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B5 H) Controlling Fertility
B5 H) Controlling Fertility
There are a variety of different activities that we can undertake to either decrease or increase fertility. We are going to look at decreasing fertility in this section and increasing fertility in the next section.
Decreasing Fertility
We can decrease fertility by hormonal and non-hormonal methods.
Decreasing Fertility
We can decrease fertility by hormonal and non-hormonal methods.
Hormonal Methods
The Pill (Oestrogen & Progesterone)
Oral contraception can be used to decrease fertility and one example is the pill. The pill contains oestrogen and progesterone. After taking the pill regularly, the levels of oestrogen and progesterone increase. Oestrogen inhibits the production of FSH, thus meaning that the maturing/ development of eggs stops. As no eggs mature/ develop, no eggs are released, thus meaning that a female cannot become pregnant. Progesterone from the pill reduces fertility by stimulating the production of thick cervical mucus that prevents sperm from reaching an egg.
The pill that contains both oestrogen and progesterone is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy (but there is still a chance of pregnancy as it is not 100% effective). However, taking the pill can result in side effects, such as headaches, missed periods, changes in weight, mood swings, nausea etc. All of these side effects are down to the high levels of oestrogen in the pill. Any side effects should disappear quite quickly as soon as you stop taking the pill.
The Pill (Progesterone Only)
There is a progesterone only pill, which has fewer side effects compared with the oestrogen and progesterone pill. The progesterone only pill is just as effective at preventing pregnancy.
A downside of both of these pills is that they do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Another downside for both pills is that you need to remember to take the pill daily; if you stop taking it, the reduction in fertility will be lost.
Other Hormonal Contraception Devices
There are a few other hormonal contraception devices. The hormones that these devices contain will have the same effect as they did for the pill. Oestrogen will prevent the production of FSH, which means that eggs will not develop/ mature. Progesterone will cause the production of thick cervical mucus, which will prevent sperm from reaching an egg. Here are some of the other hormonal contraception devices:
A positive of injections, patches and implants over the pill is that the female does not need to remember to take something (a pill) every day. However, a negative is that any side effects from the hormones will be felt for a long period of time – this is especially true for injections and implants (injections last for 2-3 months and implants last for 2-3 year).
The Pill (Oestrogen & Progesterone)
Oral contraception can be used to decrease fertility and one example is the pill. The pill contains oestrogen and progesterone. After taking the pill regularly, the levels of oestrogen and progesterone increase. Oestrogen inhibits the production of FSH, thus meaning that the maturing/ development of eggs stops. As no eggs mature/ develop, no eggs are released, thus meaning that a female cannot become pregnant. Progesterone from the pill reduces fertility by stimulating the production of thick cervical mucus that prevents sperm from reaching an egg.
The pill that contains both oestrogen and progesterone is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy (but there is still a chance of pregnancy as it is not 100% effective). However, taking the pill can result in side effects, such as headaches, missed periods, changes in weight, mood swings, nausea etc. All of these side effects are down to the high levels of oestrogen in the pill. Any side effects should disappear quite quickly as soon as you stop taking the pill.
The Pill (Progesterone Only)
There is a progesterone only pill, which has fewer side effects compared with the oestrogen and progesterone pill. The progesterone only pill is just as effective at preventing pregnancy.
A downside of both of these pills is that they do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Another downside for both pills is that you need to remember to take the pill daily; if you stop taking it, the reduction in fertility will be lost.
Other Hormonal Contraception Devices
There are a few other hormonal contraception devices. The hormones that these devices contain will have the same effect as they did for the pill. Oestrogen will prevent the production of FSH, which means that eggs will not develop/ mature. Progesterone will cause the production of thick cervical mucus, which will prevent sperm from reaching an egg. Here are some of the other hormonal contraception devices:
- Injections – an individual can be injected with progesterone. The injections happen every 2 to 3 months.
- Patches – these are small patches that are stuck to the skin. The patches contain oestrogen and progesterone. The patches are usually around a 5 cm by 5 cm square, and they last around one week.
