💑Human Sexuality Unit 8 – Contraception and Reproductive Health

What's This Unit All About?

• Explores various methods of contraception used to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Examines the biological mechanisms behind different contraceptive methods and how they work to prevent conception
• Discusses the effectiveness, safety, and potential side effects of each type of contraception
  • Includes both hormonal and non-hormonal methods
  • Considers factors such as proper use and individual health concerns
• Investigates the accessibility and availability of contraception in different regions and among various populations
• Introduces the basics of reproductive health, including the male and female reproductive systems and their functions
• Explores the social and ethical considerations surrounding contraception and reproductive health, such as religious beliefs, cultural norms, and personal values

Key Concepts and Terms

• Contraception: Methods used to prevent pregnancy, including hormonal (birth control pills), barrier (condoms), and long-acting reversible contraceptives (IUDs)
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Infections spread through sexual contact, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV
• Reproductive system: The organs and structures involved in sexual reproduction, including the ovaries, uterus, and testes
• Menstrual cycle: The monthly hormonal changes in the female body that prepare the uterus for pregnancy and result in menstruation if pregnancy does not occur
• Fertility: The ability to conceive and bear children
  • Factors affecting fertility include age, health, and lifestyle choices
• Family planning: The practice of controlling the number and spacing of children through the use of contraception and other methods
• Unintended pregnancy: A pregnancy that is unplanned or unwanted at the time of conception
• Reproductive rights: The right to make decisions about one's own reproductive health, including access to contraception and safe abortion services

Types of Contraception

• Hormonal methods: Contraceptives that use synthetic hormones to prevent ovulation and thicken cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to reach the egg
  • Birth control pills (oral contraceptives)
  • Patches (transdermal contraceptives)
  • Vaginal rings (NuvaRing)
  • Injections (Depo-Provera)
  • Implants (Nexplanon)
• Barrier methods: Contraceptives that physically block sperm from reaching the egg
  • Male condoms
  • Female condoms
  • Diaphragms
  • Cervical caps
• Intrauterine devices (IUDs): Small, T-shaped devices inserted into the uterus that prevent fertilization or implantation
  • Hormonal IUDs (Mirena, Skyla)
  • Copper IUDs (ParaGard)
• Sterilization: Permanent surgical procedures that prevent pregnancy
  • Tubal ligation (female sterilization)
  • Vasectomy (male sterilization)
• Natural family planning: Methods that involve tracking fertility signs to identify fertile days and avoid intercourse or use additional protection during that time
  • Rhythm method (calendar method)
  • Basal body temperature method
  • Cervical mucus method (Billings method)

How Contraception Works

• Hormonal methods work by altering the levels of estrogen and progestin in the body to prevent ovulation, thicken cervical mucus, and thin the uterine lining
  • Prevents the release of an egg from the ovaries
  • Makes it harder for sperm to reach and fertilize an egg
  • Reduces the likelihood of a fertilized egg implanting in the uterus
• Barrier methods physically block sperm from reaching and fertilizing an egg
  • Condoms (male and female) cover the penis or line the vagina to catch semen
  • Diaphragms and cervical caps cover the cervix to prevent sperm from entering the uterus
• IUDs work by either releasing hormones or creating an inhospitable environment for sperm and fertilized eggs
  • Hormonal IUDs release progestin to thicken cervical mucus and thin the uterine lining
  • Copper IUDs release copper ions that are toxic to sperm and create an inflammatory response in the uterus
• Sterilization procedures permanently block or seal the fallopian tubes (tubal ligation) or vas deferens (vasectomy) to prevent the egg and sperm from meeting
• Natural family planning methods rely on identifying fertile days in the menstrual cycle and avoiding intercourse or using additional protection during that time
  • Tracking basal body temperature, cervical mucus, and menstrual cycle length to predict ovulation

