Controlling Fertility Flashcards
what is contraception
preventing the sperm from reaching an egg
can oestrogen be used as a form of contraception
it can be used to prevent the release of an egg, so it can be used as a method for contraception
how is oestrogen used as a form of contraception
- 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
how can progesterone reduce fertility
by stimulating the production of thick mucus which prevents sperm getting through and reaching an egg
how is oestrogen and progesterone taken by the woman
in the form of a pill known as combined oral contraceptive pill
advantage and disadvantage of combined oral contraceptive pill
- over 99% effective
- can cause side effects like nausea and headaches
- doesnt protect against STIs
what are other methods of contraception that use hormones
- contraceptive patch containing oestrogen and progesterone
- contraceptive implant inserted under skin
- contraceptive injection
- intrauterine device (IUD) inserted into uterus tot kill sperm
what are non hormonal forms of contraception designed to do and examples
- prevent sperm from getting to the egg
- condoms
- diaphragm
- spermicide
how do condoms work and what is special about them
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
how does a diaphragm work
a shallow plastic cup that fits over the cervix to form a barrier. it has to be used with spermicide
how does spermicide work
a substance that kills or disables sperm
what is clomiphene and how does it work to increase the chance of pregnancy in women
- 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
what does ivf stand for
in vitro fertilisation
what does ivf treatment involve
- collecting eggs from the womans ovaries and fertilising them in a lab using mans sperm
describe what happens in ivf treatment
- 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
why is a drug given to suppress the natural production of FSH and LH in ivf
to stop the usual cycle of a single egg cell maturing in an ovary and being released
why is a larger dose of FSH given to the woman every day for several days in ivf
to cause many egg cells to grow and begin to mature in both ovaries
why is a larger does of LH given to woman in ivf
to complete the egg cell maturation so that many mature egg cells are released at the same time
why is the woman given progesterone while egg cells are fertilised in the lab
to prepare the uterus for the implantation or an embryo by causing the uterus lining to thicken
