Anatomy and Physiology of the Female Reproductive System: From Hormones to Menstrual Cycle, Study notes of Psychology of Sex

Download Anatomy and Physiology of the Female Reproductive System: From Hormones to Menstrual Cycle and more Study notes Psychology of Sex in PDF only on Docsity! Chapter 3 1. Gynecology: the medical practice specializing in women’s health and in diseases of the female reproductive and sexual organs. 2. VULVA: Encompasses all female external genital structures: Hair, Folds of skin, Urinary and vaginal openings, Appearance varied, likened & to flowers, seashells. 3. Mons Veneris: “Mound of Venus,” area covering pubic bone; pads of fatty tissue 4. Labia Majora: “Outer lips,” extend on either side of vulva 5. Labia Minora: “Inner lips,” located within the outer lips, join at the prepuce, extend past vaginal & urinary openings; cultural definitions of acceptable appearance vary (Western labiaplasty vs. African culture); risks; piercings 6. Prepuce: Clitoral hood 7. The Clitoris: Shaft, Glans (both are external covered by clitoral hood or prepuce), Internal Crura (roots), Smegma (accumulate under the hood, can prevent by drawing back the hood when washing the vulva, Cavernous Bodies), Increases in size during several days before ovulation & Controversy re sexual arousal and orgasm. 8. Cavernous bodies: the shaft contains two small spongy structures which engorge spongy tissue of the crura that connect to the pubic bones in the pelvic cavity. 9. Female Circumcision: Genital cutting aka “female genital mutilation”. Circumcision– easiest procedure, remove hood. Ensure Virginity before marriage. Social stigma in some cultures if uncircumcised. Many health risks; can have reconstructive surgery. Clitoris seen as a small penis. These include bleeding and pain that lead to shock and death, prolonged bleeding that leads to anemia, and infection that causes delayed healing, tetanus and gangrene. Long term consequences include urinary obstruction, blockage of menstrual flow, and recurrent reproductive tract infections. Labia cutting can lead to infertility. 10. Clitoridectomy: remove clitoris 11. Genital Infibulation: remove clitoris and labia 12. Urethra: short tube connecting bladder to urinary opening 13. Introitus: Opening of vagina 14. Hymen: Tissue that partially covers introitus 15. Hymenalplasty: Surgical reconstruction 16. Perineum: Smooth skin between vaginal opening and anus 17. Vestibular Bulbs: two bulbs, one on each side of the vaginal opening, that engorge with blood during sexual arousal. These bulbs are similar in structure and function to the spongy tissue in the penis. Compression of these tissues by the penis during intercourse causes internal sensations that some women find pleasurable. 18. Bartholin’s Glands: two small glands slightly inside the vaginal opening that secrete a few drops of fluid during sexual arousal. Usually not noticeable, sometimes become clogged. 19. Pelvic Floor Muscles: Strengthen with Kegel exercises. Multiple directional deign that allows the vaginal opening to expand greatly during childbirth and to contract afterward. 20. Vagina: canal that opens between labia minora and extends to cervix and uterus. Unaroused: 3 – 5 inches long; changes in size and shape during sexual arousal and childbirth. Three layers of tissue 21. Mucosa: moist tissue that lines certain body areas such as the penile urethra, vagina, and mouth. 22. Rugae: the folds of tissue in the vagina. 23. Vasocongestion: Network of blood vessels engorges with blood: 1) aids conception/alkalinizes normally acidic vagina & 2) enhances sexual enjoyment 24. Grafenberg Spot: are within anterior wall of vagina, system of glands (Skene’s glands) and ducts that surround the urethra, believed to be female counterpart to male prostate, when stimulated, may produce arousal, orgasm and ejaculation of fluid & not every woman has a G spot. 25. Douching: rinsing out the vagina with plain water or a variety of solutions. Hygiene 26. Cervix (use a speculum to see): small end of the uterus, back of vagin, has mucus secreting glands. 27. Os: opening in center of cervix leads to the interior of the uterus. 28. Uterus: Pear shaped organ inside pelvis, 3” long, 2” wide, within which fetus develops. Three layers: 29. Perimetrium: External – thin membranes covering the outside of the uterus. 