FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Anatomy & Physiology Cont…

• The female is born with about 2 million menstrual cycle, the ovum is released from a

•

Anatomy & Physiology Cont…

at the opening of the uterus, and up the Fallopian tube to fertilize the ovum within about 24 hours or the ovum will die. Peristaltic contractions about 3 days. If the ovum is not fertilized or

Anatomy & Physiology Cont…

• In any egg cell, the sex chromosome is a(an) ____ chromosome. In a sperm cell, the sex chromosome is either a(an) ___ or a(an) ___ chromosome. If a sperm with an X chromosome fertilized the egg, the sex

Y

chromosome pattern of the fertilized egg is

XX GIRL

a sperm with a Y chromosome fertilizes the egg, the sex chromosome pattern of the ________.

XY

Anatomy & Physiology

FALLOPIAN TUBE OVARY UTERUS CERVIX URINARY BLADDER VAGINA URETHRA

Anatomy & Physiology Cont…

FALLOPIAN TUBE FIMBRIAE DISCHARGED OOCYTE RUPTURED FOLLICLE PRIMARY OOCYTE

External Anatomy

• VULVA – All of the external organs of the (F.R.S.) • MONS PUBIS – Fatty pad of tissue – Covered in pubic hair after puberty begins – On top of pubic bone for protection

• LABIA – Made up of nerve endings and blood vessels (similar…) – Protects internal organs against pathogens – Labia Majora • OUTER fold of tissue on both sides of the vaginal opening – Labia Minora • INNER fold of tissue, just inside the majora

• Vaginal Opening – Hymen • Located just inside the vaginal opening • Thin tissue stretching across the opening • No known function; not always present – Some females may be born without a hymen – Others have had their hymen torn through play of some sort • 1 ST time w/intercourse – female may experience pain & bleeding, • NOT ALWAYS true with all females!

• Clitoris – Small knob of tissue above & in front of vaginal opening – Made up of nerve endings & blood vessels

INTERNAL ANATOMY

• Vagina = “birth canal” – Elastic tube-like pathway – 4-5” long – At rest, walls of vagina touch • During arousal, they expand to allow penis to enter • If not ready/aroused, walls of vagina will tear – Capable of stretching to allow birth

CERVIX VAGINA

CERVIX • “neck of the uterus” • Opening is small, • Dilates (opens) to allow passage of baby.

• UTERUS – Strong elastic muscle; about the size of a fist – Main function – hold & nourish developing baby – Endometrium • • Inner lining of uterus Builds up w/blood tissue to prepare for a possible pregnancy

UTERUS

Vagina

The parts on the inside are:

• • •

Uterus

(light pink)

Sometimes called the womb.

Where developing baby, called a fetus, grows and is fed.

Where the period comes from

.

Endometrium

(dark pink)

Cervix

• Fallopian Tubes – Tubes on each side of the uterus – Leads to ovaries – Extremely narrow; lined with cilia

FALLOPIAN TUBES FIMBRIAE

• Fimbriae • Finger-like projections at the end of the fallopian tubes • Surrounds the top part of each ovary • Gathers ovum into tube • Fertilization (egg + sperm) usually occurs in the widest part of the fallopian tube (upper 1/3) near the ovaries

• •

OVARIES

Female sex glands/organs Located on both sides of the uterus and at end of fallopian tubes • 2 main functions – House ova/ovum (egg/eggs) – Produce female sex hormones • Estrogen & Progesterone

OVARY

The parts on the inside are:

Fallopian tubes Fimbriae Ovaries

MENSTRUATION

• Each month, uterus prepares for possible pregnancy – Hormones cause thickening of endometrium – If ovum is fertilized, it moves into the uterus and may burrow into this lining

• If the ovum is not fertilized – it doesn’t attach to the uterine lining/endometrium • Muscles of the uterus contract  lining breaks down (“cramps”) • Lining passes through the cervix into the vagina and out of the vaginal opening

Menstruation is….

• • • • • The process of shedding the lining of the uterus Usually lasts 4-7 days (may be shorter or longer) Regulated or controlled by hormones 2-3 tablespoons of blood Rest of flow is other tissue that makes up the endometrium – Blood and tissue are not needed, person should not be weak or ill from loss – After period stops, cycle begins again.

Menstruation cont…

• • • Most females begin menstruation between 10-15 As with males, many hormonal changes are occurring, so the body may take a couple of years to adjust Cycle may be irregular Menopause – Stopping of menstruation – Between 45-50

Menstrual Health Care

• • Should not be an odor from vagina at any time Menstrual flow should not have an odor until it mixes with air Products – Absorb menstrual flow – Sanitary napkin/panty shield • • Worn outside the body Should be changed every 3-4 hours, depending on the heaviness of flow – Tampons • Worn inside the body/vagina • Must be changed frequently to avoid risk of infection

FEMALE MENSTRUAL CYCLE

1

st

a little hormone discussion…

Gonadotropin hormones = FSH & LH Ovarian hormones = estrogen & progesterone

MENSTRUAL PHASE

• Days 1-5 – Uterus sheds the endometrium – AKA – “A girl’s period” as you all know it.

• Gonadotropin & ovarian hormones are at their lowest normal levels • DAY 5 Immature ova are starting to produce more estrogen

PROLIFERATIVE PHASE

• • • Days 6-14 Changes are stimulated by estrogen levels Endometrium rebuilds itself – Rising levels of estrogen cause the endometrium to make a new layer – Layer becomes thick & well supplied with blood

Proliferative phase cont…

• • Cervical mucus is normally thick & sticky – estrogen = thin cervical mucous (let’s sperm through!!!!!!) Ovulation !

