Controlling Fertility

Question 1

what is contraception

Answer 1

preventing the sperm from reaching an egg

Question 2

can oestrogen be used as a form of contraception

Answer 2

it can be used to prevent the release of an egg, so it can be used as a method for contraception

Question 3

how is oestrogen used as a form of contraception

Answer 3

• if its taken everyday to keep the level of it permanently high, it inhibits the production of FSH (negative feedback)
• after a while egg development and production stop ans stay that way

Question 4

how can progesterone reduce fertility

Answer 4

by stimulating the production of thick mucus which prevents sperm getting through and reaching an egg

Question 5

how is oestrogen and progesterone taken by the woman

Answer 5

in the form of a pill known as combined oral contraceptive pill

Question 6

advantage and disadvantage of combined oral contraceptive pill

Answer 6

• over 99% effective
• can cause side effects like nausea and headaches
• doesnt protect against STIs

Question 7

what are other methods of contraception that use hormones

Answer 7

• contraceptive patch containing oestrogen and progesterone
• contraceptive implant inserted under skin
• contraceptive injection
• intrauterine device (IUD) inserted into uterus tot kill sperm

Question 8

what are non hormonal forms of contraception designed to do and examples

Answer 8

• prevent sperm from getting to the egg
• condoms
• diaphragm
• spermicide

Question 9

how do condoms work and what is special about them

Answer 9

they are worn over the penis during intercourse to prevent sperm from entering vagina
they are the only form of contraception that protects against STIs

Question 10

how does a diaphragm work

Answer 10

a shallow plastic cup that fits over the cervix to form a barrier. it has to be used with spermicide

Question 11

how does spermicide work

Answer 11

a substance that kills or disables sperm

Question 12

what is clomiphene and how does it work to increase the chance of pregnancy in women

Answer 12

• an oral medication used to stimulate ovulation
• works by blocking oestrogen receptors at the hypothalamus
• hypothalamus is stimulated to release FSH and LH, due to negative feedback
• LH triggers ovulation and FSH stimulates growth and maintenance of uterus lining
• increased chance of pregnancy

Question 13

what does ivf stand for

Answer 13

in vitro fertilisation

Question 14

what does ivf treatment involve

Answer 14

• collecting eggs from the womans ovaries and fertilising them in a lab using mans sperm

Question 15

describe what happens in ivf treatment

Answer 15

• drug is given to suppress the natural production of FSH and LH
• a larger dose of FSH is given to the woman every day for several days
• larger does of LH is given to woman
• while egg cells are fertilised in the lab, the woman is given progesterone

Question 16

why is a drug given to suppress the natural production of FSH and LH in ivf

Answer 16

to stop the usual cycle of a single egg cell maturing in an ovary and being released

Question 17

why is a larger dose of FSH given to the woman every day for several days in ivf

Answer 17

to cause many egg cells to grow and begin to mature in both ovaries

Question 18

why is a larger does of LH given to woman in ivf

Answer 18

to complete the egg cell maturation so that many mature egg cells are released at the same time

Question 19

why is the woman given progesterone while egg cells are fertilised in the lab

Answer 19

to prepare the uterus for the implantation or an embryo by causing the uterus lining to thicken