controlling fertility

• • the pill is an oral contraceptive which contains progesterone and oestrogen
  • oestrogen can be taken every day to keep its level high, which inhibits production of FSH, and causes egg development and production to stop
  • progestrone reduces fertility by stimulating production of thick mucus to prevent sperm from getting to the egg
• • the pill is 99% effective
  • it can cause side effects like headaches and nausea
  • it does not protect against sexually transmitted sieases
  • a progesterone only pill can be taken which has fewer side effects than the normal pill
• • an injection, implant or skin patch can be taken to produce a slow release of progesterone to inhibit the maturation and release of eggs
  • the injection last 2-3 months
  • the implant can last for 3 years
  • the patch lasts one week
  • they all are unnoticeable methods
• • an IUD can be used
  • it is inserted into uterus to kill sperm and prevent implantation of fertilised egg
  • plastic IUDs release progesterone
  • copper IUDs kill sperm in uterus
• non hormonal methods are:

  • condoms
  • diagphram
  • spermicide
• • condoms are worn over penis during intercourse to prevent sperm entering vagina
  • they are the only form of contraception that protect against sexually transmitted diseases
• • diagraphms are shallow plastic cups that fit over cervix to create barrier
  • the cervix is the entrance to the uterus
  • it has to be used with spermicice
• • spermicide kills sperm
  • it is only 70-80% effective
• sterilisation:

  • cutting or typing fallopian tube or sperm duct
  • fallopian tube connects ovaries to uterus
  • sperm duct is tube between testes and penis
  • permanent procedure
  • small chance tubes can rejoin
• • abstaining from intercourse when egg may be in oviduct or when woman is most fertile
• • abstinence is the only method that is 100% effective in preventing pregnancy