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REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

The following information is to be used as a guide to and at the discretion of the end-user and should not replace a doctor’s opinion.

OVERVIEW

Good sexual and reproductive health, throughout all stages of life, is important for women’s general health and wellbeing. It is central to their ability to make choices and decisions about their lives, including when, or whether, to consider having children.

Sexual and reproductive health is not only about physical wellbeing – it includes the right to healthy and respectful relationships, healthcare services that are inclusive, safe and appropriate, access to accurate information, effective and affordable methods of contraception and access to timely support and services in relation to unplanned pregnancy.

Taking care of yourself and making healthy choices can help protect you and your loved ones. Protecting your reproductive system includes having control of your health, if and when, you become pregnant.

PARTS OF THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

The female reproductive system consists of internal and external organs. It creates hormones and is responsible for fertility, menstruation and sexual activity.

The SheCares.org site has an excellent graphic of the female reproductive system. To see it, click here.

External Parts:

The function of your external genitals are to protect the internal parts from infection and allow sperm to enter your vagina.

Your vulva is the collective name for all your external genitals. A lot of people mistakenly use the term “vagina” to describe all female reproductive parts. However, your vagina is its own structure located inside your body.

The main parts of your vulva or external genitals are:

Labia majora: Your labia majora (“large lips”) enclose and protect the other external reproductive organs. During puberty, hair growth occurs on the skin of the labia majora, which also contain sweat and oil-secreting glands.
Labia minora: Your labia minora (“small lips”) can have a variety of sizes and shapes. They lie just inside your labia majora, and surround the opening to your vagina (the canal that joins the lower part of your uterus to the outside of your body) and urethra (the tube that carries urine from your bladder to the outside of your body). This skin is very delicate and can become easily irritated and swollen.
Clitoris: Your two labia minora meet at your clitoris, a small, sensitive protrusion that’s comparable to a penis in men. Your clitoris is covered by a fold of skin called the prepuce and is very sensitive to stimulation.
Vaginal opening: Your vaginal opening allows menstrual blood and babies to exit your body. Tampons, fingers, sex toys or penises can go inside your vagina through your vaginal opening.
Hymen: Your hymen is a piece of tissue covering or surrounding part of your vaginal opening. It’s formed during development and present during birth.
Opening to your urethra: The opening to your urethra is the hole you urinate from

Internal Parts:

Vagina: Your vagina is a muscular canal that joins the cervix (the lower part of uterus) to the outside of the body. It can widen to accommodate a baby during delivery and then shrink back to hold something narrow like a tampon. It’s lined with mucous membranes that help keep it moist.
Cervix: Your cervix is the lowest part of your uterus. A hole in the middle allows sperm to enter and menstrual blood to exit. Your cervix opens (dilates) to allow a baby to come out during a vaginal childbirth. Your cervix is what prevents things like tampons from getting lost inside your body.
Uterus: Your uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ that holds a fetus during pregnancy. Your uterus is divided into two parts: the cervix and the corpus. Your corpus is the larger part of your uterus that expands during pregnancy.
Ovaries: Ovaries are small, oval-shaped glands that are located on either side of your uterus. Your ovaries produce eggs and hormones.
Fallopian tubes: These are narrow tubes that are attached to the upper part of your uterus and serve as pathways for your egg (ovum) to travel from your ovaries to your uterus. Fertilisation of an egg by sperm normally occurs in the fallopian tubes. The fertilised egg then moves to the uterus, where it implants into your uterine lining.

Menstrual cycle
The menstrual cycle is the hormonal cycle that prepares women for pregnancy and involves the shedding of the uterine lining (menstruation) and the release of an egg (ovulation). The cycle typically lasts about 28 days (but can vary widely among individuals) at which point your menstruation (or period) occurs. During the menstrual cycle, the uterus prepares for a potential pregnancy by thickening the mucous membrane lining of the endometrium, the tissue that lines the uterus. When a pregnancy does not occur, the uterus sheds the lining, along with mucous and blood, which is known as the menstrual period.

When trying to fall pregnant, you should make a note of the date of the first day of your last menstrual period. Add 280 days to it and that will be when your baby is due.

Disorders include:

Oligomenorrhea: infrequent menstrual periods.

