Human Biology (Contraception)

Question 1

What is Abstinence?

Answer 1

Not having sexual intercourse at all.

Question 2

What is periodic abstinence?

Answer 2

Abstaining from sexual intercourse on the days when fertilisation is most likely.

Question 3

What are the 4 methods of periodic abstinence?

Answer 3

Rhythm method
Temperature method
Mucus method
Symptothermal method

Question 4

What are mechanical barriers used for?

Answer 4

Used to prevent the sperm from reaching the egg, therefore preventing fertilisation.

Question 5

What is a condom?

Answer 5

A mechanical barrier made from very thin latex rubber that is rolled on to the erect penis just before intercourse.

Question 6

What are condoms effective in doing?

Answer 6

Effective in preventing semen from entering the vagina, provided it does not tear or slip off after ejaculation.

Question 7

What is an advantage of using condoms?

Answer 7

Condoms have an additional advantage in providing protection against sexually transmitted infections.

Question 8

What is a diaphragm?

Answer 8

a mechanical barrier used by the female.
It is a thin rubber cap that fits across the top of the vagina.

Question 9

When and how is a diaphragm used?

Answer 9

It must be inserted before intercourse, and is normally used with a spermicidal cream or jelly to increase effectiveness. It should be left in for at least six hours after intercourse.

Question 10

What is the other mechanical barrier that is similar to the diaphragm?

Answer 10

The cervical cap which must be inserted prior to having intercourse and left in for at least six hours after ejaculation, and should be used with a spermicide.

Question 11

What is the female condom and how is it used?

Answer 11

A lubricated polyurethane sheath that lines the vagina.
At each end of the sheath is a flexible ring; the one at the closed end fits over the cervix, and the other sits over the folds of skin that surround the entrance to the vagina.
The female condom is an effective contraceptive device and gives protection against sexually transmitted infections.

Question 12

How do spermicides work?

Answer 12

They contain a substance that immobilises and destroys sperm.

They react with moisture in the vagina to form bubbles of carbon dioxide gas, which present a physical barrier to the sperm.

They are available as creams, tablets, pessaries or aerosol foam.

Spermicides may be used with the condom, diaphragm and cervical cap.

Question 13

How reliable are spermicides when used alone?

Answer 13

They are very unreliable when used alone, but they do add to the effectiveness of barrier devices.

Question 14

What is a combined pill?

Answer 14

Synthetic substances that are similar to the two female hormones, oestrogen and progesterone (progestogen). When taken daily for the first 21 days of the menstrual cycle, the substitute hormones prevent the release of mature eggs from the ovary.

Question 15

How do combined pills affect the body?

Answer 15

The cervical mucus also becomes thick and sticky, making it difficult for sperm to travel upwards from the vagina.
The ‘hormones’ also alter the lining of the uterus so that it becomes less receptive to the implantation of an embryo.

Question 16

What is a mini pill?

Answer 16

Contains only the progesterone substitute progestogen. This ‘hormone’ makes the cervical mucus thicker so that sperm cannot enter the uterus. It also changes the lining of the uterus, making it difficult for a fertilised egg to implant.

Question 17

What is a hormone implant?

Answer 17

A soft plastic stick about 4 cm long that is inserted beneath the skin on the inner side of the upper arm. It slowly releases progestogen into the body and provides contraception for three years.

Question 18

What is a vaginal ring?

Answer 18

A soft plastic ring placed in the vagina, where it releases low doses of the oestrogen and progesterone. It is left in the vagina for three weeks and taken out for one week.

Question 19

What do vaginal rings do?

Answer 19

The small amounts of hormones released prevent ovulation, cause the mucus in the cervix to thicken so that sperm cannot enter the uterus, and change the lining of the uterus so that implantation cannot occur.

Question 20

Describe the progress of hormonal contraception for men?

Answer 20

Male hormonal contraceptives are being developed in a number of different forms. One that has been trialled in Australia involved an implant of the hormone testosterone being placed under the skin every four months. This was combined with an injection of progesterone every three months, and was found to be effective in suppressing sperm production. Ongoing research on 1000 men in China is designed to test the drug’s effectiveness, evaluate its safety and monitor side effects.
Other options currently under development include a gel or tablets that also contain testosterone and a synthetic progesterone.

Question 21

What are IUD’s? And what are the 2 types?

Answer 21

small devices made of plastic, and often containing copper, that are inserted into the uterus.
The two types are:
- Hormonal IUD
- Copper IUD

Question 22

What is a Hormonal IUD and how does it work?

Answer 22

Made up of a plastic frame with a core that slowly releases the progestogen hormone levonorgestrel. It works by releasing its hormone at a steady rate that makes the lining of the uterus, the endometrium, thin and unsuitable for the implantation of a fertilised egg. It stimulates the cervix to produce thick mucus that prevents sperm from entering the uterus and swimming towards the egg. In some women, the hormone from the IUD stops ovulation altogether.

Question 23

How does a Copper IUD work?

Answer 23

plastic frame with copper sleeves or copper wire around it. It works mainly by inhibiting the movement of sperm and thus preventing them from moving through the uterus.

Question 24

Why can copper IUD’s be used after sex as well?

Answer 24

It also causes changes to the endometrium which, if an egg were to be fertilised, would stop the egg from attaching to it. Because of this, copper IUDs are sometimes used as an effective form of emergency contraception up to five days after unprotected sex.

Question 25

What is the emergency contraceptive pill?

Answer 25

Available as a single tablet of progestogen, and works by preventing or delaying ovulation, preventing sperm from reaching an egg, and preventing implantation of an embryo in the lining of the uterus.

Question 26

What is sterilisation?

Answer 26

Permanent method of birth control for men and women where the anatomy of the reproductive system is altered so that the sperm and egg are unable to meet.

Question 27

How does male vasectomy work?

Answer 27

traditionally involved the removal of a small piece of each vas deferens. The operation is relatively simple: a small cut is made on each side of the scrotum. A small segment is then removed from each vas deferens and the cut ends are tied or sealed with heat. The cuts in the scrotum are then closed.

Question 28

What is the testing non-surgical vasectomy about?

Answer 28

Involves injecting a gel into the vas deferens that blocks the path of the sperm.

Question 29

How does female sterilisation work?

Answer 29

a small incision is made in the abdomen and the uterine tubes are located. Each tube is then cut, a small piece is removed, and the ends are tied

Question 30

How can female sterilisation work with a laparoscope?

Answer 30

Alternatively, an instrument called a laparoscope may be used. It is passed into the abdominal cavity through a small cut at the lower edge of the navel. Once it is inside the abdominal cavity, the doctor is able to locate the uterine tubes and fit metal clips to each, crushing that section of the uterine tube. After tubal ligation, sperm cannot reach the egg, and the egg cannot reach the uterus.

Question 31

What are a list of factors to be taken into account before doing contraception?

Answer 31

• Reliability
• Side effects
• Convenience
• Cost
  -Availability
• Permanence
• Personal preferences