Main Female

Main Female
Medically Reviewed by Traci C. Johnson, MD on December 04, 2020
The female reproductive system is designed to carry out several functions. It produces the female egg cells necessary for reproduction, called the ova or oocytes. The system is designed to transport the ova to the site of fertilization. Conception , the fertilization of an egg by a sperm , normally occurs in the fallopian tubes. The next step for the fertilized egg is to implant into the walls of the uterus, beginning the initial stages of pregnancy . If fertilization and/or implantation does not take place, the system is designed to menstruate (the monthly shedding of the uterine lining). In addition, the female reproductive system produces female sex hormones that maintain the reproductive cycle.
The female reproductive anatomy includes parts inside and outside the body.
The function of the external female reproductive structures (the genitals) is twofold: To enable sperm to enter the body and to protect the internal genital organs from infectious organisms. The main external structures of the female reproductive system include:
The internal reproductive organs in the female include:
Females of reproductive age experience cycles of hormonal activity that repeat at about one-month intervals. With every cycle, a woman's body prepares for a potential pregnancy, whether or not that is the woman's intention. The term menstruation refers to the periodic shedding of the uterine lining. ( Menstru means "monthly.'')
The average menstrual cycle takes about 28 days and occurs in phases: the follicular phase, the ovulatory phase ( ovulation ), and the luteal phase.
There are four major hormones (chemicals that stimulate or regulate the activity of cells or organs) involved in the menstrual cycle: follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estrogen , and progesterone .
This phase starts on the first day of your period. During the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, the following events occur:
The ovulatory phase, or ovulation , starts about 14 days after the follicular phase started. The ovulatory phase is the midpoint of the menstrual cycle, with the next menstrual period starting about two weeks later. During this phase, the following events occur:
The luteal phase of the menstrual cycle begins right after ovulation and involves the following processes:
The vast majority of the eggs within the ovaries steadily die, until they are depleted at menopause. At birth, there are approximately 1 million to 2 million eggs; by the time of puberty, only about 300,000 remain. Of these, only about 500 will be ovulated during a woman's reproductive lifetime. Any remaining eggs gradually die out at menopause .
SOURCES: National Institutes of Health. The Merck Manual. American Society of Reproductive Medicine.
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The external and internal anatomy of the female reproductive system is discussed.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Your Changing Body: Puberty in Girls (Especially for Teens). (https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Your-Changing-Body-Puberty-in-Girls-Especially-for-Teens) Accessed 11/9/2021.
healthdirect. Female reproductive system. (https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/female-reproductive-system) Accessed 11/9/2021.
US Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health. Menopause. (https://www.womenshealth.gov/menopause) Accessed 11/9/2021.
Planned Parenthood. Reproductive and Sexual Anatomy. (https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/health-and-wellness/sexual-and-reproductive-anatomy/what-are-parts-female-sexual-anatomy) Accessed 11/9/2021.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Women's Reproductive Health. (https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/womensrh/index.htm) Accessed 11/9/2021.
Merck Manual. Menstrual Cycle. (https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/women-s-health-issues/biology-of-the-female-reproductive-system/menstrual-cycle) Accessed 11/9/2021.

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The female reproductive system provides several functions. The ovaries produce the egg cells, called the ova or oocytes. The oocytes are then transported to the fallopian tube where fertilization by a sperm may occur. The fertilized egg then moves to the uterus, where the uterine lining has thickened in response to the normal hormones of the reproductive cycle. Once in the uterus, the fertilized egg can implant into thickened uterine lining and continue to develop. If implantation does not take place, the uterine lining is shed as menstrual flow. In addition, the female reproductive system produces female sex hormones that maintain the reproductive cycle.
During menopause, the female reproductive system gradually stops making the female hormones necessary for the reproductive cycle to work. At this point, menstrual cycles can become irregular and eventually stop. One year after menstrual cycles stop, the woman is considered to be menopausal .

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The female reproductive anatomy includes both external and internal structures.
The function of the external female reproductive structures (the genital) is twofold: To enable sperm to enter the body and to protect the internal genital organs from infectious organisms.
The main external structures of the female reproductive system include:
The internal reproductive organs include:
Females of reproductive age (beginning anywhere from 11 to 16 years of age) experience cycles of hormonal activity that repeat at about one-month intervals. Menstru means "monthly” – leading to the term menstrual cycle. With every cycle, a woman’s body prepares for a potential pregnancy, whether or not that is the woman’s intention. The term menstruation refers to the periodic shedding of the uterine lining. Many women call the days that they notice vaginal bleeding their “period,” “menstrual” or cycle.
The average menstrual cycle takes about 28 days and occurs in phases. These phases include:
There are four major hormones (chemicals that stimulate or regulate the activity of cells or organs) involved in the menstrual cycle. These hormones include:
This phase starts on the first day of your period. During the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, the following events occur:
The ovulatory phase (ovulation) usually starts about 14 days after the follicular phase started, but this can vary. The ovulatory phase falls between the follicular phase and luteal phase. Most women will have a menstrual period 10 to 16 days after ovulation. During this phase, the following events occur:
The luteal phase begins right after ovulation and involves the following processes:
During fetal life, there are about 6 million to 7 million eggs. From this time, no new eggs are produced. At birth, there are approximately 1 million eggs; and by the time of puberty, only about 300,000 remain. Of these, only 300 to 400 will be ovulated during a woman's reproductive lifetime. Fertility can drop as a woman ages due to decreasing number and quality of the remaining eggs.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 01/19/2019.

