Human Reproduction (I) – JSS1 Basic Science Lesson Note (Third Term)

Human reproduction in females is the process by which a woman produces young ones, and it involves three main events.

• Menstruation: the monthly discharge of blood from the vagina of a woman of childbearing age.
• Ovulation: the release of an egg from a mature ovarian follicle.
• Fertilisation: the fusion of a sperm and an ovum to form a zygote, which develops into a young one.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. define menstruation and state the age ranges and lengths of time linked with it;
2. list four problems associated with menstruation;
3. describe ways of keeping clean during menstruation;
4. define ovulation and state its signs and symptoms;
5. define fertilisation and say where it takes place.

What is menstruation?

Menstruation is the monthly flow of blood from the vagina of a woman of childbearing age.

• Other name: it is also called a period.
• Menarche: the first occurrence of menstruation in a girl.
• Menopause: the time in a woman’s life when menstruation stops for good.
• Amenorrhea: the absence of menstruation, as during pregnancy and for some time after childbirth.

What are the age ranges and lengths of time linked with menstruation?

What are the problems associated with menstruation?

The common menstrual problems are heavy periods, absence of periods, pain and discomfort, and bleeding between periods.

• Heavy period: an unusual and excessive flow of blood, which may last longer than seven days.
• Absence of menstrual periods: no period for 3 months or longer in a sexually mature woman who is not pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Pain and discomfort: pain just before or during a period, usually in the abdomen and lower back, that can stop normal daily activities.
• Bleeding between periods: abnormal uterine bleeding, or spotting, which can be a sign of another medical condition, minor or serious.

What other signs may come with period pain?

• Abdominal bloating.
• Breast tenderness.
• Headache.
• Sleep problems.
• Mood swings.

A girl or woman with any of these problems should tell a parent or guardian and see a healthcare provider.

How do you keep clean during menstruation?

Keeping clean during menstruation means using sanitary materials correctly, washing the outer genital area properly and disposing of used pads safely.

Choosing and changing sanitary materials

• Choose your method: pick the lowest absorbency that suits your flow. Switching brands often can make you uncomfortable.
• Change your pad regularly: blood that has left the body picks up germs. Change at least once every six hours.
• Use one method at a time: several pads at once hide how full they are, so you change late. This causes rashes and infections.
• Beware of pad rash: a wet pad that rubs the thighs causes chafing. Stay dry and change when wet.
• Be prepared: keep extra pads and cleaning materials ready, and store them where they stay clean.

Washing the body

• Wash regularly: blood can collect between the folds of skin around the vagina and dry into a crust. Wash it away to prevent bad odour.
• Wash before a new pad: clean the outer genital area first. If you cannot wash, wipe with toilet paper or tissue.
• No soap inside the vagina: the vagina cleans itself using a balance of good and bad bacteria. Soap inside can kill the good bacteria and allow infection. Soap may be used on the outer parts only.
• Wash in one direction: always wash from the vagina towards the anus. The opposite direction carries bacteria to the vagina and urethral opening.
• Bathe regularly: a bath cleans the body and the private parts. It can also ease cramps and backache.

Disposing of used pads

• Wrap well: used pads can spread infection, so wrap them tightly before throwing them away.
• Wash your hands: do this very well after disposing of a pad.

What is ovulation?

Ovulation is the release of an egg (ovum, oocyte or female gamete) from a mature ovarian follicle.

• Where it happens: the egg leaves the ovary and enters the fallopian tube, where a sperm may fertilise it.
• When it happens: usually between the 10th and 19th day of the menstrual cycle, around the middle of the cycle.
• Fertile period: this is when a woman is most likely to become pregnant.
• End of ovulation: it usually stops at menopause.

Note: A girl who has started menstruating can become pregnant if she has sexual intercourse.

What are the signs and symptoms of ovulation?

The signs of ovulation are changes in cervical mucus, body temperature and the cervix, breast tenderness, a higher sexual urge and sharper senses.

• Change in cervical mucus: clear, wet mucus like “egg white” shows that ovulation is near or happening. The wettest day is close to ovulation.
• Change in basal body temperature: a rise in resting body temperature shows that ovulation has taken place.
• Change in the cervix: the cervix becomes soft, high, open and wet.
• Breast tenderness: the breasts become tender and sensitive.
• Increased sexual urge: libido rises during ovulation.
• Sharper senses: sight, smell and taste may become keener.

What are the parts of the female reproductive system?

The female reproductive system is the set of organs that produce eggs and carry a developing baby.

What is fertilisation?

Fertilisation is the fusion of the male gamete (sperm) and the female gamete (ovum) to form a zygote.

• Where it occurs: in the fallopian tubes of the female.
• Zygote: the single cell formed when the sperm and ovum fuse.
• Result: the zygote grows and develops into a young one.

What are the steps from ovulation to pregnancy?

1. An egg is released from the ovary (ovulation).
2. The egg moves into the fallopian tube.
3. Sperm from the male enter the vagina and swim up to the fallopian tube.
4. One sperm fuses with the egg (fertilisation) and a zygote forms.
5. The zygote moves to the uterus and attaches to its wall.
6. The zygote grows and develops into a baby, and pregnancy continues.

How do menstruation, ovulation and fertilisation differ?

Evaluation

1. What is ovulation?
2. State four signs of ovulation.
3. Define menstruation.
4. What is fertilisation, and where does it occur?
5. List four problems associated with menstruation.

Assignment

List five ways of keeping clean during menstruation and give one reason for each.