Unit 9: Birth control and STIs Flashcards
What is the whole point of birth control?
To prevent pregnancy by making sure the sperm cannot get to the egg.
Fertility awareness
Women guess when they are fertile or infertile by keeping track of their menstrual cycle, vaginal secretions, and temperature. Medium effectiveness.
Hormones
The pill, the patch, the ring. The hormones prevent ovulation, so there is never an egg cell produced. Highly effective.
IUD
Intra Uterine Device Implanted or removed by a doctor. Irritates the uterus, toxic to sperm. Highly effective.
Diaphragm
a rubber cup which covers the cervix. Medium effectiveness alone. Highly effective if used with spermicide.
Spermicide
a cream or gel which contains chemicals to kill the sperm. Inserted directly into the vagina. Medium effectiveness alone. Highly effective if used with a diaphragm.
Condoms
A barrier between the male and female sex organs. Prevents any exchange of fluids. Highly effective. The only form of birth control which also prevents STIs.
Gonorrhea
A bacterial infection. Curable with antibiotics. Often has no symptoms. Can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).
Chlamydia
A bacterial infection. Curable with antibiotics. Often has no symptoms. Can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).
Syphilis
A bacterial infection. Curable with antibiotics. A painless sore develops where the bacteria enter the body. No further symptoms until the bacteria have done significant damage to organs; can be fatal.
PID
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Caused by an untreated bacterial infection. Bacteria infect and damage the ovaries, causing infertility.
HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus attacks white blood cells no symptoms for a long time, then AIDS Fatal Incurable; can be controlled with antivirals.
HPV
Human Papillomavirus Causes genital warts Incurable increases risk of catching other STIs
Herpes
The herpes virus is incurable, but it is treatable, and causes periodic outbreaks which increase risk of catching other STIs
Hepatitis B
A virus which attacks the liver no symptoms can be fatal incurable
Pubic lice
small blood sucking insects cause itching and blue-grey skin curable
scabies
mites living in the skin pimply rash curable
Trichomoniasis
a curable protist causes smelly, frothy, discolored vaginal discharge, and increases risk of catching other STIs
Which STIs are caused by bacteria?
Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphilis, PID
Which STIs are caused by viruses?
HIV, HPV, Hep B, Herpes
What kinds of STIs are curable and which are not?
Viral infections can be managed but not cured. Bacterial infections can be cured with antibiotics. Other infections can be cured with targeted medicines.
What is the only method of birth control which prevents STIs?
condoms (or not having sex at all)
Which STIs can go unnoticed because they may not have observable symptoms?
Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphilis, PID HIV, HPV, Hep B, Herpes
When should you see a doctor?
If you think you’ve been exposed to an STI. If you have a rash or itchy skin. Smelly or discolored discharge. open sores painful urination
Can oral sex result in pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections?
A woman can NOT get pregnant from oral sex (swallowed sperm are denatured in the stomach acid). HIV and Herpes have been known to be transmitted by oral sex, but not the other STIs.
Which STIs can be fatal?
HIV, Hep B, syphilis
Which STIs are merely annoying (as opposed to fatal)?
HPV, Herpes, pubic lice, scabies, Trichomoniasis
