Population control, contraception, STIs, MTP and infertility — NCERT Ch 3
Reproductive Health (WHO): Total well-being in all aspects of reproduction — physical, emotional, behavioural and social.
India was among the first countries to initiate action plans for reproductive health at the national level. 'Family planning' programmes began in 1951, later expanded to Reproductive and Child Health Care (RCH) programmes.
An ideal contraceptive: user-friendly, effective, reversible, no/minimal side-effects, does not interfere with sexual drive.
| Category | Examples | Mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| Natural | Periodic abstinence (day 10–17), Coitus interruptus, Lactational amenorrhea (up to 6 months post-parturition) | Avoid ovum–sperm meeting |
| Barrier | Condoms (Nirodh), diaphragm, cervical cap, vault, spermicidal creams | Physical block; condom also prevents STIs |
| IUDs | Non-medicated: Lippes loop; Copper: CuT, Cu7, Multiload 375; Hormonal: Progestasert, LNG-20 | Cu ions suppress sperm motility; hormonal IUDs make uterus hostile; increase phagocytosis of sperms |
| Oral pills | Progestogen or progestogen + oestrogen (21-day course); Saheli (once a week) | Inhibit ovulation and implantation; alter cervical mucus |
| Injectables / Implants | Progestogen-oestrogen injections under skin | Same as pills; longer effective period |
| Emergency | Progestogen/IUD within 72 hours of coitus | Prevents post-coital pregnancy (rape, unprotected) |
| Surgical | Vasectomy (male) — cut/tie vas deferens; Tubectomy (female) — cut/tie fallopian tube | Blocks gamete transport; highly effective, poor reversibility |
Intentional/voluntary termination of pregnancy before full term. Also called induced abortion. ~45–50 million MTPs/year worldwide.
Also called Venereal Diseases (VD) or Reproductive Tract Infections (RTI). Transmitted through sexual intercourse.
Inability to conceive after 2 years of unprotected sexual cohabitation. Causes: physical, congenital, diseases, drugs, immunological, psychological.
| Technique | Full Form | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| IVF-ET | In Vitro Fertilisation – Embryo Transfer | "Test tube baby" — ova + sperm fertilised in lab; embryo transferred |
| ZIFT | Zygote Intra Fallopian Transfer | Zygote / embryo (≤8 blastomeres) → fallopian tube |
| IUT | Intra Uterine Transfer | Embryo (>8 blastomeres) → uterus |
| GIFT | Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer | Donor ovum → fallopian tube of recipient |
| ICSI | Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection | Sperm directly injected into ovum in lab |
| AI / IUI | Artificial Insemination / Intra-Uterine Insemination | Semen from husband or donor → vagina or uterus |