CHAPTER 12 – HUMAN REPRODUCTION Natural contraception
Natural contraception relies on tracking the menstrual cycle to identify the fertile period and not having sexual intercourse during this time. One method is by monitoring slight changes in body temperature, which indicate different stages of the menstrual cycle.
No form of contraception is 100 per cent effective at preventing pregnancy. ? TEST TUBE
12. Make a table to compare the advantages and disadvantages of natural contraception, condoms and the contraceptive pill. Consider: • effectiveness in preventing pregnancy • cost and availability • side effects • protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
In vitro fertilisation
Some people are unable to reproduce naturally. This infertility may be due to a number of reasons, e.g. low sperm count in semen or an obstruction in the fallopian tube.
In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is a medical treatment that aids reproduction by collecting the patients’ sperm and eggs, then injecting the sperm into the eggs in a laboratory. Following successful fertilisation, embryos are collected and implanted into the uterus at the correct stage of the menstrual cycle. The other embryos are frozen and stored for later use, or may be destroyed with consent.
IVF is an expensive procedure, and the success rate reduces greatly as the patients’ ages rise. It is also a physically and emotionally challenging process.
: Fig. 12.10 In vitro fertilisation Elements of Science 123