The Female Reproductive System
The female reproductive system, which includes the ovaries, uterus, vagina, Fallopian tubes, mammary glands, and the breasts, is involved in the production of gametes, sex-hormones, and the support of offspring during pregnancy.
Female Reproductive System Health
Keeping this system healthy is very important. One way in particular to keep this system healthy is to preform a breast self-exam once a month. According to Johns Hopkins Medical Center, “Forty percent of diagnosed breast cancers are detected by women who feel a lump, so establishing a regular breast self-exam is very important.” Although yearly mamma grams can help to catch breast cancer, monthly self-exams can help you know they shape and feel of your breasts and if you do find any abnormalities, you can taller your medical professional.
Preforming a Self-Exam:
In The Shower:
Using the pads of your fingers, move around your entire breast in a circular pattern moving from the outside to the center, checking the entire breast and armpit area. Check both breasts each month feeling for any lump, thickening, or hardened knot. Notice any changes and get lumps evaluated by your healthcare provider.
In Front Of A Mirror:
Visually inspect your breasts with your arms at your sides. Next, raise your arms high overhead.
Look for any changes in the contour, any swelling, or dimpling of the skin, or changes in the nipples. Next, rest your palms on your hips and press firmly to flex your chest muscles. Left and right breasts will not exactly match—few women's breasts do, so look for any dimpling, puckering, or changes, particularly on one side.
Laying Down: When lying down, the breast tissue spreads out evenly along the chest wall. Place a pillow under your right shoulder and your right arm behind your head. Using your left hand, move the pads of your fingers around your right breast gently in small circular motions covering the entire breast area and armpit.
Use light, medium, and firm pressure. Squeeze the nipple; check for discharge and lumps. Repeat these steps for your left breast.
Along with self-exams, the female reproductive system can be kept healthy by practicing safe sexual activities. Although both women and men can contract STDs such as chlamydia, HIV/AIDS, gonorrhea, or genital herpes, health causes can be more severe for women. For example, if a woman who has an STD becomes pregnant, there could be some major health problems for the child.
Preforming a Self-Exam:
In The Shower:
Using the pads of your fingers, move around your entire breast in a circular pattern moving from the outside to the center, checking the entire breast and armpit area. Check both breasts each month feeling for any lump, thickening, or hardened knot. Notice any changes and get lumps evaluated by your healthcare provider.
In Front Of A Mirror:
Visually inspect your breasts with your arms at your sides. Next, raise your arms high overhead.
Look for any changes in the contour, any swelling, or dimpling of the skin, or changes in the nipples. Next, rest your palms on your hips and press firmly to flex your chest muscles. Left and right breasts will not exactly match—few women's breasts do, so look for any dimpling, puckering, or changes, particularly on one side.
Laying Down: When lying down, the breast tissue spreads out evenly along the chest wall. Place a pillow under your right shoulder and your right arm behind your head. Using your left hand, move the pads of your fingers around your right breast gently in small circular motions covering the entire breast area and armpit.
Use light, medium, and firm pressure. Squeeze the nipple; check for discharge and lumps. Repeat these steps for your left breast.
Along with self-exams, the female reproductive system can be kept healthy by practicing safe sexual activities. Although both women and men can contract STDs such as chlamydia, HIV/AIDS, gonorrhea, or genital herpes, health causes can be more severe for women. For example, if a woman who has an STD becomes pregnant, there could be some major health problems for the child.
Image received from: http://healthfavo.com/female-reproductive-system.html
Banner recieved from: http://www.bioartfertility.co.za/male-fertility/male-reproductive-system/
Information received from: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/sexuallytransmitteddiseases.html
http://www.innerbody.com/image/repfov.html
http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-self-exam
Banner recieved from: http://www.bioartfertility.co.za/male-fertility/male-reproductive-system/
Information received from: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/sexuallytransmitteddiseases.html
http://www.innerbody.com/image/repfov.html
http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-self-exam