4.5.3.5 Contraception

Question 1

Types of contraception:

Answer 1

• hormonal
• non-hormonal - barrier method, chemical method

Question 2

How can fertility be controlled?

Answer 2

fertility can be controlled by a variety of hormonal and non-hormonal methods of contraception

Question 3

Hormonal contraceptive methods:

Answer 3

• oral contraceptive pill
• contraceptive implant
• IUD (intrauterine device)
• injection
• skin patch

Question 4

Chemical contraceptive methods:

Answer 4

• Spermicide

Question 5

Barrier contraceptive methods:

Answer 5

• surgical methods
• condoms
• diaphragms

Question 6

Other contraceptive methods:

Answer 6

• abstinence during ovulation

Question 7

How does the oral contraceptive pill work?

Answer 7

contain hormones to inhibit FSH production so that no eggs mature

Question 8

Advantages of oral contraceptive pill:

Answer 8

• can also be used to reduce symptoms of PMS - as it can regulate the body’s hormonal level
• simple and easy to use

Question 9

Disadvantages of oral contraceptive pill:

Answer 9

• pill taken daily otherwise body’s natural hormones will take over and an egg could be unexpectedly released
• side effects - e.g. thrombosis. high BP

Question 10

How does a contraceptive implant work?

Answer 10

• tiny tube is inserted under the female’s skin by a doctor and can last for approx. 3 years
• the implant then slowly releases progesterone - inhibits the maturation and release of eggs for a number of months or years

Question 11

Advantages of contraceptive implants:

Answer 11

• effective method of contraception
• lasts for around 3 years

Question 12

Disadvantages of contraceptive implants:

Answer 12

• does not protect against STI’s
• requires a small procedure to be fitted and removed

Question 13

How do IUD’s work?

Answer 13

• IUD’s are small devices that are inserted into the uterus by a doctor
• last for 3-5 yrs and can be removed at any time
• prevent the implantation of an embryo or release a hormone
• slowly release progesterone to thicken cervical mucus and prevent the build-up of the uterus lining
• come contain copper, which helps to reduce the likelihood of embryo implantation

Question 14

Advantages of IUD’s:

Answer 14

highly effective

Question 15

Disadvantages of IUD’s:

Answer 15

• can cause disruption of periods in females
• needs fitting by doctor

Question 16

How does an injection for contraception work?

Answer 16

slow release progesterone to inhibit the maturation and release of eggs for a number of months or years

Question 17

How does a skin patch work?

Answer 17

slow release progesterone to inhibit the maturation and release of eggs for a number of months or years

Question 18

How does spermicide work?

Answer 18

chemical that kills or disables sperm to prevent them from fertilising an egg

Question 19

Advantages of spermicide:

Answer 19

readily available

Question 20

Disadvantages of spermicide:

Answer 20

• not very effective
• risk of side-effects
• no protection against STI’s

Question 21

How do surgical contraceptive methods work?

Answer 21

• aka male and female surgical sterilisation
• males have their sperm ducts cut and tied (vasectomy)
• females have their oviducts cut and tied + require general anaesthetic as it is a more intrusive procedure

Question 22

Advantages of surgical contraceptive methods:

Answer 22

• effective, permanent contraception
• no risk of human error

Question 23

Disadvantages of surgical contraceptive methods:

Answer 23

• permanent procedure
• women need general anaesthetic

Question 24

How do condoms work?

Answer 24

collect semen prevent the sperm reaching the egg and fertilising it

Question 25

Advantages of condoms:

Answer 25

- readily available - give protection against STI’s - can be used with spermicide

Question 26

Disadvantages of condoms:

Answer 26

- some people allergic to latex so need to use latex-free condoms - ineffective and let sperm through if they become damaged

Question 27

How do diaphragms work?

Answer 27

- a thin rubber cap placed over the cervix, preventing sperm from entering - prevents sperm reaching the egg - give protection against STI’s

Question 28

Advantages of diaphragms:

Answer 28

- can be combined with other methods e.g. spermicide - protection against STI’s

Question 29

Disadvantages of diaphragms:

Answer 29

need to be fitted by a doctor as if placed incorrectly can still allow sperm through and result in pregnancy

Question 30

How does abstinence during ovulation work?

Answer 30

abstaining from intercourse when an egg may be in the oviduct

Question 31

Advantages of abstaining during ovulation:

Answer 31

no side-effects

Question 32

Disadvantages of abstaining during ovulation:

Answer 32

very unreliable