1. Menstrual Cycle and Contraception, For when it’s that time of the month! By Emilie Greenwood

2. Oestrogen  Oestrogens controls female sexual development and promotes growth of female sexual features at puberty.  Oestrogen stimulates LH which releases the egg once a month  Oestrogen also prepares the lining of the uterus so that it thickens ready for pregnancy.

3. The Pill.  There are two main types of pill, the mini pill which contains progesterone and the pill which contains both progesterone and oestrogen. Although the oestrogen and progesterone in the pill is not a naturally formed compound, pharmaceutical companies created a substance as similar as they could.  The oestrogen in the pill overrules the cycle and this means the LH hormone is not released. In consequence ovulation does not occur.  You cannot just take oestrogen hormones to stop pregnancy because oestrogen stimulates the build up of the uterus lining and if it keeps growing it will become cancerous.

4. The Causes of Infertility MaleFemale Semen- Decrease in sperm count, decrease in mobility, abnormal sperm. Ovulation disorder- PCOS, Thyroid problems, premature ovarian failure Testicles- infection, testicular caner, testicular operation congenital defect, undescended testicles, testicle trauma. Uterus & fallopian tubes- If the womb or the fallopian tubes are damaged, or stop working, it may be difficult to conceive naturally. Ejaculation disorders- Premature ejaculation: when ejaculation happens to quickly. Retrograde ejaculation: when semen is ejaculated in your bladder Scarring from surgery - Pelvic and cervical surgery can sometimes cause damage and scarring to the fallopian tubes. Hypogonadism- Abnormal low levels of testosterone, which is the hormone involved in making sperm. Cervical Mucus defect – When you are ovulating, mucus in your cervix becomes thinner so that sperm can swim through it more easily. Sterilisation- A surgical procedure that stops sperm out of the testicles. Submucosal fibroids- Fibroids are non cancerous tumours that grow in or around the uterus. Endometriosis- where small pieces of the uterus lining starts growing in other places.

5. IVF ( In vitro fertilisation)

6. What is IVF ?  When eggs are removed from the ovaries and fertilised with sperm in the laboratory. The embryo is later placed in the woman’s uterus.  Recommended when infertility caused by blocked fallopian tubes, unsuccessful with other fertility drugs, How does it work ? Take a drug to suppress your natural cycle. You then take FHS fertility hormone, FHS increases the number of eggs you produce meaning more eggs can be fertilised therefore more chances of a successful embryo. Your progress will be monitored throughout your drug treatment, using vaginal ultrasounds, and blood tests. They then collect you eggs from each ovary. A few of your eggs will be fertilised with your partner’s or donor sperm, after 16 to 20 hours they will be checked to see if any have become embryos if so they will wait another one to two days and select the two best for transfer. The number of embryos transferred can be restricted because of the possibly of multiple births.

7. Thank you for listening! Be safe ;)