Reproductive Health – Class 12 Biology Chapter 3 Notes & NCERT PDF

Introduction

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), reproductive health means "a total well-being in all aspects of reproduction, i.e., physical, emotional, behavioural and social". A reproductively healthy society therefore needs people with normal reproductive organs and normal emotional and behavioural interactions in all sex-related matters. This chapter covers:

The chapter is written for the 15–24 age group, whom the book addresses directly. Board questions test definitions, lists of methods with examples, and reasoning questions such as "why is the ban on amniocentesis necessary?".

Key Concepts

3.1 Reproductive Health – Problems and Strategies

- India was among the first countries to start national programmes for total reproductive health as a social goal. These began as 'family planning' in 1951.

- They are now the Reproductive and Child Health Care (RCH) programmes, whose major tasks are creating awareness and providing facilities.

- Audio-visual and print media, parents, teachers and friends spread correct information.

- Sex education in schools is encouraged, to "discourage children from believing in myths and having misconceptions".

- Useful topics include reproductive organs, adolescence, safe and hygienic practices, STDs and AIDS, birth control options, care of pregnant mothers, post-natal care, breast feeding, and equal opportunities for male and female children.

- In amniocentesis, some amniotic fluid is taken from around the developing foetus to analyse fetal cells and dissolved substances.

- It is used to test for genetic disorders (Down syndrome, haemophilia, sickle-cell anaemia) and to judge foetal survivability.

- Using it for sex determination is banned to check female foeticide.

- better awareness;

- more medically assisted deliveries and better post-natal care, which lower the maternal and infant mortality rates;

- more small families;

- better detection and cure of STDs.

3.2 Population Stabilisation and Birth Control

- World population was about 2 billion in 1900, about 6 billion in 2000, and 7.2 billion in 2011.

- India's population was about 350 million at independence, close to 1 billion by 2000, and over 1.2 billion in May 2011.

- motivating small families (the slogan Hum Do Hamare Do, and the 'one child norm');

- raising the legal marriageable age to 18 years for females and 21 years for males;

- incentives for couples with small families.

Contraceptive methods

- Periodic abstinence: avoiding coitus from day 10 to 17 of the cycle, the "fertile period".

- Withdrawal (coitus interruptus).

- Lactational amenorrhea: there is no ovulation during intense lactation. It is effective only up to a maximum of six months after parturition.

- Condoms are thin rubber or latex sheaths for males or females. 'Nirodh' is a popular male brand. Condoms also protect against STIs and AIDS, and they are disposable and self-inserted.

- Diaphragms, cervical caps and vaults cover the cervix and are reusable. Spermicidal creams, jellies and foams increase their efficiency.

- Types:

- non-medicated (Lippes loop);

- copper-releasing (CuT, Cu7, Multiload 375);

- hormone-releasing (Progestasert, LNG-20).

- IUDs increase phagocytosis of sperms. Cu ions suppress sperm motility and fertilising capacity. Hormone-releasing IUDs also make the uterus unsuitable for implantation and the cervix hostile to sperms.

- IUDs are ideal for delaying pregnancy or spacing children, and are among the most widely accepted methods in India.

- They are taken daily for 21 days, starting preferably within the first five days of the cycle, followed by a 7-day gap.

- They inhibit ovulation and implantation and alter the cervical mucus.

- Saheli is non-steroidal and taken once a week.

- Vasectomy: part of the vas deferens is removed or tied through a small incision on the scrotum.

- Tubectomy: part of the fallopian tube is removed or tied through the abdomen or vagina.

- Both are highly effective, but their reversibility is very poor.

Contraceptives should be chosen with qualified medical professionals. They "are not regular requirements for the maintenance of reproductive health". Possible side effects include nausea, abdominal pain, breakthrough bleeding, irregular menstrual bleeding and even breast cancer.

3.3 Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP)

- up to 12 weeks, termination needs the opinion of one registered medical practitioner;

- between 12 and 24 weeks, it needs two practitioners.

- The grounds are a risk to the woman's life or grave injury to her health, or a substantial risk of serious abnormality in the child.

- illegal MTPs by unqualified quacks;

- misuse of amniocentesis for sex determination followed by MTP of female foetuses.

3.4 Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

1. avoid sex with unknown or multiple partners;

2. always try to use condoms;

3. in case of doubt, see a qualified doctor for early detection and complete treatment.

3.5 Infertility

- IVF–ET ('test tube baby'): fertilisation takes place in the laboratory, followed by embryo transfer.

- ZIFT transfers the zygote or an early embryo (up to 8 blastomeres) into the fallopian tube.

- IUT transfers embryos with more than 8 blastomeres into the uterus.

- GIFT: an ovum from a donor is transferred into the fallopian tube of a female who cannot produce ova but can support fertilisation.

- ICSI: a sperm is injected directly into the ovum.

- Artificial insemination (AI): semen from the husband or a donor is introduced into the vagina or uterus (IUI). It is used for low sperm counts or when the male cannot inseminate.

Diagrams to Know (in words)

Key-Facts Sheet

Board Exam Focus

- Surgical methods block gamete transport; they do not stop gamete formation.

- Hepatitis-B, genital herpes and HIV are not curable.

- In ET, zygotes or embryos of up to 8 blastomeres go into the fallopian tube and only later embryos go into the uterus.

Key Terms

Common Mistakes