Reproductive Health Test - 4

Maximum number of individuals which an environment can sustain is referred to as its carrying capacity

Tubectomy is a permanent contraception method. It is a surgical method carried out in females in which a small part of the Fallopian tube is removed or tied up through a small cut in the abdomen or through vagina. It prevents the transport of gametes.

Diaphragms, cervical caps and vaults are physical barriers of conception which are reusable.

Tubectomy - Blocks gamete transport
Oral pills - Inhibit ovulation and implantation
Diaphragms - Prevent sperm from reaching an ovum
IUDs - Increase phagocytosis of sperms within the uterus

IUDs increase phagocytosis of sperms within the uterus and Cu ions released suppress sperm motility and the fertilizing capacity of sperms. The hormone releasing IUDs makes the uterus unsuitable for implantation and the cervix hostile tn the sperms. lUDs are ideal contraceptives for females.

There are certain disadvantages of the intrauterine devices. These are
- IUDs are expelled without the knowledge of the wearer in about 10 to 15 % of the women and they run the risk of becoming pregnant.
- There is risk of perforation of uterus and infection.
- They can cause excess menstrual bleeding and pain.

Rapid increase in population over a relatively short period of time is called population explosion. Reasons for population explosion are increased health facilities, decrease in MMR (maternal mortality rate), and IMR (infant mortality rate) and increase in number of people reaching reproductive age.

Figure (c) is of vasectomy which is a surgical contraception method performed in males. In vasectomy, a small part of the vas deferens is removed or tied up through a small cut on the scrotum. This prevents sperm transport. Vasectomy has a poor reversibility. There is no effect on libids and erectile functioning.

An ideal contraceptive should be user-friendly, easily available, effective and reversible with no or least side-effects.

Small doses of either progestogens or progesterone-estrogen combinations are used in the form of tablets by females called oral pills. Pills inhibit ovulation and implantation as well as alter the quality of cervical mucus to prevent or retard entry of sperms inside female genital tract.

Copper-releasing lUDs (CuT, multiload 375) increase phagocytosis of sperms within the Uterus and the Cu ions released suppress sperm motility and the fertilizing capacity of sperms. The hormone-releasing IUDs (progestasert, LNG-20), make the uterus unsuitable for implantation and the cervix hostile to the sperms. IUDs are inserted by trained doctors and they are ideal contraceptives for the females.

Progesterone pills inhibit follicular development and thus ova formation.

Periodic abstinence is a method of contraception in which the couples avoid intercourse from day 10 to 17 of the menstrual cycle because ovulation can occur during this period.

Figure (d) is of hormone implants. These are six matchstick-sized capsules containing synthetic progesterone which are implanted subcutaneously under the skin of the inner arm above the elbow. The capsules slowly release the progesterone for about five years. This blocks ovulation (by inhibiting the release of FSH and LH from pituitary) and thickens the cervical mucus to prevent sperm transport.

Surgical (sterilisation) methods of contraception prevent pregnancy by blocking gamete transport and hence their fertilisation. Surgical method in male is called vasectomy and in female, it is called tubectomy. Both methods are very effective but their reversibility is very poor. They are generally regarded as terminal methods to prevent any more pregnancies.

Practising and implementing family planning by adopting various contraceptive methods, is one of the best ways to decrease the population of a country.

Saheli is an oral pill that contains a non-steroidal preparation called centchroman. It is taken once a week after an initial intake of twice a week dose for 3 months. It hs high contraceptive value with very little side effects. It has been developed at Central Drug Research Institude, Lacknow.

Multiload is a copper containing intrauterine device which prevents conception

Lactational amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) method is based on the fact that ovulation and therefore the cycle do not occur during the period of intense lactation following parturition. Therefore, as long as the mother breastfeeds the child fully, chances of conception are almost nil. However, this method has been reported to be effective only upto a maximum period of six months following parturition. As no medicines or devices are used in these methods, side effects are almost nil.

Figure R is showing complete blockage of Fallopian tubes and figure S is showing tubectomy which is a surgical method of contraception in females. When both the Fallopian tubes are blocked or cut and tied, there will be no transport of gametes and thus no fertilisation.

With the advent of better medicinal technologies and health care almost most of the diseases can be cured.
The death rate, maternal mortality rate and infant mortality has decreased and have led to increased longevity and increase in population.
This has led to Population explosion.

Diaphragm and Copper Tare used by women. Condon are oenerallv used by males although female condom are called femidoms are also available.

With reference to the following table, 

Condom, made of thin rubber or latex, is used to cover the penis in the male just before coitus so that the ejaculated semen (sperms) do not enter into the female reproductive tract. Diaphragms, cervical caps, and vaults are also made of rubber and are inserted into the female reproductive tract to cover the cervix during coitus. They prevent conception by blocking the entry of sperms through the cervix.