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Sexual Health Centre
How Female Bodies Work |
The Reproductive and Sexual Organs
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The Female Reproductive System
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The Internal Organs
The largest organ in the female reproductive system is the uterus. Most
of the time it is relatively small, about the size of your fist. In a normal
pregnancy, the fetus develops within the uterus, stretching it to many times
its normal size. Visit the pregnancy virtual health centre to learn more about this topic.
On both sides of the uterus are pouches called ovaries. The ovaries contain
unfertilized eggs or ova. When one of these ova (called an ovum) unites
with a man's sperm, it is fertilized and may eventually produce a child.
A girl's ovaries begin releasing ova at puberty prompting the start of her
menstrual cycles.
When the ovaries stop producing ova, a woman has reached menopause. Tubes
attached to the ovaries called Fallopian tubes allowing the ovum
to travel to the uterus.
The vagina connects the uterus to the outside of the body. This passage
has several important functions for women:
- a man's penis may enter a woman's vagina during sex (Vaginal penetration
by a penis is called intercourse. Intercourse is the most probable way
for a woman to become pregnant. Fingers or other clean objects may also
enter the vagina during sexual play. Each woman is unique in her enjoyment
of sexual intercourse. Deciding what gives us pleasure is an important
part of learning about our
sexual selves).
- menstrual blood is carried out of the body through the vagina
- when a baby is delivered normally, it passes through the vagina
When the vagina of an adult woman is healthy, it contains many types of
harmless bacteria. Some of
these bacteria are similar to those found on the skin, but other bacteria
called lactobacilli are
found mainly in the vagina. These bacteria help protect the vagina from
infections with yeast
and other bacteria.
The connection between the uterus and the vagina is called the cervix. This
is a narrow opening, which helps protect the uterus from outside contaminants.
The External organs
The clitoris is the reproductive organ most involved in sexual pleasure.
The top part of the clitoris is a short protrusion above the vaginal opening.
However, most of the clitoris is inside the body. Its tip is very sensitive,
so the clitoris is protected by a flap of skin called the hood. Blood
rushes to the clitoris when a woman is sexually aroused, making it the most
important organ for female sexual response.
Between the clitoris and the vagina is the tiny opening connected to the
urethra. A woman urinates from this opening.
Folds of skin called the labia protect the clitoris and the vaginal
opening.
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