Controlling fertility

• What must happen for pregnancy to occur?

  Sperm must reach the ovulated egg
• What is the purpose of contraception?

  To prevent sperm from reaching the egg
• What hormone can prevent the release of an egg?

  Oestrogen
• How does high oestrogen affect egg production?


  It inhibits the production of FSH and egg development and production stop
• What role does progesterone play in reducing fertility?

  It thickens the mucus which prevents sperm getting through
• What is the combined oral contraceptive pill commonly referred to as?

  The pill
• What is the effectiveness rate of the combined oral contraceptive pill?

  Over 99% effective
• What are some side effects of the combined oral contraceptive pill?

  Headaches and nausea
• What does the progestogen-only pill have compared to the combined pill?

  Fewer side effects
• What are the hormonal methods of contraception?

  • Combined oral contraceptive pill
  • Progestogen-only pill
  • Contraceptive patch
  • Contraceptive implant
  • Contraceptive injection
  • Intrauterine device (IUD)
• What does the contraceptive patch contain?

  Oestrogen and progesterone
• How long does each contraceptive patch last?

  One week
• What does the contraceptive implant do?

  Releases constant progesterone
• How long does a contraceptive implant last?

  2 to 3 years
• What is the duration of the contraceptive injection's effectiveness?

  2 to 3 months
• What is the purpose of an intrauterine device (IUD)?

  To prevent implantation of a fertilised egg
• What are the two main types of IUDs?

  Plastic IUDs and copper IUDs
• What do condoms do during intercourse?

  Prevent sperm from entering the vagina
• What is unique about condoms compared to other contraceptives?

  They protect against sexually transmitted diseases
• What is a diaphragm used for?


  Fits over the cervix which is the entrance to the uterus to form a barrier
• What must a diaphragm be used with?

  Spermicide which disables or kills the sperm
• How effective is spermicide alone as contraception?

  About 70-80% effective
• What are the non-hormonal methods of contraception?

  • Condoms
  • Diaphragm with spermicide
  • Spermicide alone
  • Sterilisation
  • Natural methods
  • Abstinence
• What does sterilisation involve in females?

  Cutting or tying the fallopian tubes, very small chance that the tubes can rejoin.
• What is the permanence of sterilisation?

  It is a permanent procedure
• What is a natural method of avoiding pregnancy?

  Avoiding intercourse on fertile days
• What is the only method to be completely sure of avoiding pregnancy?

  Abstinence is to not have intercourse so the sperm and egg don’t meet
• What should you consider when evaluating contraceptive methods?

  • Pros of each method
  • Cons of each method
  • Effectiveness
  • Side effects
  • Personal preferences
• What has scientific advances in fertility helped many infertile women do?

  Have babies
• Why might some women be infertile due to FSH levels?

  Low FSH levels prevent egg maturation
• What hormones are given in fertility drugs to stimulate ovulation?

  FSH and LH
• What unexpected outcome can result from stimulating too many eggs?

  Multiple pregnancies like twins or triplets
• What does IVF stand for?

  In vitro fertilisation
• What is the first step in the IVF process?

  Collecting eggs from the ovaries
• What technique is used in IVF if the man has a low sperm count?

  ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection)
• What happens to fertilised eggs in the IVF process?

  They are grown into embryos in a lab
• How many embryos are typically transferred to the uterus during IVF?


  One or two embryos .
• Why are FSH and LH given before egg collection in IVF?

  To stimulate several eggs to mature
• What is a significant benefit of fertility treatment?

  It can give an infertile couple a child
• What is a risk associated with multiple births from IVF?

  Higher risk of miscarriage and stillbirth