B5 - Menstrual Cycle and Controlling Fertility Flashcards
Describe stages of menstrual cycle
1 - FSH produced in pituitary gland and is carried by blood to ovaries to mature an egg. FSH triggers ovaries to produce oestrogen
2 - Oestrogen produced in ovaries causes the lining of uterus to grow. Oestrogen inhibits the release of FSH, and stimulates the release of LH in Pituitary gland
3 - LH triggers the release of an egg (Ovulation day 14)
4 - After ovulation, ovary produces progesterone. Progesterone inhibits FSH and LH to prevent any more eggs maturing. Progesterone also keeps the lining of the uterus thick in case of fertilised egg implanting.
If fertilisation does not take place, progesterone levels fall, and the uterus lining and egg are released and the woman has a period
What is the ‘pill’ / ‘Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill
Oral contraceptive containing oestrogen and pregesterone
Positives and Negatives to the pill
Positives: over 99% effective
Negatives: Side effects of headaches and nausea and does not protect against STDs
4 forms of contraceptives containing hormones
-Contraceptive patch
-Contraceptive implant
-Contraceptive injection
-Intrauterine device (IUD)
What is sterilisation
Cutting or tying the fallopian tubes or sperm duct
Small chance that the tubes can rejoin
Natural methods
Finding out when the woman is most fertile and avoiding sex on those days
Abstinence
No sex :(
How are women with low levels of FSH treated to stimulate ovulation
FSH and LH given by fertility drug
Cons of fertility drug
Doesn’t always work
Too many eggs could be stimulated and could make multiple pregnancies
What is IVF
Collection of eggs from woman’s ovaries and fertilising them in a lab using the man’s sperm
What else can IVF involve and what is it
ICSI which is when the sperm is directly injected into egg
