Worksheet with Solutions: Reproductive Health

Ans: Saheli

Ans: Periodic abstinence

Ans: Medical termination of pregnancy

Ans: Gamete intra fallopian transfer

Ans: Amniocentesis

Ans: 1 - B, 2 - C, 3 - A, 4 - E, 5 - D

Ans: (b) Creating awareness about reproductive health issues

Ans: (b) Natural methods

Ans: (a) First trimester

Ans: (b) Hepatitis B

Ans: (c) ICSI

Ans: (a) Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), reproductive health is not limited to the absence of disease or disorders but includes a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being in all matters related to the reproductive system.
A reproductively healthy society is one in which individuals can have a safe and satisfying sex life, the capability to reproduce, and the freedom to decide if, when, and how often to do so. This encompasses:

• Healthy reproductive organs

• Proper emotional and psychological support

• Responsible social and behavioral practices

Thus, both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason accurately explains the assertion.

Ans: (c) Assertion is true, but the reason is false.
Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) was legalised in India under the MTP Act of 1971 to reduce the risk of unsafe abortions and manage unwanted or unplanned pregnancies, especially in cases like contraception failure, rape, or danger to the mother's health.

However, the reason is false because MTPs in India are not performed without restrictions. There are strict guidelines and legal regulations, such as:

• MTPs are allowed up to a certain gestational age (24 weeks in some cases with approval).

• They must be performed by registered medical practitioners.

• In certain conditions (like minors or rape survivors), legal permissions or guardian consent is required.

So, while the assertion is true, the reason is incorrect, as MTPs are regulated to prevent misuse, not conducted without restriction.

Solution:
(i) Natural Method: Periodic abstinence involves avoiding coitus from day 10 to 17 of the menstrual cycle, when ovulation is likely, to prevent conception. Barrier Method: Condoms, made of rubber/latex, cover the penis (male) or vagina and cervix (female) during coitus to prevent sperm from entering the female reproductive tract, also protecting against STIs.

(ii) Uncontrolled population growth can lead to scarcity of basic resources like food, shelter, and clothing, despite progress in these areas. Controlling population growth ensures sustainable resource availability and improves quality of life.

Solution:

(i) In IVF, ova from the female (or donor) and sperms from the male (or donor) are collected and induced to form a zygote in a laboratory under simulated body conditions. The zygote or early embryos (up to 8 blastomeres) are transferred into the fallopian tube (ZIFT) or embryos with more than 8 blastomeres into the uterus (IUT) for further development.

(ii) ART enables infertile couples to have children by correcting issues like low sperm count, inability to conceive naturally, or other reproductive disorders, offering hope for parenthood when natural conception is not possible.

Ans: Reproductive health ensures physical, emotional, behavioural, and social well-being in all aspects of reproduction, promoting healthy families, reducing population growth issues, and fostering socially responsible societies.

Ans: The ban prevents misuse of amniocentesis for sex determination, which leads to illegal female foeticides, addressing the increasing menace of gender imbalance.

Ans: Copper-releasing IUDs (e.g., CuT) increase phagocytosis of sperms in the uterus, and released copper ions suppress sperm motility and fertilising capacity, preventing conception.

Ans: MTPs are safer in the first trimester (up to 12 weeks) as the foetus is less developed, reducing risks compared to second-trimester abortions, which are more complex and riskier.

Ans: Early STI symptoms include itching, fluid discharge, slight pain, and swellings in the genital region, though some infected individuals, especially females, may be asymptomatic.

Ans: Lactational amenorrhea prevents ovulation and menstruation during intense breastfeeding for up to six months post-parturition, reducing conception chances.

Ans: ICSI is an ART technique where a sperm is directly injected into an ovum in a laboratory to form an embryo, used for infertility due to low sperm counts or insemination issues.

Ans: Sex education provides accurate information on reproductive organs, adolescence, safe sexual practices, and STIs, dispelling myths and misconceptions to promote reproductively healthy lives among youths.

