Lecture Notes: Reproductive Health

Introduction

• Reproductive Health: Definition includes being functionally, socially, emotionally, and actively healthy.
• Societal Importance: Creating awareness about various reproductive aspects and family planning.

Family Planning (1951)

• Reproductive and Child Health: Focus on awareness and support for reproductive health.
• Population Control: Importance of stabilizing population through family planning.

Prenatal Testing

• Amniocentesis: A prenatal test where amniotic fluid is analyzed for chromosomal disorders.
  • Disorders detected include Down syndrome, hemophilia.
  • Ethical Concerns: Used for sex determination followed by female feticide.

Methods of Contraception

Traditional Methods

• Natural Methods: High failure rate.
  • Periodic Abstinence: Abstaining from intercourse during fertile periods (10-17 days of the menstrual cycle).
  • Withdrawal Method: Withdrawal before ejaculation to prevent semen entry.

Barrier Methods

• Physical Barriers: Prevent sperm from meeting the egg.
  • Condoms, Cervical Caps: For both males and females, made of rubber or latex.
  • Intrauterine Device (IUD): Inserted by medical experts, acts as a barrier.

Hormonal Methods

• Oral Administration: Combination of estrogen and progesterone to inhibit ovulation.
• Injections and Implants: Hormones released to prevent fertilization within 72 hours of intercourse.

Permanent Methods

• Surgical Sterilization: Permanent methods like vasectomy for males and tubectomy for females.

Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP)

• Definition: Voluntary termination of pregnancy before full-term.
• Reasons: Various including health, mental readiness, or financial capacity.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

• Examples: Gonorrhea, syphilis, genital herpes, chlamydia, hepatitis B, HIV.
• Preventive Measures: Avoid multiple partners, use condoms.

Infertility and Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)

• Types of ART:
  • In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): Fertilization outside the body followed by embryo transfer.
  • Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): Direct injection of sperm into an egg.
  • Artificial Insemination (AI): Sperm introduced into the uterus/vagina.

Conclusion

• Summary: Overview of reproductive health, importance of family planning, methods of contraception, ethical concerns, STD prevention, and ART options.
• Q&A and Closing: Encouragement for further questions and closing the session with good wishes.

Note: This summary is based on a lecture which covered multiple aspects of reproductive health and its societal implications.