics
Cervical, Uterine, &
Ovarian Cancer
• Cancer is caused by the
uncontrolled growth of cells
• There may be no outward signs
or symptoms of cancer
• Because the cervix, uterus, and
ovaries are all internal organs, it
is important for women to have
yearly physical exam
– Early detection increases the
chances of treatment
• Medical treatment is required
– Chemotherapy and surgery
are used to kill and remove
cancer cells
Breast Cancer
• Breast are part of the
female reproductive
system.
• If caught early, breast
cancer can be treated with
greater success.
• It is important to perform
self breast exams monthly
to check for unusual lumps
or thickening.
Breast Exams
Step 1
• Begin by looking at your
breast in the mirror with
your shoulders straight
and your arms on your
hips.
Look for:
– Unusual size, shape,
color
– Breast are even in
shape
– Changes in nipple
– Dimpling, puckering,
or bulging of skin
– Any fluid coming out
of one or both nipples
Breast Exams
Step 2
• Raise arms above head
Look For
• Same changes as in step
one
– Unusual size, shape,
color
– Breast are even in
shape
– Changes in nipple
– Dimpling, puckering,
or bulging of skin
– Any fluid coming out
of one or both nipples
Breast Exams
Step 3
• Lay down
• Using your right hand to
feel your left breast and
then your left hand to feel
your right breast
• Use a firm, smooth touch
with the pads of your
fingers.
• Keep hands flat and
together
• Move in a circular motion
Breast Exams
• Make sure to cover the
whole breast.
• Start at the nipple,
moving in larger and
larger circles until you
reach outer edges.
• Use different amounts of
pressure to feel deeper
tissues.
• Sometimes it is easier to
do this step while in the
shower because the skin
is more slippery.
Care for the Female Body
• Bath or shower daily
• Do not ware damp clothing
longer than necessary
• Have regular doctor check-ups
• Report changes such as pain,
itching, discharge to parents
or doctor
• Abstain from sex before
marriage
• Maintain good hygiene during
menstrual periods
Quick Check
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
The female sex cell is called ____.
The two female hormones are called _____ and _____.
Eggs and hormones are produced in the _____.
When an egg is released from the ovary into the _____.
The release of the egg is called _____.
Fertilization must take place in the _____.
The organ that protects the unborn baby during pregnancy is
called _____.
8. If a fertilized egg enters the uterus it will attach to the _____
and pregnancy will begin.
9. An average menstrual cycle is about _____ days.
10. Typically ovulation happens on day ____ of the menstrual cycle.
Quick Check
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
The female sex cell is called EGG or OVUM.
The two female hormones are called ESTROGEN and PROGESTRONE.
Eggs and hormones are produced in the OVARY.
When an egg is released from the ovary into the FALLOPIAN TUBE.
The release of the egg is called OVULATION.
Fertilization must take place in the FALLOPIAN TUBE.
The organ that protects the unborn baby during pregnancy is called
UTERUS.
8. If a fertilized egg enters the uterus it will attach to the
ENDOMETRUIM and pregnancy will begin.
9. An average menstrual cycle is about 28 days.
10. Typically ovulation happens on day 14 of the menstrual cycle.