Ans: RCH programmes aim to achieve total reproductive health through:

• Awareness Creation: Using audio-visual and print media, government and NGOs educate people on reproductive organs, adolescence, safe sexual practices, STIs, birth control, and maternal and child care.

• Sex Education in Schools: Encouraging proper information to dispel myths and misconceptions about sex-related aspects.

• Medical Facilities: Providing care for pregnancy, delivery, STIs, abortions, contraception, infertility, and menstrual issues through strong infrastructure and professional expertise.

• Legal Measures: Statutory bans on amniocentesis for sex determination to prevent female foeticides and child immunisation programmes.

• Research Support: Encouraging research to develop new methods like the contraceptive 'Saheli' and improve existing reproductive health techniques .

Ans: Contraceptive methods to control population growth include:

• Natural Methods: Periodic abstinence (avoiding coitus from day 10-17), coitus interruptus (withdrawal before ejaculation), and lactational amenorrhea (no ovulation during intense breastfeeding for up to six months).

• Barrier Methods: Condoms (male/female), diaphragms, cervical caps, and vaults prevent sperm-ovum meeting, often used with spermicidal agents.

• Intra-Uterine Devices (IUDs): Non-medicated (Lippes loop), copper-releasing (CuT, Multiload 375), and hormone-releasing (Progestasert, LNG-20) IUDs prevent implantation and reduce sperm motility.

• Oral Contraceptives: Progestogen or progestogen-estrogen pills (e.g., Saheli) inhibit ovulation, alter cervical mucus, and prevent implantation.

• Injectables/Implants: Progestogen or estrogen combinations provide long-term contraception with similar action to pills.

• Surgical Methods: Vasectomy (male) and tubectomy (female) block gamete transport, offering permanent contraception with poor reversibility.

Ans:

• Significance: MTP is used to terminate unwanted pregnancies from casual unprotected intercourse, contraceptive failure, or rape, and in cases where continuing pregnancy risks the mother's or foetus's health or life. Legalised in India in 1971 with strict conditions, MTP reduces unsafe illegal abortions, maternal mortality, and morbidity, especially when performed in the first trimester.

• Risks: Second-trimester MTPs are riskier than first-trimester ones. Illegal MTPs by unqualified practitioners are unsafe and potentially fatal. Misuse of amniocentesis for sex determination leads to illegal female foeticides, necessitating strict regulations. Counselling and better healthcare facilities are needed to prevent unsafe practices.

Ans:

• Causes: STIs (e.g., gonorrhoea, syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B) are transmitted through sexual intercourse, and some (HIV, hepatitis B) via infected needles, blood transfusion, or from mother to foetus.

• Complications: Untreated STIs can cause pelvic inflammatory diseases, abortions, stillbirths, ectopic pregnancies, infertility, or reproductive tract cancer. Early symptoms (itching, discharge, pain) may be minor or absent, especially in females, delaying detection due to social stigma.

• Prevention: Avoid sex with unknown/multiple partners, use condoms during coitus, and seek early detection and treatment from qualified doctors if infection is suspected. RCH programmes prioritise prevention and early cure to reduce STI impact.

Ans: ART techniques for infertile couples include:

• In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF): Ova and sperms are fertilised in a lab to form a zygote, transferred to the fallopian tube (ZIFT, up to 8 blastomeres) or uterus (IUT, more than 8 blastomeres) for development. Known as the test tube baby programme.

• Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer (GIFT): An ovum from a donor is transferred to the fallopian tube of a female who cannot produce ova but can support fertilisation and development.

• Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): A sperm is directly injected into an ovum in a lab to form an embryo, addressing male infertility like low sperm counts.

• Artificial Insemination (AI): Semen from the husband or donor is introduced into the vagina or uterus (IUI) to aid conception in cases of insemination difficulties.
  These techniques require high precision, expensive equipment, and are available in limited centres. Emotional, religious, and social factors may deter adoption, and legal adoption remains a viable alternative.