HUMAN REPRODUCTION
Today’s objectives
 Importance of caring for your reproductive system
 Basic components of the female and male
reproductive systems
 Problems associated with improper care of the
reproductive system
 Self examinations
 Maintaining sexual reproductive health
Importance of reproductive health
 Your reproductive health is just as important to take
care of as the rest of your health.
 If you don’t address the problems they can become
more serious.
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Although, it can be embarrassing to discuss your reproductive
health if problems occur you should consult a physician.
Female reproductive system
 Is responsible for producing, nourishing, and
transporting ova/eggs, and eventually carrying and
delivering babies.
 It includes both external and internal parts, as well
as tubes and glands that connect the parts of the
system
The External Female Reproductive system
(see PAGE 156 IN TEXT)
 Is often referred to as Vulva, which includes:
 Mons Pubis
 Labia
 Clitoris
 Urethra
 Vaginal Opening
Mons Pubis
 Is the skin and tissue that is located just above the
woman’s vagina opening
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After puberty this area will be covered with pubic hair
Labia
 The flaps of skin that surround the vaginal and
urethral opening.
 Includes two sets of lips- which contain erectile
tissues that fill with blood and swell when a woman
is aroused
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Labia Minora (Inner Lips)
Labia Majora (Outer Lips)
Clitoris
 Is a sensory organ located towards the top of the
vulva where the labia join.
 It is filled with nerve endings; making it the most
sensitive part of a woman’s genitals.
 The size may vary but is often a size of a pea
 It is made of up of erectile tissues that fill with blood
and swell when a female is arounsed
Urethra
 The tube that carries urine outside of the body,
located between the urethral opening and the anus.
Vaginal Opening
 The vagina’s opening to the outside of the body is
located between the urethral opening and the anus.
THE FEMALE INTERNAL REPRODUCTIVE
SYSTEM
 The internal parts of the reproductive system are
located inside the entrance to the vagina, which
include:
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Vagina
Cervix
Uterus
Endometrium
Fallopian tubes
Vagina
 A muscular tube that extends from the vaginal
opening (on the outside) to the uterus (on the inside)
 Is the birth canal for babies
 The opening where the penis is inserted during
sexual intercourse with a man
Vagina con’t
 Approx. 3-5 inches in length (adult)
 Has muscular walls that contract and expand
 Which are lined with mucous membranes to protect the vagina
 Usually rest on each other; however, during sexual arousal
they expand in size
 The ability to narrow or widen allows the vagina to
accommodate something as slim as a tampon and as wide as a
baby.
Cervix
 The narrow lower and outer end of the uterus (where
the vagina connects to the uterus)
 Has strong thick wall, an is located at the back wall
of the vagina.
 The opening of the cervix is very small (no wider
than a straw)
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Why a tampon can never be lost in your body
During child birth the cervix expands to allow the baby to pass
by
Uterus
 Hollow muscular organ located inside a females
pelvic cavity (‘womb’).
 Where the fertilized egg implants and develops into a
baby
 Is shaped like an upside down pear
 Has thick lining and extremely muscular walls (some
of the strongest muscles in a female body)

The muscles expand to accommodate a growing baby, and
contract to help push the baby during child birth
Endometrium
 The nutrient rich lining of the uterus
 If an egg is fertilized the lining thickens to nourish the embryo
 If fertilization does not occur, the lining is shed monthly
during the woman’s period, and expelled through the vaginal
opening
Fallopian Tubes
 Located near the upper corners of the uterus and
connect to the uterus and ovaries
 Approximately as wide as piece of spaghetti and a
few inches long
 Each tube has a tiny passage way (size of a sewing
needle)
Fallopian Tubes con’t
 Each end of the Fallopian Tube is attached to the
uterus; the other fringed endwraps around the
Ovaries
 When an egg is released from the Ovary it enters the
Fallopian Tube
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Once the egg is in the Fallopian Tube there are tiny hair like
structures that help push it down the tiny passage
Ovaries
 The two oval shaped organs that are located upper
right and upper left of the uterus
 Produce, store, and release eggs into the Fallopian
Tubes (OVULATION).
 Produces female sex hormones
(estrogen/progesterone)
Caring for the Female Reproductive System
 Most of the time you can ensure healthy reproductive
system by good hygiene, and for those who are
sexually active, use of barrier conceptive (ex.
