Reproductive Health – Short Notes
1. Meaning
- Reproductive health means well-being of the reproductive system—physical, mental, and social.
- Includes safe sexual practices, contraception, prevention of STDs, and fertility management.
2. Contraception / Birth Control
Purpose: Prevent unwanted pregnancies and control population growth.
Methods of contraception:
- Natural Methods
- Abstinence: Avoiding sexual intercourse.
- Rhythm (calendar) method: Avoiding intercourse during fertile days.
- Barrier Methods
- Condoms (male/female) – prevent sperm entry.
- Diaphragm, cervical cap.
- Hormonal Methods
- Pills (oral contraceptives) – contain estrogen & progesterone.
- Injectables, implants.
- Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)
- Copper-T: Prevents implantation of zygote.
3. Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)
- Help infertile couples conceive.
- Examples:
- IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) – fertilization outside body.
- IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) – sperm placed in uterus.
- ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) – sperm injected into egg.
4. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
- Caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or protozoa.
- Common STDs:
- HIV/AIDS – virus
- Syphilis – bacteria
- Gonorrhea – bacteria
- Chlamydiasis – bacteria
- Prevention: Safe sex practices, use of condoms, education.
5. Population Control & Awareness
Government programs: Family planning, awareness campaigns.
Importance: Balanced population growth, health, and resources.
MCQs
1. Contraception / Birth Control
- Which of the following is a barrier method of contraception?
a) Copper-T
b) Condom
c) Oral pill
d) Rhythm method
Answer: b) Condom - Copper-T prevents pregnancy by:
a) Killing sperm
b) Preventing ovulation
c) Preventing implantation
d) Changing menstrual cycle
Answer: c) Preventing implantation - Oral contraceptive pills contain:
a) Testosterone only
b) Progesterone and estrogen
c) FSH and LH
d) Progesterone only
Answer: b) Progesterone and estrogen - Rhythm method of contraception is based on:
a) Avoiding fertile days
b) Use of barrier
c) Hormonal regulation
d) Surgical sterilization
Answer: a) Avoiding fertile days
2. Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)
- IVF stands for:
a) In Vivo Fertilization
b) In Vitro Fertilization
c) Intrauterine Fertilization
d) Intracytoplasmic Fertilization
Answer: b) In Vitro Fertilization - In ICSI, sperm is injected directly into:
a) Uterus
b) Fallopian tube
c) Egg (ovum)
d) Cervix
Answer: c) Egg (ovum) - Which ART technique is commonly used for male infertility due to low sperm count?
a) IUI
b) IVF
c) ICSI
d) Natural fertilization
Answer: c) ICSI - IUI stands for:
a) Intrauterine Insemination
b) In Vitro Implantation
c) Intracytoplasmic Insemination
d) Intrauterine Fertilization
Answer: a) Intrauterine Insemination
3. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
- HIV/AIDS is caused by a:
a) Bacterium
b) Virus
c) Fungus
d) Protozoa
Answer: b) Virus - Gonorrhea is caused by:
a) Neisseria gonorrhoeae
b) Treponema pallidum
c) HIV
d) Candida albicans
Answer: a) Neisseria gonorrhoeae - Syphilis is caused by:
a) HIV
b) Treponema pallidum
c) Chlamydia
d) Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Answer: b) Treponema pallidum - Which is a preventive measure for STDs?
a) Use of condoms
b) ART
c) Menstrual cycle tracking
d) Copper-T
Answer: a) Use of condoms
4. Population Control & Awareness
- Family planning is important because:
a) Increases birth rate
b) Reduces population growth and improves health
c) Stops ovulation
d) Causes infertility
Answer: b) Reduces population growth and improves health - Which is an example of a permanent contraceptive method?
a) Condom
b) Copper-T
c) Vasectomy
d) Oral pill
Answer: c) Vasectomy - Government programs for reproductive health focus on:
a) Population control
b) Awareness of contraception
c) Reducing maternal and child mortality
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above