Introduction to Sex Education
The Female
Reproductive System
Human Sexuality Unit
Lesson 1
Puberty

Stage of growth and development when
both the male and female body become
capable of producing offspring
Puberty in Females

Estrogen
 Hormone
produced by the ovaries
 Stimulates development of secondary sex
characteristics
 Affects menstrual cycle

Secondary sex characteristics
 Physical
and emotional changes
Physical Changes of Puberty
Occur between 8-15 years
 Maturing process affected by
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 Heredity
 Diet
 Health
habits
 Health status
Female Secondary Sex
Characteristics
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Increase in height
Widening of the hips
Softer and smoother skin
Increase in breast size
Growth of pubic and underarm hair
Enlargement of external genitals
Formation of mature ova
Beginning of menstruation
Female Reproductive System
Organs in female involved in producing
offspring
 External = vulva

 Mons
veneris
 Labia majora and labia minora
 Clitoris
 Hymen
Vulva

Mons veneris
 Fatty
tissue covering/protecting pubic bone and
internal reproductive organs

Labia majora
 Heavy

folds of skin surrounding opening of vagina
Labia minora
 Two
smaller folds of skin located within the labia
majora
Vulva

Clitoris
 Small,
highly sensitive structure above the
opening of urethra

Hymen
membrane – stretches across opening of
vagina
 Thin
Internal Female Reproductive
Organs
Ovaries
 Fallopian tubes
 Uterus
 Cervix
 Vagina

Internal Reproductive Organs

Ovaries
 Female
reproductive glands
 Produce ova and estrogen
 Born with 200,000-400,000 immature ova
 About 375 will mature and be released
 Developing ova are enclosed in a small, hollow ball
called a follicle
 Each month, an ovum matures and is released from
follicle
Internal Reproductive Organs

Ovulation
 Release

of mature ovum from one of the two ovaries
Fallopian tubes
 4-inch
tube connecting the ovaries and uterus
 Females have two
 During menstrual cycle, a mature ovum travels
through to uterus
 Fertilization usually occurs here
Internal Reproductive Organs

Uterus
organ – receives and supports a
fertilized egg during pregnancy
 Contracts during childbirth
 Muscular

Cervix
 Lowest
part of the uterus
 Connects uterus to vagina
 Tiny hole
Internal Reproductive Organs

Vagina
 Muscular
tube – connects uterus to outside of
body
 Female organ for sexual intercourse, birth
canal in childbirth, and passageway for
menstrual flow
Menstrual Cycle
Monthly series of changes in female
 Involves ovulation, changes in uterine
lining, and menstruation
 Menstruation

 Period
when unfertilized egg and lining of the
uterus leave the body in a menstrual flow
 Described as “period”
Menstrual Cycle
Cycle occurs over 28 days – will vary from
each female
 Average menstrual flow is 5 days
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The Menstrual Cycle
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Days 1-5
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Days 6-12
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Ovulation occurs
Ovum is released into Fallopian tube
Days 15-20
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Uterine lining begins to thicken
Preparing for possibility of ovum being fertilized
Days 13-14
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Menstrual flow leaves the body
Consists of 2 ounces of blood and uterine lining
New ova is maturing in ovary
Secretion of progesterone (hormone that changes lining of
uterus)
Days 21-28
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If ovum is not fertilized, secretion of progesterone stops
Cells in uterus lining die
Unfertilized ovum disintegrates or leaves through menstrual flow
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
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Physical and emotional symptoms affecting females 7-10
days prior to menstruation
Symptoms:
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Weight gain
Bloating
Swollen breasts
Headaches
Backache
Mood swings
Cravings
Anxiety
Depression
PMS
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Preventing/reducing symptoms
 Avoid
caffeine/salt
 Moderate exercise
 Warm baths
 Medications
Protecting Reproductive Health
Choose habits to prevent or lessen
menstrual cramps
 Perform monthly breast self-exams
 Regular medical checkups
 Watch for signs of infection
 Choose safe sexual habits
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