Reproductive organs are parts of the body that are used for the reproductive process, namely the process of making egg cells or sperm. In men, the reproductive organs consist of the testicles, vas deferens, prostate and penis. Meanwhile, in women, the reproductive organs consist of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus and vagina.
Knowing and recognizing reproductive organs can help a person understand the reproductive process, know how the reproductive system works, and can help in preventing and overcoming health problems related to reproduction.
Apart from that, recognizing reproductive organs can also help in recognizing early signs of reproductive health problems such as infertility or reproductive cancer.
As has been explained, the reproductive organs of women and men are different and have different functions. This time, we will discuss the female reproductive organs and their functions and how to care for them.
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Female Reproductive Organs and Their Functions
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The process of reproduction is when an organism creates other organisms that are similar to itself. The reproductive system in living creatures is very important to ensure the continuity of life and prevent extinction.
Every living creature has reproductive organs, including humans, both men and women. The reproductive organs in humans, men and women are very different. The female reproductive system consists of internal and external organs such as the vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes, vaginal opening and many more. The following is a further explanation about the female reproductive organs.
The female reproductive organs consist of two parts, namely the external structure and the internal structure. The function of the external female reproductive structures (genitals) is to protect the internal genital organs from external organisms and facilitate the entry of sperm into the body. The external structure of the female reproductive organs is as follows:
External Structure (Genital)
The external reproductive organs in women have three main functions, namely:
- Facilitates the entry of sperm into the woman’s body
- Protects internal reproductive organs from harmful germs
- Provides sexual pleasure
Overall, this external structure called the vulva consists of
Mons pubis
The mons pubis is part of the external female reproductive organs which consists of fatty tissue that covers the pubic bone. During puberty, this area begins to grow hair.
The mons pubis contains sebaceous glands, which are glands that produce oil. These glands also secrete pheromones, which are chemicals used to induce sexual attraction.
Labia majora
The labia majora or also known as the outer lips or large lips are folds of skin containing fatty tissue that wraps and protects other external reproductive organs. This part is the equivalent of the scrotum in men. During puberty, this part also begins to grow hair, and contains glands that produce sweat and oil.
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Smaller lips
The opposite of the labia majora, the labia manora are the small lips or also known as the inner lips. This part of the female reproductive organ has varying sizes and shapes.
The width of the labia minora can be very small, up to 5 cm. The labia minora are located inside the labia majora and surround the vaginal opening and urethra (where urine comes out).
The skin of the labia minora is very delicate so it becomes easily irritated and swollen. Because they are supplied by many blood vessels, the labia minora are pink. When there is sexual stimulation, the blood vessels in this area will fill with blood so that the labia minora become larger and more sensitive to stimulation.
Clitoris
The clitoris is a small and sensitive organ located between the two halves of the labia minora. This organ is a gland that is split into two parts and stretches towards the vagina on both sides.
The clitoral gland consists of spongy tissue that contains thousands of nerve endings that are very sensitive to sexual stimulation and can cause an erection. When a woman is aroused, the clitoris can enlarge and this is the main organ responsible for the orgasm process in women.
Physiology is a very important science and is the basic science in the fields of medicine and health. By understanding physiology, students are expected to be able to understand human concepts comprehensively.
The book Human Physiology of the Female Reproductive Cycle was prepared to be a reference and reference source for lecturers and students in the fields of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health, Nutrition and other health sciences.
Bartholin’s glands
Bartholin’s glands are glands located on the inner side of the labia majora (large lips) in women. The function of this gland is to secrete fluid that helps in lubrication during sexual activity.
This fluid also helps in preventing irritation in this area. The location of the Bartholin’s glands is very close to the vaginal introitus, which is the opening that connects the vagina to the outside world.
Bartholin’s glands can experience problems such as swelling or infection, which is also called Bartholinitis. But this rarely happens.
