FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

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 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:

Labia majora: The labia majora
enclose and protect the other external
reproductive organs. Literally
translated as "large lips," the labia
majora are relatively large and fleshy,
and are comparable to the scrotum in
males. The labia majora contain sweat and oil-secreting glands. After puberty, the
labia majora are covered with hair.

Labia minora: Literally translated as "small lips," the labia minora can be very
small or up to 2 inches wide. They lie just inside the labia majora, and surround
the openings to the vagina (the canal that joins the lower part of the uterus to the
outside of the body) and urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to
the outside of the body).

Bartholin's glands: These glands are located beside the vaginal opening and
produce a fluid (mucus) secretion.
 Clitoris: The two labia minora meet at the clitoris, a small, sensitive protrusion
that is comparable to the penis in males. The clitoris is covered by a fold of skin,
called the prepuce, which is similar to the foreskin at the end of the penis. Like
the penis, the clitoris is very sensitive to stimulation and can become erect.

The internal reproductive organs in the female include:

Vagina: The vagina is a canal that joins the cervix (the lower part of uterus) to
the outside of the body. It also is known as the birth canal.
Uterus (womb): The uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ that is the home to
a developing fetus. The uterus is divided into two parts: the cervix, which is the
lower part that opens into the vagina, and the main body of the uterus, called the
corpus. The corpus can easily expand to hold a developing baby. A channel
through the cervix allows sperm to enter and menstrual blood to exit.
Ovaries: The ovaries are small, oval-shaped glands that are located on either
side of the uterus. The ovaries produce eggs and hormones.
Fallopian tubes: These are narrow tubes that are attached to the upper part of
the uterus and serve as tunnels for the ova (egg cells) to travel from the ovaries to
the uterus. Conception, the fertilization of an egg by a sperm, normally occurs in
the fallopian tubes. The fertilized egg then moves to the uterus, where it implants
into the lining of the uterine wall.

TENTING EFFECT

Even with compatible couples who are communicating well, it's not always easy to know
at exactly what stage of sexual arousal your partner is at. When it comes to penetrative
intercourse, jumping the gun and trying to insert too early can be painful and
uncomfortable for everyone involved.

As Dr. Doe explains, the phase of sexual arousal in women called tenting not only
increases lubrication production, but the cervix contract and the vaginal tube extends,
both in length and width. It's this action that makes it possible to receive an object, be it
a penis, or your sex toy of choice.

When having sex with a partner, it's important to wait until this phase for penetration.
Lubrication isn't the only factor that goes into making intercourse easier. Not everyone
reaches this stage in the same timeframe but, as Dr. Doe points out a lack of tenting
doesn't necessarily indicate a lack of arousal. However, patience from both partners and
an understanding of the various stages of arousal can make things go much easier.
 FEMALE ORGASM

For those of you who have had the pleasure (pun intended) of having an orgasm, you
know that it is a sweet and satisfying sensation like no other. All women are different
some are quick to orgasm (remember when Jaiya had an orgasm just by thinking about
it?), while others need to be warmed up for quite a while, like we saw on the Discovery
special Curiosity. When it happens, though, your entire body and soul feel utterly
amazing. So do you ever wonder what exactly is happening when you are about to reach
your climax? Here's the deal:

Once a woman becomes sexually aroused, her heart begins to beat quicker, and
she breathes faster. She'll tighten various muscles all over her body. Her breasts
will enlarge slightly, and her nipples will become erect. Some women's faces,
necks, or chests will become flushed. Also, her clitoris enlarges.
She'll notice that her vagina will have created a natural lubricant that will make
sex much more enjoyable (if you're too dry, then sex can really hurt).
Her labia (lips) will flatten out and open up. Inside, her vagina will lengthen and
widen (preparing for you know what). All this happens because blood rushes to
the pelvic area called engorgement and creates a pleasurably warm
sensation in that area (you know what I'm talking about).
As arousal continues, everything becomes even more enlarged, and all the
changes mentioned above become more pronounced. Yet the woman's clitoris
actually retracts under the hood and gets 50 percent shorter right before she
climaxes.
When the woman reaches orgasm, her skin will flush, and muscles all over her
body will continue to contract. Blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing rates
will continue to rise.
In the vagina itself, she'll feel rhythmic contractions in the outer part of the
vagina, in her uterus, and in her anus. These intense pulses happen about once
every second. Mild orgasms have three to five pulses, and intense orgasms have
10 to 15.

FEMALE SEXUAL RESPONSE

Sexual arousal is caused by sexual desire during or in anticipation of sexual activity. A

number of physiological changes occur in the body and mind in preparation for sex and
continue during the act. For women, these changes include increased blood flow to the
nipples, vulva, clitoris, and vaginal walls, and increased vaginal lubrication.

Physiological Response

The beginnings of sexual arousal in a woman's body is usually marked by vaginal

lubrication, engorgement of the external genitals, and internal enlargement of the
vagina. Further stimulation can lead to more vaginal wetness and further engorgement
and swelling of the clitoris and the labia, along with increased redness or darkening of
the skin in these areas. Changes also occur to the internal shape of the vagina and to the
position of the uterus within the pelvis.
Features of the vulva
The clitoris and labial folds are labelled.
This diagram of the clitoris indicates the labia majora and minora, retracted clitoral
hood, and glans.

