controlling fertility

Question 1

Hormones can be used to ——- the release of an egg

Answer 1

• reduce

Question 2

What Hormone can be used to reduce the release of an egg, but also act as a method of contraception? and how?

Answer 2

• oestrogen if its taken daily to keep level of it permanently high.
• Inhibits production of FSH and after a while, egg development and production stop and stay stopped.

Question 3

Which hormone also reduces fertility ?

Answer 3

• Progesterone = stimulates production of thick mucus = prevents sperm getting through and fertilising egg

Question 4

What is the pill?
Is it effective?
What’s its side effects?

Answer 4

• it’s an oral contraception containing oestrogen and progesterone
• Its over 99% effective for preventing pregnancy

side effects include
-headache
-nausea
- Doesn’t protect or stop spread of STD

Question 5

What is the progesterone only pill?
Is it effective?
What’s its side effects?

Answer 5

• progesterone only oral contraceptive
• Its over 99% effective for preventing pregnancy
• Fewer side effects than the pill

Question 6

What is the contraceptive patch?

Disadvantages of this

Answer 6

• Contains oestrogen and progesterone and its small (5x5cm) and stuck to your skin
  -1 patch = lasts one week

Question 7

What is the contraceptive implant?

Answer 7

• inserted under the skin of the arm and released continuous amount of progesterone = stops ovaries releasing egg = harder for sperm to swim to egg = stops fertilised egg implanting in uterus
• lasts up to 3 years

Question 8

What is the contraceptive injection?

Answer 8

• It contains progesterone
• Each does lasts 2-3 months

Question 9

What is a intrauterine device (IUD)?

Answer 9

• T Shaped device inserted into the uterus to kill sperm and prevent implantation of fertilised egg

Question 10

What are the two types of intrauterine device (IUD)?

Answer 10

Plastic IUD = release progesterone
copper IUD = prevent sperm surviving in uterus

Question 11

What are non-hormonal forms of contraceptives designed for? (Barrier methods)

Answer 11

• to stop sperm getting to egg

Question 12

Types of non-hormonal forms of contraceptives (Barrier methods)

Answer 12

• Condoms worn over penis during intercourse to prevent sperm entering vagina = prevent STDs
• female condom worn inside vagina
• Diaphragm = shallow plastic cup that fits over cervix to form barrier , used with spermicide (substance which kills egg or disables it )
• Spermicide is used alone as a contraceptive but not as effective (70-80%)

Question 13

What are two drastic ways to avoid pregnancy?

Answer 13

Sterilisation = cutting or tying fallopian tubes in females or sperm duct in male = permanent procedure = small chance tubes can re-join

‘Natural methods’ = fertility awareness or other words would be rhythm method = finding out when in menstruation cycle and avoid intercourse

• popular with people who think barrier methods are unnatural, but not effective
• Abstinence = only way to 100% make sure sperm and egg don’t meet is to not have intercourse