female reproductive system - ovaries develop more slowly than testes 

• clitoris/labia majora made from same embryonic structures as penis/scrotum in males
• granulosa cells secrete estrogen to start menstrual cycle and development of female secondary sexual characteristics at puberty
• progesterone - hormone that maintains the accessory sex organs (fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina)

female accessory organs - 

• fallopian tubes (uterine tubes, oviducts) - transport ova from ovaries to uterus
• cervix - neck of the uterus, leads to vagina
• endometrium - lining of uterus, shed during menstruation

menstrual/estrous cycles - females born w/ 1 million follicles (each w/ ovum) 

• primary oocytes - ova halts in prophase I
• menstrual cycle - lasts about a month, follicular/luteal phase separated by ovulation
• follicular phase - follicles stimulated to grow
  • 1 matures to become Graafian follicle
  • primary oocyte creates secondary oocyte and polar body
  • secondary oocyte halts in metaphase II, won’t continue until fertilization
• proliferative phase - from end of menstruation to beginning of ovulation
• ovulation - follicle releases the oocyte
  • oocyte disintegrates within a day if not fertilized
  • usually fertilized in upper 1/3 of fallopian tube
  • takes 5-6 days for zygote to reach uterus and implant itself
• secretory phase - from ovulation to beginning of menstruation
• luteal phase - develops the Graafian follicle into corpus luteum
  • produces estrogen/progesterone to stop development of follicles
  • secretory phase - endometrium becomes enriched w/ glycogen deposits
  • menstrual phase - disappearance of corpus luteum >> abrupt decline in estrogen/progesterone >> endometrieum sheds, along w/ bleeding
  • fertilized embryo would otherwise secretes hCG to maintain the luteum
• decrease in progesterone/estrogen >> PMS (not possible during pregnancy)
• human chorionic gonadotropic hormone (hCG) - released once ovum implants into uterus
  • used for pregnancy detection
  • stimulates development of placenta