GENDER

• Organs of the female reproductive system

  • Ovaries
  • Uterine (fallopian) tubes
  • Oviducts
  • Uterus
  • Vagina
• Vagina


  Collapsible canal extending from vaginal opening back and upward into body to cervix and uterus. During arousal, it is engorged with blood. This aids its expansion and triggers the release of lubricants from vaginal mucosa.
• Cervix


  Small end of uterus to which vagina leads. It is the opening in cervix leading to interior of uterus.
• Uterus


  Womb, organ within pelvic zone, where fetus is carried.
• Fallopian tube


  Carry egg cells from ovaries to uterus, this is where fertilization occurs.
• Ovaries


  Produce and release female gametes and sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone.
• Puberty causes all kinds of changes in adolescent's body. These body changes are normal part of developing into an adult. There are instances when these changes can be a source of anxiety to the growing teen.
• Menarche


  The first episode of the menstrual cycle, which marks the beginning of puberty in females. It occurs between 11 to 15 years of age.
• More female characteristics


  • Generally shorter than men
  • Greater proportion of body weight composed of fat than men
  • Two X chromosomes reduces expression of many sex-linked conditions
  • Lower mortality rate at every age and longer projected lifespan than men
• Menstrual Cycle


  1. Menstrual phase

  2. Follicular phase

  3. Ovulation

  4. Luteal phase
• Menstrual phase


  This occurs if the ovum is not fertilized and does not implant itself into the uterine lining. This is commonly known as a period. When you menstruate, your uterus lining sheds and flows out of your vagina. Your period contains blood, mucus, and some cells from the lining of your uterus.
• Follicular phase


  The follicular phase starts on the first day of your period and lasts for 13 to 14 days, ending in ovulation. The pituitary gland in the brain releases hormone to stimulate the production of follicles on the surface of an ovary. Usually one follicle will mature into an egg. This can happen from day 10 of your cycle.
• Ovulation


  Ovulation is when a mature egg is released from an ovary and moves along a fallopian tube towards your uterus. This usually happens once each month, about two weeks before your next period. Ovulation can last from 16 to 32 hours. It is possible to get pregnant in the five days before ovulation and on the day of ovulation. Once the egg is released, it will survived up to 24 hours. If the sperm reaches the egg during this time, you may get pregnant.
• Luteal phase


  After ovulation, cells in the ovary (corpus luteum) release progesterone and a small amount of estrogen. This cause the lining of the uterus to thicken in preparation for pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteum dies, progesterone levels drop, the uterus lining sheds and the period begins again.
• Organs of the male reproductive system

  • Testes
  • Accessory sex glands
  • Scrotum
  • Penis
• Testes


  The male gonads that produce sperm and secrete hormones.
• Testosterone


  The major male hormone produced mainly by the testes.
• More male characteristics


  • Generally taller and greater proportion of body weight composed of water
  • Proportionately larger heart and lungs, presumably to handle greater blood fluid volume
  • Exposure to greater levels of testosterone resulting in heavier body and facial hair, but also increased frequency and degree of baldness
  • Single X chromosomes resulting in sex-linked conditions such as colorblindness and hemophilia
• Sexual Reproduction


  1. Gametes (sperm and egg) are produced

  2. Fertilization occurs when the male gamete (sperm) unites with the female gamete (secondary oocyte)

  3. The resulting cell contains one set of chromosomes from each parent
• Normal pregnancy


  Lasts 37-42 weeks (nine months), measured from the first day of the last period. Pregnancy is discussed in terms of trimesters (3 months periods), since each trimester is very different from the rest. After eight weeks, the embryo is officially referred to as a fetus.
• Health effects of early pregnancy in growing adolescents

  • Pelvic area (the bone surrounding the birth canal) may not be large enough to allow the baby to easily pass through the birth canal, resulting in obstructed labor
  • Cesarean birth tends to be the most common solution
  • Uterus may tear during the birth process, leading to blood loss and death
  • Fistula (hole between vagina and bladder or rectum) can occur due to prolonged labor and baby's head tearing the vagina
• Other health risks for pregnant teenagers

