B5: Decreasing Fertility

Question 1

How can oestrogen be used to reduce fertility?

Answer 1

Can be used to prevent the release of an egg

Can also be used as a method of contraception - if taken every day to keep the level of it very high, it inhibits the production of FSH & after a while egg development and production stop and stay that way

Question 2

Ow can progesterone reduce fertility?

Answer 2

Stimulates the production of thick mucus which prevents any sleek getting through and reaching an egg.

Question 3

What is the pill and what hormones are in it?

Answer 3

An oral contraceptive containing oestrogen and progesterone. Also known as the combined oral contraceptive pill.
Over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy, but can cause side effects like headaches and nausea, and it doesn’t protect against STIs.

There’s also a progesterone-only pill: it has fewer side effects and is just as effective.

Question 4

What is the contraceptive patch?

Answer 4

Contains oestrogen and progesterone
It’s a small (5cm by 5cm) patch that’s stuck to the skin
Each patch lasts one week

Question 5

How does the contraceptive implant work?

Answer 5

Inserted under the skin of the arm
Releases a continuous amount of progesterone, stopping the ovaries releasing the eggs, making it hard for sperm to swim to the egg and stopping any fertilised egg implanting in the uterus
An implant can last for three years

Question 6

What is the contraceptive injection?

Answer 6

Contains progesterone

Each dose lasts 2 to 3 months

Question 7

What is an IUD and what are the two main types?

Answer 7

Intrauterine Device:
T shaped device inserted into uterus
Kills sperm
Prevents implantation of a fertilised egg

Two main types:
Plastic - releases progesterone
Copper - prevent the sperm from surviving in the uterus

Question 8

Explain the three main barrier methods.

Answer 8

Condoms: prevent sperm from entering vagina (only form of contraception that protects against STIs)
Diaphragm: shallow plastic cup that fits over cervix to form a barrier, has to be used with spermicide
Spermicide: a substance that disables or kills the sperm, can be used alone but is then only 70-80% effective

Question 9

What are three more ‘drastic’ ways to avoid pregnancy?

Answer 9

Sterilisation: cutting or tying the Fallopian tubes in a female, or the sperm duct in a male - though there is a very small chance the tubes can rejoin
‘Natural’ Methods: avoiding intercourse when the menstrual cycle is at its most fertile - not very effective
Abstinence: not having intercourse