Female Physiology

Organ System Cluster

Prepared by Austine Mae Evangelista, PTRP

Puberty
• First sign appears between 11
an d 13 years of age in girls and
the process is largely completed
by age 16
–MENARCHE: First episode of
menstrual bleeding
 Vagina, uterus, uterine tube and
external genitalia begin to
enlarge
 Increase rate of estrogen and
progesterone secretion of the
ovaries
 After the onset of puberty, the
hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary
secretes a large amount of GnRH, LH
and FSH.
Menstrual Cycle
 Phases
• Menses
• Proliferative Phase
• Ovulation
• Secretory Phase
 Menses
• A period of mild hemorrhage during
which part of the endometrium is
sloughed and expelled from the
uterus.
• Typically last for 4 or 5 days
• Pituitary: ↓FSH and LH secretion is
low but will ↑ (FSH) as
progesterone levels ↓
 Menses
• Ovarian Follicles: The rate of
estrogen and progesterone
secretion is low after degeneration
of the corpus luteum produced
during the previous menstrual
cycle
 Menses
• Endometrium: In response to the
declining progesterone levels, the
endometrial lining of the uterus
sloughs off, resulting in menses
followed by repair of the
endometrium
 Proliferative Phase
• The time between the ending of
menses and ovulation
• Refers to the proliferation of the
endometrium
• From day 4 or 5 to day 14
 Proliferative Phase
• Pituitary: FSH & LH are only slightly
elevated during most of the phase
but ↑ near the end of the
proliferative phase in response to
the increasing estrogen and
progesterone
• Developing follicles & Ovaries:
increasing amount of estrogen &
progesterone
 Proliferative Phase
• Endometrium: Estrogen causes
endometrial cells of the uterus to
divide  thickening w/ tube-like
glands
 Ovulation
• About the 14th day
• Pituitary: The FSH and LH secretion
↑ rapidly just before ovulation in
response to estrogen levels  ↑
estrogen secretion, resulting in a
positive feedback cycle
 Ovulation
• Ovarian follicle: LH causes final
maturation of a mature follicle;
and causes enlargement of
immature follicles
• Endometrium: continues to
divide in response to estrogen
 Secretory Phase
• Time between ovulation and the next
menses
• About day 14 to day 28
• Pituitary: high estrogen & progesterone
levels exert negative feedback on FSH &
LH production
• Ovarian follicle: conversion to the
corpus luteum  ↑progesterone but
↓ estrogen
 Secretory Phase
• If fertilization does not occur, the
corpus luteum degenerates about
day 25, and the rate of
progesterone rapidly declines to
low levels
 Secretory Phase
• Endometrium: In response to
progesterone, the endometrial cells
enlarge & reach their great degree
of development
• After progesterone level declines,
the endometrium begins to
degenerate
Pregnancy
 After the sexual act…
• Sperm cells are released into the
vagina  cervix  uterus 
oviducts
– Propelled by movement of the
tail or contractions by uterine
wall (♀: oxytocin, ♂:
prostaglandin)
 After the sexual act…
• Sperm cells undergo capacitation
– To allow penetration
 Pregnancy or gestation
• The importance of the reproductive
system is the nurturing of an offspring,
which is fulfilled by pregnancy
• During this time, many changes happen
in the body because the systems are
being readjusted to accommodate the
physical growth of the body and the
hormonal changes.
 COMMON CAUSES
CHANGES
Morning sickness Hormonal changes
Breast changes Hormonal changes
(increase in size; (+)
tenderness; areolas and
nipples darken; (+)
colostrum)
Frequent urination Pressure of uterus on
the bladder
Vaginal discharge Increased blood supply
to the skin and muscles
around the vagina
 COMMON CAUSES
CHANGES
Constipation Hormonal changes that
slow down the digestion
of food
Indigestion/heartburn Slowing of digestion and
relaxation of muscles
that keeps digested foods
and acids in the stomach
Lower abdominal or groin Stretching of the
pain ligaments and muscles
that support the uterus
Skin and hair changes Hormonal changes
 COMMON CAUSES
CHANGES
Numbness and tingling Compression of nerves in the
legs
Varicose veins Generalized swelling, weight of
uterus
Hemorrhoids Weight of uterus pressing on the
veins
LBP Change in posture
Breathing problems Pregnant uterus presses on the
diaphragm; lungs don’t have
enough space to expand
Stretch marks Stretching of the skin as you
grow bigger
Menopause
 Menopause
• Cessation of the menstrual cycle
• In women 40 or 50 years old, the
menstrual cycle becomes less
regular, and ovulation does not
consistently occur during each
cycle
 Menopause
• Female Climacteric
– Period from irregular menses to
complete cessation
What are the possible changes
in postmenopausal women?
 Changes
Menstrual •becomes irregular
cycle • ↑ incidence of ovulation &
maturation of The number of
cycles in which ovulation does not
occur and which corpora lutea
does not mature

Uterus •Endometrium atrophies, and the

uterus becomes smaller
 Changes
Vagina and • External genitalia becomes
external thinner and less elastic
genitalia • Labia majora becomes smaller
• Pubic hair decreases
• Reduces secretion leads to
dryness
• Vagina is more easily inflamed
and infected
 Changes
Skin • Epidermis becomes thinner
Cardio- • Hypertension and
vascular atherosclerosis occur more
System frequently
Vasomotor • hot flashes and increased
Instability sweating are correlated with
vasodilation of cunateous
blood vessel
• Hot flashes are related to
decreases estrogen levels
 Changes
Libido • Temporary changes, usually a
decrease in libido

Fertility • Begins to decline about 10

years before the onset of
menopause
• By age 50 almost all oocytes
and follicles have degenerated
 Changes

Pituitary • Lower levels of estrogen &

Function progesterone produced by the
ovaries cause the pituitary
glands to secrete larger
amounts of FSH and LH
• These hormones have little
effect on the post-menopausal
ovaries
Thank You for Listening