UNDERSTANDING THE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

7 August 20222′ read2 sections

CONTENTS

The Male and Female Reproductive Systems
Get help with Advanced Reproductive Medicine

One of the best things you can do while undergoing fertility treatment is to stay informed about your sexual health. Here is everything you need to know about the reproductive organs in the female and male body.

The Male and Female Reproductive Systems

→ Female Reproductive Organs

The female reproductive organs are arguably one of the most important parts of the conception process. These organs prepare the female body for fertilisation and house the developing baby during pregnancy. The vagina, also known as the birth canal, is the hollow canal that receives the penis during sexual intercourse and through which a baby is born during childbirth. The ovaries sit on either side of the uterus and produce the eggs. Each month, an egg is released into the fallopian tube, where it may meet sperm and be fertilised. The fertilised egg then travels to the uterus, where it attaches to the uterine lining. The uterus holds and nourishes a baby during pregnancy once the fertilised egg (embryo) has implanted.

→ Male Reproductive Organs

There are fewer male reproductive organs than female ones, but they are just as important in the conception process. First, the penis is a cylindrical, muscular organ that fills with blood during arousal. This erection makes penetration possible during sexual intercourse. The scrotum is a pouch-like sac that holds the testes. The testes are oval-shaped organs that produce sperm and testosterone. Sperm is released during ejaculation, which occurs at male orgasm. During sexual intercourse, sperm travels through the vagina and passes through the cervix, where it may meet and fertilise the woman's released egg.

Get help with Advanced Reproductive Medicine

Conception depends both on the man's sperm motility and sperm count and on the healthy, functional condition of the woman's reproductive organs. Assisted reproductive technology can help the conception process if something abnormal arises with the reproductive organs. The Centre for Reproductive Medicine and Fetal Medicine – Dr. Alexandros Traianos is here to help you build your family. If you have been trying to get pregnant for 6 months to a year without success, consult our reproductive specialists. During a consultation, we will work to diagnose the cause of your infertility and start a personalised treatment plan.

ABOUT THE DOCTOR

Dr. Alexandros Traianos

Gynecologist · Specialist in Reproductive Medicine and Fetal Medicine

He supports scientific excellence in clinical practice and recognizes the possibilities offered by modern reproductive methods to couples who wish to have a child of their own.

His profile

The content of this article is for information only and does not replace a medical examination and advice.

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Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

Infertility is defined as the failure to achieve conception after one year (or 6 months in the case of a woman over the age of 35) of normal, regular sexual intercourse. In other words, when a year has passed without the woman becoming pregnant, the couple should consult their treating physician, so that the cause preventing pregnancy can be identified and subsequently addressed. However, we should all be aware and not forget that age is the most critical factor for female fertility, and that an individualized approach to each couple is the "golden key" that solves the problem.

Of course not. In approximately one third of cases, infertility is due to the woman (female factor), while in another third of cases it is due to the man (male factor). In the remaining third, it is due to both partners (both the man and the woman) or even to unknown factors.

• alcohol • narcotic substances • environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead • smoking • health problems • medications • radiotherapy and chemotherapy • age

In general, specialists agree that the fact that a couple has already had a child may be considered evidence that, at least initially, there is no infertility problem. It is like a small test that has been carried out and shows that they “succeeded” at least once. On the other hand, however, we should be aware that circumstances may have changed in the meantime and that a problem may have developed (e.g., the man may have had an inflammation affecting the quality of his sperm, or something may have occurred that affects female fertility: an inflammation, gynecological surgery, an abortion, etc.). In any case, therefore, if a reasonable period of time (one year) passes and a couple is unable to achieve a pregnancy, then, with the help of their doctor, they should investigate whether a problem causing infertility has arisen.

Success rates vary at each IVF center. Very important factors also include the woman’s age, her hormone levels, and, of course, her husband’s sperm. In general, rates are around 45% or slightly higher for women up to 35 years of age.

The number of treatment cycles a woman may undergo is not fixed. It is certain that in our country there are highly qualified obstetrician-gynecologists and well-organized infertility treatment centers that provide excellent medical services in this field. Provided that the appropriate indications are present (e.g., ovaries that respond to stimulation treatment, a good-quality endometrium, etc.), the success rate—particularly with the use of newer techniques and biotechnological medicines, which demonstrate increased bioactivity compared with conventional urine-derived medicines—reaches a cumulative rate of approximately 65%–70% after 4 treatment cycles.

Egg retrieval takes 10–15 minutes, is not painful, is performed under sedation, and after the procedure is completed you can return to your activities.

The association between IVF medications and the risk of developing cancer is the greatest concern for women participating in these programs. However, numerous literature references gathered from reliable scientific studies and published in reputable medical journals worldwide are reassuring and do not confirm this concern.

At Dr. Traianos' Reproductive Medicine Center, we offer egg and sperm cryopreservation services for individuals who have a personal or medical reason and require this service. We use the most advanced vitrification technique for the freezing of sperm and eggs.

The Male and Female Reproductive Systems

→ Female Reproductive Organs

→ Male Reproductive Organs

Get help with Advanced Reproductive Medicine

The first step is a discussion.

Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

When is a couple considered infertile?

Is infertility only a female problem?

What increases the risk of male infertility?

I already have one child, but I am now having difficulty becoming pregnant again. Could a problem have arisen with me or with my partner?

What is the success rate of in vitro fertilization?

How many times can a woman undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF)?

Is egg retrieval painful?

Can IVF medications cause cancer?

Can I freeze my eggs or my sperm?