Female Genital Tract 2025

PCOS: A Beginner’s Guide - Team 13

Media Type: Website

Summary

The topic we are doing for our PULSE assignment is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Our PULSE assignment has been made in the format of a website to enhance accessibility and easy navigation. Especially given the fact that the material and resource is created for the audience of future PATH 3500 learners, an online resource like a website is heavily relevant and of high yield in today's society and its increased dependency on digital resources. We chose the topic of PCOS, as it is a complicated, often misunderstood, multi-factorial topic of female reproductive pathology. Given its multifactorial, complex nature, this gave room for exploring a variety of topics beyond simple disease overview factors (i.e etiology, pathogenesis, etc), such as sociocultural factors, long term effects, and further research being done. These can be complicated topics to understand, which is why focusing on simplifying them for a pre-medical university level course for learners to better and more easily understand is ideal, making our topic choice more relevant and impactful.

As a summary of PCOS, it is when ovarian cysts develop in women, influencing ovarian function - often all occurring due to hormonal changes. It can affect ovulation and women's reproductive health. According to many studies, PCOS also has a number of complex issues, including metabolic and weight gain, acne, and irregular menstruation. It is a common disease worldwide, and as knowledge and diagnostic techniques develop, many people recognize that their symptoms may be related to PCOS. There is no clear cause or cure yet, but it can be alleviated by lifestyle controls or medications. This is all important factors and information to be considered when students are learning about the disease and its development as future healthcare practitioners/researchers/etc.

Keywords: PCOS, Endocrinology, Gynecology, Awareness

The PathoPress - Ovarian Cancer Magazine and Quiz - Team 14

Media Type: Magazine

Summary

The ovaries are the primary reproductive organs in females—they store immature eggs and secrete hormones like estrogen and progesterone that drive the menstrual cycle. Ovarian cancer arises from three main cell types, with epithelial ovarian cancer being the most common and deadly. It is further classified into subtypes, each with unique tumor behaviour, outcomes, and genetic profiles, and into type 1 or 2 based on tumor grade. Ovarian cancer can metastasize quickly and is often diagnosed late, with a poor prognosis. It usually presents with vague symptoms and has various origins and precursor lesions, making early detection difficult.

Common and emerging treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and hormonal therapy—each with benefits and challenges. Ovarian cancer also affects broader aspects of women’s health, from how contraceptives may influence risk to the emotional and physical toll of delayed diagnosis, shown through a survivor’s story. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a high-fiber diet may help reduce risk. For high-risk individuals, regular screening and genetic testing are the best options for detection and prevention. Early detection can lead to preventive surgery or, if already diagnosed, significantly increase survival rates.

This project is a magazine on Ovarian Cancer and aims to inform current and future PATH3500 learners about the various functions and anatomy of the female genital tract, and the pathologies associated with it. Learners can test their knowledge with an interactive quiz linked at the end of the magazine. The questions on the quiz were made using ChatGPT, a generative AI tool, and were checked for accuracy and clarity.

Keywords: Ovarian Cancer, Reproductive System, Epithelial Ovarian Cancer, BRCA1/2, TP53, Ovulation

Flow, Function, Fault: Understanding Female Reproductive Pathology - Team 17

Media Type: Magazine

Summary

Our PULSE assignment is a digital magazine all about the female reproductive system and some of the common health issues that affect it. We chose this topic because many conditions like endometriosis, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer are underdiagnosed or underrepresented in both education and research, even though they affect millions of people. Understanding these diseases requires a strong grasp of female anatomy and physiology, which are sometimes overlooked or simplified in traditional medical learning.

In our magazine, we start by explaining the basics: what parts make up the female reproductive system and how they normally work. This includes the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and breast structure. We also walk through the menstrual cycle and show how it's more than just a monthly process but is a model of inflammation, changes in blood vessels, and tissue repair. These features make it highly relevant to pathology, as they mirror processes seen in cancer, autoimmune disease, and wound healing.

With this foundation in place, we transition into discussions of key pathologies. For example, we explain how endometriosis can cause long-term pain and is often overlooked. We also explore the challenges of detecting ovarian cancer early and discuss breast cancers from anatomical and clinical perspectives, including how and where they commonly develop. Throughout, we focus on making these topics easy to understand while still showing why they’re important.

Finally, our magazine concludes with a “What Can You Do?” section to encourage readers to stay informed about their health, recognize warning signs, and keep up with regular screenings like Pap tests and breast exams. Overall, our goal was to make a complex and sometimes overlooked part of health more engaging and understandable, especially for individuals who may not have learned much about female biology before.

Keywords: Endometriosis, Ovary, Cancer, Reproduction, Female, PCOS

H.E.R. Health Matters: Exploring Female Reproductive Pathologies
(Holistic Education on Reproduction) - Team 37

Media Type: Podcast

Summary

We will be discussing the female reproductive tract and its associated pathologies, and we’ll be sharing our information through an engaging podcast. We chose this topic because our group understands how important women’s health is and the fact that it affects all ages. Women’s health is constantly overlooked and misdiagnosed in the healthcare field, and a member of our group has experienced this first-hand. Podcasts are accessible on various devices and require only listening, making them easier to integrate into multitasking or relaxed environments. They can also be accessible for the visually impaired, and a transcript can be provided for those with hearing loss. In addition, podcasts often have a conversational storytelling style, making listeners feel connected to the hosts and guests. Moreover, our group member will participate as a guest, speaking on her personal experiences. We aim to educate listeners about common reproductive health issues, signs and symptoms to watch for, and the importance of seeking timely and accurate medical care. We want to highlight the importance of early detection and proper diagnosis, helping to prevent the misdiagnosis of conditions that disproportionately affect women. By increasing awareness and understanding, we hope to empower both patients and healthcare providers to ensure women receive accurate care. We will discuss common reproductive health issues such as PCOS, endometriosis, ovarian teratoma and ectopic pregnancies, exploring their symptoms, impacts, and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

Keywords: Reproduction, Hormones, Ovaries, Uterus, Pregnancy, Misdiagnosis