Controlling Fertility

• what are contraceptives used for

  to prevent pregnancy
• what are the 2 types of contraceptives

  • barrier contraceptives
  • hormonal contraceptives
• what are barrier contraceptives

  • barrier between sperm + egg so they dont meet + fertilisation doesn't occur
• give examples of barrier methods

  • condoms
  • diaphragms
• what is a diaphragm

  a flexible dome shaped device that fits over the opening of the uterus
• which 2 hormones can be taken to prevent pregnancy

  • oestrogen
  • progesterone
• describe how oestrogen prevents pregnancy from happening

  • if taken every day to keep to keep levels of it permanently high
  • can inhibit production of FSH so egg development stops after a while
• describe how progesterone can prevent pregnancy from happening

  • reduces fertility
  • stimulates production of thick cervical mucus so sperm cant get through the entrance of cervix reaching eggs
  • prevents both FSH (egg development) + LH (ovulation)
• which method of contraception is more effective when used correctly

  hormonal
• what are the advantages of barrier methods

  protects against sexually transmitted diseases
• what are the advantages of hormonal methods

  more effective
• what are the disadvantages of barrier methods

  potential to break like ripping or tearing
• what are the disadvantages of hormonal methods

  • side effects
  • increased risk of developing blood clots
  • acne
  • changes in mood
  • doesn't protect against STDs
• what does infertile mean

  cant reproduce naturally
• what 2 methods can someone choose when they're infertile

  • clomifene therapy
  • IVF
• why would a woman choose clomifene therapy

  when they dont ovulate properly or dont ovulate regularly
• clomifene therapy increases the chances of woman becoming pregnant. describe how it works

  • causes more FSH + LH to be released
  • FH = egg develops
  • LH = ovulation
  • ovulation then tracked so if date of ovulation known
  • couple can have sex during this time to increase chances of pregnancy
• IVF is a form of assisted reproductive technology. Describe how IVF increases fertility

  • Taking FSH + LH to stimulate + release of several eggs
  • retrieved from ovaries + fertilised with sperm in a lab
  • grows into an embryo + 2-3 transferred back into uterus