Birth Control & Infertility

Birth Control
• Methods or devices used to prevent
pregnancy
1. Using contraception (preventing fertilization
during sexual intercourse)
2. Anti-implantation methods (prevent embryo
from implanting into the lining of uterus)
include the use of IUDs or intra-uterine
devices and the ‘morning after’ pill
 Condoms
• Acts as a physical barrier between sperm and
ovum.
• Reduces transmission of STDs
 Withdrawal method
• Just before ejaculation, the penis is withdrawn
• Unreliable as small quantities of sperm may be
released before withdrawal
 Vasectomy
• Surgical procedure which involves cutting the
sperm duct from testes.
 Rhythm method
• Observing the menstrual cycle and avoiding
sex during fertile period
 Female sterilization
• The oviducts are either tied or cut during a
surgical procedure
• Ova can not reach uterus
 IUD (Intra Uterine Device)
• A copper coil is placed inside the uterus
• Implantation of embryo does not occur
• Quite reliable
 Diaphragm
• A thin rubber barrier which fits into the cervix
and prevent sperms from entering the uterus
 Female Condoms
• A thin sheath which lines the vagina and
prevents the entry of sperm
 Birth Control Pill
• Contain: Steroid hormones that suppress
ovulation and Combined Oral Contraceptives
• 1 pill daily for 21 days and stops for 7 days
(some continues to take a different coloured,
inactive, pill), during menstruation occurs
• Problem: rise in sexually transmitted diseases
 ‘Morning After’ Pill
• Taken after she had unprotected sexual
intercourse and if pregnancy occurs
• Works up for 72 hours afterwards
• Contains: synthetic progesterone-like
hormone
• Reduce the chances of fertilisation
• Prevents a pregnancy by stopping the embryo
implanting into the uterus
 Spermicide
• Chemicals that destroy sperms inside the body
of the female
• Are used in combination with other
contraceptive methods such as diaphragm and
condoms
 Social and Ethical Issues and Birth Control
Arguments : Opinions :
• Easy access to
• Greater rate of infection with
sexually transmitted diseases contraception prevents
• Breakdown of a higher unwanted pregnancies and
percentage of marriages and many terminations that
more children are being could cause distress
brought by one parent
• Increase in promiscuity • Urgent need to try to
amongst people all ages reduce world population
(especially teenagers)
growth
• Parents are concerned about
their kids in having unhealthy
relationships with their
partners
• Anti-implantation pills =
‘unsupervised abortion on
demand’
 Infertility
• Failed to conceive a child after 12 months of
trying
• Rise of infertile due to an increasing
reluctance by couples to accept their infertility
• Many couples delay having their first child
IVF (In vitro fertilisation)
 In Vitro fertilisation
• Oocytes are collected using a tube that is
inserted through the oviducts, using
ultrasound for guidance
• Oocytes and sperm are mixed in a dish
OUTSIDE the body, where fertilization take
place
• 3days after, fertilised egg will be chosen and
inserted into the uterus using a tube through
the cervix