PROCESSES OF THE FEMALE

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
MODUL
E2
PRE-TEST
1. Which part of the brain is responsible for producing hormones?
a. Cerebrum c. Hypothalamus
b. Thalamus d. Pituitary gland

2. Which is the site of fertilization?

a. Follicle c. Fallopian tubes
b. Ovaries d. Uterus

3. In which stage does the corpus luteum form?

a. Menstrual phase c. Ovulation phase
b. Follicular phase d. Luteal phase
4. The average menstrual cycle lasts how many days?
a. 20 days c. 28 days
b. 24 days d. 32 days

5. The following are characteristics of progesterone EXCEPT:

a. Produced by follicle
b. Helps thicken uterine lining
c. Maintains endometrium and lining
d. Secreted after ovulation
6. What is another term for uterine lining?
a. Gonads c. Cervix
b. Endometrium d. Fimbriae

7. The fusion of the sperm cells and egg cells is called ___________
a. Ejaculation c. Implantation
b. Fertilization d. Menstruation

8. All of the following hormones are produced by the pituitary gland EXCEPT for:
a. Prolactin c. Insulin
b. Oxytocin d. Luteinizing hormone
9. It is in this phase in the menstrual cycle that estrogen is signaled
to thicken the uterine lining.
a. Menstrual phase c. Ovulation phase
b. Follicular phase d. Luteal phase

10. Ovulation occurs _______________ the menstrual cycle.

a. in the beginning of
b. at the end of
c. halfway through
d. about one week into
 GAME

What Am I?
Let's recall the function of each part of the reproductive system!
 NGIAVA
This part receives the penis during an
intercourse. It also provides a
passageway for blood during the
monthly period and childbirth.
OLALIPANF TBEU
It's a passageway for the male sperm cells to
the egg, and provides a suitable environment
for fertilization.
 VRXIEC
It's a passage that allows fluids to flow inside
and out of your uterus. It's also a powerful
gatekeeper that can open and close in ways
that make pregnancy and childbirth possible.
 RVAYO
It's a pair of female glands in which the
eggs form and the female hormones
estrogen and progesterone are made.
RTUSUE
It's where the baby
develops until birth.
Puberty
Girls transitioning into adolescence undergo puberty. The age that puberty

begins varies widely, from 8 to 14 years old.

What happens in their brain is that the hypothalamus releases

gonadotropin-releasing hormone (or GnRH). GnRH then goes to the

pituitary gland, releasing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing

hormone (LH).

These hormones then go to the ovaries (more on these glands later). This

triggers puberty, causing a girl's body to mature and develop, usually in a

span of four years.

Changes that occur during

female puberty:
Physical growth Other vaginal fluid
Growing breasts Skin changes
Body hair Body image
Menstruation
The Ovaries: Egg Production

and Hormones
The ovaries are glands in the female reproductive system. They secrete

hormones like estrogen and progesterone, and produce and release oocytes

or immature egg cells. The ovaries are controlled by the hypothalamus and

pituitary gland.

Females are estimated to have around 1-2 million oocytes at birth, but by

puberty only about 250,000-300,000 remain. Of these, only about 450 eggs

will be ovulated from puberty until menopause. Oocytes are usually inside

follicles (small sacs in the ovary). As the oocytes mature, usually only one (now
called an ovum or a mature oocyte/egg cell) will be released every menstrual

cycle.
As previously mentioned, the reproductive hormones estrogen and
progesterone are produced and secreted in the ovaries. They are
triggered by the hypothalamus. Both prepare the uterus for
menstruation and pregnancy. They help the zygote (or the fertilized
ovum) be implanted in the uterus, and help thicken the uterine lining
(also known as the endometrium) to help house the fetus.

Estrogen is mostly produced in the ovaries, but small amounts are

also produced by the hypothalamus, the adrenal glands, and fat
tissue. Progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum in the
ovaries.
The Ovarian Phases of the Menstrual Cycle
 The
Menstruation is the monthly flow of

Menstrual
blood from the uterus. It is counted

Cycle
from the first day of your period up to

the first day of the next one. It occurs

in women from puberty to menopause

(or the time in a woman's life when

menstruation stops). The average

length of the menstrual cycle is usually

28 days. The process is controlled by

hormones secreted by some

endocrine glands.
Phases of the

Menstrual Cycle
The menstrual cycle is divided into four phases:

