Female Reproductive System

• Ovary

  The ovaries produce eggs. They start to make eggs at puberty. This occurs between the ages of 10 and 13 years in girls. Other changes taking place in the girl's body at puberty include:

  • Growth of the pelvis, breasts, vagina and uterus
  • Growth of hair on parts of the body.

  Eggs are the female gametes. Each egg is much larger than a sperm cell.
• Menopause

  Normally, one egg is formed each month in the female body. Egg production starts at puberty.

  Beyond the age of 35 the number of eggs in each ovary falls dramatically.

  Egg production usually stops between 45 and 55 years of age. This stage, when the ovaries have run out of eggs, is called the menopause (also known as the 'change of life').
• Fallopian Tube

  The fallopian tube collects an egg from the ovary and carries it to the uterus.

  If sperm are present, one of them may join (or fuse) with the egg in the fallopian tube.

  If there are no sperm present, the egg dies within 2 days.
• Uterus

  The uterus, or womb, is the place in which a baby (or embryo) will develop.
• Cervix

  The cervix is the opening or neck of the uterus.

  Sperm pass through the cervix in order to reach an egg.
• Vagina

  • The vagina is a muscular tube into which the penis releases sperm.
  • It forms the birth canal when the baby passes down the vagina during childbirth.
• Menstrual Cycle

  The menstrual cycle is a series of changes that take place in females about every 28 days between puberty and the menopause.

  The menstrual cycle does not take place during pregnancy (i.e. when a baby is developing in the uterus.
• Main Events During a Menstrual Cycle

  • The main events in the menstrual cycle are outlined below.
  • The times given in this account are average times. These timings can be different in different females and during different months.
• Days 1-5

  The lining of the uterus (which had built up during the previous menstrual cycle) breaks down.

  This lining, along with some blood, is passed out of the body through the vagina. This process is called menstruation, or having a period.

  During these days, a new egg matures in the ovary.
• Days 6-13

  • A new lining develops in the uterus.
  • This lining will be needed to nourish a developing baby if the female becomes pregnant.
  • The egg continues to develop in the ovary.
• Day 14

  • The egg is released from the ovary.
  • This is called ovulation.
  • The egg can survive for 2 days in the fallopian tube.
• Days 15-28

  • The lining of the uterus remains in place.
  • It will break down (menstruation)on the first day of the next menstrual cycle.
• The Fertile Period

  The fertile period is the time during the menstrual cycle when a female is most likely to become pregnant if she has sexual intercourse.

  • Sperm can survive in the female reproductive system for 5 to 7 days. They survive for such a long time because the female system nourishes the sperm. The egg can stay alive for 2 days.
  • The fertile period is the time in the menstrual cycle when pregnancy is most likely to take place. For a 28-day cycle, this is normally from day 9 to day 16.

  
• Changes in the Uterine Lining over the course of the Menstrual Cycle

  
• Fertile Period pt. 2


  • The fertile period may be different in every female or in every month because menstrual cycles are not always 28 days long.
  • In some females the fertile period could start before day 9 and last beyond day 16