Reproductive System:
Function: to produce offspring and carry on the species.
Careers: theriogenologist, urologist, obstitrician, gynecologist
1.
Controls the development of secondary sex characteristics during puberty.
Male
Female
broad shoulders
broad hips
body and facial hair thicken
body and hair thicken
pubic hair
pubic hair
sperm production
egg development
penis/testes enlarge
breast development
voice changes
voice changes
2.
Male anatomy.
- Scrotum contains testicles and regulates temperature.
- Seminiferous tubules produce sperm (after puberty) and hormones
inside the testicles.
- Testes contain the seminiferous tubules.
- Epididymis stores the sperm until ejaculation.
- Vas deferens transport sperm from testes to glands that produce
semen.
- Prostate and Cowper's gland/seminal vesicle produce semen.
- Urethra transports sperm and semen out of the penis during
ejaculation.
- Penis when erect will ejaculate sperm and semen into the vagina
(humans) or uterus (some animals).
- Semen - Mixture of sperm & gland secretions
3. Female Anatomy.
- ovaries produce eggs and hormones.
- fallopian tubes transport the egg to the uterus.
- uterus builds lining (placenta) that houses the fertilized egg during
fetal development or sheds lining monthly if not fertilized.
- cervix muscular tissue that holds fetus inside the uterus.
- vagina birth canal and receives the penis during sexual intercourse.
The female urinary system is not connected to the reproductive system as in the male.
She has a urethra which is anterior to the vagina.
Menstruation: controlled by hormones, menses is the onset of this cycle, it happens during
puberty.
Days Physical aspects
1-5
External time: lining of
the uterus is shed.
Emotional aspects
"Grouchy"
Low hormones
Decreased levels of FSH
and LH.
6-11
Cleaning time: lining is
"Normal" beginning to form again.
Ovum develops in the ovary.
cause cramps.
Increased hormones
cause to feel good.
Days Physical aspects
12-16 Ovulation: an ovum is
released from ovary.
Senses are at peak.
Emotional aspects
"Emotional"
Romantic and
sentimental, very sensitive.
17-21 Traveling time: ovum
moves through the
fallopian tubes towards
the uterus.
"Organized"
low hormones
prepare for
pregnancy.
22-25 If not fertilized ovum is absorbed.
If fertilized - pregnant for 40 weeks.
Days Physical aspects
26-28 Internal time: lining is
beginning to detach.
Hormones decrease.
Water is retained about 5-10 lbs.
Emotional aspects
If a woman has
PMS, she could
become very
depressed.
After that the cycle starts all over again, unless she is pregnant. Then it stops until after
the baby is born. Breast feeding prevents the cycle from continuing as normal also.
Menopause is the gradual slowing down of the menstrual cycle that happens around age 4455. This is the end of the cycle and child bearing years.
During days 1-5 the lining is shed through the vagina. Fluid loss varies from person to
person.
Tampons and sanitary pads are used to absorb the blood loss. Tampons can cause TSS or
toxic shock syndrome if used incorrectly.
Muscle contractions of the uterus are cramps and vary from person to person as well.
PMS or premenstrual syndrome is a series of symptoms caused by a sudden drop in
hormones. Everyone experiences these symptoms. Some people have severe problems.
4. Fertilization.
Sperm is ejaculated into the vagina during intercourse.
It travels through the vagina, cervix, uterus and into the fallopian
tubes where it could meet up with an egg.
If there is an egg in the upper 1/3 of the fallopian tube, then the
sperm will fertilize it and a zygote will start to form into an embryo.
Then it will travel into the uterus where it will implant and grow into a
baby for the next 40 weeks.
The First Trimester: from conception to 12 weeks.
Hormonal changes cause frequent nausea, vomiting, increased fatigue and heightened
emotional sensitivity.
Food aversion and cravings, heartburn and indigestion, tender and swollen breasts, change
in complexion, frequent urge to urinate, constipation, dizziness are all the "gifts" of
pregnancy.
Changes in habits, like frequent but small meals, nutritive diet, no smoking or alcohol, light
exercise, drinking plenty of water and taking adequate rest will mitigate the problems of
the first trimester.
The Second Trimester: from the 13th week to the 28th week.
Initial nausea and fatigue abates and the baby grows rapidly and shows movements; the
umbilical cord thickens to carry oxygen and nourishment to the fetus.
Light exercise, good personal hygiene, nutritive diet adds to the healthy growth of the
baby at this stage.
The Third Trimester: from the 28th week till the birth of the baby.
The fetus continues to grow in size, bringing in changes in physical appearance.
Deep breathing helps in providing good oxygen supply to the baby. Take adequate rest, diet
and exercise, avoid carrying heavy weights and standing for long periods.
Pregnancy:
The only way to 100% prevent pregnancy is to abstain from close sexual contact.
Birth control methods can protect you and reduce the risk of getting pregnant, but they
are not 100% effective.
Birth Control or Contraceptives (against conception)
Barrier methods: male and female condoms
diaphragm
spermicides
Hormonal:
oral - the pill
injectable and Norplants
IUD - intrauterine device
cervical ring
patches on skin
Sterilization:
vasectomy
tubal ligation
(endometrial ablasion)
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there are
approximately 19 million new cases of STDs each year, almost half of them among young
people ages 15 to 24.
There are physical and psychological impacts. Untreated, some STDs can lead to serious
health consequences, including infertility.
Many of those who are infected don't know it. Many STDs do not have any symptoms. The
only way to know for sure whether you have an STD is to get tested.
STD's are transmitted through close sexual contact.
The only way to 100% prevent STD's is to abstain from close sexual contact.
Condoms can protect you and reduce the risk of getting a STD, but it is not 100%
effective.
Common STD's:
Bacterial Infections: these can be treated with
However, you can reinfect yourself.
antibiotics. They can be cured.
Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
Syphilis
Bacterial Hepatitis
Trichomonaiasis
Chlamydia remains the most commonly reported infectious disease in the United States. In
2006, 1,030,911 chlamydia diagnoses were reported, up from 976,445 in 2005. Even so,
most chlamydia cases go undiagnosed. It is estimated that there are approximately 2.8
million new cases of chlamydia in the United States each year.
Viral Infections: cannot be treated with antibiotics and can not be cured. You have them
forever. You can only treat the symptoms or outbreaks.
Herpes
(HSV1 and HSV2)
HPV- human papaloma virus (warts)
HIV- human immunodeficiency virus
Hepatitis - most are viral, different types (A-E)
Other types of STD's: I like to call them "critters"
They are not just sexually transmitted. Very close contact and towels or bedding
can even carry these.
Pubic lice (crabs)
Scabies (mites)