Key Concepts:
Vocabulary: eggs, ovaries, uterus, ovulation, fallopian tubes, vagina menstruation, cervix
The Female Reproductive System
Female Reproductive Organs
Main Idea: The organs of the female reproductive system enable pregnancy to occur with the first monthly ovulation.
The female reproductive system has several functions, including producing female sex hormones and storing the eggs, female gametes or ova (singular: ovum). The ovaries are the female sex glands that store the ova and produce female sex hormones. They are located on each side of the uterus, the hollow, muscular, pear-shaped organ that nourishes and protects a fertilized ovum until birth. A female at birth has more than 400,000 immature ova. At puberty, the pituitary gland produces hormones that cause these ova to mature. Ovulation is the process of releasing a mature ovum into the fallopian tube each month.
Female Reproductive Organs
The structures of the female reproductive system are shown in Figure 16.8. A mature ovum is released from an ovary and moves into one of the two fallopian tubes-a pair of tubes with fingerlike projections that draw in the ovum.
Tiny hairlike structures called cilia work to move the ovum with the help of muscular contractions in the fallopian tube. Sperm from the male enter the female reproductive system through the vagina, a muscular, elastic passageway that extends from the uterus to the outside of the body.
If sperm are present in the fallopian tubes, the sperm. cell and ovum may unite, resulting in fertilization. The fertilization of an egg by a sperm produces a cell called a zygote. When the zygote leaves the fallopian tube, it enters the uterus. The zygote attaches itself to the uterine wall. The uterine wall thickens with blood to nourish the zygote as it grows. The fetus remains in the uterus until birth.
Menstruation
After a female matures, the uterus prepares each month for possible pregnancy. If pregnancy doesn’t occur, the thickened lining of the uterus, called the endometrium, breaks down into blood, tissue, and fluids. Figure 16.9 shows the cycle of menstruation, the shedding ofthe uterine lining. The endometrium tissues pass through the cervix, the opening to the uterus, and into the vagina. Females wear sanitary pads or tampons to absorb the blood flow.
Most females begin their first menstrual cycle between the ages of 10 and 15. The menstrual cycle may be irregular at first. As a female matures, it usually becomes more predictable. Endocrine hormones control the cycle, but poor nutrition, stress, excessive exercise, low body weight, and illness can influence it. Menstruation occurs from puberty until menopause, the end of the reproductive years, which usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55.
Reproductive Health
Main Idea: Good hygiene, breast self-exams, and abstinence from sexual activity help female reproductive system health.
Sound health practices, such as those described below will help females care for their reproductive systems.
Breast Self-Exam
Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of death, after lung cancer, for women in _the United States. The American Cancer Society recommends that females examine their breasts once a month, right after the menstrual period, when breasts are not tender. Early detection is critical for successful treatment of breast cancer. – See Figure 16.10 and follow these steps:
1. Lie down with a pillow under your right shoulder. Put your right arm behind your head. Place the three middle finger pads of your left hand on your right breast. Move your fingers in a circular motion, pressing first with light, then medium, then firm pressure. Feel for any lumps or thickening in the breast. Follow this process in an up-and-down path over the breast. Be sure to check all of the breast tissue, from the underarm edge to the middle of the chest bone, and from the collarbone to ribs. Repeat, using your right hand on your left breast.
2. Stand in front of a mirror with your hands pressed firmly on your hips. Inspect your breasts for any changes in size, shape, or appearance. Look for dimpling, rash, puckering or scaliness of the skin or nipple, or discharge.
3. Next, raise your arms over your head (palms pressed together), and look for changes.
4. Examine your underarms with your arms only slightly raised so you can more easily feel these areas.
Female Reproductive System Problems
Main Idea: Several disorders can affect the female reproductive system, and some can lead to infertility.
Both menstrual cramps and premenstrual syndrome are common in females. Toxic shock syndrome is uncommon.
Menstrual cramps sometimes occur at the beginning of
a menstrual period. Light exercise or applying a heating pad to the abdominal area may help relieve cramps. If cramps are severe, a health care professional may recommend an over-the-counter or prescription medicine.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a disorder caused by hormonal changes. Symptoms include anxiety, irritabil- ity, bloating, weight gain, depression, mood swings, and fatigue. Regular physical activity and good nutrition may reduce the severity of symptoms.
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare but serious bacterial infection that affects the immune system and the liver. It can be fatal. To reduce TSS risk, use tampons with the lowest absorbency and change them often. If symptoms occur, such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, red eyes, dizziness, and muscle aches, see a doctor.
Infertility and Other Disorders
Infertility in females can have several causes.
Endometriosis occurs when uterine tissue grows in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or the lining of the pelvic cavity.
Sexually transmitted diseases spread during sexual contact. Untreated STDs, such as gonorrhea and chlamydia, are associated with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and may cause infertility.
Vaginitis results in discharge, odor, pain, itching, or burning. Candida (yeast infection) and bacterial vaginosis are two common forms ofvaginitis.
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs on the ovary. Small, noncancerous cysts may disappear on their own. Larger cysts may have to be removed surgically.
Cervical, uterine, and ovarian cancers. Early sexual activity and STDs such as human papillomavirus (HPV) increase the risk of cervical cancer. Regular exams are important for early detection and treatment. The Food and Drug Administration has approved a vaccine that prevents infection from four strains of the HPV virus.
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