Controlling fertility

Question 1

What can people take to reduce fertility?

Answer 1

The contraceptive pill

Question 2

What hormones does the contraceptive pill contain?

Answer 2

Oestrogen and Progesterone.

Question 3

What were the concerns about the first version of the contraceptive pill?

Answer 3

It contained high levels of oestrogen, and people were concerned about a link between the hormone and ‘side effects’ such as blood clots.

Question 4

What did they change about the pill to lower the side effects?

Answer 4

They put lower levels of oestrogen in it.

Question 5

What has fewer side effects than the normal contraceptive pill?

Answer 5

The ‘progesterone only’ pill.

Question 6

What hormones can we inject to stimulate egg release in our ovaries?

Answer 6

FSH and LH hormones.

Question 7

What does IVF stand for?

Answer 7

‘In- vitro fertilisation’

Question 8

What does IVF involve?

Answer 8

Giving FSH and LH to stimulate egg production.

Question 9

Describe the process of IVF.

Answer 9

1. Eggs are collected from ovaries.
2. Eggs are fertilised in a lab using sperm.
3. Eggs are grown into ‘embryos’.
4. Once the embryos are ‘tiny balls of cells’ one or two of them are transferred to the uterus.

Question 10

How does IVF help couples?

Answer 10

It helps them have children.

Question 11

List the pros and cons of using a contraceptive pill.

Answer 11

Pros:
-Effective for preventing pregnancy.
-Reduces the risk of getting some types of cancer.
Cons:
-Small chance of still getting pregnant.
-Can cause headaches.
-Doesn’t protect against STD’s.

Question 12

List the pros and cons of the Injection of FSH and LH.

Answer 12

Pros: 
-Helps a lot of people get pregnant
Cons: 
-Doesn't always work
-Can cause multiple pregnancies

Question 13

List the pros and cons of IVF.

Answer 13

Pro: 
-Helps couples have a child
Cons: 
-Occasional strong reactions to the hormones
-Multiple births can happen