IVF

• Contraception - any artificial method people use to prevent pregnancy.
• Hormonal methods of contraception:

  • Oestrogen and/or progestrone is given.
  • If Oestrogen is given everyday, then it will inhibit the FSH hormone, and as a result no egg will mature.
  • If progestron is given then it will stimulate the production of a thick mucus in the cervix, therefore preventing sprem from reaching egg.
• Ways to given hormonal contraception:

  • Pill (combined or mini)
  • Contraceptive patch
  • Contraceptive injection
  • Contraceptive implant
  • Intrauterine device (IUD)
• Contraceptive patch - releases oestrogen and progesterone, and lasts for a week.
• Contraceptive injection - releases progestrone, lasts 2-3 months.
• Contraceptive implant - small device placed under the skin, releases progestrone, lasts 3 years.
• Intrauterine device (IUD) - placed inside the uterus, a plastic can be placed which releases progestrone, or a copper one can be placed which prevents the sperm form surviving, lasts for over 3 years.
• Non-hormonal methods of contracpetion:

  • Condom - {can be form both male and female, also prevents from STD}
  • Diaphram - {placed over cervix, has to be used with spemicide (kills sperm)}
  • Sterilisation - {cutting/tying fallopian tubes or sperm ducts, is permanent}
  • Natural
• How IVF works:

  STAGE 1; Women are given FSH and LH hormone to stimulate egg to mature.

  STAGE 2; Eggs are collected from ovaries and fertilised by sperm, this is done in a lab.

  {if the man has a low sperm count, then intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICIS)will be used, where sperm is injected into the egg with a needle.}

  STAGE 4; Then cells are left in an incubator, to grow into embryos.

  STAGE 5; After one or two embryos are collected and placed into women's uterus.
• Disadvantages of IVF:

  • Doesn't always work
  • Is emotionally upsetting and stressful
  • Is physically upsetting (abdominal pain and vomiting)
  • Leads to multiple births, so higher risk of complications