Hormonal Regulation Of Reproduction Flashcards
What problems can impact upon a woman’s fertility and what are the symptoms of these.
Irregular periods may indicate endocrine problems such as PCOS.
Painful periods or bleeding between periods may indicate endometriosis.
If a woman is struggling to get pregnant what may you ask her?
How often she has sex, When she has sex, Irregularities in menstrual cycle, Has her partner previously fathered children or had semen analysis, What is her BMI, Does she take any drugs, Has she got any children, Has she had any previous miscarriages or terminations.
What impact can BMI have on the chances of getting pregnant?
Women who are significantly overweight or underweight will have problems with their fertility. There are also concerns about poor clinical outcomes, increased health risks and higher costs and so there has been restricted access to assisted conception for people with very high BMIs. The cut offs vary from 30-35kg/m2. Obesity contributes to ovulatory problems, lower success rates following assisted reproduction and increases the risk of perinatal complications.
East Midlands cut off are a woman’s BMI must be more than 19 and less than 30 and a mans BMI must be less than 35.
What chemical in cigarettes is harmful to reproductive function?
Cadmium.
What aspect of fertility does smoking affect women?
Smoking effect menstrual cycle regulation and control of oocyte production.
When does fertility peak in women?
25-29 years of age.
What effect does smoking have on fertility and pregnancy?
Cadmium in cigarettes has harmful effects on reproductive function. Smoking is harmful for the developing foetus.
Specific effects include deleterious effects on menstrual cycle regulation, tubal function and embryo transport, control of oocyte production and viability. Infertility is increased to 21% in smokers versus 14% in non smokers.
There is an increasing decline in fertility with increasing number of cigarettes smoked per day.
Should you drink when trying to get pregnant?
No. Also large amounts of alcohol damage the developing baby (foetal alcohol syndrome).
At what period of abstinence does sperm quality and quantity peak?
After about 1-2 days of abstinence.
What are some signs of ovulation?
Increasing cervical mucus. Fertile cervical mucus is cervical discharge that resembles raw egg white and typically appears on the days prior to ovulation.
How long can it take for fertility to return to normal after long term use of the contraceptive pill?
Up to 2 years.
When is the best time to have sex for pregnancy to occur?
Should be having sexual intercourse at least every other day especially around the time of ovulation. The 24 hours before ovulation is the best time. There is a critical window of opportunity for fertilisation to occur.