- Implants – these are inserted underneath the skin and they release a continuous amount of progesterone. Implants last for between 2 and 3 years.
- Intrauterine Devices (IUD) – these are devices that are inserted into the uterus to kill sperm and prevent the implantation of a fertilised egg. There are two main types of IUDs. Plastic IUDs release progesterone and copper IUDs prevent sperm surviving.
A positive of injections, patches and implants over the pill is that the female does not need to remember to take something (a pill) every day. However, a negative is that any side effects from the hormones will be felt for a long period of time – this is especially true for injections and implants (injections last for 2-3 months and implants last for 2-3 year).
Non-Hormonal Methods
There are quite a few different non-hormonal methods to reduce fertility. Some of the non-hormonal methods fit into the category of barrier methods.
Barrier Methods
Barrier methods prevent sperm and eggs meeting; if a sperm cannot meet an egg, the egg will not be fertilised, thus meaning that a female cannot become pregnant. Here are some barrier methods:
Other Non-Hormonal Methods
There are two more methods that we will look at.
One method is to look at the menstrual cycle and avoid having sexual intercourse when fertility is the highest. For example, a female is most fertile around ovulation (between day 12 and day 14). Therefore, couples who do not want to have children should not have sexual intercourse during this time. A huge downside of this method is that if the timings are not accurate, there is a very high chance of pregnancy.
The final method is an extreme method called sterilisation. In females, sterilisation involves cutting or tying the fallopian tubes; the fallopian tubes connect the ovaries to the uterus. The cutting or tying of the fallopian tubes prevents eggs entering the uterus. For males, sterilisation involves cutting or sealing the tubes that carry sperm from the testes to the penis, which prevents sperm coming out of the penis (the procedure is known as a vasectomy). Both female and male sterilisation are permanent, so they are only done on individuals who do not want to have any more children. Sterilisation is very effective at reducing pregnancy, but there is a very small chance that the tubes can re-join.
There are quite a few different non-hormonal methods to reduce fertility. Some of the non-hormonal methods fit into the category of barrier methods.
Barrier Methods
Barrier methods prevent sperm and eggs meeting; if a sperm cannot meet an egg, the egg will not be fertilised, thus meaning that a female cannot become pregnant. Here are some barrier methods:
- Condoms – a plastic tube that is worn over the penis during sexual intercourse. Condoms prevent sperm from entering the vagina, which means that sperm cannot come into contact with an egg. There are female versions of condoms known as femidoms – these are worn inside the vagina. Condoms and femidoms are a cheap and quick way to protect against pregnancy. They also protect against sexually transmitted diseases and infections (STD/ STI). However, they can rip, which will result in zero protection.
- A diaphragm – a plastic cup that fits over the cervix, which is the entrance to the uterus. A diaphragm is used with spermicides, which is a substance that kills/ disables sperm.
- Spermicides – usually spermicides are used with other forms of contraception, but they can be used on their own. When spermicides are used on their own, they are only about 75% effective (which is quite low).
Other Non-Hormonal Methods
There are two more methods that we will look at.
One method is to look at the menstrual cycle and avoid having sexual intercourse when fertility is the highest. For example, a female is most fertile around ovulation (between day 12 and day 14). Therefore, couples who do not want to have children should not have sexual intercourse during this time. A huge downside of this method is that if the timings are not accurate, there is a very high chance of pregnancy.
The final method is an extreme method called sterilisation. In females, sterilisation involves cutting or tying the fallopian tubes; the fallopian tubes connect the ovaries to the uterus. The cutting or tying of the fallopian tubes prevents eggs entering the uterus. For males, sterilisation involves cutting or sealing the tubes that carry sperm from the testes to the penis, which prevents sperm coming out of the penis (the procedure is known as a vasectomy). Both female and male sterilisation are permanent, so they are only done on individuals who do not want to have any more children. Sterilisation is very effective at reducing pregnancy, but there is a very small chance that the tubes can re-join.