Reproductive System: Grand Rapids, MI Guide to Sexual and Reproductive Health

The reproductive system allows people to conceive, carry, and give birth to children. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, understanding how the reproductive system works is important not only for family planning, but also for preventing and managing common health conditions seen in our community.

Local healthcare providers such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health offer specialized reproductive and sexual health services. The Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health also provide education, STI testing, and family planning resources.

How New Life Begins

New life begins when a sperm cell from a man fertilizes an egg (ovum) from a woman.

  • Eggs (ova) are made in the ovaries.
  • Sperm are made in the testicles (testes).
  • The ovaries and testicles, also called gonads, produce sex hormones that control sexual development, fertility, and many body functions.

Because Grand Rapids experiences cold winters and seasonal changes, hormone balance, vitamin D levels, and overall health can be affected. Regular checkups with a local Grand Rapids healthcare provider can help monitor reproductive health throughout the year.

The Female Reproductive System

The main organs of the female reproductive system are:

  • Vagina
  • Uterus (womb)
  • Fallopian tubes
  • Ovaries

Vagina

The vagina is a muscular canal about 7.5 cm long that extends from the cervix (neck of the womb) to the vulva (external genitals). It:

  • Allows menstrual blood to leave the body
  • Receives the penis during sexual intercourse
  • Forms the birth canal during childbirth

Uterus (Womb)

The uterus is a muscular organ shaped like an upside-down pear. It sits in the pelvis between the bladder and rectum.

  • Its inner lining is called the endometrium.
  • The uterus is where a fertilized egg implants and a baby grows during pregnancy.

The Cervix

The cervix is the neck or entrance to the womb. It has a small opening in the center called the os.

  • The cervix allows menstrual blood to pass out of the uterus.
  • During childbirth, the cervix dilates (opens) to allow the baby to pass through.
  • Regular Pap tests and HPV testing, available at clinics across Grand Rapids, help detect cervical changes early.

Fallopian (Uterine) Tubes

The fallopian tubes extend from the uterus, one on each side.

  • Each tube opens near an ovary.
  • The tubes carry the egg (ovum) from the ovary to the uterus.
  • Fertilization usually happens in the fallopian tube when sperm meets an egg.

Ovaries

The ovaries are two small, almond-shaped glands located on either side of the uterus.

  • They contain a woman’s entire supply of eggs, which are formed before birth.
  • They produce sex hormones, mainly oestrogen (estrogen) and progesterone.

These hormones:

  • Regulate the menstrual cycle
  • Support pregnancy
  • Influence bone health, mood, and heart health—all important considerations in Michigan’s colder climate, where vitamin D and bone health can be concerns.

The Menstrual Cycle

The menstrual cycle is the monthly process that prepares the body for pregnancy. The average cycle is about 28 days, but it can range from about 21 to 35 days and still be normal.

Hormones from the ovaries and the pituitary gland in the brain control this cycle.

Key Phases of the Menstrual Cycle

  1. Menstruation (Period)

    • If pregnancy does not occur, levels of progesterone drop.
    • The endometrium (uterine lining) breaks down and is shed through the vagina.
    • This bleeding is called a period or menstruation.

  2. Follicular Phase (Before Ovulation)

    • After a period, rising levels of oestrogen help thicken the uterine lining again.
    • Inside the ovary, several follicles (each containing an immature egg) begin to grow.

  3. Ovulation (Fertile Window)

    • Around the middle of the cycle, one mature egg is released from an ovary.
    • This is called ovulation.
    • The egg travels into the fallopian tube, where it can be fertilized by sperm.
    • The days just before and during ovulation are the “fertile window”, when pregnancy is most likely.

  4. Luteal Phase (After Ovulation)

    • The ovary produces more progesterone, which helps maintain the thickened uterine lining.
    • If the egg is fertilized, it travels to the uterus and implants in the lining.
    • If the egg is not fertilized, hormone levels fall, the lining breaks down, and the cycle starts again with a period.

Puberty and Menopause

  • Puberty:
    At the start of puberty, the ovaries begin releasing hormones and ripening eggs. Periods usually begin between ages 9 and 16.

  • Menopause:
    Eventually, the ovaries stop making hormones and eggs are no longer ripened or released. This is called menopause, usually occurring between ages 45 and 55.
    In Grand Rapids, many women seek care for menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, sleep problems, and mood changes at local OB‑GYN practices and menopause clinics.

Common Female Reproductive Health Conditions

Women in Grand Rapids, like women everywhere, may experience:

  • Endometriosis – growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, which can cause pain and infertility.
  • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) – a hormone condition that can cause irregular periods, excess hair growth, acne, and fertility problems.
  • Fibroids – non-cancerous growths in the uterus that may cause heavy bleeding or pelvic pressure.
  • Infertility – difficulty becoming pregnant after 12 months of trying (or 6 months if over age 35).
  • Painful periods (dysmenorrhea) – severe menstrual cramps that interfere with daily activities.
  • Premenstrual tension / PMS or PMDD – physical and emotional symptoms before a period.
  • Sexually transmissible infections (STIs) – infections spread through sexual contact, some of which can lead to cancer or infertility if untreated.

