Contraception and Infertility

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering contraception types, dosing protocols, side effects, barrier methods, natural family planning, and male/female infertility diagnostics and interventions.

Vasectomy

A permanent male surgical sterilization method requiring local anesthesia; sterility is not immediate, and semen analysis must be verified clear before discontinuing other contraceptive methods.

Intrauterine Contraception (IUC) Device

A long-acting contraceptive device inserted into the uterus that is effective for up to 10 years without removal; may cause cramping or bleeding for the first 3 to 6 months and requires string checks after each menses.

Nexplanon

A radiopaque subdermal contraceptive implant inserted into the inner upper arm containing $68\,\text{mg}$ of the progestin etonogestrel, which prevents ovulation and remains effective for up to 3 years.

Depo-Provera (DMPA)

An injectable suspension of medroxyprogesterone acetate administered IM or SQ every 13 weeks (3 months); the FDA recommends limiting use to no more than 2 years due to the risk of bone mineral density loss.

ACHES Acronym

A mnemonic for serious complications of oral contraceptives requiring immediate medical attention: Abdominal pain (severe), Chest pain, Headaches (severe), Eye problems/loss of vision, and Severe leg pain or swelling.

Ella

A prescription emergency contraceptive consisting of a single $30\,\text{mg}$ tablet of ulipristal acetate (UPA) taken to prevent pregnancy following unprotected intercourse.

Plan B One Step

An over-the-counter emergency contraceptive consisting of a single $1.5\,\text{mg}$ dose of levonorgestrel, most effective when taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure.

Transdermal Contraceptive Patch

A hormonal birth control patch delivering estrogen and progestin transdermally, applied weekly to clean skin on the abdomen, upper outer arm, or buttocks for 3 consecutive weeks followed by 1 patch-free week.

NuvaRing

A flexible vinyl contraceptive vaginal ring inserted for 3 weeks that continuously releases low doses of estrogen and progestin locally to inhibit ovulation.

Diaphragm

A shallow, dome-shaped latex or silicone barrier contraceptive fitted by a healthcare provider that must be used with spermicidal jelly applied to the dome and rim prior to insertion before intercourse.

Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM)

A natural family planning method relying on prolactin-induced ovulation suppression through breastfeeding; effective only if the mother breastfeeds exclusively, menses have not returned, and the infant is under 6 months old.

Spinnbarkeit

The stretchability or elasticity of cervical mucus, which reaches maximal clear, slippery elasticity around the time of ovulation to facilitate sperm passage.

Postcoital Test (PCT or Huhner Test)

An infertility evaluation performed several hours after intercourse to assess cervical mucus characteristics, the number of active sperm, and sperm survival time within the female genital tract.

Hysterosalpingography

A specialized fluoroscopic X-ray procedure using contrast dye to evaluate the shape and internal architecture of the uterine cavity and verify fallopian tube patency.

Hysteroscopy

An endoscopic visualization technique providing direct inspection of the uterine cavity, serving as the definitive method for diagnosing and treating intrauterine pathology.

Semen Analysis

The single most critical diagnostic test in male infertility assessment, measuring sperm count, motility, and morphology; it is performed early in evaluation prior to invasive testing of the female partner.

Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid)

A common first-line oral ovulation-inducing drug that stimulates hypothalamic release of GnRH; induces ovulation in approximately $70\%$ of women, with roughly $40\%$ achieving pregnancy.

Human Menopausal Gonadotropins (hMGs)

Injectable gonadotropin preparations containing FSH and LH used as first-line therapy for anovulatory women with low to normal gonadotropins, or as second-line therapy when clomiphene citrate fails.

Letrozole

An oral aromatase inhibitor used off-label for ovulation induction by blocking the conversion of androgens to estrogens, characterized by a lower incidence of multiple gestations compared to clomiphene.

Bromocriptine (Parlodel)

A dopamine receptor agonist that suppresses excessive pituitary secretion of prolactin, restoring normal menstrual cycles and ovulation in hyperprolactinemic women.

Therapeutic Insemination (IUI)

The mechanical introduction of washed sperm directly into the cervix or uterine cavity to overcome anatomic barriers or seminal deficiencies.

Oligospermia

A semen abnormality characterized by an abnormally low number or concentration of sperm in the ejaculate.

Asthenospermia

A seminal deficiency defined by decreased or impaired motility of sperm cells.

Teratospermia

A male factor fertility issue characterized by a high percentage of sperm possessing abnormal morphology.

Therapeutic Donor Insemination (TDI)

Insemination using donor sperm that has been quarantined and frozen for a mandatory 6 months to allow repeated infectious disease screening before release.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

An assisted reproductive technology wherein mature ova retrieved via transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration are fertilized in a laboratory dish and the resulting embryos transferred into the uterus.

Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT)

An assisted reproductive procedure where retrieved ova and prepared sperm are transferred directly into the fallopian tube so that fertilization occurs in vivo.

Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer (ZIFT)

An assisted reproductive technique in which ova are fertilized in vitro and the resulting zygote is transferred into the fallopian tube prior to cleavage.