Controlling Fertility

Pregnancy requires sperm to reach an ovulated egg, necessitating contraception methods to prevent this.

Hormonal Contraception

1. Oestrogen is used to prevent egg release by maintaining high levels that inhibit ESH production, halting egg development.
2. Progesterone promotes thick mucus production, blocking sperm access to the egg.
3. The combined oral contraceptive pill (contains oestrogen and progesterone) is over 99% effective but can cause side effects like headaches and does not protect against STDs.
4. The progesterone-only pill has fewer side effects and comparable efficacy.
5. Additional hormonal contraceptive methods include:
   • Contraceptive patch (5 cm x 5 cm, applied to the skin, weekly replacement).
   • Contraceptive implant (subdermal, releases progesterone, effective for up to 3 years).
   • Contraceptive injection (progesterone, effective for 2-3 months).
   • Intrauterine device (IUD) (either hormone-releasing or copper-based to prevent fertilization or implantation).

Barrier Methods

1. Non-hormonal contraceptives prevent sperm from reaching the egg.
2. Condoms are vital for STDs protection; they can be male or female.
3. A diaphragm is a barrier over the cervix used with spermicide.
4. Spermicide alone is less effective (70-80%).

Other Contraceptive Methods

1. Sterilization is a permanent surgical method involving the fallopian tubes or sperm duct.
2. Natural methods involve timing intercourse to avoid the fertile phase, but effectiveness is low.
3. Abstinence is the only method guaranteeing no sperm-egg interaction.

Evaluation of Methods

Consider the pros and cons of each hormonal and non-hormonal method during evaluations, as they can be part of exam queries.