Local OB‑GYNs, fertility specialists, and reproductive endocrinologists in Grand Rapids offer diagnosis and treatment, including minimally invasive surgery, hormone therapy, and assisted reproductive technologies.

The Male Reproductive System

The main organs of the male reproductive system are:

  • Penis
  • Testicles (testes)
  • Epididymis
  • Vas deferens
  • Prostate gland and other accessory sex glands

Penis

The penis contains spongy tissue that fills with blood during sexual arousal, making the penis erect (hard).

  • The urethra runs through the penis and carries urine and semen out of the body (but not at the same time).

Testicles (Testes)

The testicles are oval-shaped sex glands located in a skin sac called the scrotum, which hangs outside the body.

  • They produce sperm and sex hormones, mainly testosterone.
  • Being outside the body keeps them slightly cooler than body temperature, which is important for healthy sperm production—even in West Michigan’s cold winters, the body maintains this delicate temperature balance.

Epididymis

The epididymis is a coiled series of small tubes attached to the back of each testicle.

  • It collects and stores sperm.
  • Sperm mature as they travel through the epididymis.

Vas Deferens

The vas deferens is a larger tube that continues from the epididymis.

  • It transports sperm from the testicles toward the urethra.
  • During ejaculation, sperm move through the vas deferens to mix with fluids from accessory glands.

Accessory Sex Glands

These include:

  • Prostate gland
  • Seminal vesicles
  • Bulbourethral (Cowper’s) glands

These glands add nourishing fluid and protective substances to sperm, forming semen.

Semen

Semen is a mixture of:

  • Sperm
  • Fluids from the prostate, seminal vesicles, and bulbourethral glands

Semen exits the penis through the urethra during ejaculation.

Male Reproductive Hormones

Hormones are chemical messengers made by glands in the body.

  • Androgens are the main male sex hormones.
  • They are responsible for:
    • Sexual function and fertility
    • Muscle mass and strength
    • Height and deep voice
    • Body and facial hair

The most important androgen is testosterone, produced in the testicles.

Sperm: The Male Reproductive Cell

Sperm are the male reproductive cells whose role is to fertilize an egg.

  • Each sperm contains the man’s genetic material.
  • A sperm cell is tadpole-shaped and about 60 microns long (one micron is a millionth of a meter).
  • It has a head (with genetic material) and a tail that lashes to help it swim toward the egg.

Sperm production begins at puberty and continues throughout a man’s life, but:

  • The quality of sperm often declines from about age 45.
  • Lifestyle factors common in colder climates (less outdoor activity in winter, diet changes, weight gain) can also affect sperm quality—an important consideration for men in Grand Rapids planning a family.

Common Male Reproductive Health Conditions

Men in Grand Rapids may experience:

  • Impotence (erectile dysfunction) – difficulty getting or keeping an erection firm enough for sex.
  • Infertility – inability to achieve a pregnancy, which may be due to low sperm count, poor sperm quality, blockages, hormonal issues, or other factors.
  • Prostate disease – including benign prostate enlargement (BPH) and prostate cancer, which is more common with age.
  • Sexually transmissible infections (STIs) – bacterial or viral infections acquired through sexual contact.

Regular checkups with a primary care doctor or urologist in Grand Rapids can help detect and manage these conditions early.

Sexual and Reproductive Health in Grand Rapids, MI

In the Grand Rapids area, reproductive healthcare is available through:

  • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health)
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
  • Mercy Health
  • Independent OB‑GYN, urology, and fertility clinics
  • Community health centers and family planning clinics

The Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health offer:

  • Low-cost or free STI testing and treatment
  • Contraception and family planning services
  • Pregnancy testing and counseling
  • Education on safer sex and reproductive health

Many of these services are youth-friendly, confidential, and accessible to teens and young adults in Grand Rapids.

When to Seek Help

See a healthcare provider in Grand Rapids if you:

  • Have very painful or heavy periods
  • Have irregular periods or no periods at all
  • Have pelvic pain, especially if it’s severe or ongoing
  • Have been trying to get pregnant for 12 months (or 6 months if over 35) without success
  • Notice lumps, pain, or swelling in the testicles or scrotum
  • Have erectile problems or changes in sexual function
  • Notice burning, discharge, sores, or other signs of a possible STI
  • Have a family history of breast, ovarian, uterine, or prostate cancer

Local Professionals Who Can Help

  • Your GP or family doctor
  • Obstetrician / Gynecologist (OB‑GYN)
  • Urologist (for male reproductive issues)
  • Fertility specialist or IVF clinic
  • Sexual health clinic
  • Kent County Health Department for public health and STI services

Taking Care of Your Reproductive Health in West Michigan

Because Grand Rapids experiences long winters, lake‑effect weather, and seasonal mood changes, it’s important to:

  • Stay physically active year-round
  • Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
  • Avoid smoking and limit alcohol
  • Practice safer sex (use condoms, get regular STI testing)
  • Keep up with routine screenings (Pap tests, mammograms, prostate checks as recommended)

If you have questions about your reproductive system, fertility, or sexual health, talk with a trusted healthcare provider in Grand Rapids. Early information and care can protect your health now and in the future.