Nursing 209

N209: Reproductive Health Study Guide • Early menopause: Occurs before age 45 • Premature menopause: Occurs prior to age 40 regardless of cause • Signs and symptoms: Hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, urinary frequency with urgency, insomnia, and emotional changes (mood swings and irritability) • Other signs and symptoms: Joint/muscle aches, changes in libido, hair loss/thinning, weight gain, and temporary memory loss • Treatment: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) o Contraindicated in women with breast cancer 7.2 Normal Reproductive System in a Male • Consists of three functions: o To produce and transport sperm o To release sperm o To produce male sex hormones • Unlike the female reproductive system, most of the male reproductive system is located on the outside of the body External Male Structures • Penis: Male sexual organ; ejaculates semen (containing sperm) through the opening of the urethra with orgasm; when erect, urine is blocked from the urethra • Scrotum: A pouch-like sac containing testes, nerves, and blood vessels; provides temperature control for testes, which is necessary for sperm development; muscles in scrotal wall contract to move testes closer to the body for warmth, and relax to move testes away from the body to decrease temperature • Testes: Two oval organs that lie in the scrotal sac secured by spermatic cord; responsible for testosterone production (primary male sex hormone) and sperm production • Epididymis: Stores and transports sperm from testes; located on the back of each testicle; sperm are immature when produced by the testes and the epididymis assists in maturation of the sperm, making them capable for fertilization Internal Male Reproductive Organs • Vas deferens: Transports sperm to the urethra for ejaculation • Ejaculatory ducts: Empty into urethra • Urethra: Carries urine from the bladder; responsible for ejaculation of semen during orgasm • Seminal vesicles: Pouches attached to vas deferens; produce fluid to aid in sperm motility and is most of the ejaculate volume • Prostate: Gland below the bladder in front of the rectum; produces additional ejaculate and nourishes sperm

©2018

Achieve

Page 99

of 109