Fertility And Contraception Flashcards
Name three things that are classified as ovulatory disorders in women.
Hormonal problems
Scarred ovaries
Follicle problems
Describe some possible hormonal problems that can cause ovulation disorders in women.
Failure to produce mature eggs - reduced FSH and increase LH, oestrogen and testosterone. E.g polycystic ovary syndrome
Malfunction of the hypothalamus - GnRH aren’t produced, so neither is FSH and LH
Malfunction of the pituitary gland - impaired gonadotropin production
Describe how scarred ovaries and follicle problems can cause infertility.
Scarred ovaries - physical damage can prevent follicle formation
Follicle problems - when the follicle matures every month but fails to leave the ovary (unruptured follicle syndrome)
Describe the ways in which uterine tubes can become blocked, scarred or twisted (causing infertility)
Infection - inflammation
Abdominal disease - inflammation causes scarring
Previous surgery - scarring
Ectopic pregnancy - in the uterine tubes
Congenital defects - born with tube abnormalities
List additional factors that can cause infertility in women.
Abnormal uterus -fibroids Congenital - separate uterus Consistency of cervical mucus is too thick for sperm to pass Diet Excercise Smoking Drugs Alcohol
How can chlamydia cause infertility in both sexes?
Women - pelvic inflammatory disease
Men - inflammation of the epididymis and urethral inflammation
Why would you perform a cervical smear test?
Cervical cancer (unless caught early) will cause infertility
List the different types of contraception.
Contraceptive pill Condors Intrauterine device Intrauterine system Vaginal ring Sterilisation Diaphragm
Describe the combined contraceptive pill.
Contains oestrogen and progesterone
This leads to a decrease in LH and FSH, so the egg can’t develop and isn’t released
Oestrogen also facilitates ovum transport, so the fertile window is smaller
It thickens the cervical mucus so sperm can’t enter as easily
Thins the endometrium so a fertilised egg can’t implant
Describe the progesterone only pill.
It thickens the cervical mucus so the spermatogonia can’t get through
Suppresses LH release, so the ovulation is prevented
Describe condoms
Barrier method of contraception
Less effective if one is comes into contact with vagina before use
Make and female version
Describe the intrauterine device (IUD)
This is inserted into the cervix and releases copper
Changes the makeup of the uterine fluids and uterine tube fluid, so the sperm can’t survive
Also stops fertilised eggs form implanting
Describe the intrauterine system (IUS)
Similar to IUD, but releases progesterone instead of copper
Thickens the cervical mucus
Thins endometrium
Describe a vaginal ring
Releases oestrogen and progesterone (action like the combined pill)
Describe sterilisation.
Either the ovum or the sperm is now being prevented from reaching the uterine tubes or the uterus, so fertilisation can’t occur.