Dysmenorrhea: painful cramps during menstruation

Premenstrual syndrome: physical and psychological symptoms occurring prior to menstruation

Menorrhagia: excessive bleeding, or prolonged menstrual periods

Metrorrhagia: bleeding at irregular intervals

Amenorrhea: the absence of menstruation
Birth control

Birth control, also known as contraception or family planning, is medications, devices, and sometimes surgery, which is used to prevent pregnancy. There are various methods available, including hormonal methods like pills, patches, and injections, as well as non-hormonal methods like condoms, diaphragms, and intrauterine devices (IUDs). Some birth control methods work better when individualised to your needs and medical history and therefore you should engage with your healthcare provider to choose the best option that works for you.

Complications can include blood clots, heart attack, and stroke. The hormone changes can also trigger migraines.
Reproductive system anatomy

Our reproductive system is delicate and complex, and it is important to take steps to protect it from infections and injury – and to prevent problems, including some long-term health problems. Women may experience conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and fibroids. Regular check-ups with a healthcare provider are important for early detection and treatment. This includes regular screening (like pap smears for cervical cancer), good hygiene, and prompt medical treatment when issues arise.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

STIs are infections that are primarily spread through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. These infections can be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi, and they can affect people of all ages, genders, and sexual orientations. Women who have recently been, or are currently, sexually active are at risk for STIs, which can increase the risk of infertility, cervical cancer and other long-term complications if left untreated. Regular STI testing and practicing safe sex are important.
Pregnancy
Understanding the process of conception, pregnancy, and childbirth is essential. Prenatal care is crucial for a healthy pregnancy.

Pregnancy complications include:

Preeclampsia (high blood pressure)

Gestational diabetes

Depression and anxiety

Miscarriage or stillbirth

The Bonitas Maternity Programme is designed to help you throughout your pregnancy with the advice and care you need for a happy, healthy pregnancy. You can register on the Maternity Programme by calling 0860 999 121.
Menopause
Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years. It typically occurs in midlife, usually between the ages of 45 and 55, although the timing can vary widely among individuals. Menopause is characterised by the ending of menstruation and a decline in the production of reproductive hormones, particularly oestrogen and progesterone, by the ovaries.

Physical changes during menopause can increase your risk of:

Heart disease

Osteoporosis

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Urinary incontinence

Vaginal infections

Depression
Mental Health

Reproductive health can impact mental wellbeing. Throughout her lifetime, a woman’s hormones affect her moods and emotions which can sometimes impact on her quality of life, as well as mental health and wellbeing. Painful periods, heavy bleeding and other physical symptoms can cause emotional distress and anxiety. Post-pregnancy conditions like postpartum depression and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) are also examples of mental health issues that can affect a women during her reproductive years.
Fertility

Fertility is the ability to conceive children which declines with age. Some women may experience difficulties conceiving or may never be able to fall pregnant. Fertility treatments are available but can be emotionally and financially taxing, but very rewarding.

Your age, hormonal imbalances, weight, and cigarette smoking all have an impact on your fertility. Problems with ovulation are the most common reasons for infertility in women, but other complications include endometriosis, fallopian tube damage, PCOS and uterine fibroids.
Access to Healthcare

SIMPLE WAYS TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

The best way to take care of your sexual and reproductive health is to be more proactive, listen to your body, and not ignore even the most minor signs when something goes wrong because they can signal towards a more serious issue.

Get immediate treatment for STIs:

Over 40% of South African women have an active STI, while 10% have more than one. These include chlamydia, gonorrhoeae, and herpes, among others. The most important step that you can take to avoid getting infected by sexually transmitted infections is to be aware of what it is and how it is spread.

As with any disease, it is important to know how sexually transmitted infections work and be more aware of its risk factors to protect yourself from getting infected. If you feel like you have been exposed or are experiencing any symptoms, it is important to get tested to protect yourself and your partner. Some types of sexually transmitted infections do not show any symptoms, which is why regular testing and screening should be actively followed.

TAKE ACTION

Understanding your reproductive health contributes to your overall health and empowerment. Open communication and education about these topics will empower you to make informed decisions about your body and life.

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

The following information is to be used as a guide to and at the discretion of the end-user and should not replace a doctor’s opinion.

OVERVIEW

PARTS OF THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ISSUES

SIMPLE WAYS TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

TAKE ACTION

FURTHER READING