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A woman's body is very dynamic and complex. A woman's
reproductive organs include: uterus, cervix, vagina,
ovaries and fallopian tubes.
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Uterus:
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A pear-shaped muscular organ where the fertilized
egg implants and develops into a baby; "the
womb"
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Cervix:
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The opening into the uterus through which the
sperm travels
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Vagina:
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The "birth canal"; the passageway between
the cervix and outside of the body; where the
penis is inserted during intercourse
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Ovaries:
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Women are usually born with two ovaries that
contain thousands of eggs, one egg usually matures
during each menstrual cycle
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Fallopian Tubes:
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The tubes connecting the ovaries and the uterus
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What happens during a menstrual
cycle?
Hormones are secreted by the brain and ovary, which
regulate the menstrual period. The hormone estrogen
stimulates the lining of the uterus to grow and thicken.
At the same time, several of the eggs begin to mature.
When the ovary releases an egg, this is called ovulation.
After ovulation, the ovary then produces progesterone
that helps to prepare the uterus for the fertilized
egg. If the egg is not fertilized, the lining of the
uterus begins to shed its lining-this is called the
menses (period). The average cycle length is 28 days.
However, the normal cycle length can be from 21 to 35
days.
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