Contraceptives+MV

Molly Vaughn 3 November 2008 Human Biology

1. p. 331 Define Contraceptives. - Medication or device used to reduce the chance of pregnancy.

2. p. 331 What is an oral contraceptive (birth control pill)? How do work? (Talk about he hormones.) - The birth control pill is used to prevent the occurrence of pregnancy. You can take the active pill for 21 days, which contains a synthetic estrogen and progesterone, and then these pills are followed by seven pills that are inactive because they contain no estrogen and progesterone. The active pills supply your body with both sex hormones for a large part of the cycle. These hormones feed back to inhabit the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary; therefore, no new follicles began in the ovary, and ovulation did not occur. In effect, the birth control pills fool the body into acting as if pregnancy had occurred. Birth control pills also thicken the cervical mucus, preventing sperm entry into the uterus. The uterine lining does build up to a degree, and when one takes the inactive pills, a mini-menstruation occurs. Because one skipped taking the inactive pills and continued taking the active pills, menstruation did not occur. Skipping a period is all right once in a while, but for continues health of the uterine lining, menstruation should not be skipped routinely.

3. p. 332 What is an IUD? How does it prevent pregnancy? - An intrauterine device (IUD) is a small piece of molded plastic that is inserted into the uterus by a physician. IUDs are believed to alter the environment of the uterus and oviducts so that fertilization probably will not occur-but if fertilization should occur, implantation cannot take place.

4. Chart on p. 333. How does an Intrauterine device copper T work? How effective is it? What are the health risks? What does perforation mean? - An intrauterine device Cooper T is placed in the uterus, which causes cervical mucus to thicken; a fertilized embryo cannot implant. This device is 99% effective, and the only health risks are cramps, bleeding, infertility, and perforation of the uterus.

5. Chart on p. 333. How does an Intrauterine device progesterone releasing type work? What does the progesterone do that the IUD copper T device can't do? How does progesterone do this? - An Intrauterine device progesterone releasing type is placed in the uterus, and it prevents ovulation; causes cervical mucus to thicken; the fertilized embryo cannot implant. The thing that an intrauterine device progesterone releasing type can do that the intrauterine device Copper T cannot is prevent ovulation, and it can do this because the progesterone is released.

6. Look at the pictures on page 331. What does an IUD look like? How big is it relative to the uterus? The IUD is just as wide as the uterus at the top and the rest is skinny enough so it can get through the cervix hole.

7. p. 332. What is a diaphragm? When is it inserted? What must you use with the diaphragm for it to be effective? The diaphragm is a soft latex cup with a flexible rim that lodges behind the pubic bone and fits over the cervix. Each woman must be properly fitted by a physician, and the diaphragm can be inserted into the vagina no more that 2 hours before sexual relations. Also, it must be used with spermicidal jelly or cream and should be left in place at least 6 hours after sexual relations. The cervical cap is a minidiaphragm.

8. p. 332. What is the difference between a diaphragm and a cervical cap? - A cervical cap is a minidiaphragm.

9. Look at the pictures on page 331. What does a diaphragm look like? How big is it? What is being added to it in the picture? - The diaphragm looks like a yellow cap of some sort. It looks pretty big, however, it seems like it would be smaller if you had it in your hand. Also, in the picture, the spermicidal jelly is being added.

10. Chart on page 333. How do the diaphragm and cervical cap work? How effective are they with spermicide? What are the health risks? What is toxic shock syndrome? (you will need to look this up on the internet) - The diaphragm and the cervical cap block the entrance of sperm into the uterus, in which spermicide then kills the sperm. The only health risks are irritation, allergic reactions, urinary tract inflection, and toxic shot syndrome. Toxic shock syndrome is a serious bacteria infection, however, very uncommon. It was originally thought to have been caused by only tampons, but now it is also known to be associated to be linked with the contraceptive sponge and diaphragm birth control methods.

11. Chart on p. 333. Other than abstinence, what are the only contraceptives that protect against STDS? Why do you think this is the case? - Other than abstinence, the only other contraceptives that protect against STDS are the male condom and the female condom. I think that this is the case because they would actually cover what the STD would be on/in, or invading.

12. Chart on p. 333. How effective is the male condom? female condom? Why do you think one is more effective than the other? - The male condom is 89% effective and the female condom is 79% effective. The male condom is more effective because depending on how long the male penis is, the top of the condom could break.

13. p. 332. What hormone do contraceptive implants contain? How big are the implants? Where are they located? How long are they effective? - Contraceptive implants utilize a synthetic progesterone to prevent ovulation by disrupting the ovarian cycle. The older version of the implant consists of six match-sized, time-release capsules that are surgically implanted under the skin of a woman’s upper arm. The newest version consists of a single capsule that remains effective for about three years.

14. p. 332. What is injected in a contraceptive injection? How long is this effective? - Contraceptive injections are available as progesterone only or a combination of estrogen and progesterone. The length of time between injections can vary from three months to a few weeks.

15. p. 332. Some contraceptive vaccines are being developed. In this case, you would train your body's immune system to attack something. What could a contraceptive vaccine get your body's own cells to attack? - Contraceptive vaccines are now being developed. For example, a vaccine intended to immunize women against HCG, the hormone so necessary to maintaining the implantation of the embryo, was successful in a limited clinical trial. Since HCG is not normally present in the body, no autoimmune reactions expected, but the immunization does wear off with time. Others believe that it would be possible to develop a safe anti-sperm vaccine that could be used in women.

16. p. 332 (see picture too) What is a vasectomy? How is it done? What are the effects? - Vasectomy is a method to bring about sterilization, the inability to reproduce. Vasectomy consists of cutting and sealing the vas deferens on each side so that the sperm are unable to reach the seminal fluid that is ejected at the time of orgasm. The sperm are then largely reabsorbed. Following this operation, which can be done in a doctor’s office, the amount of ejaculate remains normal because sperm account for only about 1% of the volume of semen. Also, there is no effect on the secondary sex characteristics since testosterone continues to be produced by the testes.

17. p. 332 (see picture too) What is a tubal ligation? How is it done? What are the effects? - Tubal ligation consists of cutting and sealing the oviducts. Pregnancy rarely occurs because the passageway of the egg through the oviducts has been blocked. Using a method called laparoscopy, which requires only two small incisions, the surgeon inserts a small, lighted telescope to view the oviducts and small surgical blade to sever them.

18. p. 332 What is RU-486? How does it work? (role of progesterone) - RU-486 is a pill that is presently used to cause the loss of an implanted embryo by blocking the progesterone receptor proteins of endometrial cells. Without functioning receptors for progesterone, the endometrium sloughs off, carrying the embryo with it. When taken in conjunction with a prostaglandin to induce uterine contractions, RU-486 is 95% effective. It is possible that some day this medication will also be a “morning-after pill,” taken when menstruation is late without evidence that pregnancy has occurred.