Reproductive and Sexual Health PDF

Reproductive and Sexual Health Office Male & Female Reproductive System Penis  Ithas spongy tissue which can fill with blood to cause an erection.  Itcontains the urethra, which carries both urine and semen. Scrotum A loose bag of skin that hangs outside the body, behi...

Reproductive and Sexual Health Office Male & Female Reproductive System Penis  Ithas spongy tissue which can fill with blood to cause an erection.  Itcontains the urethra, which carries both urine and semen. Scrotum A loose bag of skin that hangs outside the body, behind the penis.  It holds the testes in place. Testes / testicles  These are a pair of egg-shaped glands that sit in the scrotum, on the outside of the body.  They produce sperm and testosterone, which is the male sex hormone. Epididymis A highly coiled tube that lies at the back of the testes.  All sperm from the testes must pass through the epididymis, where they mature and start to ‘swim’. Vas deferens A thick-walled tube joined to the epididymis.  It carries sperm from the epididymis up to the prostate gland and urethra.  Vas Deferens (Ductus Deferens)  Surrounded by arteries and veins and protected by a thick fibrous coating.  These structures are referred to us spermatic cord Spermatic cord Prostate Gland A walnut-sized gland that sits in the middle of the pelvis.  The urethra runs through the middle of it.  Itproduces the fluid secretions that support and nourish the sperm. Seminal Vesicle  Theseare 2 small glands above the prostate gland that make up much of the fluid in semen. Urethra A tube that extends from the bladder to the external opening at the end of the penis.  Carries both urine and sperm. Bulbourethral Glands (Cowper glands) add fluid to the semen during the process of ejaculation Female External Genitalia Female Reproductive System  Characteristics of Normal Menstrual Cycles Beginning (Menarche) Average age at onset = 12.4 years Average range = 9 – 17 years Characteristics of Normal Menstrual Cycles Interval between cycles Average =28 days Cycles of 23 – 35 days not unusual Characteristics of Normal Menstrual Cycles Duration of Menstrual Flow Average flow = 4 – 6 days Ranges of 2 – 9 days is not abnormal  Characteristics of Normal Menstrual Cycles Amount of Menstrual Flow  Difficult to estimate  Average from 30 – 80 ml/ menstrual period  Saturatinga pad or tampon in less than 1 hour is heavy bleeding  Characteristics of Normal Menstrual Cycles Color of Menstrual Flow Dark red A combination of blood, mucus and endometrial cells Odor Similar to marigolds The Physiology of Menstruation  Structures involve in the physiology of menstruation Hypothalamus Pituitary gland Ovaries Uterus  Ovaries  FSH & LH – gonadotropic hormones  Oocyte  Follicular fluid – high degree of estrogen & some progesterone  Graafian follicle  Mitotic division  Primary oocyte – contains the bulk of cytoplasm  Secondary oocyte – contains so little cytoplasm that is not functional  Completion of miotic division – haploid chromosomes (23 chromosomes)  Health teaching Ovulation occurs 14 days before the end of the cycle 20 days cycle – ovulation is day 6 (14 days before the end of the cycle) 44 days long cycle – ovulation occurs on day 30 Menstrual Cycle Human Sexuality