Overview of the Female Reproductive System
Understanding your reproductive system is a crucial part of getting pregnant. While reviewing the functions of the reproductive system might seem prosaic, uncovering the distinct role each part of your reproductive system plays in getting pregnant is crucial; as it can improve your fertility and overall reproductive health. Learning about how your reproductive system works each month, including menstruation and ovulation, is an essential first step in your journey towards getting pregnant.
Your Reproductive System
When you're trying to get pregnant, learning about your reproductive system is not only an excellent way to boost your reproductive health, but it can also help increase your chances of getting pregnant.
Your reproductive system is comprised of the following reproductive organs:
- vagina
- cervix
- uterus
- fallopian tubes
- ovaries
The above reproductive organs work together in order to help you menstruate, ovulate, conceive and carry to term. For example, knowing when you are ovulating is the best way to plan conception sex. Learn more about how to watch your body for the signs that ovulation is near. Read about how to test your cervical mucus and your basal body temperature. These signs will help you plan the best time to try for pregnancy.
Female Reproductive Organs
Each female reproductive organ has a distinct role in the process of getting pregnant:
- Vagina: the vagina is a tube-shaped structure that connects your internal reproductive organs with your genitalia; the vagina ends at the cervix. It is the point in which the penis enters during sexual intercourse
- Cervix: located between the vagina and the uterus, the cervix produces mucus that can either help or prevent sperm from fertilizing an egg. Sperm must pass through the cervix in order to fertilize an egg in order to get pregnant
- Uterus: the uterus is a muscular organ comprised of three layers: the pertinoneum (outer layer); myometrium (middle layer) and endometrium (inner lining). The endometrium is the location where a fertilized egg will implant itself and develop in the event that fertilization is successful; if the egg is not fertilized, the endometrium will be shed, resulting in menstruation
- Fallopian Tubes: extending outwards from the upper sides of the uterus, the fallopian tubes have 20 to 25 finger-shaped structures on their ends that are located just above the ovaries. The fallopian tubes collect mature eggs upon its release and are also the location where fertilization of the egg takes place
- Ovaries: two ovaries comprise the female reproductive system, with one ovary found on each side of the uterus. Ovaries are the location where egg follicles are stored; each month, one egg follicle matures and releases an egg into the fallopian tubes. Central to proper reproductive health, the ovaries produce estrogen
Also check out our pregnancy videos for more information.
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