The Female Reproductive System

General Overview

The female reproductive system is designed to carry out several functions: producing female sex hormones, producing egg cells, protecting and nourishing fertilised eggs, and carrying a fetus during pregnancy.
It is composed of internal and external parts.

External Parts

Vulva: The external area of the female reproductive system which includes the mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, and the vaginal and urethral openings.
Clitoris: The part of the external genitals that is sensitive and important for female sexual response.

Internal Parts

Vagina: The muscular tube leading from the external genitals to the cervix of the uterus. Menstrual flow exits here and it’s the passage for childbirth.
Uterus: Also called the womb, it’s a hollow, pear-shaped organ where a fetus develops.
Cervix: The lower, narrow part of the uterus which connects the uterus with the vagina.
Fallopian Tubes: Pair of tubes along which eggs travel from the ovaries to the uterus.
Ovaries: They are the egg-producing organs of the female reproductive system. They also produce hormones, including estrogen and progesterone.

Reproductive Process

Menstrual Cycle: Approximately once a month, the uterus grows a new lining (endometrium) to get ready for a fertilised egg. If no conception occurs, the uterine lining, along with blood, will be shed through menstruation.
Ovulation: The process in which an ovary releases a mature egg which moves into the fallopian tube, accessible for fertilisation by male sperm.
Fertilisation and Development: If a sperm cell successfully penetrates the egg, it’s fertilised and travels down the fallopian tube towards the uterus, where it implants and develops into a fetus.

Health and Wellbeing

Monthly menstrual cycles and variations can be an indicator of a woman’s overall health.
Regular health checks are important to minimise risk of disease and various health conditions, including cervical or ovarian cancers.
Sexual health and contraceptive measures are integral in controlling when and under what conditions a woman chooses to become pregnant, impacting her own health and wellbeing as well as that of potential children.
Physical activity, balanced nutrition, and mental-health care can contribute to the overall wellbeing of the reproductive system and thereby the health of the woman.