WEEK 5: FERTILITY ACROSS ALL AGES Flashcards
What is ovulation?
Ovulation is the periodic ejection or release of an immature ovum (a secondary oocyte) from the ovary.
What is fertilization?
Fertilization is the fusion of the sperm and egg nuclei or the fusion of a secondary oocyte and a spermatozoon to form a zygote
What is conception?
Conception (almost synonymous with fertilization, however, note that once a sperm and an ovum have joined and formed a viable zygote, then conception has occured)
What is implantation?
Implantation= an event occurring after conception, where the fertilized ovum moves from the fallopian tube to the uterine wall and lodges or attaches.
What is fertility?
Fertility is the ability of an individual or couple to reproduce through normal sexual activity; it therefore implies the ability to conceive and become pregnant
What is infertility?
Infertility (subfertility) is a failure to conceive after 1-year of unprotected regular sexual intercourse.
Differentiate between primary and secondary infertility.
Primary subfertility: an unwanted delay in conception, for a couple that has had no previous pregnancies.
Secondary subfertility: an unwanted delay in conception, for a couple that had conceived in the past, though this does not mean the pregnancy was successful (eg, had miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy)
Differentiate between absolute and relative fertility.
Absolute infertility implies no chance of conception.
Relative infertility implies only an unwanted delay in conception.
What is a menarche?
Menarche is the onset of menstrual cycle or the occurrence of first menstrual period (typically, 12-14 years).
Describe the development timeline in females according to age.
Ages 9-12: Secondary sex characteristics appear
Ages 11-14: Menstrual cycle begins
Late 20-30’s: Peak sexual urges
Ages 45-55: Menopause (cycle stops, but sex urge continues
Describe the development time line in males according to age
Infancy: Erections begin
Ages 11-14: Secondary sex characteristics appear
Ages 13-16: Sperm produced in adult amounts (puberty)
Late teens: Peak sexual urge in boys
In good health: Sex urge continues life long and ability to father children
Sperm quality deteriorates not before 60 years
> 60 years testes tends to become smaller & softer, Sperm quality (motility & morphology) decline
Describe the relationship between age and the likelihood of developing infertility in females and likelihood of falling pregnant
The likelihood of falling pregnant reduces with age
The likelihood of developing Infertility increases with age and it is very high at after 40 years
At what time is fertility at its peak?
A day before ovulation
Describe the fertile period trend
The fertility increases 5 days leading to ovulation and is highest at a day before ovulation
State the signs and symptoms of ovulation
*A rise in basal body temperature
*Cervix position changes
*Nausea and headaches
*Breast tenderness
*Heightened senses
*Abdominal bloating
*Ovulation pain
*Increased sexual desire
*Slight spotting
*LH levels in urine
*Saliva ferning
*Cervical mucus changes
