The Female Reproductive System, What’s That?

For as long as I can remember, the female body has always been an ‘inappropriate’ topic. Caregivers fail to teach children the anatomically correct names for their body parts- initiating the misunderstanding of their bodies before they’re old enough to read. As a result, females- and those with female reproductive systems- have considerably less access to reproductive healthcare and unfair stigmas in the medical field. Now I’m no doctor, but I sure can teach everyone a little about the female reproductive system. It’s about time!  

First off, let’s discuss the uterus. The uterus contains fallopian tubes and ovaries, among other organs, and serves as an incubator for fetuses during development. Just below the uterus is the vagina; while the vagina has many parts of its own, one of its primary components is the cervix. The cervix is an internal pathway connecting the uterus to the vagina; this is where babies come through during birth. 

For the female reproductive system to reproduce, it must menstruate. Menstruation typically occurs once a month for about a week (though this varies from person to person). Menstruation is the uterus’s way of preparing itself for pregnancy. However, if the egg produced during this time remains unfertilized, the uterus will shed its lining. The shedding of this lining is what most refer to as their period. 

During a period, it’s common to experience discomfort, nausea, cravings, or all of the above. Thankfully, there are a few tips and tricks to ease period symptoms and promote all-around wellness in the reproductive system.  

To ease period symptoms, try:  

• Using a heating pad or taking a warm bath to minimize cramps 
• Drinking tea; A few of the most recommended include green, chamomile, and peppermint 
• Taking a pain medication, such as Ibuprofen or Midol 
• Avoiding salty foods, alcohol, and coffee 

To promote all-around reproductive health, try: 

• Eating nutrient-rich foods, such as Greek yogurt, leafy greens, nuts, fish, and even dark chocolate 
• Getting enough sleep; adequate sleep will improve bodily functions all around 
• Avoiding washing intimate areas with scented soaps; stick to simple cleaning agents or warm water 

Now that you know a little about the female reproductive system, don’t shy away from sharing your knowledge. When conversations come up, normalize using the anatomically correct terms. Vagina, uterus, ovaries, cervix- say them loud and proud! Closing the gender disparities in the medical field is a group effort; how can you contribute?  

-Lyn Jones

*Author’s note: Happy Women’s History Month to all of my beautiful readers! For my girls, take some extra time to celebrate yourself this month! Run a bath, have a sweet treat, and prioritize self-care. Not a girl? That’s more than fine; take time to appreciate the girls in your life. This could be a mom, sister, grandma, or even a friend- show her you care (dark chocolates and words of affirmation work wonderfully!). Happy change-making!