Menstrual phase or period

Follicular phase
Ovulation phase
Luteal phase
Menstrual phase or period

A period where menstrual cycle starts and lasts for an

average of 3-7 days. The unfertilized egg cell from the
previous menstrual cycle and the uterine lining that was
not used will be shed from the vagina. Period blood is
usually a combination of blood, mucus, the unfertilized
egg, and the uterine lining and tissue.
 Follicular phase

This phase starts from the first day of the period (overlapping with
the menstrual phase) until ovulation. This phase lasts an average of
14-16 days. The pituitary gland produces follicle - stimulating
hormone (or FSH) to produce and mature follicles (small sacs in the
ovary that contain an immature egg or ovum). Out of all the 5-20
follicles, only the healthiest oocyte will remain and mature. This will
then signal the estrogen in the ovaries to thicken the uterine lining
in preparation for the egg being fertilized.
 Ovulation phase

This phase usually occurs around day 12 to 14 (or

midway through the cycle) in the menstrual cycle. The
pituitary gland releases luteinizing hormone (LH),
which causes the release of the mature ovum from
the follicle. The mature ovum will then travel down to
the uterus to await fertilization by sperm.
 Luteal phase

This phase lasts an average of 14 days. What happens

here is when the follicle releases the mature ovum, the
follicle then changes into the corpus luteum. The corpus
luteum releases progesterone. There is an increase in
estrogen and progesterone in order to keep the uterine
lining thick in case of the egg being fertilized and
pregnancy occurs.
Facts and Myths about Menstrual Cycle
FACTS MYTHS

Periods can be irregular due to

You can't get pregnant during your

stress or illness period.

The average starting age for

You should avoid activities like

periods has changed over the

exercise and sex when you're on

years your period.

Your period can affect how you

Your period should last exactly

sound and smell one week each month.

 GAME

Mr. Telephone Man

there’s something wrong with my line

Menstrual Cycle Length and Changes

The menstrual cycle happens fairly regularly for each girl, but the cycle
length may differ each month. The average menstrual cycle lasts 28 days,
counting from the first day of a woman's period to the day before the next
one. But cycles that last from 21 to 40 days are also normal.

Some women can predict the day and time their period will come (regular).
while others cannot (irregular). Reproductive hormones control the
menstrual cycle, including physical symptoms. So anything that affects the
balance of these hormones can affect the cycle length, period heaviness,
and symptoms experienced.
Another thing to consider is which days are women fertile? This is the time
in the menstrual cycle where pregnancy is possible. Fertile days include
the day an egg cell is released (ovulation) and the five days prior. This time
frame also depends on the menstrual cycle length. Also as girls get older,
their menstrual cycles may change due to various reasons like aging and
underlying medical conditions.

Periods may be heavier when women are younger, and then grow lighter as
they age into their 20s to 30s. In their 40s as the body transitions to
menopause, the menstruation cycle can become more irregular (may
become lighter or heavier), stopping and coming until menopause happens.
Dysmenorrhea
The feeling of discomfort or pain and cramps experienced around the time

of period is called dysmenorrhea. Menstrual cramps or dysmenorrhea are

most likely caused by high levels of prostaglandins, which are substances

released from the uterine lining when it is about to be sloughed off. The

higher the pain, the higher the prostaglandin release. Menstrual cramps vary

in symptom and pain level depending on the person. Women who have

heavier and longer periods are more likely to have painful cramps.

The symptoms of dysmenorrhea usually occur before or at the time

bleeding starts, but may also occur weeks before and after bleeding has

stopped.
Symptoms of Dysmenorrhea
Throbbing or cramp pain that varies in strength in
the lower back abdomen, or around the pelvic area.
Nausea
Stomachache
Headache
Dizziness
Period Care
Manage the bleeding by using pads,
Eat healthy.
tampons, or menstrual cups. Change

them regularly (usually 3-4 hours) to

Take nutritional supplements like

avoid bacteria build-up. vitamins and minerals

Keep track of period using a calendar

Hydrate
or a period tracker app.
Exercise.
Use warm compresses or heating

pads
 FERTILIZATION AND PREGNANCY

If sperm reaches an ovum within several days of ovulation, fertilization occurs. When
male ejaculation (or when semen leaves the penis) deposits sperm into the vagina,
the sperm can swim up to the uterus through the vagina. Usually, only one sperm is
needed to fertilize an ovum. The fertilized egg is now called a zygote.

