Contraceptive and Reproductive Technologies

Contraception For many different reasons, some couples intentionally try to prevent pregnancy. This is called contraception or birth control. There are many different forms. Without contraception, the chance of pregnancy is very high. Each form on contraception has different rates of efficiency. No form of contraception is guaranteed to prevent pregnancy. Abstinence, not having sex, is the only 100% effective way to avoid pregnancy.

Contraceptive Technologies Condoms, Oral pill, injections, IUD, sterilization

Condoms There are two main types of condoms, one worn by males and one worn by females. The male condom is made of latex and fits over the penis to catch any secretions, including semen. This prevents any semen from entering the vagina, therefore prevents sperm from reaching the egg. The female condom works in much the same say. It is a bag shaped device made of a soft plastic that fits inside the vagina to catch any semen that is ejaculated by the male. Another barrier-type contraceptive is a diaphragm, which is inserted into the vagina and fits over the cervix.

Oral contraceptive pill The “pill” contains a combination of estrogen and progesterone which works to suppress the normal ovarian production of these hormones and so prevents ovulation and keeps the endometrium from thickening. The pill provides enough hormones each day to trick the body into not releasing an egg. The pill is taken for 21 consecutive days, and then menstruation occurs during the 7 remaining days of the cycle.

Contraceptive Injections Contains a form of progesterone called progestin, that is injected into the muscle. Works in a similar way to a pill. It prevents ovulation and thins the endometrium, which prevents implantation if, for some reason, the egg were accidentally released and fertilized. Depending on the type, it may need to be administered once a month, or every two or three months.

Intrauterine Device (IUD) There are two types of IUD’s. They are inserted into the uterus to help prevent pregnancy. One type contains a hormone that is slowly released into the uterus to thin the endometrium and to thicken the mucous in the cervix. The thicker mucous prevents sperm from swimming through. The second type is a device made of copper, which changes the internal chemistry of the uterus, making it impossible for sperm to survive.

Sterilization Sterilization is a permanent form of birth control. Both men and women can undergo this procedure. For women it’s called tubal ligation. In this process, the fallopian tubes are surgically disconnected, which prevents the sperm and egg from ever meeting. The male process is called a vasectomy. Here, the vas deferens is surgically disconnected, preventing sperm from ever reaching the glands that produce semen. The man still ejaculates semen, however there are no sperm cells present.

Reproduction Approximately 10% of couples who are trying to have a baby encounter difficulty conceiving. Infertility is defined as problems producing suitable gametes (sperm/eggs), difficulty conceiving, or problems with implantation. In women, infertility can be caused by a blockage in one or both fallopian tubes, irregular ovulation or problems with ovaries not producing mature eggs. In men, most cases of infertility are caused by low sperm count. Other causes are immature sperm or sperm that can’t swim well.

Reproductive technologies Fertility Drugs, Artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, surrogacy

Fertility Drugs Depending on the cause of infertility, prescription drugs can increase hormone levels, correct hormone imbalances, or enhance/inhibit the actions or hormones. The goal of fertility drugs is to stimulate the follicles to produce mature eggs.

Artificial insemination The process of artificial insemination (AI) is commonly used when the sperm are having trouble reaching the egg or when the male is not producing enough sperm. In some cases, the sperm are unable to swim or survive in the vagina. During this process, semen is inserted directly onto the cervix or into the uterus in an attempt to get it closer to the egg.

In vitro fertilization In Vitro means “in glass”. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is the fertilization of the egg in a glass test tube or dish. Fertility drugs are taken that stimulate the ovaries to develop more than one mature egg. The mature eggs and sperm are collected and put in a dish where fertilization takes place. The sperm/egg can come from the intended parents or from gamete donors. Usually, the egg/sperm are incubated together from about 18 hours. Other times, the sperm can be injected right into the egg. If the eggs show signs of being fertilized, they are inserted into the uterus of the female. In most cases more than one fertilized egg is inserted in hopes that at least one will be able to implant. For this reason, IVF can often result in multiple births.

surrogacy Sometimes, the cervix or uterus of the intended mother is unable to support a developing embryo. In this case, embryos are transferred to the uterus of another female, or surrogate mother, where the pregnancy can proceed as normal. The baby will still retain the genetic information of the biological parents (wherever the sperm/egg came from) but it grows and develops in the body of another female.