– Occurs at the end of the Proliferative stage – Usually around day 14 (theoretically) – Caused by the sudden release of the hormone LH!

SECRETORY PHASE

• • • Days 15-28 Endometrium prepares for implantation of embryo – Embryo = fertilized egg progesterone = thicker cervical mucous

Secretory phase cont…

• IF NOT FERTILIZED!!!

Endometrial cells begin to die • As the blood vessels die, they constrict and then open wide, causing blood to gush out, causing the layer of the endometrium to break down.

MENSTRUAL CYCLE STARTS ALL OVER AGAIN

CONCERNS ABOUT THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME (PMS) • Variety of symptoms that some females experience • Occurs before the menstrual period • A couple days up to 2 weeks before period • Some females never experience PMS • Symptoms • Nervous tension, anxiety, irritability, Bloating, weight gain, depression/mood swings, fatigue

•

Dysmenorrhea

Aka “menstrual cramps – Painful contractions in the uterus – Usually mild – lasting several hours – More painful cramping lasting 1-2 days is normal

Treatment

* Light exercise * OTC pain reliever can help (except aspirin!) * Warm bath/heating pad may relax muscles *

Severe or persistent cramping may be an indication that medical attention is necessary

*

Amenorrhea

• • Lack of menstruation by age 16 or stopping of menstrual cycle in a female who previously menstruated Cause – Physical defects in sex organs – Diseases – Lack of maturation of the endocrine system – Excessive athletic activities – Emotional distress – Eating disorders/starvation

Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)

• • Rare disease caused by a common pathogen –

Staphylococcus aureus

– Commonly found on skin, in mouth, and in vagina – Under certain conditions, bacterium can produce a poison/toxin that affects the immune system and liver Symptoms – – High fever -- Vomiting -- Diarrhea --Dizziness Low blood pressure – Fainting – Rash resembling a sunburn

TSS Cont…

• • • In 5% of cases = DEATH!

More than ½ of all cases occur in women • – Traced to the use of super-absorbent tampons – Highly preventable Also been diagnosed In men & children Treatment – Antibiotics or hospitalization

YEAST INFECTION

• • • Will affect 3 out of 4 (75%) of females at some point in their lives Yeast infections are an inflammation of the vagina that can result in discharge, itching, and pain. Symptoms may include: – Change in color, odor or amount of discharge from your vagina – Vaginal itching or irritation – Pain during intercourse – Painful urination

•

YEAST INFECTION

Factors that increase your risk of yeast infections include: – Medications, such as antibiotics and steroids – Uncontrolled diabetes – Hormonal changes, such as those associated with pregnancy, birth control pills, or menopause •

mostly the result of imbalance of organisms normally present in the vagina

Treatment

– Yeast-killing cream • Suppository medication, placed in the vagina

* Contact doctor for proper diagnosis !*

• •

Infertile

Inability to reproduce Causes – Blocking of 1 or both fallopian tubes • Ova cannot pass into the uterus – Female does not ovulate – Endometriosis • Endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus in other areas of the pelvic cavity • Surgery can sometimes correct this problem!

– Untreated STDs • Untreated Chlamydia & gonorrhea are the most common STDs that cause sterility

BREAST CANCER

• • • Most common form of cancer in females 2 ND leading cause of death in females ( cancer ) 1 ST = lung Treatment – Most treatable & curable when detected early – Limited & less disfiguring if detected when in a small area of the breast

Breast Cancer Cont…

• • Symptoms – Change in breast or nipple appearance – Lump or swelling in breast – Lump under the armpit 90% of all breast lumps in females are discovered by the female herself!

– Most are benign (harmless)

•

Breast Self-Exam (“BSE”)

Important to be performed every month – Best time = week after period • Annual mammograms are recommended for women 40+ – Type of X-ray – Shows image of soft tissue in the breast – Tumors show up on x-ray • Different kind of tissue • Show up as white on x-ray film

CERVICAL CANCER

• If not detected early, cancer cells spread more deeply into the cervix & its surrounding areas • Pap Smear – Test done by Doctors to detect abnormal cells – Uses along instrument to gather cells from cervix – Lab techs examine the cells for cancer/precancerous cells – Female should have a pap smear every year from age 18 or as soon as she is sexually active

Pelvic Examination

• • • • • Female should have yearly pelvic exams – When she starts having sexual intercourse – When she turns 18 General physical exam (BP, heart & lungs) May have blood/urine test Will check external genital area Digital exam of vagina & tissues • Speculum – Tool used to hold the walls of the vagina open so the physician can see the tissue inside – Should not be painful!

•

Ovarian Cancer Cont…

Symptoms – Early • • Vague gastrointestinal discomfort Pelvic pressure • pain – Later • • Deepened voice Unusual hair growth • Unexplained weight loss • Enlarged, hard and sometimes tender mass in lower abdomen • • Painful interourse Anemia •

By this time… the disease is quite advanced

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE HYGIENE

• • • Common hygiene methods are important Vagina is self-cleaning – Cells in the lining of the vagina are constantly being shed – Forms a slight vaginal discharge (NORMAL!) Douches & feminine hygiene sprays are not necessary – May cause irritation – Disrupt female’s natural cleansing method