Reproductive health is the complete physical, mental, and social well-being of an individual. It deals with the reproductive functions and processes at all stages of life. It is the central feature of the development of human. It is of special concern for women during their reproductive years. Even men have general reproductive health issues and needs, but to a lesser extent compared to women.
Very Short Answer Type Questions
Q.1. What is reproductive health?
A.1. Reproductive health refers to the physical, mental and social well-being of an individual in all matters related to the reproductive system, its functions and processes.
Q.2. Comment on child health care and the reproductive programmes run by the government for the improvement of an individual’s reproductive health.
A.2. The reproductive and child healthcare programme was started in October 1997. It was established with the objective of reducing the maternal, infant and child mortality rates. It was established to make people aware of the healthy reproductive practices, the benefits of family planning, and the use of contraceptives.
Q.3. Suggest methods to check the present population growth rate in India.
A.3. The present population rate in India can be checked by the following ways:
- By promoting the use of contraceptives.
- By providing complete knowledge about the benefits of family planning.
- Couples with small families should be provided with incentives.
- By making people aware of the cons of uncontrolled population rise.
- By increasing the age of marriage for boys and girls to 21 years and 18 years respectively.
Q.4. What are sexually transmitted diseases? Why are they considered self-invited diseases?
A.4. Sexually transmitted diseases are those that are transmitted through sexual intercourse. HIV, Gonorrhea are some of the sexually transmitted diseases. These are said to be self-invited because people fall prey to these diseases by
- Having sex with unknown or multiple partners.
- Not using protection during coitus.
- Ignoring the symptoms of the disease.
Q.5. Which reproduction related aspects, should be taught at the school level?
A.5. The following reproduction related aspects should be taught at the school level:
- Proper information should be provided regarding the reproductive organs, hygienic sexual practices, and sexually transmitted diseases.
- Problems arising due to population increase, sex abuse, etc.
- Educating them about birth control measures.
- Postnatal care of mother and child, the significance of breastfeeding, care during pregnancy.
Q.6. What is the main objective of “Assisted Reproductive Technology” programme?
A.6. The main aim of the “Assisted Reproductive Technology” programme is to assist the infertile couples with special techniques such as in-vitro fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, etc., that can help them bear a child.
Q.7. How does the estrogen-progesterone combination act as a contraceptive measure?
A.7. The estrogen-progesterone combination is used in the contraceptive pills to inhibit the ovulation and implantation. They are taken by females in the form of injections or as implants below the epidermal layer. These are equally effective as the pills but induce longer effects.
Q.8. Why should strict conditions be followed during the medical termination of pregnancy procedures?
A.8. Strict conditions should be followed :
- To prevent illegal female foeticide.
- To protect individuals from fatal MTP practices.
Q.9. Why are the males whose testes fail to descend to the scrotum considered infertile?
A.9. The testes are temperature sensitive. If they fail to descend in the scrotum before puberty, they will not produce sperms. Hence the male will be infertile.
Q.10. Lactational amenorrhea is a contraceptive method. List two advantages.
A.10. Following are the two advantages:
- A breastfeeding mother does not ovulate. So the chances of conceiving are equal to none.
- No pills will be required as a birth control measure; hence, no side-effects.
Q.11.What are the components of Reproductive Health?
A.11.The three essential components of reproductive health are as follows:
- Sexual health.
- Family planning.
- Maternal health.
Q.12.What is Amniocentesis Test?
A.12.The medical test or a procedure mainly used for the determination of sex of an unborn baby through analyzing the chromosomal content of the amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus is called the amniocentesis test.
Q.13.What are the common health issues associated with reproductive health?
A.13.The most common health issues associated with reproductive health are as follows:
- Dysmorphism.
- Overpopulation.
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
- Poor health of both the mother and her baby.
- Early marriages before attaining puberty.
- An increased mortality rate of both mother and Infants.
Q.14.What is the significance of Reproductive Health?
A.14.According to the WHO- World Health Organisation, the Reproductive health refers to the physical, mental and social well-being of an individual in all matters related to the reproductive system, its functions and processes. Listed below are the significance or the main objectives behind the reproductive health.
- It educates every youth about sexual and reproductive health.
- It creates awareness among adolescents about safe sexual practices.
- It helps in preventing sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS.
- It protects both the mother and the child from infectious diseases and to deliver a healthy baby.
- It provides complete knowledge about the early pregnancy, infertility, birth control methods, pregnancy, post-childbirth care of the baby and mother, etc.
Q.15.What is the significance of Reproductive Health?
A.15.Sexually transmitted disease- STDs are infectious diseases, which are transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person. AIDS, Gonorrhea, genital herpes, hepatitis-B, syphilis, and warts, are few commonly known Sexually transmitted diseases.
Short Answer Type Questions
Q.1. List some important steps for improving the reproductive health standards in India.
A.1. Following steps can be taken to improve the reproductive health standards in India:
- Educating people about the birth control measures, prenatal and postnatal care of the mother, significance of breastfeeding.
- Educating them about safe and hygienic sexual practices and sexually transmitted diseases.
- Educating the school going children about the sex-related aspects.
- A legal ban on the checking of the gender of the foetus.
- Create awareness about sex-abuse and drawbacks of population explosion.
- Proper infrastructural and professional facilities to attain re[productive health standards.
Q.2. Female gametes are transferred to the fallopian tube in the GIFT procedure. Is it possible to transfer the gametes to the uterus?
A.2. It is not possible to transfer the gametes to the uterus. This is because the gametes cannot survive in the environment of the uterus. They will be degenerated or phagocytosed if transferred directly into the uterus.
Q.3. Why are non-medicated methods not as effective as the copper ions releasing Intra-Uterine Devices?
