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Chapter 8

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Chapter 8

Uploaded by

rohan.a.phatak97
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Aging and reproduction

Aging changes in the female reproductive system result mainly from changing hormone
levels. One clear sign of aging occurs when your menstrual periods stop permanently. This
is known as menopause.

The time before menopause is called perimenopause. It may begin several years before your
last menstrual period. Signs of perimenopause include:

 More frequent periods at first, and then occasional missed periods

 Periods that are longer or shorter

 Changes in the amount of menstrual flow

Eventually your periods will become much less frequent, until they stop completely.

Along with changes in your periods, physical changes in your reproductive tract occur as well.

AGING CHANGES AND THEIR EFFECTS :

Menopause is a normal part of a woman's aging process. Most women experience menopause
around age 50, though it can occur before that age. The usual age range is 45 to 55.

With menopause:

 The ovaries stop making the hormones estrogen and progesterone.

 The ovaries also stop releasing eggs (ova, oocytes). After menopause, you can no longer
become pregnant.

As hormone levels fall, other changes occur in the reproductive system, including:

 Vaginal walls become thinner, dryer, less elastic, and possibly irritated. Sometimes sex becomes
painful due to these vaginal changes.

 Your risk of vaginal yeast infections increases.


 The external genital tissue decreases and thins, and can become irritated.

Other common changes include:

 Menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, moodiness, headaches, and trouble sleeping

 Problems with short-term memory


 Decrease in breast tissue

 Lower sex drive (libido) and sexual response

 Increased risk of bone loss (osteoporosis)


 Urinary system changes, such as frequency and urgency of urination and increased risk of
urinary tract infection

 Loss of tone in the pubic muscles, resulting in the vagina, uterus, or urinary bladder falling out
of position (prolapse)
MANAGING CHANGES

In men :
Unlike women, men do not experience a major, rapid (over several months) change in fertility
as they age (like menopause). Instead, changes occur gradually during a process that some
people call andropause.Aging changes in the male reproductive system occur primarily in
the testes. Testicular tissue mass decreases. The level of the male sex
hormone, testosterone decreases gradually. There may be problems getting an erection. This is
a general slowing, instead of a complete lack of function.

FERTILITY:

The tubes that carry sperm may become less elastic (a process called sclerosis). The testes
continue to produce sperm, but the rate of sperm cell production slows. The epididymis,
seminal vesicles, and prostate gland lose some of their surface cells. But they continue to
produce the fluid that helps carry sperm. Fertility varies from man to man. Age does not predict
male fertility. Prostate function does not affect fertility. A man can father children, even if his
prostate gland has been removed. Some fairly old men can (and do) father children.The volume
of fluid ejaculated usually remains the same, but there are fewer living sperm in the fluid.Some
men may have a lower sex drive (libido). Sexual responses may become slower and less intense.
This may be related to decreased testosterone level. It may also result from psychological or
social changes due to aging (such as the lack of a willing partner), illness, long-term (chronic)
conditions, or medicines.Aging by itself does not prevent a man from being able to enjoy sexual
relationships.

climacteric

a period of decrease of reproductive capacity in men and women is called as climacteric

Female Climacteric & Menopause


female climacteric is brought about by declining ovarian function generally begins when ovaries
are down to their last 1000 eggs or so the follicles and ova that are left are less responsive to
gonadotropins follicles therefore secrete less estrogen and progesterone the uterus, vagina and
breasts atrophy, bone mass declines vagina becomes thinner and drier: intercourse may
become uncomfortable vaginal infections are more commonblood vessels constrict and dilate
in response to shifting hormone balances ‡ sudden dilation of cutaneous arteries may cause hot
flashes may occur several times a day may be accompanied by headache hormonal changes
may also cause mood changes female climacteric is accompanied by menopause =the cessation
of menstruation and end of fertility menopause usually occurs between ages 45 and 50
(ave=52)

Male Climacteric
in males, testosterone secretion peaks at 20 then declines steadily to only ~20% of peak level
by age 80 corresponding decline sperm count and libido by age 65 sperm count is typically
~1/3rd of 20’s as testosterone and inhibin levels decline pituitary produces more FSH & LH
‡ can cause mood changes, hot flashes and less often illusion of suffocation most men pass
through this stage with little or nolasting effects.

Genetic disorders

XXX syndrome :

47 XXX syndrome, also called trisomy X or triple X syndrome, is characterized by the presence
of an additional (third) X chromosome in each of a female's cells (which normally have two
X chromosomes). An extra copy of the X chromosome is associated with tall stature, learning
problems, and other features in some girls and women. Seizures or kidney abnormalities occur
in about 10 percent of affected females. 47 XXX syndrome is usually caused by a random event
during the formation of reproductive cells (eggs and sperm). An error in cell
division called nondisjunction can result in reproductive cells with an abnormal number of
chromosomes.[1]Treatment typically focuses on specific symptoms, if present. [2] Some females
with 47 XXX syndrome have an extra X chromosome in only some of their cells; this is called
46,XX/47,XXX mosaicism.

CHARGE syndrome
CHARGE syndrome is a congenital condition (present from birth) that affects many areas of the
body. CHARGE stands for coloboma, heart defect, atresia choanae (also known as choanal
atresia), restricted growth and development, genital abnormality, and ear abnormality.[1] Signs
and symptoms vary among people with this condition; however, infants often have multiple
life-threatening medical conditions.[2] The diagnosis of CHARGE syndrome is based on a
combination of major and minor characteristics. In more than half of all cases, mutations in
the CHD7 gene cause CHARGE syndrome. When caused by a mutation in the CHD7 gene, it can
be inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern; although most cases result from new (de novo)
mutations in the gene and occur in people with no history of the condition in their family.
Although there is no specific treatment or cure, there may be ways to manage the symptoms. A
team of doctors is often needed to figure out the treatment options for each person.

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