After about 5-6 days of traveling down the fallopian tube, the zygote will have
divided into a multicellular form called a blastocyst. A blastocyst has inner and outer
parts: the inner part will become the embryo, which multiply a lot and develop into a
baby, while the outer part will become membranes that help protect and nourish the
baby. The blastocyst will position itself into the endometrium or uterine lining.
Estrogen and progesterone will both keep the uterine lining thick in order to nourish
the blastocyst. This process is called implantation.
 FERTILIZATION AND PREGNANCY

After about two months or 8 weeks, the embryo will have formed almost

all its parts like the brain, the heart, blood, nerves, stomach, intestines,

muscles, and skin. It is at 9 weeks that the embryonic stage has ended.

We are now at the fetal stage. The fetal stage lasts from 9 weeks after

fertilization to birth. The fetus will now continuously develop, floating in

amniotic fluid and getting nourished by its mother through the placenta.

The placenta is a structure around the inner lining of the uterus, and

connects to the fetus via the umbilical cord. Pregnancy typically lasts from

38 to 42 weeks. Another term for pregnancy is gestation, or the time when

the fetus grows and develops in the womb until birth.

Stages of Human Embryonic Development
 FERTILIZATION AND PREGNANCY

When the baby is ready for birth, its head will press onto the

cervix. The pituitary gland will release the hormone oxytocin

so that labor contractions (or when the walls of the uterus

contract) will cause the cervix to widen and relax in order for

the baby to exit through the vagina. The cervix may take

several hours to widen enough for the baby to be pushed

out. Usually the baby's head will come out first, then its body,

then the umbilical cord, and then finaly the placenta.

Breast Feeding
Prolactin and oxytocin are the two main hormones during breastfeeding Both
come from the pituitary gland. Prolactin helps in the secretion of milk. Prolactin
increases in the blood during pregnancy in order to develop the breasts in
preparation for milk production. Prolactin is blocked throughout gestation and will
only become active after the baby is delivered. This is when milk secretion begins.
Prolactin is also stimulated when a baby suckles.

Oxytocin on the other hand, is not just for uterine contractions. It is the hormone
that allows the baby to get milk. The oxytocin reflex is also called the "letdown
reflex" as it makes the milk that is ready in the breast flow towards the baby for it
to drink easily. Oxytocin is produced more quickly than prolactin, and stimulated
when a mother has been conditioned when to feed her baby, and when the baby
suckles.
During the first days after birth, a thick yellowish fluid called colostrum is
produced by the breasts. It is considered the first milk or 'pre-milk.'
Colostrum is packed with nutrients, antibodies, and rich in protein,
providing nourishment and protection to the baby. The flow of colostrum is
slow, enabling the baby to learn how to nurse. The transition of colostrum
will turn into mature white milk in two to four days.

Breastfeeding, especially in the first 6 months of life, is highly

recommended by medical experts such as the WHO and UNICEF. It is
beneficial to both mother and baby. It provides added protection to
different diseases for both, saves time and money as it is free, and also
fosters a strong bond between mother and child.
POST-TEST
1. Which part of the brain triggers puberty? Answer: A
a. Hypothalamus c. Pituitary Gland
b. Thalamus d. GnRH

2. This pertains to the cramps or pain women experience during their period.
Answer: A
a. Dysmenorrhea c. Contractions
b. Dinorrhea d. Period Cramps

3. The multicellular form of zygote is called _____? Answer: A

a. Blastocyst c. Embryo
b. Bystocyst d. Fetus
4. The two main hormones during breastfeeding are: Answer: C
a. Oxytocin and Proctalin
b. FSH and Prolactin
c. Oxytocin and Prolactin
d. Estrogen and Progesterone

5. How many eggs does a woman typically have in her 50s? Answer: C
a. 200 c. 1000
b. 450 d. 5000
6. Estrogen is mostly produced by the ovaries but small amounts are also
produced by ______ Answer: A
a. Adrenal Glands c. Pituitary Gland
b. Corpus Luteum d. Endocrine Glands

7. Hormone that cause the release of the ovum from the follicle. Answer: C
a. GnRH c. Luteinizing Hormone
b. FSH d. Progesterone

8. This process is controlled by hormones secreted by some endocrine glands.

Answer: B
a. Pregnancy c. Ovarian Phases
b. Menstrual Cycle d. Puberty
9. Dysmenorrhea is caused by high levels of __________ Answer: D
a. Insulin c. Progesterone
b. Estrogen d. Prostaglandins

10. The end of an embryonic stage and start of the fetal stage. Answer: B
a. 8 weeks to birth
b. 9 weeks to birth
c. 12 weeks to birth
d. 4 weeks to birth
Thank you
for listening!