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Female anatomy refers to the internal and external structures of the reproductive and urinary systems. Reproductive anatomy aids with sexual pleasure, getting pregnant , and breastfeeding a baby. The urinary system helps rid the body of toxins through urination (peeing).

Some people are born with internal or external structures that are ambiguous or characteristic of both male and female anatomy. The following female anatomy chart is a reference based on typical location.

The word “female” is used here to refer to people who identify as female and have typical reproductive organs of a cisgender female. We recognize that some people who identify as female do not have the same anatomy as that depicted in this article.

Female genitalia consist of organs that are both inside and outside the body. This section will describe the internal and external structures.

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.

The vulva is made up of the external structures outside the vaginal opening, including: 1

"Labia" is the Latin word for lips, and the labia majora is often referred to as the outer lips. 2

Internal female genitalia include the structures inside the vaginal opening. These include: 1

While direct contact with the cervix rarely occurs during intercourse, some women claim it helps with sexual pleasure. Others say it causes discomfort.

The breast contains multiple structures within it, including: 7

Estrogen and progesterone are the primary female hormones produced by the reproductive system. Hormone production increases at puberty to stimulate ovulation, giving a woman the ability to conceive a child. Female hormones also promote vaginal lubrication and increase sexual desire.

Female anatomy is designed for both intimacy and conceiving a baby. Structures such as the vulva, vagina, and breasts are sensitive to touch, stimulating arousal. The clitoris includes sensitive nerve endings, and its sole purpose is for sexual pleasure.

Sexual intimacy that leads to intercourse is usually the first step in getting pregnant. However, some do so through in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI).

During ovulation , an ovary releases an egg that travels through the fallopian tubes to the uterus. During penile-vaginal intercourse, semen is released into the vagina. Sperm from the semen swim toward the egg to join with it in the uterus or fallopian tubes.

Conception , or fertilization, occurs when the sperm and egg join, creating a zygote that develops into an embryo. Fertilization can happen hours or days after sexual intercourse.

When the egg is not fertilized and a female doesn’t get pregnant, the uterine lining sheds, causing a menstrual cycle, or period. Most females have a cycle every 28–31 days. However, it varies depending on when they ovulate.

Female anatomy is intricate, and its structures have many functions, including urination, sexual arousal, and the conception of a baby.

The vulva, the external structures outside the vaginal opening, includes the:

Internal female anatomy includes the following:

The breasts are included in female anatomy and serve a unique function in sexual stimulation and in breastfeeding a baby.

Female anatomy can seem highly complex. Understanding it helps those with this anatomy to prepare for changes during puberty, adulthood, pregnancy, and menopause (when a woman stops having menstrual cycles for 12 straight months).

It’s important to note that some babies are born with ambiguous structures, meaning they do not resemble typical female or male anatomy. Others are born with internal or external organs or genitalia of both males and females.

If there is no significant impact on the person, they can continue being their uniquely perfect self. When it impacts someone’s daily life, mental, emotional, or sexual health, their healthcare team may make treatment recommendations.

Urine collects in the bladder, passes through the urethra, and leaves the body at the urethral opening.
Females no longer ovulate or have their menstrual cycle during pregnancy . At times there is minor bleeding that can be mistaken for a period. The uterus expands, and the cervix thickens. Many notice changes in their breasts, such as tenderness, fullness, or heaviness. The areola and nipples may also change and become darker.
There is a lot of speculation about whether a woman’s erotic G-spot is an actual structure or a sensitive area in the vagina. For most, to find it, you or your partner can insert a finger, palm up, a few inches into the vagina. Curl your finger in a “come here” motion to see if that stimulates it. 9
Lee M, Dalpiaz A, Schwamb R, Miao Y, Waltzer W, Khan A. Clinical pathology of Bartholin’s glands: A review of the literature . Curr Urol . 2015;8(1):22-25. doi:10.1159/000365683
Rodriguez F, Camacho A, Bordes S, Gardner B, Levin R, Tubbs R. Female ejaculation: An update on anatomy, history, and controversies. Clinical Anatomy . 2020;34(1):103-107. doi:10.1002/ca.23654
Associated Medical Schools of New York. Skene’s glands .
Mishori R, Ferdowsian H, Naimer K, Volpellier M, McHale T. The little tissue that couldn’t – dispelling myths about the Hymen’s role in determining sexual history and assault. Reprod Health . 2019;16(1). doi:10.1186/s12978-019-0731-8
Johns Hopkins Medicine. Anatomy of the breasts .
Kothari C, Diorio C, Durocher F. The importance of breast adipose tissue in breast cancer . Int J Mol Sci . 2020;21(16):5760. doi:10.3390/ijms21165760
Puppo V, Gruenwald I. Does the G-spot exist? A review of the current literature . Int Urogynecol J. 2012 Dec;23(12):1665-9. doi: 10.1007/s00192-012-1831-y.
Boston University School of Medicine. Female Genital Anatomy .
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