The Human Reproductive System
Even though you've had it all your life, your reproductive system and the way it works may still be a bit of a mystery. Most people with a normal, healthy reproductive system don't bother to educate themselves about its workings beyond basic functional knowledge. However, if you're trying to conceive or are in a relationship where conception is a future goal, learning more about how both male and female reproductive systems work will be to your benefit.
There are many similar structures in the fetal male and female reproductive system. Some of these are homologous, meaning they develop from the same tissues in a fetus, such as the penis and the clitoris. The fallopian tubes in the female reproductive system and the epidydmis and vas deferens in the male reproductive system are analogous structures, being similar in function and appearance, but having developed from separate and distinct tissues during fetal development.
Conception and Pregnancy
From a purely scientific standpoint, the function of the human reproductive system (as with any other animal) is to reproduce. The female reproductive system is quite complex in its workings as far as fertility and conception go.
The female reproductive system follows a repetitive cycle of fertility. In most women this cycle lasts twenty-eight days, though some may be shorter or longer. It begins with the uterus shedding its endometrial lining, and hormones triggering the growth of individual follicles within the ovary. One follicle becomes dominant, and triggered by a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH), releases a mature egg (or 'ovum') into the fallopian tubes.
At this point a woman is fertile. Reproduction is accomplished by the man inserting his erect penis into the vaginal opening until he ejaculates, at which point the sperm in his ejaculate swim into the fallopian tubes and attempt to penetrate the egg. Once a single sperm has penetrated the egg's surface, the two are fused together, and no more sperm may penetrate that egg.
After fertilisation of the egg, the egg descends into the uterus, attaches itself to the endometrial lining, and begins a series of rapid-fire chemical changes that transform it into a growing embryo.
Pinpointing Ovulation with an Ovulation Test
Since female ovulation is the only way to tell when a woman's body is prepared to conceive, modern medical scientists have developed an ovulation test. There are two popular varieties of ovulation test on the market today: a seven-day daily ovulation test, and a twenty-day daily ovulation test.
The seven-day ovulation test is helpful for women who are already aware of their menstrual cycle, and would be able to predict during the month which week they most commonly ovulate. Women who are practising fertility awareness will probably have better success using this ovulation test. The twenty-day ovulation test gives a better broad view of a woman's entire menstrual cycle, and can be helpful to women who have just begun to practise fertility awareness or chart their basal body temperatures.
Both types of ovulation test measure hormones in the same manner as a pregnancy test. The ovulation test is repeated daily until a positive result is shown. A pregnancy test looks for hormonal evidence of an embryo, whereas an ovulation test looks for hormonal evidence of the trigger that releases the egg, called 'luteinizing hormone' (LH). When the ovulation test is positive, it's an indication that the woman will be fertile for the next two days. Lack of positive results on an ovulation test shouldn't necessarily be a cause for concern; however, if you use an ovulation test every day for a month, and the ovulation test never returns positive results, you may want to consult a doctor. If the ovulation test results are not flawed, this could indicate an abnormality of your reproductive system.
Knowing when you are most ready to conceive, as well as how the act is accomplished and what happens to your body throughout, will help prepare you for the journey to parenthood.
