What is the female reproductive system and how does it work?

The female reproductive system is a group of organs that support growth and development during a female's life. It is involved in:

• sexual activity
• fertility
• pregnancy and childbirth

The female reproductive system is made up of female body parts including:

• ovaries — there are 2 ovaries, 1 on each side of the uterus, in which female hormones (oestrogen and progesterone) are produced and eggs (follicles) are stored to mature. Every month an egg is released. This is called ovulation.
• fallopian tubes — these are 2 thin tubes that connect the ovaries to the uterus, allowing the egg to travel to the uterus
• uterus (the womb) — the lining of the uterus thickens with blood and other substances every month. If pregnancy happens, the fertilised egg will attach to the uterus and grow into a fetus and then a baby. If it does not, this lining flows out of the body. This is known as menstruation or your period.
• cervix — this is the lower part of the uterus that connects the uterus to the vagina.
• vagina — this is a muscular tube connecting the cervix to the outside of the body.

The female reproductive system is an important part of pregnancy and birth. Read more on the anatomy of pregnancy and birth.

What is menstruation and the menstrual cycle?

Menstruation is bleeding from your vagina that happens about once a month. It is a normal part of the menstrual cycle. It is also known as having a period.

On average, females start to get their period around 12 to 13 years of age. You can have your first period as early as 9 years of age and as late as 16 years. The menstrual cycle usually lasts around 28 days. However, everyone is different, and it can range from 21 to 35 days. Your cycle may be irregular for the first 1 – 2 years after you start menstruating.

Each cycle prepares you for the possibility of pregnancy. The lining of your uterus thickens and during ovulation, one of your ovaries releases an egg to the endometrium (internal lining of the uterus).

The egg can be fertilised when sperm travels to the uterus during sex. If a sperm fertilises an egg, the endometrium will thicken and grow to support the pregnancy.

If the egg is not fertilised, the lining which is mostly blood, breaks down from the uterus and leaves the body from the vagina as a period (also known as menstruation, menses or the menstrual flow).

Menopause is when you stop having your period. This usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55 years. The average age of menopause in Australia is 51 years of age.

Perimenopause is the time before menopause where you may have symptoms caused by changing hormone levels.

What are the common conditions of the female reproductive system?

Conditions that involve the female reproductive system include:

• abnormal vaginal bleeding
• premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• endometriosis
• polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• fibroids (non-cancerous growths of the uterus)
• cancer

When should I see my doctor?

Symptoms related to your periods change depending on the condition and may include:

• mood swings, irritability or depression
• headaches
• bloating
• breast tenderness
• acne

Symptoms differ between people and may not always appear during each period.

See your doctor if you have the following symptoms and they are making it difficult to get through daily life:

• pain in your lower abdomen, upper thighs or back
• painful, heavy or irregular periods or no periods at all
• periods that last more than 8 days or are more than 2 – 3 months apart
• pain or bleeding during or after sex
• bowel problems (such as constipation or diarrhoea)
• bleeding between periods

If you have trouble trying to get pregnant or with infertility, speak to your doctor.

Everyone experiences their menstrual cycle differently, most without any difficulties. If there is any change in your cycle that worries you, see your doctor.

How can I prevent reproductive health problems?

Having a healthy reproductive system requires knowing when to ask for help from your doctor. To help prevent reproductive health problems, it is important to reach out to health services when you need them, including:

• family planning services
• health care, including preventive screening, diagnosis and treatment of reproductive issues, abortion services and pregnancy and delivery care
• contraception
• prevention and treatment of sexually transmissible infection (STI)
• health care and support in cases of family, domestic and sexual violence

Talk to your doctor about your menstrual cycle. It is important to have regular health checks to stay healthy. This can include a general checkup with your doctor, or more specific tests such as cervical cancer screening (Pap smear).

Reproductive health is an important part of your overall physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing. Having a healthy reproductive system allows you to have:

• a safe and healthy sex life
• the choice to have a child if you wish
• a healthy pregnancy

Resources and support

• Jean Hailes is Australia's leader in women's health, with a range of fact sheets on female reproductive health.
• PlanetPuberty has information on the female reproductive system for children.
• Women with Disabilities Australia has resources about the female body, with an Easy Read function.
• Use the Period ImPact and Pain Assessment (PIPPA) to find out if your period pain symptoms are normal or cause for concern.
• You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Languages other than English

• Jean Hailes for Women's Health has translated fact sheets in community languages.
• Multicultural Centre for Women's Health has facts sheets on menstruation in community languages.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

• Jean Hailes for Women's Health has information on periods for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Information for sexually and gender-diverse families

• TransHub has resources and information about menstruation in gender-neutral language.