{"id":671,"date":"2022-01-27T04:44:00","date_gmt":"2022-01-27T04:44:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2023-01-06T16:42:09","modified_gmt":"2023-01-06T16:42:09","slug":"female-reproductive-system-physiology-how-does-it-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/female-reproductive-system-physiology-how-does-it-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Female Reproductive System Physiology: How Does It Work?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The female reproductive system plays a massive role in a woman\u2019s life. It allows women to enjoy sexual intercourse, release hormones, produce eggs, and conceive a child. According to the CDC<\/a>, it is vital to understand how the female reproductive system works for your own protection. After all, your reproductive health affects your ability to conceive children. By understanding how it works, you can protect yourself against health hazards and understand your own body better.<\/p>\n

Overview of the Female Reproductive System<\/h2>\n

The female reproductive system serves several different functions. A woman\u2019s ovaries are responsible for producing egg cells, which are scientifically called ova or oocytes. These eggs are eventually transported to the fallopian tube with hair-like particles. If a woman has intercourse with a man, the ovum (a single egg) can be fertilized by his sperm. This fertilized embryo then moves to the uterus, where it stays secure with a thick uterine lining produced by hormones. Once it implants there, it will continue growing and developing for approximately nine months until a newborn baby is born.<\/p>\n

However, if implantation does not occur after sex and there is no pregnancy, the uterine lining is shed and comes out as a woman\u2019s period (menstruation). This happens during the woman\u2019s reproductive cycle, which typically occurs approximately every 28 days<\/a>. Apart from nurturing a newborn baby, the reproductive system is responsible for producing estrogen and progesterone, which are the female sex hormones responsible for a woman\u2019s menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and other functions such as breast development during puberty.<\/p>\n

Notably, during menopause<\/a>, the female reproductive system will gradually cease making these hormones. At this juncture in a woman\u2019s life, the menstrual cycle can become intermittent or irregular until it completely stops. If you have experienced one year of no menstruation, you could be menopausal.<\/p>\n

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The Unique Female Anatomy<\/h2>\n

When studying female reproductive anatomy, you must learn about both external and internal structures. We\u2019ll review these below:<\/p>\n

External Structures of the Female Reproductive System<\/h3>\n

The external structures of the female reproductive system are a woman\u2019s genitals. They have a two-fold function. First, they enable the sperm to enter the body via intercourse. Second, these exterior parts proffer protection for the internal genitals from infectious bacteria, viruses, and other organisms. The main parts of the genitals of the female reproductive system are the following:<\/p>\n