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Birth Control, Contraception & Medical Termination of Pregnancy | Biology Class 12 - NEET PDF Download

Better healthcare and living conditions led to more people being born and living longer. For example, in India, the number of people went from 350 million to over a billion by 2000 because of better healthcare and more people able to have children. Even though programs like the Reproductive Child Health (RCH) program tried to slow down the population growth, it wasn't enough. With more and more people being born, there was a risk of not having enough food, houses, and clothes for everyone, so the government had to step in to help.

Birth Control, Contraception & Medical Termination of Pregnancy | Biology Class 12 - NEET

What is Birth Control?

Birth control is the use of certain devices, drugs or surgical procedures in both males and females, to prevent conception. Population explosion means that the number of people in the world or a country is growing super fast in a short time.

In 1900, the world had about 2 billion people. By 2000, it reached around 6 billion, increasing three times in just 100 years. Then, by 2011, it jumped to 7.2 billion. In India, at independence, there were about 350 million people. By 2000, it hit 1 billion, and by 2011, it was 1.2 billion.

The reasons for this explosion include:

  • Better healthcare and living conditions.
  • Fewer people dying, especially mothers and babies.
  • More people reaching reproductive age.
  • Medical help for couples struggling to have children.

Ways to control this growth are:

  • Encouraging smaller families by promoting birth control methods and giving rewards.
  • Educating people about the importance of having fewer children, like the "Our Two, Our Two" slogan.
  • Encouraging families to have only one child.

Birth Control, Contraception & Medical Termination of Pregnancy | Biology Class 12 - NEET

What is Contraception?

Contraception is an artificial method or other techniques, mainly used to prevent pregnancy as a consequence of sexual intercourse. When a sperm reaches the ova in women, she may become pregnant. 

Contraception is a method that prevents this phenomenon by:

  • Stopping egg production.
  • Keeping the egg distinct from the sperm.
  • By stopping the fertilized egg from attaching to the lining of the womb.

Types of Contraception

They are ideal if they are user-friendly, easily available, effective, reversible with no side effects, and non-interfering with the sexual drive, desire, and sexual act. There are several methods of birth control.

Birth Control, Contraception & Medical Termination of Pregnancy | Biology Class 12 - NEET

These are categorized mainly as follows:

(a) Natural Methods

The natural method of birth control involves avoiding chances of sperm and ovum meet.
It can be achieved by:

1. Periodic abstinence in which couples avoid coitus from day 10-17 (Fertile period) of the menstrual cycle. In this period, ovulation is expected to occur and chances of fertilization are very high. Also called the rhythm method or natural family planning.

2. Coitus interrupts also called the ‘rejected sexual intercourse’ or ‘pull-out method or withdrawal. In this method, the penis is withdrawn, from the vagina just before ejaculation.

3. Lactational amenorrhea refers to the absence of menstruation during the period of lactation following parturition. Because ovulation does not occur in this period, the chances of conception are none. This method is reliable for a maximum period of six months after delivery.

Question for Birth Control, Contraception & Medical Termination of Pregnancy
Try yourself:What is the principle of natural contraceptive methods?
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(b) Barrier Method

These are based on the prevention of ovum and sperm from physically meeting with the help of barriers. Barriers may be chemical or mechanical.

  • Mechanical methods
    (a)Condoms are mechanical barriers made of thin rubber or latex sheath to cover the penis in males or vagina and cervix in females which prevent the meeting of sperm and ova. Condoms also provide protection against sexually transmitted diseases. They are disposable and can be self inserted and thereby gives privacy to the user.
    (b)Diaphragms, cervical caps, and vaults are also mechanical barriers, made of rubber that are inserted into the female reproductive tract to cover the cervix during coitus. They are reusable.

Birth Control, Contraception & Medical Termination of Pregnancy | Biology Class 12 - NEET

Chemical methods

Usually spermicidal chemical substances are used along with or without barriers like diaphragms, cervical caps, and vaults. They can be only used if the user is non-allergic to the substance.

  • Spermicidal creams, jellies, and foams: Used along with reusable barriers to increase their contraceptive capability. Consists of spermicides like lactic acid, citric acid, potassium permanganate, etc.
  • Sponge: Foam suppository or tablets that contain spermicide like nonoxynol inserted in the reproductive tract of the female.

Question for Birth Control, Contraception & Medical Termination of Pregnancy
Try yourself:What are condoms made of?
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(c) Intra-Uterine Devices (IUDs)

These are plastic or metal objects that make the uterus unsuitable for implantation or the cervix hostile to the sperm. They need to be inserted into the female’s genital tract by an expert medical practitioner.

  • Non-medicated IUCDs: S-shaped plastic wire that increases phagocytosis of sperms by immune cells. E.g. Lippes’ loop.
  • Hormone-releasing IUCDs: Contains hormones that alter the hormonal balance of the female’s body making the uterus unsuitable for implantation and the uterus hostile for sperms. E.g. Progestasert, LNG-20.
  • Copper-releasing IUCDs: These IUCDs release Cu ions that suppress sperm motility and fertilization capacity. E.g. CuT, Cu7, Multiload 375, etc.

