Introduction to Sex Education

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Introduction to Sex Education
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The Female Reproductive System

• Human Sexuality Unit
• Lesson 1

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Puberty

• Stage of growth and development when both the
  male and female body become capable of producing
  offspring

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Puberty in Females

• Estrogen
• Hormone produced by the ovaries
• Stimulates development of secondary sex
  characteristics
• Affects menstrual cycle
• Secondary sex characteristics
• Physical and emotional changes

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Physical Changes of Puberty

• Occur between 8-15 years
• Maturing process affected by
• Heredity
• Diet
• Health habits
• Health status

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Female Secondary Sex Characteristics

• Increase in height
• Widening of the hips
• Softer and smoother skin
• Increase in breast size
• Growth of pubic and underarm hair
• Enlargement of external genitals
• Formation of mature ova
• Beginning of menstruation

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Female Reproductive System

• Organs in female involved in producing offspring
• External vulva
• Mons veneris
• Labia majora and labia minora
• Clitoris
• Hymen

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Vulva

• Mons veneris
• Fatty tissue covering/protecting pubic bone and
  internal reproductive organs
• Labia majora
• Heavy folds of skin surrounding opening of vagina
• Labia minora
• Two smaller folds of skin located within the
  labia majora

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Vulva

• Clitoris
• Small, highly sensitive structure above the
  opening of urethra
• Hymen
• Thin membrane stretches across opening of vagina

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Internal Female Reproductive Organs

• Ovaries
• Fallopian tubes
• Uterus
• Cervix
• Vagina

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Internal Reproductive Organs

• Ovaries
• Female reproductive glands
• Produce ova and estrogen
• Born with 200,000-400,000 immature ova
• About 375 will mature and be released
• Developing ova are enclosed in a small, hollow
  ball called a follicle
• Each month, an ovum matures and is released from
  follicle

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Internal Reproductive Organs

• Ovulation
• Release of mature ovum from one of the two
  ovaries
• Fallopian tubes
• 4-inch tube connecting the ovaries and uterus
• Females have two
• During menstrual cycle, a mature ovum travels
  through to uterus
• Fertilization usually occurs here

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Internal Reproductive Organs

• Uterus
• Muscular organ receives and supports a
  fertilized egg during pregnancy
• Contracts during childbirth
• Cervix
• Lowest part of the uterus
• Connects uterus to vagina
• Tiny hole

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Internal Reproductive Organs

• Vagina
• Muscular tube connects uterus to outside of
  body
• Female organ for sexual intercourse, birth canal
  in childbirth, and passageway for menstrual flow

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Menstrual Cycle

• Monthly series of changes in female
• Involves ovulation, changes in uterine lining,
  and menstruation
• Menstruation
• Period when unfertilized egg and lining of the
  uterus leave the body in a menstrual flow
• Described as period

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Menstrual Cycle

• Cycle occurs over 28 days will vary from each
  female
• Average menstrual flow is 5 days

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The Menstrual Cycle

• Days 1-5
• Menstrual flow leaves the body
• Consists of 2 ounces of blood and uterine lining
• New ova is maturing in ovary
• Days 6-12
• Uterine lining begins to thicken
• Preparing for possibility of ovum being
  fertilized
• Days 13-14
• Ovulation occurs
• Ovum is released into Fallopian tube
• Days 15-20
• Secretion of progesterone (hormone that changes
  lining of uterus)
• Days 21-28
• If ovum is not fertilized, secretion of
  progesterone stops
• Cells in uterus lining die
• Unfertilized ovum disintegrates or leaves through
  menstrual flow

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Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

• Physical and emotional symptoms affecting females
  7-10 days prior to menstruation
• Symptoms
• Weight gain
• Bloating
• Swollen breasts
• Headaches
• Backache
• Mood swings
• Cravings
• Anxiety
• Depression

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PMS

• Preventing/reducing symptoms
• Avoid caffeine/salt
• Moderate exercise
• Warm baths
• Medications

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Protecting Reproductive Health

• Choose habits to prevent or lessen menstrual
  cramps
• Perform monthly breast self-exams
• Regular medical checkups
• Watch for signs of infection
• Choose safe sexual habits