Female Reproductive System

General Information

What is the Female Reproductive System? 
The female reproductive system contains two main parts: the uterus, which hosts the developing fetus, produces vaginal and uterine secretions, and passes the male's sperm through to the fallopian tubes; and the ovaries, which produce the female's egg cells.

Major Organs: 
  • Vagina - Where the Penis inserts during sexual intercourse and where a baby leaves the uterus during childbirth. It is a canal that combines the cervix to the outside of the body, also known as the birth canal.
  • Uterus -The uterus is a hallow pear-shape organ, and it is also the home to a developing fetus.The main body of the uterus is called the corpus, the corpus could easily expand to hold a developing baby.
  • Ovaries - They are small, oval-shaped glands and they are located on both sides of the uterus, they produce eggs hormones.
  • Fallopian Tubes - These tubes are narrow and are attached to the upper part of the uterus. They are tunnels for egg cells to travel from the ovaries to the uterus. The fertilization of an egg by a sperm happens in the Fallopian tubes. 
  • Cervix - The lower part of the uterus that opens to the vagina.
 Hazards can affect the a women's reproductive health and a female ability to have babies, it is important to know how the Female Reproductive System works.
                                 Phases of the Menstrual Cycle
                              During the menstrual cycle females experience cycles of hormonal activity that repeats every month.


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1.Menstrual Phase: This phase starts from day 1 to day 5
  • Uterus sheds its inner lining of soft tissue and blood vessels which exit from the vagina in the form of menstrual fluid.
  • A loss of about 10 ml to 80 ml of blood.
  • Cramps that are caused by the contraction of the uterine and abdominal muscles to release the menstrual fluid.  
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2.Follicular Phase: This phase begins on the first day also and lasts till the 13th day
  • Pituitary gland secretes a hormone that stimulates the egg cells in the ovaries to grow.
  • One egg cell begins to mature in a sac like structure also known as the follicle.
  • It takes 13 days for the egg cell to reach maturity.
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3.Ovulation Phase: This phase begins and also ends on day 14
  • During the 14th day of the cycle, the ovary releases a mature egg because the pituitary gland secrets a hormone.
  • The egg cell is then swept into the fallopian tube by cilia of the fimbriae.
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4.Luteal Phase: This phase begins on day 15 and lasts until day 28
  • The egg cell that is released during the ovulation phase stays within the fallopian tube for a whole 24 hours.
  • The egg disintegrates if a sperm cell does not impregnate the egg within 24 hours.
Menopause
Menopause is a natural biological process, it also ends fertility, you can stay healthy, vital and sexual.
Symptoms 
  • hot flashes
  • sleep disruptions
  • lower energy level
  • sometimes trigger anxiety or feelings of sadness and loss.
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Foods that help support the Female Reproductive System
  • Carbohydrates (Brown rice, whole-wheat bread, wheat pasta and whole-grain cereals)
  • Vegetables (Collard greens, spinach, squash, sweet potatoes, turnips, beans etc.)
  • Fruits (Pears, peaches, plums and mango's etc.)
Resources

"Menopause." Definition. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2014. <http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/basics/definition/con-20019726>.

"Phases of Menstrual Cycle." Menstrupedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2014. <http://menstrupedia.com/articles/physiology/cycle-phases>.

"Nutrition to Strengthen the Female Reproductive System." LIVESTRONG.COM. LIVESTRONG.COM, 16 Aug. 2013. Web. 16 Dec. 2014. <http://www.livestrong.com/article/364716-nutrition-to-strengthen-the-female-reproductive-system/>.

"Female Reproductive System: Organs, Function, and More." Female Reproductive System: Organs, Function, and More. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2014. <http://www.m.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/your-guide-female-reproductive-system?page=2>.