This explains about the female reproductive body parts and what happens during the menstrual cycle. For more about fertility go to this page
Vagina – The vagina is very stretchy and widens and lengthens when sexually aroused. It’s up to 6 inches long. It’s surrounded by lots of muscle so afer stretching it goes back to normal size.
Cervix – This is the neck of the womb. There is a very small gap here allowing sperm to swim into the womb. During pregnancy the cervix part to allow the baby through. It’s also where smear tests are taken to look for cervical cancer.
Womb / Womb Lining – Fertilized eggs attach here and grow during pregnancy. Before eggs are released a sticky lining is created so that a fertilized egg (embryo) can stick to the womb, starting pregnancy.
Fallopian Tubes – Where sperm meet eggs during fertilization.
Ovaries – Where eggs are stored and released. 1 or 2 eggs are released in each menstrual cycle (this is ovulation).
Menstrual Cycle
An egg (or two) is released from the ovary once in a menstrual cycle: this is known as ovulation and happens around halfway through the cycle (it is not at the same time as a period).
For pregnancy to start one sperm* needs to fertilise the egg, which then has to implant in the womb lining.
*There are up to 300 million sperm in every ejaculation, they can live for up to 7 days inside the female
The egg dies around 24 hours after being released. After that it is not possible to get pregnant until the next egg is released in the next cycle. Unfertilised eggs, womb lining and a little bit of blood then come out, a few days later, during a period. The first day of a period is the first day of a new cycle, as the graphic below shows…
Want more?
Contraception: Sex Without Making Babies
Busted! Contraception and Pregnancy Myths
This information available in a leaflet for purchase for educators and healthcare practitioners. Click here for details
© Justin Hancock, 2011 Bish Training
