reproductive system

physio

1. Many people with STDs don’t even know they have them.

TRUE

2. People who start having sex at a younger age are more likely to get an STD.

TRUE

3. Using a condom can only help prevent pregnancy, not any STDs.

FALSE

4. A person who only had unprotected sex once doesn’t have to worry about an STD.

FALSE

5. The only way to know for sure if you have an STD is to get tested by a medical professional.TRUE

TRUE

6. If you ignore an STD, it will probably go away.

FALSE

7. nThe Pill can protect a girl from an STD.

FALSE

8. You can’t have more than one STD at one time

FALSE

9. Having sex with many different partners can increase your risk of getting an STD

TRUE

10. As long a person with an STD isn’t sexually active while he or she is having symptoms, their partner can’t catch the disease

FALSE

Testes

• primary sex organ for males where sperm are made inside of the scrotum sac Descend 1-2 months before

Cremaster Muscle

• the cremaster muscle surrounds the testes; contracts to pull testes closer to body

  • testes must be kept 3 degrees below body temp

seminiferous tubules

sperm production occurs in the seminiferous tubules

• each testis is divided by septa into 250 lobules → 800 seminiferous tubules

• each tubule is approximately 31 inches → each testis has approximately 0.5 mile of tubules

scrotum

fleshy pouch that holds the testes

• consists of a tiny layer of skin containing smooth muscle

• muscle contracts and relaxes in response to temperature and other stimuli

epididymis

• beginning of male reproductive tract

• where sperm reach maturity

• contains a coiled tube about 20 feet long

vas deferens (ductus deferens)

• stores matured sperm cells

• connects epididymis to ejaculatory duct

• peristaltic contractions move spermatozoa and fluid down the duct

• can store spermatozoa for up to several months in suspended animation

prostate gland

adds a milky fluid that activates the sperm

• 30% of the volume of semen

• contains seminalplasmin: antibiotic fluid to help prevent UTI in males

seminal vesicles

Contains:

• fructose: feeds spermatozoa

• prostaglandins: causes smooth muscle contractions along male and female repro tract

• fibrinogen: creates temporary sperm clot or “plug” within vagina

60% of the volume of semen

Cowper’s glands (bulbourethral glands)

• adds a lubricating substance

• also secretes thick, sticky alkaline mucus to neutralize urinary acids in the urethra

Urethra

semen AND urine exit out of the urethra

Penis

organ that passes urine and semen through the urethra to the outside

3 regions:

1. root: attaches penis to body

2. body (shaft): contains erectile tissue

3. glans: surrounds external urethral opening

erectile tissue

body has 3 columns of erectile tissue

• 2 corpus cavernosa: extends as far as the glans

• 1 corpus spongiosum: extends all the way to the tip; makes the glans stiff; surrounds urethra

erectile tissue

• erection: when the penis fils with blood and gets stiff; makes it so that the penis can go into the vagina

• emission: sperm moves from testes → epididymis → urethra

• ejaculation: skeletal muscles at the base of the penis contract, increasing pressure in the erectile tissue, expelling semen

circumcision

• procedure where the foreskin is surgically removed

• parents typically choose circumcision base on religious, social, or cultural reasons; some have concerns about hygiene

vasectomy

medical procedure where the vas deferens is cut and sealed off to prevent sperm from entering semen (ejaculate)

vagina

• acts as a passageway for

  • sperm to get to uterus

  • menstrual fluids

  • a baby during birth (aka birth canal)

• typically acidic to prevent pathogen growth

• has a hymen: membrane that partially covers vagina

cervix

• opening to uterus to allow sperm to enter or menstrual fluid to exit

• opening in the cervix changes size depending on the female’s condition (pregnancy)

uterus

• protects the growing fetus

  • flexible: normally is 3'“x2 but can expand 500x for pregnancy

• highly vascularized (has a lot of blood vessels)