A.3. The non-medicated methods are less effective than the copper ions releasing IUDs because:
- The copper ions reduce the fertilizing capacity and the motility of the sperms.
- It phagocytosis the sperms inside the uterus.
- It is safe, cost-effective, and convenient methods of contraception.
- The breastfeeding can use it with no fear of any side-effects.
Q.4. What are the factors responsible for the population explosion in India?
A.4. The following factors are responsible for the population explosion in India:
- Poverty.
- Death rate decline.
- The desire to have a male child.
- Increase in the young population of reproductive age.
- Reduction in the infant and maternal mortality rates.
- The rural people are not aware of the consequences of the increasing population.
Q.5. Explain in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer in brief.
A.5. In IVF and ET techniques, the male and female gametes are made to fertilize in the laboratory environment. The zygote thus formed is introduced in the uterus of the acceptor during the secretory phase. The eight-celled embryos or the early embryos are transferred to the fallopian tube while the embryos more than eight cells are transferred to the uterus.
Q.6. What are the benefits of natural contraceptive methods over artificial methods?
A.6.
- The natural methods of contraception involve no side-effects.
- Unlike the artificial method, the natural method is reversible because there is no surgery involved.
Q.7. When is the medical termination of pregnancy advised by the doctors?
A.7. The medical termination of pregnancy is advised under the following circumstances:
- If the pregnancy endangers the health (physical/mental) of the woman.
- If the child is malformed or handicapped
- In cases of rape
- If the girl is unmarried, consent of the guardian is required.
- In the case of mentally ill mothers
Q.8. What are the important features of an ideal contraceptive?
A.8. Following are the features of an ideal contraceptive:
- It is safe
- It lasts long
- It is cost-effective
- It is highly effective
- Its effect can be reversed
- It is independent of coitus
- It can be administered easily
- Does not require any medical supervision
Q.9. Justify the statement, “All reproductive tract infections are sexually transmitted diseases, but all sexually transmitted diseases are not reproductive tract infections.”
A.9. The reproductive tract infections are transferred from one partner to another during sexual intercourse. Hence called sexually transmitted diseases. For eg., gonorrhoea, genital herpes, syphilis, etc. However, some sexually transmitted diseases such as hepatitis, AIDS are transferred during sexual intercourse but do not cause any infections in the reproductive tract or genitals. These are therefore, not referred to as reproductive tract infections.
Q.10. Why is tubectomy considered a contraceptive method?
A.10. Tubectomy is the permanent method of sterilization in women. In this method, the fallopian tubes are blocked or cut so that the egg is stopped from travelling to the uterus. This eliminates any chances of pregnancy.
Long Answer Type Questions
Q.1. Describe any three assisted reproductive techniques practised to treat infertility.
A.1. Assisted Reproductive Techniques refer to the medical procedures used to treat infertility. Few of the assisted reproductive techniques are:
- In-vitro Fertilization- In-vitro fertilization involves the steps:
Stimulation of the ovaries by giving human gonadotropins ↓ Retrieving the released eggs ↓ Fertilization of the eggs with the selected sperms. ↓ Development of eggs into embryos under laboratory environment ↓ The embryos are implanted in the uterus of the female
- Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection- In this method, one sperm is injected into the egg. But this procedure might damage the egg. The babies might involve defects in the reproductive organs in case of the abnormal Y chromosome.
- Gamete Intrafallopian Tube Transfer- This method is used in case of fallopian tubes that are functioning properly. In this technique, the eggs and sperms obtained are not fertilized in the laboratory. They are inserted into the far end of the fallopian tube either through the vagina or through the abdomen with the help of a laparoscope.
Q.2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of hormonal contraceptives?
A.2.
Advantages of hormonal contraceptives:
- This is a highly effective method of contraception.
- It can be used for a longer period.
- Causes very light or no menstruation.
- The effects are reversible
Disadvantages of hormonal contraceptives:
- It does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.
- Minor surgery is required to insert and remove the device.
- It has several side-effects such as irregular menstruation, depression, weight gain, hair loss, etc.
- The capsule implanted area might get infected.
- It is necessary to take the medications continuously.
- The method is expensive.
Q.3. Explain any two sexually transmitted diseases and suggest ways to prevent them.
A.3. Sexually transmitted diseases are those that are transferred from one partner to another through sexual contact. Two sexually transmitted diseases are explained below:
- AIDS– The Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This virus attacks the immune system of the host making him vulnerable to infections. It can be spread through semen, blood, breastmilk, and rectal or vaginal fluids.
- Genital Herpes- Herpes is a chronic disease spread by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). The HSV type 2 virus spreads the disease through sexual intercourse. A person suffering from genital herpes will show symptoms like fever, pain while urinating, vaginal discharge, red blisters on the genitals, etc.
Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases:
- Use protection during sexual intercourse.
- Get vaccinated for Hepatitis and Human Papillomavirus
- Get tested for HIV
- Abstain from sexual activities
- Do not share the underclothings and towels.
Q.4. Justify the ban on amniocentesis in our country?
A.4. Amniocentesis is a technique in which the amniotic fluid is collected from the uterus with the help of a needle to determine any genetic abnormalities in the foetus by analysing the chromosomal patterns. This technique was being misused to know the gender of the foetus and if the foetus was a girl, it was aborted. To stop the female foeticide, amniocentesis was banned under Prenatal Diagnostics Technique Act in the year 1994.
Q.5. Why should sex education be introduced to school-going children? List any five reasons.
A.5. Sex education should be introduced to school going children for the following reasons:
- To make the students aware that the bodily changes they are experiencing during puberty are absolutely normal and natural.
- To help them speak up when they face any sexual harassment in society.
- The students will get to know about the facts of life from a supportive source instead of some absurd show or movie.
- They will be made aware of the risks involved in having sex.
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