Birth Control, Contraception & Medical Termination of Pregnancy | Biology Class 12 - NEETPlacement of IUD in the Uterus

IUDs prevent contraception in the following ways:

  • Increase phagocytosis of sperms within the uterus.
  • Some IUDs suppress sperm motility and fertilizing ability of sperm by releasing copper ions.
  • The hormone-releasing IUDs make the uterus unsuitable for implantation and make the cervix hostile to sperms.

    IUDs are ideal contraceptives for females who want to delay pregnancy. It is one of the most widely accepted contraception methods in India.

Question for Birth Control, Contraception & Medical Termination of Pregnancy
Try yourself:Which of the following is not a copper releasing IUD?
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(d) Oral Contraceptives

Oral contraceptives are hormonal preparations in the form of pills.

  • Pills are small doses of either progestogens or progesterone-estrogen combinations.
  • Oral pills alter/inhibit ovulation and implantation and also modify the quality of cervical mucus to prevent/retard entry of sperms.
  • Oral pills have to be taken daily for a period of 21 days starting within the first five days of the menstrual cycle.
  • Saheli an example of an oral contraceptive developed by scientists at Central Drug ResearchInstitute (CDRI) Lucknow, contains a non-steroid called centchroman. It is a once-a-week pill, with very few side effects.

Question for Birth Control, Contraception & Medical Termination of Pregnancy
Try yourself:Which of the following hormonal dosage is given as an oral administration to prevent pregnancy?
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(e) Replants or Injections

Replants or injections are effective for a longer period, although their mode of action is similar to oral contraceptives. Progesterone alone or in combination with estrogen is used by females as injections or implants under the skin.

(f) Emergency Contraceptives

Emergency contraceptives included administration of progesterone or progestogen-estrogen combinations or IUDs within 72 hours of coitus. It has been found to be very effective to avoid possible pregnancy due to rape or casual unprotected intercourse.

Both of these techniques are highly effective but poorly reversible. 

2. Surgical Methods

Sterilisation or surgical methods are used by male/female partners as a terminal method to prevent any more pregnancies. These methods block the transport of gametes and prevent contraception.

  • Vasectomy is applied in the case of males. In this method, a small portion of vas deferens is removed or tied up through an incision on the scrotum.
    Birth Control, Contraception & Medical Termination of Pregnancy | Biology Class 12 - NEET
    Vasectomy in males
  • Tubectomy is applied in females, where a small part of the Fallopian tubes is removed or tied up through a small incision in the abdomen or through the vagina.
    Birth Control, Contraception & Medical Termination of Pregnancy | Biology Class 12 - NEET
    Tubectomy in Females

Question for Birth Control, Contraception & Medical Termination of Pregnancy
Try yourself:What is the procedure for sterilization in males?
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Medical Termination of Pregnancy

MTP, short for induced abortion, is the deliberate ending of a pregnancy before its natural completion. Each year, approximately 45 to 50 million induced abortions are carried out globally, which accounts for roughly one-fifth of all pregnancies worldwide. In India, MTP was legalized in 1971 with strict regulations to prevent misuse. The procedure is considered relatively safe during the first trimester, up to 12 weeks of pregnancy, but becomes significantly riskier during the second trimester.

Induced abortion serves various purposes:

  • Preventing unwanted pregnancies resulting from situations like rape, casual relationships, or unprotected intercourse.
  • Avoiding pregnancies that could pose serious health risks to the mother, fetus, or both.
  • Contributing to population control efforts.

However, there are notable concerns associated with induced abortions:

  • A large number of abortions are performed illegally by unqualified individuals, increasing the risk to women's health.
  • Instances of misuse, such as gender-based selective abortions, perpetuating issues like female foeticide.
The document Birth Control, Contraception & Medical Termination of Pregnancy | Biology Class 12 - NEET is a part of the NEET Course Biology Class 12.
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FAQs on Birth Control, Contraception & Medical Termination of Pregnancy - Biology Class 12 - NEET

1. What is the difference between birth control and contraception?
Ans.Birth control is a broader term that refers to methods used to prevent pregnancy, including contraception, which specifically refers to the devices or medications used to prevent fertilization or ovulation.
2. What are the natural methods of contraception?
Ans.Natural methods include practices like the rhythm method, withdrawal method, and fertility awareness. These methods rely on tracking the menstrual cycle and avoiding intercourse during fertile periods.
3. How do barrier methods of contraception work?
Ans.Barrier methods, such as condoms and diaphragms, physically block sperm from entering the uterus. They are used during intercourse and help prevent pregnancy while also reducing the risk of sexually transmitted infections.
4. What are the benefits of oral contraceptives?
Ans.Oral contraceptives, or "the pill," help regulate menstrual cycles, reduce menstrual cramps, and lower the risk of certain reproductive cancers. They work by preventing ovulation and making the uterine lining less suitable for implantation.
5. When should emergency contraceptives be used?
Ans.Emergency contraceptives should be used as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure. They are most effective when taken within 72 to 120 hours after the event, depending on the type of emergency contraceptive used.
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