B11 Flashcards
Contraception
Methods of preventing pregnancy which involve preventing the sperm and egg from meeting
Examples of contraception(name 3)
Combined Pill
Barrier method(male condom or female diaphragm)
Contraceptive implant
Contraceptive Injection or Skin Patch
Intrauterine devices(IUD)
Examples of oral contraceptives
Oral contraceptives have hormones to reduce fertility.
Examples include:
The combined pill
The mini-pill
How does the combined pill work?
Contains the hormones oestrogen and progesterone which:
Inhibit FSH production(oestrogen does this)
Prevents egg maturation
Prevents ovulation/release of egg by inhibiting LH(progesterone does this)
Mini-pill
A progesterone-only pill
Barrier methods
These are non-hormonal forms of contraception that prevent the sperm reaching the egg
Condoms
Diaphragms
Spermicidal agents which kill or disable sperm
Abstaining from intercourse when an egg may be in the oviduct
Surgical methods of male and female sterilisation
External condoms
Male condoms, worn on the penis,
made from rubber to stop a man’s semen from coming into contact with his sexual partner
Female condoms
Made from soft, thin synthetic latex/latex, worn in the vagina to prevent semen getting to the womb
Diaphragm and caps
Fit inside the vagina and cover the cervix(entrance to the womb), stop sperm meeting an egg
Spermicides
Most spermicides contain nonoxynol-9, a chemical that kills sperms. Examples include cream, gel and foam
Intra-uterine devices
Coil inserted into the uterus to prevent the implantation of an embryo or release of a hormone
Copper IUD- Releases low levels of copper ions which disable sperm cells
Plastic IUD- Produces progesterone which stimulates the production of a thick mucus lining preventing sperm from reaching any eggs.
Contraceptive implant
A small flexible tube inserted under the skin in the upper arm
releasing progesterone in your bloodstream to prevent pregnancy, lasts for 3 years
Contraceptive Injection
Releases the hormone progesterone into the bloodstream to prevent pregnancy, provides contraception for 8-13 years, inhibits maturation and release of eggs, hormone released slowly into the body
Contraceptive patch
Contains oestrogen and progesterone, a small sticky patch releasing hormones into your body through your skin to prevent pregnancy, each patch lasts for 1 week, change the patch every week for 3 weeks, then have a week off without the patch
Natural planning method
Avoiding sexual intercourse during the fertile period of the menstrual cycle when ovulation occurs, requires understanding of fertility signals like:
Length of menstrual cycle
Body temperature changes through the cycle
Changes in cervical secretions through the cycle
Surgical methods
Vasectomy
Female sterilisation(tubal ligation)
Vasectomy
The sperm ducts are cut, so no sperm’s in the semen when ejaculation occurs,
Female sterilisation(tubal ligation)
Oviducts cut/tied off, preventing eggs from reaching the uterus or sperm reaching the eggs
Advantages of combined pill and minipill
Effective when taken correctly
Minipill has fewer side effects than the pill
Disadvantages of combined pill and minipill
Has to be taken every day
A hormonal contraceptive has side effects
Doesn’t protect against STIs
Advantages of injection/implant/skin patch
Lasts for weeks or months so no need to remember daily
Disadvantages of injection/implant/skin patch
A hormonal contraceptive has associated side effects
Doesn’t protect against STIs
Requires a medical professional to implement
Advantages of condom/femidom and diaphragm
Effective when used correctly
Protects against STIs
No side effects
Disadvantages of condom/femidom/diaphragm
Must be applied each time before sexual intercourse
Can break or split
Advantages of abstinence and family planning
No chemical input so no side effects
Disadvantages of abstinence and family planning
Requires careful control and/or monitoring of the menstrual cycle
Can be impacted by illness and lifestyle
Advantages of sterilisation(vasectomy and tubal ligation)
Can be permanent
Disasvantages of sterilisation(vasectomy and tubal ligation)
Difficult to reserve
Involves surgery
Doesn’t protect against STIs