Population Explosion & Birth Control (NCERT) - Free MCQ Practice Test

Tubectomy is a permanent contraception method. It is a surgical method carried out in females in which a small part of the Fallopian tube is removed or tied up through a small cut in the abdomen or through vagina. It prevents the transport of gametes.

Tubectomy - Blocks gamete transport
Oral pills - Inhibit ovulation and implantation
Diaphragms - Prevent sperm from reaching an ovum
IUDs - Increase phagocytosis of sperms within the uterus

IUDs increase phagocytosis of sperms within the uterus and Cu ions released suppress sperm motility and the fertilizing capacity of sperms. The hormone releasing IUDs makes the uterus unsuitable for implantation and the cervix hostile tn the sperms. lUDs are ideal contraceptives for females.

- First statement is incorrect : Another effective and popular method is the use of Intra Uterine Devices (IUDs). These devices are inserted by doctors or expert nurses in the uterus through vagina
- Copper IUDs release copper ions into the uterus.
- These ions create an environment that is toxic to sperm, reducing their motility and ability to fertilize an egg.
- This action prevents pregnancy effectively by hindering sperm from reaching an egg.
These Intra Uterine Devices are presently available as the non-medicated IUDs (e.g., Lippes loop), copper releasing IUDs (CuT, Cu7, Multiload 375) and the hormone releasing IUDs (Progestasert, LNG-20) . IUDs increase phagocytosis of sperms within the uterus and the Cu ions released suppress sperm motility and the fertilising capacity of sperms.

Rapid increase in population over a relatively short period of time is called population explosion. Reasons for population explosion are increased health facilities, decrease in MMR (maternal mortality rate), and IMR (infant mortality rate) and increase in number of people reaching reproductive age.

Option C is correct.

Natural methods work by avoiding the meeting of the ovum and sperm; they include techniques such as periodic abstinence and coitus interruptus.

Periodic abstinence requires avoiding intercourse during the fertile window. In a typical 28-day cycle this fertile period is about days 10 to 17, so couples avoid coitus during these days to prevent conception.

Coitus interruptus (withdrawal) is the practice in which the male partner withdraws the penis from the vagina just before ejaculation to prevent insemination; it reduces but does not eliminate the risk of pregnancy.

Lactational amenorrhea relies on intensive breastfeeding after childbirth, which suppresses ovulation and delays the return of the menstrual cycle, providing temporary protection against pregnancy.

Figure (c) is of vasectomy which is a surgical contraception method performed in males. In vasectomy, a small part of the vas deferens is removed or tied up through a small cut on the scrotum. This prevents sperm transport. Vasectomy has a poor reversibility. There is no effect on libids and erectile functioning.

An ideal contraceptive should be user-friendly, easily available, effective and reversible with no or least side-effects.

Small doses of either progestogens or progesterone-estrogen combinations are used in the form of tablets by females called oral pills. Pills inhibit ovulation and implantation as well as alter the quality of cervical mucus to prevent or retard entry of sperms inside female genital tract.

Copper-releasing lUDs (CuT, multiload 375) increase phagocytosis of sperms within the Uterus and the Cu ions released suppress sperm motility and the fertilizing capacity of sperms. The hormone-releasing IUDs (progestasert, LNG-20), make the uterus unsuitable for implantation and the cervix hostile to the sperms. IUDs are inserted by trained doctors and they are ideal contraceptives for the females.

Progesterone pills prevent pregnancy primarily by inhibiting the formation of ova. Here’s how they work:

• Pills suppress follicular development, which is essential for ova production.
• They alter the hormonal balance, preventing ovulation.
• Additionally, they modify the cervical mucus to hinder sperm entry.
• This combination of actions effectively reduces the chances of fertilisation and implantation.

For optimal effectiveness, these pills should be taken daily for 21 days, starting within the first five days of the menstrual cycle. After a 7-day break, the cycle repeats until pregnancy is desired.

Periodic abstinence is a method of contraception in which the couples avoid intercourse from day 10 to 17 of the menstrual cycle because ovulation can occur during this period.

Figure (d) is of hormone implants. These are six matchstick-sized capsules containing synthetic progesterone which are implanted subcutaneously under the skin of the inner arm above the elbow. The capsules slowly release the progesterone for about five years. This blocks ovulation (by inhibiting the release of FSH and LH from pituitary) and thickens the cervical mucus to prevent sperm transport.