Hymen or hymen
The hymen is a thin layer of tissue located in front of the vaginal opening. In some people, the hymen has a hole large enough to allow sperm to enter the uterus, while in other people, the hymen has a very small hole or none at all.
The hymen can also be damaged or torn during activities such as cycling, exercising, or having first sexual intercourse. However, in some cultures, the hymen or hymen is considered a sign of virginity.
Urethra
The urethra in women is the channel used to excrete urine from the body. A woman’s urethra is between her clitoris and vagina. Its size is much shorter than the male urethra, only around 4 cm.
The urethra also has a role in the orgasm process in women, because in this process ejaculation can occur in the urethra. However, ejaculation in women is a phenomenon that is still debated by scientists.
For women, it is important to know their reproductive health. This really needs to be done so that the female reproductive parts are not easily attacked by disease. This book on Women’s Reproductive Health Disorders provides an introduction to the female reproductive system and several health problems in women’s reproduction.
Internal Structure
The female internal reproductive organs consist of the vaginal opening which is used for penile penetration and entry of sperm, the uterus which is used as a place for the development of the embryo and fetus, the fallopian tubes which are used as a place for fertilization of egg cells by sperm, and the ovaries which are used for hormone production and maturation. egg.
The egg and sperm move in this pathway from opposite directions, namely the sperm moves from bottom to top and the egg moves from top to bottom.
Vagina
The vagina is known as a channel that connects the internal and external reproductive organs of the female reproductive system. The vagina is behind the bladder and in front of the digestive tract.
The vagina allows body fluids such as menstrual blood and vaginal discharge to exit and also allows sperm to enter. The vagina consists of elastic muscle walls that can shorten and lengthen, its normal length is between 5-7 cm.
When aroused, the length of the vagina can reach 13 cm and during orgasm, the muscles of the vaginal walls will contract rhythmically.
On the inside, the vagina is lined with mucous membrane produced by vaginal wall cells and glands in the cervix. During the reproductive period, the texture of the vaginal walls is folded and wrinkled, while before puberty and after menopause, the texture of the vagina is smoother.
Cervix
The cervix is a small part at the bottom of the uterus that is directly above the vagina. The cervix is lined with a smooth mucous membrane and has several important functions.
One of them is producing cervical mucus which functions to prevent sperm from entering the uterus when a woman is infertile or pregnant. Apart from that, cervical mucus also functions to protect against dangerous germs and also as a pathway for menstrual blood to escape.
Uterus or womb
The uterus is an organ that is shaped like a pear and is located in the middle of the pelvic cavity, behind the bladder and in front of the rectum. This organ is held in position by several ligaments. The main function of the uterus is to maintain the survival of the developing fetus.
The uterus consists of two parts, namely the cervix and the corpus. The cervix is the lower part connected to the vagina, while the corpus is the main part of the uterus where the fetus develops.
This part of the corpus is very muscular, the corpus is able to stretch to accommodate the growth of the fetus. During labor, the muscle walls of the uterus will contract to push the baby out through the cervix and vaginal opening.
During the reproductive period, the uterine corpus is longer than the cervix. But after menopause, the situation is the opposite.
The inner wall of the main part or corpus of the uterus, which is called the endometrium, is capable of changing thickness according to the menstrual cycle. If a woman is not pregnant, the endometrial wall will shed and come out as menstrual blood.
Fallopian Tubes
The fallopian tube is a thin tube located above the uterus which functions as a pathway for the ovum (egg) to move from the ovary to the uterus.
The length of the fallopian tube is around 10 to 13 cm. In this channel fertilization of egg cells by sperm cells occurs. The fertilized egg (embryo) then moves to the uterus, where it implants in the uterine wall.
The fallopian tube consists of several parts, including the infundibulum which is a funnel-shaped hole located near the ovary, the fimbria, which are finger-like projections that surround the opening from the fallopian tube to the ovary, and the cilia, which are hair-like structures and are found inside. fallopian tube.