• endometrium = inner cell lining of uterus

ovaries

• primary female sex organs (gonads) = 2 ovaries

• ovaries produce ova (eggs) and female sex hormones

• size of an olive

Fimbriae

sweeps egg into fallopian tube

fallopian tube

passageway for the egg to travel down to the uterus

ectopic pregnancies

• pregnancy occurs outside of the uterus

  • usually in the fallopian tube but can also be in the ovary, stomach area, or cervix

clitoris

• 2 cm mass of erectile tissue with lots of nerves → the center of female sexual excitement or arousal

• from the same tissue as the penis

female reproductive cycles

females have 2 cycles regulated by hormones:

• 1. ovarian cycle: getting the egg ready

• 2. uterine cycle: getting the uterus ready

Ovarian Cycle

Ovarian cycle includes the: 

• development of ovarian follicle, 

• rupture of follicle, & 

• release of ovum

Follicle: contains a single oocyte (immature egg)

Typically lasts 28 days and has 3 stages

Ovarian Cycle: Follicular Phase

Multiple follicles are stimulated by FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and develop, but only one completes the growth process

• Follicle starts to produce estrogen

• First half of the ovarian cycle (2 weeks)

Ovarian Cycle: Ovulation

During ovulation, one oocyte exits through the wall of the ovary and goes into the fallopian tube

• Midpoint of the ovarian cycle (day 14)

• Caused by a surge of LH (luteinizing hormone) from the pituitary gland JUST before day 14

• Corpus luteum forms in ovary

Ovarian Cycle: Luteal Phase

Corpus luteum secretes estrogen and progesterone (primarily progesterone) 

• Second half of the ovarian cycle (2 weeks)

• Signals uterus to prepare for implantation of embryo → endometrium regenerates

No implantation? The corpus luteum dies after 2 weeks

Uterine Cycle (or Menstrual Cycle)

The monthly cycle of changes occurring in the endometrium (uterine lining)

• The 1st day of bleeding is referred to as day 1 of the monthly cycle

Uterine Cycle: Menstrual Phase

Days 1-5

• Uterus sheds the endometrium

Meanwhile in Egg World…

• The growing ovarian follicles start to produce more estrogen

Uterine Cycle: Proliferative Phase

Days 6-14

• Endometrium regenerates

Meanwhile in Egg World…

• Ovulation occurs at the end of this phase; corpus luteum forms

Uterine Cycle: Secretory Phase

Days 15-28

• Endometrium prepares for implantation of embryo

• If fertilization and implantation occur, endometrium stays

Meanwhile in Egg World…

• Corpus luteum may degenerate (without fertilization)

The “Fertile Period”

Fertile Period: when you can get pregnant

• Unprotected sexual intercourse that takes place 5 days before ovulation up to 1 day after. 

• On a 28 day cycle, Days 9 – 15 are your greatest chance of getting pregnant

Reproductive Health

Pap Smear (Pap Test) = Cells of the cervix are scraped off and examined for any abnormal changes (pre-cancerous)

HPV = Human Papillomavirus   

• 130 types, many sexually transmitted.

• Some cause genital warts, some have no symptoms.

• Leading cause of cervical cancer

Reproductive Health: How does Birth Control work?

“The Pill” (oral contraceptives)

• Can work in several ways

• Contains synthetic hormones (estrogen and progesterone) that disrupt the hormones that trigger the release of the egg.  (no egg, no baby)

• Can interfere with build up of uterine lining necessary for implantation

Reproductive Health: How does Birth Control work?

Intrauterine Device “IUD”

• implanted birth control device (put in uterus by doctor)

• Lasts 5-10 years

• Can be removed at any time .. Works just like the pill (releases hormones) 

• Can cause infections and have complications

Reproductive Health: How does Birth Control work?

Contraceptive Implants (“The Bar”)

• implanted birth control device (put in arm by doctor)

• Thin rod like device

• Effective for 3 years

• Risk of infection

Birth control does NOT protect against STDs!

What does?

• Abstinence (ofc)

• Vaccination

• Reduce number of sex partners

• Mutual monogamy

• Condoms