Effectiveness and Safety

• Effectiveness is measured by the number of pregnancies per 100 women using the method over one year
  • Perfect use: When the method is used correctly and consistently every time
  • Typical use: When the method is used as it often is in real life, accounting for human error
• Highly effective methods (less than 1 pregnancy per 100 women per year with perfect use)
  • Implants, IUDs, sterilization
• Effective methods (2-9 pregnancies per 100 women per year with perfect use)
  • Injections, pills, patches, rings
• Moderately effective methods (10-20 pregnancies per 100 women per year with perfect use)
  • Condoms (male and female), diaphragms, cervical caps
• Less effective methods (20+ pregnancies per 100 women per year with perfect use)
  • Natural family planning methods, spermicides, withdrawal
• Safety considerations include potential side effects and health risks
  • Hormonal methods may cause headaches, nausea, breast tenderness, and changes in menstrual bleeding
  • Barrier methods may cause allergic reactions to latex or spermicides
  • IUDs may cause cramping, spotting, and in rare cases, perforation of the uterus
  • Sterilization procedures carry risks associated with surgery, such as infection and bleeding

Access and Availability

• Access to contraception varies widely depending on factors such as geographic location, socioeconomic status, and healthcare coverage
  • In some regions, contraception may be difficult to obtain due to limited healthcare facilities or cultural stigma
  • Low-income individuals may struggle to afford the upfront costs of certain methods, even if they are covered by insurance
• Availability of specific methods may be limited by factors such as supply chain issues, provider training, and legal restrictions
  • Some healthcare providers may not be trained in inserting IUDs or performing sterilization procedures
  • Certain methods, such as emergency contraception, may have age restrictions or require a prescription
• Efforts to improve access and availability include:
  • Expanding insurance coverage for contraception
  • Increasing funding for family planning services
  • Training healthcare providers in a wider range of contraceptive methods
  • Reducing legal and regulatory barriers to contraception
  • Promoting comprehensive sexual education and awareness campaigns

Reproductive Health Basics

• The male reproductive system includes the testes, vas deferens, prostate gland, and penis
  • Testes produce sperm and testosterone
  • Vas deferens transport sperm from the testes to the urethra
  • Prostate gland produces seminal fluid
  • Penis delivers sperm into the female reproductive tract during intercourse
• The female reproductive system includes the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and vagina
  • Ovaries produce eggs (ova) and hormones (estrogen and progesterone)
  • Fallopian tubes transport eggs from the ovaries to the uterus
  • Uterus is where a fertilized egg implants and develops into a fetus
  • Cervix is the lower, narrow end of the uterus that connects to the vagina
  • Vagina is the muscular canal that leads from the cervix to the outside of the body
• The menstrual cycle is a series of hormonal changes that prepare the female body for pregnancy
  • Follicular phase: Estrogen levels rise, causing the uterine lining to thicken and an egg to mature in one of the ovaries
  • Ovulation: The mature egg is released from the ovary and travels through the fallopian tube
  • Luteal phase: Progesterone levels rise, further thickening the uterine lining in preparation for a fertilized egg
  • Menstruation: If the egg is not fertilized, hormone levels drop, causing the uterine lining to shed (menstrual period)

Social and Ethical Considerations

• Religious beliefs may influence attitudes towards contraception and reproductive health
  • Some religions, such as Catholicism, oppose the use of artificial contraception
  • Other religions, such as Islam, may permit the use of contraception for family planning purposes
• Cultural norms and gender roles can impact access to and use of contraception
  • In some societies, women may have limited autonomy in making decisions about their reproductive health
  • Men may be reluctant to use male-controlled methods, such as condoms, due to cultural expectations of masculinity
• Personal values and individual circumstances play a role in contraceptive choice and reproductive decision-making
  • Some individuals may prioritize effectiveness over other factors, such as convenience or side effects
  • Others may have health conditions or lifestyle preferences that influence their choice of method
• Ethical debates surrounding contraception and reproductive health include:
  • The right to access safe and affordable contraception as part of basic healthcare
  • The balance between individual autonomy and societal interests in promoting public health and reducing unintended pregnancies
  • The responsibility of healthcare providers to offer comprehensive, unbiased information about contraceptive options
  • The potential for coercion or discrimination in the provision of contraceptive services, particularly among marginalized populations
• Addressing these social and ethical considerations requires:
  • Promoting open, respectful dialogue about reproductive health issues
  • Ensuring that policies and programs are culturally sensitive and non-discriminatory
  • Protecting the privacy and confidentiality of individuals seeking contraceptive services
  • Advocating for the inclusion of comprehensive sexual education in schools and communities