Contraception & IVF

Oral (the pill)

Stops FSH so no egg released

Injection/ implant

Release progesterone which prevents egg maturation for months or years

Barrier (condoms)

Prevent sperm and egg meeting

Intrauterine (the coil)

Prevents embryo implanting

Spermicides

Destroy sperm

Abstinence

Not having sex

Surgical (vasectomy/ hysterectomy)

Surgically sterilising the adult permanently

Fertility drugs

Drugs which stimulate the production and release of eggs e.g. FSH and LH

IVF

The process of creating an embryo in the lab when couples struggle to conceive

Stages of IVF

1. FSH and LH stimulate production of many eggs

2. Eggs are harvested and fertilised by fathers sperm in a lab

3. Fertilised eggs grow in a lab

4. A few embryos are implanted into mothers womb

Possible consequences of IVF

• Physical and emotional fatigue

• Low success rate

• Risk of multiple births simultaneously