5.2: Infertility and Contraception Flashcards
Define coitus interruptus
the pull out method
Name three methods of ‘natural contraception’
- Abstinence
- Coitus interruptus
- Rhythm method (getting to know your cycle really well)
Define vasectomy, other than it being reversible in some cases, what is one disadvantage to this form of contraception?
Cutting (distal to the superficial inguinal ring) the vas deferens to ensure the ejaculate is free of sperm.
One disadvantage is it’s not immediately effective since there may still be sperm existing in the male tract
Name three barrier methods of contraception, what product can they all be used in conjunction with?
- Condoms
- Diaphragm: lies diagonally across cervix, doesn’t completely occlude passage of sperm but holds the sperm in an acidic environment of the vagina to reduce its survival time
- Cap: first across the cervix (physical barrier)
Can be used with spermicide: Product inserted into vagina prior to intercourse that kills sperm
What is a combined OCP and how does it work?
Hormonal contraception: Has estrogen and progesterone which:
1. stimulates -ve feedback to the hypothalamus/pituitary to inhibit follicular development/ovulation
- Loss of the estrogen positive feedback means no LH surge
Name three methods of taking hormonal contraception
The pill, patch and injections
What forms of contraception inhibit the transport of the oocyte down the fallopian tube? Is it 100% effective?
Sterilization to occlude the fallopian tubes; clips, rings, ligation
*Tubes rarely rejoin
What form of contraception inhibits sperm from passing through the cervix chemically? (Not physically)
Can change the cervical mucus to make it thick and ‘hostile’ using the combined OCP, or progesterone only pill, implant or depot progesterone/injections
*excess progesterone tricks the body into thinking its pregnant; inducing changes in the endometrium, cervical mucus, etc
Name two potential consequences of having excessive progesterone in the body?
- Can induce over-proliferation of endometrium - leading to cancer
- Excessive suppression of estrogen
Name three forms of contraception that can inhibit implantation of the embryo in the uterine lining
- Hormonal contraception: can affect the receptivity of the endometrium
- Postcoital contraception
- IUDs
What are the two main types of IUDs and how do they work?
Can be hormonal or copper:
1. Copper interferes with the endometrial enzymes to prevent implantation and acts a physical barrier against sperm transport
- Progesterone; -ve feedback in the axis
Is male hormonal contraception currently available, why or why not? Which hormone would be involved?
No, some trials have been successful with testosterone being the most suitable exogenous hormone (used in combination with progesterone to reduce the side effects). However, issues such as low level sperm production, persisting side effects (i.e mood swings), reversibility and problems caused with the male repro tract/sexual function still need to be overcome
Define infertility (and primary and secondary)
Being unable to conceive within 1 year
Primary: no previous pregnancy
Secondary: previous pregnancy, successful or not
Name four factors that might contribute to male infertility (not psychological)
- Low sperm count
- Poor sperm morphology/motility
- Low ejaculate volume; not adequate release from accessory glands
- Sperm autoimmunity
Name two factors that contribute to male infertility during coitus (intercourse ;)
- Retrograde ejaculation: semen enters bladder rather than emerging through the penis
- ED