Condoms)
 There are some certain conditions that cannot be
avoided such as
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Vulvovaginitis
Yeast infections
Endometriosis
Ovarian cysts
Vulvovaginitis
 Occurs when irritating substances (soaps, bubble
bath) enter the vulva or the vagina, which causes
inflammation or infection
 The itchy feeling that occurs in the vulva is called
vulvovaginitis, and if it occurs in vagina it is called
vaginitis.
It is important to wash only the outside area of the genitals and to
be careful when wiping after a bowel movement
 Wear cotton underwear, change tampons every 4-6 hours, and
avoid highly perfumed cleaning products

Yeast Infections
 ‘Monilia’ is caused by the yeast fungus Candida Albicans;
which is found in every woman’s healthy vagina.
 However, sometimes too much grows inside the vagina
and causes an infection.
 Symptoms include:
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Thick, white, discharge (cottage cheese appearance)
Itching and discomfort
Caused by hormonal contraceptive pills, diabetes, menstruation
douching, scented tampons, or pads, sexual activity with an infect
partner, and wearing non-cotton underwear.
 Can be easily diagnosed by a doctor and treated with creams and
vaginal suppositories
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Endometriosis
 Occurs when tissue normally found within the
endometrium starts to grow on the ovaries, fallopian
tubes, cervix, and other parts of he pelvic cavity.
 Causes abnormal bleeding, painful and lengthy
periods, and pelvic pain
 Can lead to sterility if gone untreated
Ovarian Cysts
 Non cancerous sacs filled with fluid or smi-solid
material.
 Common in adult women, and are generally harmless
 Can be painful if they grow large enough to push on
surrounding organs
 Usually cysts will disappear over time and do not need
treatment; however, if they are painful and large a
doctor may prescribe a hormonal pill to decrease
growth rate
Cancer in Women
 Cervical, ovarian, an breast cancer pose a serious
health risk for women.
 Examinations and tests can detect these forms of
cancer
 IT IS UP TO YOU TO MONITOR YOUR HEALTH
AND GET TESTED IN ORDER TO CATCH ANY
PROBLEMS WHILE THEY CAN STILL BE
TREATED RELATIVELY EASY!!!
Cervical Cancer
 Poses a high risk of young Canadian women and
seems to be linked to heterosexual vaginal
intercourse.
 Women having sex before the age of 18 have a
greater risk of developing cervical cancer.
 Cervical cancer is likely to occur after HPV (human
papilloma virus) is passed between partner during
sexual intercourse.
 Once a female is sexually active she should go see a
doctor for a yearly pap smear.
 It is sometimes a painful experience, but does not
last for long.
 A pap test is a highly effective way to detect cell
changes and cancer formation.
Breast Cancer
 Is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in Canadian
women.
 1/9 women is expected to develop breast cancer in
her life time (that means in our class at least one or
two girls will develop breast cancer)
 Family history plays a role, along with smoking, diet
and viruses
 Complete routine monthly breast self-examinations
(pg 161 in text) 7-10 days after period to detect any
lumps or abnormalities in the breasts.
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must examine whole chest area.
 Complete routine monthly breast self-examinations
(pg 161 in text) 7-10 days after period to detect any
lumps or abnormalities in the breasts.

must examine whole chest area.
Male Reproductive System
 Responsible for producing, nourishing, and
transporting sperm. It includes both internal and
external organs as well as internal glands and tubes
that connect different parts of the system.
The External Reproductive System
 Are all the parts you can see:
 Penis shaft
 Glans penis
 Scrotum
Penis Shaft
 The penis is the passage for both urine and semen
 The main part of the penis is called the shaft.
 Inside the penis are three large columns that fill with
blood during excitement casing the penis become
hard or erect.
 The urethra runs through the penis to the outside of
the body, carries urine or ejaculation.
Glans Penis
 Is the sensitive tip of the penis. It may be covered by
the foreskin, except with the foreskin has been
removed by circumcision.
 The mechanics of how the penis works is the same
whether or not there the foreskin has been removed.
Scrotum
 The sac of skin that holds the testicles.
