A Woman's Body: How Did You Say That Worked

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How Does It Work?

Understanding Menstruation

Exactly When Is Ovulation?

When Can You Get Pregnant?

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What Makes You Female?

Your Ability to Reproduce and Carry a Baby.

How Does It Work?

Ovum, or eggs, are stored in the ovaries. Two ovaries are located in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus. The ends of the Fallopian tubes have finger-like projections called fimbria which grab an egg when it is released (ovulated). The fallopian tubes are connected to the uterus (the organ where the baby grows). The lower opening of the uterus, the cervix, is located at the top of the vagina.

All the eggs a woman will ever have are formed while she is still in her mother's uterus. These five million eggs have already formed by the time the mother is five months pregnant and this number is reduced to half a million by birth. Any infections or toxic substances that can cross the placenta while the mother is pregnant can affect this baby's future childbearing. However, this will not be known until she is ready to have a child of her own. An example of this is DES exposure which has affected a whole generation of women.

Girls are beginning menstruation at an earlier age than a century ago due to better nutrition. There is a set amount of body fat that is needed for menstruation to begin and because girls weigh more today at an earlier age, they are menstruating earlier.

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UNDERSTANDING MENSTRUATION

Every period starts a cycle that usually produces a single egg that can be fertilized. Cycle lengths vary from 21 - 35 days, but are usually 28 days in length from the beginning of one period to the beginning of the next period. An area of the brain signals the pituitary gland (a tiny gland located at the base of your brain and above the roof of your mouth) to produce the hormones FSH and LH. These hormones are then released into the bloodstream, where they are conveyed to the ovaries. Stress, grief, trips or anything that disrupts a woman's life can keep FSH and LH from being released, thus causing lack of a period.
FSH and LH reach the ovaries and signal them to produce the female hormone, estrogen. Estrogen signals an egg to begin to ripen. The egg is ripened in a sac called a follicle. When the egg has completely ripened, it is released from the follicle into the abdomen where it is picked up by the fimbria of the fallopian tubes.

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EXACTLY WHEN IS OVULATION?

Ovulation, which only takes about two minutes to complete, usually occurs 14 days after the onset of the period in a 28 day cycle. Ovulation always occurs 14 days BEFORE the onset of your period. Thus, if you have a 35 day cycle, you will ovulate on day 21.

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WHEN CAN YOU GET PREGNANT?

     The egg is capable of being fertilized for 24 hours. If fertilization doesn't occur, the egg dies. A small amount of bleeding can occur with the rupture of the follicle. This can produce a discomfort called mittelschmerz.
     A woman can detect the approach of ovulation by a change in her cervical mucus. It becomes more watery and is present in larger quantities. This helps the sperm move through the mucus on its journey to the egg awaiting in the fallopian tube.
     The follicle, or sac that housed the egg before ovulation, now begins to produce a hormone called progesterone, which is sent into the blood. Progesterone causes changes to occur in the lining of the uterus, the endometrium, which will allow the fertilized egg to nest or implant. Progesterone also causes changes in cervical mucus, making it thicker and thus unable to be traversed by sperm or bacteria.
     If fertilization does not occur, the lining of the uterus is shed, resulting in a period.
     Women ovulate approximately 400 times from puberty to menopause. All the eggs not ovulated by menopause have died. Ovaries also do not necessarily take turns in releasing eggs. If one ovary is surgically removed, the remaining ovary will produce an egg a month.

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