The female reproductive system is made up of the vagina, fallopian tubes, ovaries and the womb (including the cervix) as pictured on the right.

The ovaries are located low in the tummy area and are the size of an almond. They are connected to the womb and one of their roles is to store a woman’s supply of eggs.

Women are usually able to have children between puberty (when the period starts) and the menopause (when the period stops).

One of the ovaries will release an egg each month which will travel down to the womb via the fallopian tube ready to be fertilised.  The lining of the womb will get thicker and thicker to receive a fertilised egg. If the egg isn’t fertilised by the sperm, the thickened lining of the womb will be shed as a period and the cycle will start again.