Surgical (sterilisation) methods of contraception prevent pregnancy by blocking gamete transport and hence their fertilisation. Surgical method in male is called vasectomy and in female, it is called tubectomy. Both methods are very effective but their reversibility is very poor. They are generally regarded as terminal methods to prevent any more pregnancies.

Practising and implementing family planning by adopting various contraceptive methods, is one of the best ways to decrease the population of a country.

Correct answer: C

Saheli contains the non-steroidal compound centchroman (ormeloxifene), which acts as a selective oestrogen receptor modulator (SERM).

Because its active substance is non-steroidal and it modulates receptors rather than supplying steroid hormones, Saheli is described as a non-hormonal oral contraceptive in the sense that it is not a progestin or a steroidal oestrogen.

Statement 1 is correct: Saheli has useful contraceptive efficacy and relatively few side effects compared with some hormonal methods.

Statement 2 is incorrect because it asserts that the pill "contains progestin"; in reality the active ingredient is centchroman (ormeloxifene), which is not a progestin and is non-steroidal.

For reference, the regimen commonly used is an initial twice-weekly dosing period followed by a once-weekly maintenance dose.

Therefore, option C is correct.

Multiload is an intrauterine device (IUD) that contains copper. It is designed to prevent conception through the following mechanisms:

• Releases copper ions that inhibit sperm motility.
• Enhances the phagocytosis of sperm within the uterus.
• Creates an environment that is hostile to sperm, reducing the chances of fertilisation.

This makes the Multiload an effective contraceptive option for those looking to delay or space pregnancies.

Lactational amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) method is based on the fact that ovulation and therefore the cycle do not occur during the period of intense lactation following parturition. Therefore, as long as the mother breastfeeds the child fully, chances of conception are almost nil. However, this method has been reported to be effective only upto a maximum period of six months following parturition. As no medicines or devices are used in these methods, side effects are almost nil.

Figure R is showing complete blockage of Fallopian tubes and figure S is showing tubectomy which is a surgical method of contraception in females. When both the Fallopian tubes are blocked or cut and tied, there will be no transport of gametes and thus no fertilisation.

With the advent of better medicinal technologies and health care almost most of the diseases can be cured.
The death rate, maternal mortality rate and infant mortality has decreased and have led to increased longevity and increase in population.
This has led to Population explosion.

Diaphragm and Copper Tare used by women. Condon are oenerallv used by males although female condom are called femidoms are also available.

• Natural Methods

  • Periodic Abstinence: Avoiding coitus during fertile period (days 10–17 of menstrual cycle)

  • Withdrawal (Coitus Interruptus): Male withdraws penis before ejaculation

  • Lactational Amenorrhea: Breastfeeding fully after childbirth (effective up to 6 months)

• Barrier Methods

  • Male Condom: e.g., Nirodh

  • Female Condom

  • Diaphragms

  • Cervical Caps

  • Vaults

  • Spermicidal Creams, Jellies, Foams (used with barriers)

• Intra Uterine Devices (IUDs)

  • Non-medicated IUDs: e.g., Lippes Loop

  • Copper Releasing IUDs: e.g., CuT, Cu7, Multiload 375

  • Hormone Releasing IUDs: e.g., Progestasert, LNG-20

• Oral Contraceptive Pills

  • Combination Pills: Progestogen + Estrogen (21-day cycle pills)

  • Non-steroidal Weekly Pill: e.g., Saheli

• Injectables and Implants

  • Progestogen Injections

  • Progestogen-Estrogen Injections

  • Implants under the skin

• Emergency Contraceptives

  • Progestogen or Progestogen-Estrogen Pills/IUDs within 72 hours of coitus

• Surgical Methods (Sterilisation)

  • Vasectomy: Surgical procedure for males

  • Tubectomy: Surgical procedure for females

Condom, made of thin rubber or latex, is used to cover the penis in the male just before coitus so that the ejaculated semen (sperms) do not enter into the female reproductive tract. Diaphragms, cervical caps, and vaults are also made of rubber and are inserted into the female reproductive tract to cover the cervix during coitus. They prevent conception by blocking the entry of sperms through the cervix.