Other bodily changes include an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, as well as
flushing across the chest and upper body. If sexual stimulation continues, then sexual
arousal may peak into orgasm, resulting in rhythmic muscular contractions in the pelvic
region characterized by an intense sensation of pleasure. Experienced by males and
females, orgasms are controlled by the involuntary or autonomic nervous system.
As women age, estrogen levels decrease. Reduced estrogen levels may be associated with
increased vaginal dryness and less clitoral erection when aroused, but are not directly
related to other aspects of sexual interest or arousal. In older women, decreased
pelvic muscle tone may prolong the time to reach orgasm, diminish the intensity of
orgasms, and cause more rapid resolution. In some women, the uterine contracts that
occur during orgasm may cause pain or discomfort.

Psychological Response

Mental and physical stimuli such as touch and the internal fluctuation
of hormonesinfluence sexual arousal. Cognitive factors like sexual motivation, perceived
gender role expectations, and sexual attitudes play important roles in womens self-
reported levels of sexual arousal. Basson suggests that womens need for intimacy
prompts them to engage with sexual stimuli, leading to an experience of sexual desire
and psychological sexual arousal.

Research by Goldey and van Anders showed that sexual cognition impacts hormone
levels in women. For instance, sexual thoughts result in a rapid increase
in testosterone in women who were not using hormonal contraception. Inconsistent
study results indicate that, although testosterone is involved in libido and sexuality of
some women, its effects can be obscured by the coexistence of psychological factors in
others.

THE SEXUAL-RESPONSE CYCLE: WHAT HAPPENS TO OUR

BODIES DURING SEX
While most of us are sure that we like to have sex, most of us also haven't spent much
time thinking about what happens physiologically while we are engaged in the act.
Masters and Johnson (two groundbreaking sex therapists) coined the term "sexual-
response cycle" to mean the sequence of events that happens to the body when a person
becomes sexually aroused and participates in sexually stimulating activities
(intercourse, masturbation, foreplay, etc.).

The sexual-response cycle is divided into four phases: excitement, plateau, orgasm and
resolution. There is no distinct beginning or end to each phase -- they're actually all part
of a continuous process of sexual response.

Keep in mind that this is a very general outline of what happens to each of us as we
become sexually aroused. There is much variation among individuals, as well as between
different sexual events.
Simultaneous Orgasms
Both men and women go through all four phases, except the timing is different. Men
typically reach orgasm first during intercourse, while women may take up to 15 minutes
to get to the same place. This makes the likelihood of simultaneous orgasm during
intercourse a rare event.

Phase One: Excitement

This phase usually begins within 10 to 30 seconds after erotic stimulation, and can last
anywhere from a few minutes to many hours.

Men: The penis becomes slightly erect. A man's nipples may also become erect.

Women: Vaginal lubrication begins. The vagina expands and lengthens. The outer lips, inner
lips, clitoris and sometimes breasts begin to swell.
Both: Heart rate, blood pressure and breathing are all accelerated.

Phase Two: Plateau

The changes that started in the excitement phase continue to progress.

Men: The testes are drawn up into the scrotum. The penis becomes fully erect.

Women: The vaginal lips become puffier. The tissues of the walls of the outer third of
the vagina swell with blood, and the opening to the vagina narrows. The clitoris
disappears into its hood. The inner labia (lips) change color (although it's a bit hard to
notice). For women who've never had children, the lips turn from pink to bright red. In
women who've had children, the color turns from bright red to deep purple.

Both: Breathing and pulse rates quicken. A "sex flush" may appear on the stomach,
chest, shoulders, neck or face. Muscles tense in the thighs, hips, hands and buttocks,
and spasms may begin.

Phase Three: Orgasm

This is the climax of the cycle. It is also the shortest of the four phases, usually only
lasting a few seconds.

Men: First, seminal fluid collects in the urethral bulb. This is when a man may have the
sensation that orgasm is certain, or "ejaculatory inevitability." Next, semen is ejaculated
from the penis. Contractions occur in the penis during the orgasmic phase.

Women: The first third of the vaginal walls contract rhythmically every eight-tenths of
a second. (The number and intensity of the contractions vary depending on the
individual orgasm.) The muscles of the uterus also contract barely noticeably.
Both: Breathing, pulse rate and blood pressure continue to rise. Muscle tension
and blood-vessel engorgement reach a peak. Sometimes orgasm comes with a grasping-
type muscular reflex of the hands and feet.

Phase Four: Resolution

This phase is a return to the normal resting state. It can last from a few minutes to a
half-hour or longer. This stage is generally longer for women than men.

Men: The penis returns to its normal flaccid state. There is usually a refractory period,
where it's impossible to orgasm again until a certain amount of time has passed. The
amount of time varies among men by age, physical fitness and other factors.

Women: The uterus and clitoris return to their normal positions. Some women may be
able to respond to additional stimulation with additional orgasms.

Both: Swelling recedes, any sex flush disappears, and there is a general relaxation of
muscle tension.
Understanding what's happening to you and your partner's bodies during sex can only
aid in the full enjoyment of the experience. Combine this with some good
communication skills, and you've found the key to unlock sexual pleasure and your
heart's desires.