Sexual Education
Female Reproductive
Systems
Hormones
Estrogen
The
principle female hormone
Regulates reproductive functions and the
development of secondary sex characteristics
Progesterone
A
female hormone that helps regulate the
menstrual cycle and sustain pregnancy
The Female Reproductive System
Body
Basics- Internal View
Kid's
Health: Female Reproductive
System
www.kidshealth.org
Inner Organs
Ovary
One
of a pair organs that produce eggs and
hormones
Ovum: An egg, an oocyte (immature egg)
Ovulation: the release of an oocyte from the
ovary during the ovarian cycle
Fallopian
One
tube
of two uterine tubes extending toward an
ovary
Inner Organs
Uterus
A
hollow thick walled, muscular organ held in
the pelvic cavity by flexible ligaments and
supported by several muscles
Pear shaped, about the size of a fist
Also known as the womb
Cervix
The
end of the uterus, opening towards the
vagina
Inner Organs
Vagina
A
flexible muscular organ that begins
between the legs and extends towards
the back
Hymen
A
thin membrane partially covering the
opening of the vagina prior to the first
intercourse
The Female Reproductive System
Body
Basics- External View
Kid's
Health: Female Reproductive
System
www.kidshealth.org
External Organs
Vulva
The
collective term for the external
female genitalia
Clitoris
A
small knob of tissue on the front of
the vaginal opening
External Organs
Mons
The
pubis
mound of fatty tissue covering the
pubic bone
Labia
Labia
majora: outer fold of tissue
surrounding the vaginal opening
Labia minora: inner fold of tissue
surrounding the vaginal opening
Fertilization
Fertilization
Occurs
if sperm cells are present while the
ovum (egg) is in the fallopian tube.
One sperm cell unites with ovum usually in the
upper third of the fallopian tube.
Once fertilization occurs the female is
pregnant and cell division begins.
If fertilization does not occur, menstruation
occurs.
The Female Repoductive System
Body
Basics- Menstrual Cycle
Kid's
Health: Female Reproductive
System
www.kidshealth.org
Menstruation
Menstruation
The
shedding of the endometrium (the lining of
the uterine walls) during the menstrual cycle.
Menstruation usually lasts about 3-5 days
During menstruation about 2-3 fluid ounces of
blood and other tissue leaves the body.
Menstrual
The
Cycle
time from the beginning of one
menstruation to the onset of the next.
During this time, the uterus is readied for
implantation of a fertilized ovum
Infections, Syndromes, Conditions
Toxic
A
Shock Syndrome
potentially life threatening condition
caused by a bacteria and linked to the
use of super absorbent tampons
Vaginitis
Vaginal
infection- 3 types
Yeast Infection
Nonspecific vaginitis
Trichomoniasis
Infections, Syndromes, Conditions
Sterility
Female
sterility takes many forms including
when the female does not ovulate
Endometriosis
A
condition in which tissue grows outside the
uterus in other areas of the pelvic cavity
Menopause
Occurs
when a woman can no longer produce
ovum and the menstrual cycle no longer takes
place