5) Contraception

• Fertility can be reduced by a variety of methods of contraception.

  · Hormonal methods include:

  • oral contraceptives (the combined pill) that contain oestrogen and progesterone, which inhibit FSH production so that no eggs are released
  • an injection, implant or skin patch of slow release progesterone to stop the release of eggs for a number of months or years.
• . Non-hormonal methods include:

  • barrier methods, such as condoms and diaphragms, that prevent the sperm from reaching an egg
  • intrauterine devices, which prevent embryos from implanting in the uterus
  • spermicidal creams, which kill or disable sperm
  • not having intercourse when an egg may be in the oviduct
  • surgical methods of male and female sterilisation, such as cutting the sperm ducts or tying the fallopian tubes.