Ques. What are the probable factors that contributed to population explosion in India?
Ans. Following are some factors that have probably contributed to population explosion in India
(i) Ignorance and complete lack of awareness about the ill effects of increasing population especially in rural regions.
(ii) Poverty and illiteracy
Ans. to be continued
(iii) Social stigmas about girl child and desire to have boy child.
(iv) Decline in death rate.
(v) Decline in maternal and infant mortality rate.
(vi) Increase in the young, reproductive age population.
Ques. Briefly explain IVF and ET, What are the conditions in which these methods are advised?
Ans. IVF refers to in vitro fertilisation and ET refers to embryo transfer.
Ques. What are the advantages of natural methods of contraception over artificial methods?
Thinking Process
Ans. As no medicines or devices are used in these methods, side effects are almost nil.
Ques. What are the conditions in which medical termination of pregnancy is advised?
Ans. Medical termination of pregnancy is carried out to get rid of unwanted pregnancies.
Ques. Comment on the essential features required for an ideal contraceptive.
Ans. An ideal contraceptive should
(i) be easily available
(ii) effective and reversible with least or no side effects
(iii) no interference with the sexual drive/desire or the sexual act of the user
(iv) be user-friendly
Ques. All reproductive tract infections RTIs are STDs, but all STDs are not RTIs.
Ans. Among the common STDs, hepatitis-B and AIDS are not infections of the reproductive organs though their mode of transmission could be through sexual conact also.
Ques. What are the assisted reproductive techniques practised to help infertile couples?
Ans. ART techniques are described as follows
(i) Test-tube Baby Programmes In this method, ova from the wife/donor (female) and the sperms from the husband/donor (male) are collected and are induced to form zygote under simulated conditions in the laboratory.
(ii) Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer (GIFT) It is the transfer of an ovum collected from a donor into the Fallopian tube of another female who cannot produce one, but can provide suitable environment for fertilisation and further development of the embryo.
(iii) Artificial Insemination (Al) In this method, the semen collected either from the husband or a healthy donor is artificially introduced into the vagina or into the uterus (Intra Uterine Insemination or IUI).
Ques. Discuss the mode of action and advantages/disadvantages of hormonal contraceptives.
Ans. Intra Uterine Devices are presently available as
(a) Non-medicated IUDs (e.g., Lippes loop).
(b) Copper releasing IUDs (e.g., Cu-T, Cu-7, Multiload 375).
(c) Hormone releasing IUDs (e.g., Progestasert, LNG-20)
Mode of Action of Hormonal Contraceptives
The hormones releasing IUDs, make the uterus unsuitable for implantation and the cervix hostile to the sperms.
Progesterone can also be used as injections and implants (slow release of hormones) to inhibit ovulation.
Advantages of Hormonal Contraceptives
Administration of progestogens or progestogen-oestrogen combinations or IUDs within 72 hrs of intercourse have been found to be effective as emergency contraceptives as they could be used to avoid possible pregnancy due to rape or causal unprotected intercourse
(i) IUDs are suggested as ideal contraceptives for the females but they can have serious side effects.
(ii) Can cause allergic reaction.
(iii) If displaced, can cause tissue damage and profuse bleeding.
(iv) IUDs can damage the normal hormonal balance and later even if desired, pregnancy may not be achieved.
(v) Artificial intake can disrupt normal hormonal interactions in the body system.
Ques. STDs are a threat to reproductive health.
Ans. Diseases or infections which are transmitted through sexual intercourse are collectively called Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) or Venereal Diseases (VD) or Reproductive Tract Infections (RTI).
STDs include gonorrhoea, syphilis, genital herpes, chlamydiasis, genital warts, trichomoniasis, hepatitis-B, HIV.
These diseases may cause some complications Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases (PID), abortions, still births, ectopic pregnancies, infertility, or even cancer of the reproductive tract.
Hepatitis-B and HIV are such diseases that get transmitted by the following ways besides sexual contacts
(i) Sharing of injection needles or surgical instruments with infected persons
(ii) Transfusion of infected blood.
(iii) Transfer from infected mother to the foetus through placenta.
Preventive Measures
By following simple principles, STDs can be prevented
(i) Avoid sex with unknown partners/multiple partners
(ii) Always use condoms during coitus.
(iii) Contact a qualified doctor for any doubt in early stage of infection.
Ques. Do you justify the statutory ban on amniocentesis in our country?
Ans. Yes, the ban is necessary because amniocentesis is misused now-a-days.
Ques. Enumerate and describe any five reasons for introducing sex education to school-going children.
Ans. The reasons for introducing sex education to school-going children are as follows
(i) At school level, children from age group 12 and above should be counselled for reproductive system, processes and practices and importance of safe and responsible sex.
(ii) Sex related issues and problems like adolescence changes, menstrual cycle, menstrual problems, unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortion, reproductive tract infections (STDs) and cancers.
(iii) They should know about body changes during their age and taught about healthy habits including personal cleanliness and hygiene.
(iv) Students should become part of such education, so that they overcome hesitation and gain confidence to discuss any query with their teacher or parents.
(v) Counselling and awareness regarding reproductive organs, safe and hygienic sexual practices will play an important role to make people reproductively healthy.