30. Myometrium: Longitudinal and circular muscle fibers stretch and contract. 31. Fundus: at top (thick) of the uterus an area. 32. Endometrium: Inner lining, rich in blood vessels. 33. Fallopian Tubes: Two tubes extending from the sides of the uterus in which the egg and the sperm travel, each about 4”. 34. Fimbriae: fringelike projections at outside end of each tube; draws eggs into tube. 35. Cilia: move egg along at 1” per 24 hrs; viable 24-48 hours 36. Ectopic Pregnancies: Fertilized egg implants in fallopian tube instead of uterus 37. Ovaries: Size and shape of almonds. Ends of fallopian tubes & Ligaments connect to uterus and pelvic wall. Female gonads that produce ova and sex hormone. 38. Secondary sex Characteristics: the physical characteristics other than genitals that indicate sexual maturity, such as body hari, breasts and deepened voice. Arousal and Vaginal Lubrication: 10-30 seconds after effective sexual stimulation, clear liquid appears on vaginal mucosa, result of Vasocongestion: Network of blood vessels engorges with blood: 1) aids conception/alkalinizes normally acidic vagina & 2) enhances sexual enjoyment. Adequate lubrication important for sexual pleasure Vaginal Secretions and Chemical Balance of the Vagina: White or yellowish secretions are normal & sign of health. Vary in appearance, taste, scent. Chemical balance normally acidic. Normal, sign of health. Douching not necessary; can alter chemical balance & increase susceptibility to infection. Menstrual Physiology: Lining of uterus sloughs off if no fertilization & discharged as menstrual flow. Length measured from first day to day before next flow begins; typically lasts 2-6 days. Cycle varies from 24-42 days; longer cycle, higher fertility rate. Interval between ovulation and onset of menstruation is 14 days, + or – 2 days. Benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy. Controversies: -- Heart Disease: Effect related to health of blood vessels in younger vs older women; protective effect in younger women & helps maintain health of CV tissue -- Breast Cancer: Varied results of studies. Combined estrogen/progesterone HT at menopause: no increased risk for 7 years. Estrogen only: no increased risk for 15 years. If have breast cancer, lower risk of dying if on HT. Have to weigh benefits vs costs in making decision re HT GYNECOLOGICAL HEALTH CONCERNS:  Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s): Symptoms: frequent need to urinate, burning sensation, blood/pus in urine, lower pelvic pain. Causes: Bacteria that enter urethral opening; usually related to coitus  Vaginal Infections (vaginitis): Symptoms: irritation or itching of the vagina and vulva, redness of the introitus and labia, unusual discharge, and sometimes a disagreeable odor. Causes: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) found inside vagina. BREASTS: Secondary sex characteristics. Internal composition: Mammary glands, fatty tissues. Many sizes and shapes. Breast augmentation. Response to sex hormones. External: Nipple, aureola Hysterectomy: Surgical removal of the uterus. Oophorectomy: Surgical removal of the ovaries. Impact: Bleeding disorders, severe pelvic infections and the presence of benign. Cancer of the cervix, uterus or ovaries also. Breast Cancer: • Lumps: (80%), benign). Cysts. Fibroadenomas (solid, rounded tumors. Fibrocystic Disease. Malignant Tumors – 190,000 cases diagnosed each year; kills about 40,000 US women a year • Risk Factors: No pregnancies, never breast fed a child, menopause after age 55, obesity, intact ovaries. • Mammography: a highly sensitive X-ray screening help to detect cancerous breast cells and lumps. • Treatment: Breast Implants a. The hypothalamus in the brain measures levels of hormones and release GnRH to stimulate the pituitary to secrete FSH and LH into the bloodstream. b. Blood Levels of FSH and LH: The levels of FSH (red line) and LH (purple line) vary during the complete cycle. c. Ovary: Ovarian changes during the phases of the cycle. d. Blood Levels of Estrogen and Progesterone: Fluctuations in blood levels of estrogen and progesterone produced by the ovaries. e. Endometrium of uterus: Effects of estrogen and progesterone on the lining of the uterus. After ovulation, the glands and ducts inside the endometrium develop and secrete nutrients that, if the woman became pregnant, would support the embryo.