Ch. 10: fertility, contraception, and abortion

menses

blood and cellular debris that is discharged from the uterus during the menstrual cycle

menstrual cycle

a regular cycle involving hormones produced in the brain that affect the ovaries and hormones produced in the ovaries that affect the endometrium, varies between 20 and 36 days

menstrual phase

day 0-5, blood and tissue flow as the endometrium lining falls, called menstruation

pre-ovulatory phase

endometrial lining thickens

luteal/secretory phase

day 14-28, time after ovulation until menstruation beings, endometrial lining thickens as it prepares for potential implantation of a fertilized ovum

gonadotropins

signaling hormones secreted by the hypothalamus in the brain, affects the pituitary gland

follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

stimulates the ovaries to produce estrogen and results in egg cells which mature inside sacs in the ovaries, causes endometrium lining in the uterus to thicken

luteinizing hormone (LH)

causes the ovary to release a mature ovum, stimulates the development of the corpus luteum in the ovary producing progesterone

corpus luteum

portion of the follicle which is left after an ovum has been released, produces progesterone to signal the endometrium in the uterus to further thicken

endometrium

the mucous membrane lining the uterus

human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone

signals the corpus luteum in the ovaries to continue progesterone secretion to maintain the endometrium

epithelochorial

mother’s uterus has a weak connection with the placenta, in mammals that do not menstruate

endotheliochorial

placenta enters more deeply into the tissue of the uterus

hemochorial

placenta enters blood vessels from the mother penetrating deeply into the uterus, includes all the mammals that menstruate

spontaneous abortion (miscarriage)

end of pregnancy due to natural processes

mittelschmerz

mid-cycle pain experienced during ovulation which may continue for several days after ovulation

premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

emotional and physical discomfort accompanying the menstrual cycle

premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

characterized by severe levels of emotional and physical discomfort accompanying the menstrual cycle

dysmenorrhea

pain during menstruation. May be a part of PMS, PMDD, or disorder by itself

secondary dysmenorrhea

when there is an underlying disorder, most common cause being endometriosis

endometriosis

uterine tissue grows in other parts of the abdominal cavity

primary dysmenorrhea

when there is no underlying disorder

menstrual cramping

painful contractions of the uterine muscles during the menstrual phase

climacteric

hormonal and physiological changes occuring in the mid-life in both sexes

perimenopause

a period of time when ovaries produce less estrogen, menstruation may become less regular and women may notice changes in sex drive

menopause

permanent cessation of ovulation and menstruation, triggered in part because of a depletion of oocytes

andropause

gradual decline of sex hormones that occurs in mid life

menopausal hormone therapy (MHT)

treatment to replace the naturally-reduced levels of androgens and/or estrogen in order to reduce comfort, ameliorate changes in sexual functioning, and slow the changes associated with aging

condoms

a barrier method that captures semen to prevent ejaculation

female condoms

worn by a female inside her vagina secured on the vulva

cervical cap/diaphragm

vaginally inserted barriers, placed against the cervix, used in combination with spermicides, are reusable

intrauterine device (IUD)

a device placed in the uterus to revent implantation

spermicide

affects sperm motility and provides a barrier to the cervix

hormonal contraceptive

hormonal agents that block contraception primarily by blocking ovulation

combination pill

contains an estrogen and a progestin

sterilization

surgical method of permanent contraception

hysterectomy

a surgical procedure in which the uterus is removed

emergency contraceptives

hormonal contraceptives designed to prevent conception after contraception was not used or failed but pregnancy would be unwanted

pro-life movement

favors of restrictions on abortion and seek rights to stage permanent protests outside of clinics that offer abortions, limit tax money for paying for abortion

pro-choice movement

favors legalized abortion and seeks to keep access to abortion legal and safe, focus on issues of availability and access, particularly to those with limited financial means

medical abortions

can be performed up to 7-9 weeks after the start of the last menstrual cycle, involve administering 2 drugs in sequence

surgical abortions

can be performed up to 11-12 weeks

fertility rate

average number of births per woman

behavioral methods

methods, including withdrawal, to avoid conception by not ejaculating inside the vagina, least effective

fertility awareness methods

indirect monitoring of ovulation and timing coitus to nonfertile times; includes periodic abstinence (rhythm) and, more effectively monitoring the body’s internal temperature (symptothermal)

progestin-only pill

oral hormonal contraception containing only a progestin; also called the mini-pill

family planning

a concept that includes the idea that pregnancy can be an intended event as well as the technologies that enable this

Comstock laws

laws in the United States banning the distribution or sale of sexually exolicit or obscene materials that were passed in the 1870s, forming the basis for more than a century of prohibition of contraceptives, information on sexuality and contraception, and pornography

dowry

transfer of money from a daughter’s family to her husband or husband’s family

bride price

a transfer of money from a son’s family to his wife’s family, AKA bridewealth