  • Excessive vomiting
  • Severe anemia
  • Hypertension
  • Convulsions
  • Difficulty in breast feeding
  • Premature and low birth weight babies
  • Infection
  • Prolonged labor
  • High maternal mortality or death
• Strategies to prevent teenage pregnancy

  • Educate about sexuality
  • Increase the use of contraceptives
  • Reduced forced sex
  • Prevent early marriage
  • Monitor the influence of media
  • Counsel male adolescents
  • Provide career counseling
  • Abstinence education
  • Insurance for contraception
  • Promote gender equality
  • Develop a good relationship with children
  • Monitor activities
• Personal hygiene concerns


  • Oily hair
  • Sweat and body odor
  • Body hair
  • Dental hygiene
• Keeping the external female genitalia clean

  1. Use soap and water to wash the external genitalia and your underarms every day, especially during menstruation

  2. Use either a disposable pad made of cotton, which has a nylon base, or a clean piece of cotton cloth to absorb blood during menstruation

  3. Properly dispose of the pad after each use, or wash and dry the piece of cloth used as a menstrual pad before reuse

  4. Wash only the external genitalia. Do not try to clean the inside part of the vagina

  5. While washing, wash starting from the vagina towards the anus. Do not wash from the anus towards the vagina. This will allow germs to enter the inner genitalia easily and cause infection
• Abnormal vaginal fluids


  If you see any changes in the vaginal fluid- a change in color or odor, please visit a health professional.
• Healthcare check for male

  1. Wash the external genitalia at least daily with soap and water, as you wash the rest of your body

  2. Boys who are not circumcised need to pull back the foreskin and gently wash underneath it with clean water

  3. Be aware of any abnormal fluids coming from your penis. Do not confuse this with the presence of normal fluids

  4. If you see any abnormal fluid or wound, please visit a health professional
• Risk taking behaviors of adolescents

  • Teenagers are known for risk taking, novelty seeking, reckless behavior and impulsivity
  • Some degree of risk taking in adolescence is normative (and adaptive)
  • The most serious threats to the health and safety of adolescents and young adults are preventable and result from such risk-taking behaviors as fighting, substance abuse, suicide, and sexual activity
  • Risk-taking is distinguishable from risk outcomes - the consequences of the behavior
• Strategies to reduce risk-taking behavior

  • Good parent-child relationship
  • Keeping an eye without being intrusive
  • Provide autonomy with guidance
  • Give clear boundaries and reasons
  • Talk about risky behavior
  • Seek treatment for trauma
• Organs of the female reproductive system

  • Ovaries
  • Uterine (fallopian) tubes
  • Oviducts
  • Uterus
  • Vagina
• Vagina


  Collapsible canal extending from vaginal opening back and upward into body to cervix and uterus. During arousal, it is engorged with blood. This aids its expansion and triggers the release of lubricants from vaginal mucosa.
• Cervix


  Small end of uterus to which vagina leads. It is the opening in cervix leading to interior of uterus.
• Uterus


  Womb, organ within pelvic zone, where fetus is carried.
• Fallopian tube


  Carry egg cells from ovaries to uterus, this is where fertilization occurs.
• Ovaries


  Produce and release female gametes and sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone.
• Puberty causes all kinds of changes in adolescent's body. These body changes are normal part of developing into an adult. There are instances when these changes can be a source of anxiety to the growing teen.
• Menarche


  The first episode of the menstrual cycle, which marks the beginning of puberty in females, occurs between 11 to 15 years of age.
• More female characteristics


  • Generally shorter than men
  • Greater proportion of body weight composed of fat than men
  • Two X chromosomes reduces expression of many sex-linked conditions
  • Lower mortality rate at every age and longer projected lifespan than men
• Menstrual cycle


  Marks the beginning of puberty in females. The first episode occurs between 11 to 15 years of age referred to as menarche. It may last within two to six days which follows a cycle ranging from 21 to 35 days. Regardless of the length of the cycle, menstruation begin about 14 days after ovulation (plus or minus one to two days).
• Four Phases of Menstrual Cycle

  • Menstrual phase
  • Follicular phase
  • Ovulation
  • Luteal phase