The egg cells released from the ovary will be carried by fluid and fimbria to the infundibulum, which is a funnel-shaped hole near the ovary.
After entering the fallopian tube, the cilia contained in it will move the egg towards the uterus. This trip takes about 7 days. At these times, if a woman has sexual intercourse, the egg cells in the fallopian tubes can be fertilized by sperm cells.
Ovaries
The ovaries are small, oval-shaped organs located on either side of the uterus. The main function of the ovaries is to produce egg cells and female reproductive hormones, namely estrogen and progesterone.
At birth, the ovaries have about 700,000 immature egg cells and at puberty, these egg cells begin to grow and mature in the follicles. This process is called ovulation and occurs every month and is part of the menstrual cycle which allows pregnancy to occur.
Hormones produced by the ovaries have a role in regulating the menstrual cycle and have an important role in the development of sexual organs and female sexual characteristics.
Apart from that, these hormones also facilitate the process of pregnancy, childbirth and breast milk production. These hormones also have a role in maintaining healthy bones, heart, liver, brain and other tissues and can influence mood, sleep quality and sexual desire.
As additional information, breasts are not part of a woman’s primary reproductive organs. Breasts are considered more of a secondary sexual trait or characteristic and are a characteristic of a woman.
When puberty occurs, a woman’s breast tissue will grow rapidly, this is due to the effects of estrogen and other hormones. This development then triggers the development of fatty tissue which ultimately makes women’s breasts have a hemispherical shape and the glands and milk ducts also develop.
The main function of air is to produce breast milk. However, breasts are also a symbol of femininity and play a role in sexual power and pleasure.
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How to Care for Female Reproductive Organs
The vagina is an important organ that is susceptible to problems such as vaginal discharge, fungal infections and sexually transmitted diseases. If you don’t pay attention to your health, the risk of developing this problem will be even higher.
Even though it looks scary, Grameds doesn’t need to worry, because there are several simple ways you can take care of vaginal health.
1. Not cleaning the vagina with soap
According to experts, cleaning the vagina with soap is not recommended because it can disrupt the pH balance and healthy bacteria in the vagina. \
This can cause vaginal infections. If Grameds wants to keep cleaning the vagina, make sure to use products that are unscented and labeled hypoallergenic for sensitive skin.
2. Maintain cleanliness in the vaginal area
After urinating or defecating, Grameds should immediately clean the vagina using clean water. Then, wash the vagina from front to back.
Don’t forget to always dry your vagina using a tissue from front to back. This needs to be done to prevent bacterial contamination of the vagina and reduce the risk of urinary tract infections. Apart from that, don’t forget that during menstruation, don’t forget to change your sanitary napkins regularly.
3. Use the right underwear
Choose underwear that can absorb sweat well and is not too tight. Underwear made from cotton is very good at absorbing sweat, so it can reduce moisture in intimate organs.
Some types of fabric and clothing that are too tight can cause warm and damp conditions, which can trigger the growth of mold. Remember to always change your underwear every day, Grameds.
4. Regularly check women’s health and get the HPV vaccine
To maintain vaginal health, having regular gynecological examinations is very important. Women aged 25-64 years and who are sexually active are advised to undergo an examination or screening test to prevent the risk of cervical cancer.
Don’t forget to do a Pap smear according to the specified schedule. Many doctors are trained in diagnosing diseases and disorders of the reproductive system as a whole.
If Grameds is younger, make sure to complete the HPV vaccination to protect the body from human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The HPV vaccine can be given to children who are entering their teens or adults who have not yet received the HPV vaccine. This vaccination is carried out to prevent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
There are many herbal medicines that can be used to cure cancer in women. What are herbal medicines? You can find it in the book Herbal Cure for Cancer in Women. This book examines the properties and procedures of herbs in curing the five cancers that most often attack women. Cervical cancer (cervix), uterine cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer (ovaries), and endometrial cancer.
That is the explanation of the female reproductive organs. Learn more about the health of reproductive organs by reading books about reproduction.