 The wall of the scrotum consists of skin and smooth
muscle
 The fibres contract and relax in response to cold and
heat, which helps regulate the temperature of the
testicles.
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The testicles need to stay slightly cooler than the rest of the
body
The Internal System
 The internal parts of the male reproductive system
are the :
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Testicles
Duct system (epididymis, vas deferens, and the urethra)
Accessory glands (the seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and
Cowper’s gland).
Testicles (Testes)
 Male reproductive glands
 Although, the testicles are about the same size one
hangs a little lower than the other (protection)
 During puberty the males Pituitary Gland sends
messages to the testes to produce more testosterone.
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This causes the testicles to produce sperm.
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Spermatogenesis
Duct System
 The epididymis, vas deferens, and the urethra make
up the duct system
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Epididymis: set of long tubes that connect to the testes
Vas Deferens: tubes that carry sperm form the testicls to the
seminal vesicles.
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During ejaculation sperm travels from the epididymis through the
vas deferens to the seminal vesicles where they collect sperm. The
urethra then carries the fluid containing sperm through the penis
to the outside of the body
Accessory Glands
 The accessory glands include the seminal vesicles,
the prostate gland, and the Cowper’s glands, provide
fluid that lubricates the duct system and nourish the
sperm. The seminal vesicles are attached to the Vas
Deferens.
 Both the seminal vesicle and prostate gland produce
sperm.
 Before ejaculation occurs,, the Cowper’s glands
secrete a small amount of clear fluid on the top of the
penis to neutralize acid and allow for safe sperm
passage.
Semen
 Is a whitish-yellow fluid that nourishes the sperm.
 It is a combination of fluid produced from the three
accessory gland.
 Sperm only makes up 1% of the fluid ejaculated
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Each ejaculation contains about 250 million sperm
Caring for the Male Reproductive System
 Most of the time, young men have healthy
reproductive systems.
 Many of the problems can be avoided by good
hygiene, using barrier contraceptives (condoms), and
wearing productive equipment during strenuous
activity (ex. Jock straps).
Male Sexual Health Exam
 Men should talk to their doctor about their sexual
health when they become sexually active. Men can
expect the doctor to do some of all of the following
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Examine external parts of the genitals
Feel the testicles and penis
Take a swab from the urethra
Perform an internal examination
Take urine or blood tests
Hernia
 Normally a bulge in the groin area, may occur when
a portion of the intestine pushes through an opening
in the abdominal wall and into the groin or scrotum.
 This is a painful condition and requires minor
surgery.
Testicular Injury
 Is the most common problems associated with the
male reproductive system.
 Results from accidental hits to the testes while the
man is participating in physical activities.
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Also can occur when one of the testicles twists around, cutting
off the blood flow to the entire region.
Steroid Use
 Using anabolic steroids to increase muscle size can
cause the sex organs to shrink or atrophy.
 Also decreases male sex drive, causes liver and heart
problems, and breast growth.
Problems Caused By STIs
 Many STIs do no have any symptoms in you men
they can have cause serious health problems.
 STIs may cause symptoms such as:
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Inflammation of penis or foreskin
Sores
Genital warts
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See chapter 12 for more details on STIs
Testicular Cancer
 Poses a serious health risk for men- one of the most
common forms of cancer in men under the age of 40
 If detected early, these cancers can be successfully
treated
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To help with early detection, young men should perform
regular testicular self-examinations
Prostate Cancer
 Is most frequently diagnosed cancer in Canadian
men.
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Over 20,000 men are diagnosed a year
1 in 7 men will develop cancer ( that means in our class
approximately 2 boys will develop it)
 Symptoms:
 Frequent, difficult, or painful urination
 Blood or pus in the urine
 Pain in the lower back, pelvic area, or upper thighs
 Painful ejaculation
Early Detection: Testicular Self-Examination
 Is a 3-step process which should be done regularly as
soon as you turn 15.
 The examination should be done after a hot bath or
shower because the warmth will cause your testicles
to descend and the skin of your scrotum to relax
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1. Stand in front of the mirror, look for swelling of the skin or
scrotum.
2. Examine each testicle one at a time- feeling for lumps,
bumps or growth
3. Check your testicle cord (the soft tube behind each testicle
which carries sperm)
• See page 165 for more details