Contraception and Infertility

Vocabulary review flashcards covering contraceptive methods, diagnostic evaluations, pharmacologic agents, and assisted reproductive technologies for fertility management.

Intrauterine Contraception (IUC) Device

A long-acting reversible contraceptive inserted into the uterine cavity that remains effective for up to $10\text{ years}$ without removal, but may cause cramping and bleeding during the first $3\text{ to }6\text{ months}$ and pre力dispose to pelvic inflammatory disease.

Oral Combination Contraceptives (OCC)

Hormonal birth control pills containing both estrogen and progestin that provide predictable menstruation and lessened menstrual symptoms, but carry an increased risk of blood clots and are contraindicated in clients with thromboembolic disease, liver disease, or those who smoke.

Ella

A prescription-only emergency contraceptive pill formulated as a single $30\text{-mg}$ dose of ulipristal acetate (UPA) indicated to prevent pregnancy following unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure.

Plan B One Step

An over-the-counter emergency contraceptive containing a single $1.5\text{-mg}$ dose of levonorgestrel that is most effective when ingested within $72\text{ hours}$ of unprotected coitus or contraceptive failure.

Transdermal Contraceptive Patch

A hormonal method applied to the skin of the abdomen, upper outer arm, or buttocks weekly for $3\text{ weeks}$ followed by $1\text{ patch-free week}$, continuously releasing estrogen and progestin and carrying an increased risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE).

NuvaRing

A flexible vinyl contraceptive vaginal ring inserted for $3\text{ weeks}$ that continuously releases low levels of estrogen and progestin locally to inhibit ovulation.

Spermicides

Non-hormonal chemical agents available as gels, creams, foams, films, or suppositories that must be applied prior to intercourse and are minimally effective when used alone.

Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM)

A natural contraceptive method based on prolactin-mediated suppression of ovulation, dependent on three strict criteria: exclusive breastfeeding, absence of menses since childbirth, and an infant under $6\text{ months}$ of age.

Spinnbarkeit

The elasticity and stretchability of cervical mucus evaluated during ovulatory assessment to determine the fertile window.

Ferning Capacity

The microscopic crystallization pattern observed in dried cervical mucus under high estrogen influence, used as an indicator of ovulatory function.

Postcoital Test (PCT or Huhner Test)

A clinical evaluation performed following intercourse to assess cervical mucus receptivity, the total number of active sperm present, and sperm survival time in hours.

Hysterosalpingography

A radiologic imaging procedure that instills radiopaque contrast into the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes to evaluate tubal patency and uterine architecture.

Hysteroscopy

An endoscopic procedure that provides direct visualization of the uterine cavity and serves as the definitive method for diagnosing and treating intrauterine pathology.

Semen Analysis

The single most important initial diagnostic test for male infertility, evaluating sperm count, motility, and morphology prior to initiating invasive diagnostic tests on the female partner.

Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid)

A first-line pharmacologic agent that induces ovulation in approximately $70\%$ of women by stimulating hypothalamic release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).

Human Menopausal Gonadotropins (hMGs)

Injectable hormones containing FSH and LH used as first-line therapy in anovulatory women with low to normal gonadotropin levels, or second-line when clomiphene fails.

Letrozole

An aromatase inhibitor used off-label for ovulation induction by inhibiting androgen-to-estrogen conversion, associated with a lower incidence of multiple gestation pregnancies compared to clomiphene.

Bromocriptine (Parlodel)

A dopamine receptor agonist that suppresses pituitary prolactin secretion to restore normal ovulatory cycles in hyperprolactinemic women, discontinued upon suspected conception due to teratogenic potential.

Insulin-Sensitizing Agents

Oral medications such as metformin and rosiglitazone used to treat insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia to induce ovulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Therapeutic Insemination (IUI)

A mechanical procedure formerly called artificial insemination that deposits prepared semen directly at the cervical os or inside the uterine cavity.

Oligospermia

A seminal deficiency defined by an abnormally low concentration or count of spermatozoa in the ejaculate.

Asthenospermia

A condition characterized by significantly reduced or absent motility of spermatozoa.

Teratospermia

A male fertility factor defined by a high proportion of spermatozoa possessing abnormal structural morphology.

Hypospadias

A congenital anatomical condition in males where the urethral meatus is positioned abnormally on the ventral aspect of the penis, impeding normal semen deposition.

Therapeutic Donor Insemination (TDI)

The deposition of donor semen into the female reproductive tract requiring mandatory genetic/infectious screening and a $6\text{-month}$ quarantine of frozen semen prior to release.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

An assisted reproductive procedure where mature oocytes are harvested, fertilized with sperm in a laboratory, and cultured embryos are transferred into the uterine cavity with progesterone support.

Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT)

An assisted reproductive technique in which harvested oocytes and retrieved sperm are placed directly into the fallopian tube to allow in vivo fertilization.

Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer (ZIFT)

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