Pocket Notes — Reproductive Health
Definition (WHO)
Complete physical, mental, behavioural, and social well-being in reproduction — not merely absence of disease.
Key programmes / years
- 1951 — India, first country to launch national family planning.
- 1971 — MTP Act (medical termination of pregnancy).
- RCH programmes — currently umbrella all reproductive health efforts.
Ideal contraceptive checklist
User-friendly · reversible · minimal side effects · no interference with sex.
Contraceptive types (mnemonic: N B I O I E S)
- Natural — rhythm, coitus interruptus, lactational amenorrhoea.
- Barrier — condoms, diaphragm, cervical cap, vault.
- IUDs — non-medicated, Cu-releasing, hormonal.
- Oral pills — Mala D/N (daily combined), Saheli (weekly, non-steroidal).
- Injectables / implants — long-acting progestins.
- Emergency — within 72 h post-coitus.
- Sterilisation — vasectomy · tubectomy.
IUD action
- Increase phagocytosis of sperm.
- Cu-IUDs release Cu²⁺ (spermicidal).
- Hormone IUDs make cervix hostile to sperm & suppress implantation.
MTP facts
- Legal in India 1971; safe up to 12 weeks (1st trimester).
- Latest amendment (2021) extends to 20 weeks (24 in special cases).
- PC-PNDT Act — bans sex determination.
STDs quick classification
| Curable | Not curable (per NCERT) |
|---|---|
| Gonorrhoea | Genital herpes |
| Syphilis | Hepatitis-B |
| Chlamydiasis | HIV / AIDS |
| Trichomoniasis | |
| Genital warts (recur) |
Prevention of STDs
- Sex with one uninfected partner.
- Always use condoms.
- Disposable needles.
- Consult doctor early if suspected.
Infertility definition
No conception after ≥ 1 year of unprotected regular intercourse.
ART methods quick recall
| Method | One-liner |
|---|---|
| IVF-ET | Ovum + sperm fused in lab → 8-cell → ZIFT; 16+ cell → IUT |
| ZIFT | Zygote Intra-Fallopian Transfer |
| IUT | Intra-Uterine Transfer |
| GIFT | Gamete Intra-Fallopian Transfer (for women lacking ova) |
| ICSI | Sperm directly injected into ovum |
| AI / IUI | Sperm placed into female tract |
Amniocentesis
Foetal cell sampling → detects genetic disorders. Illegal for sex determination in India.
Common MCQ traps
- Saheli — non-steroidal, weekly.
- Cu-T works by both Cu²⁺ toxicity and phagocytosis.
- Lactational amenorrhoea protects only for ~6 months post-partum.
- 8-cell stage → ZIFT; 16-cell / blastocyst → IUT.
- hCG-based tests detect pregnancy; LH-based tests detect ovulation.