Reproductive health — A/L Biology

What must I remember about Reproductive health?

• Reproductive health encompasses complete physical, mental, and social well-being in all matters relating to the reproductive system, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are infectious conditions transmitted predominantly through sexual intercourse, caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or protozoa.
• Bacterial STIs: Syphilis (caused by Treponema pallidum; primary painless chancre, secondary rash, tertiary neurosyphilis/gummas), Gonorrhea (caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae; purulent discharge, dysuria, potential PID and infertility), and Chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis; often asymptomatic, causes salpingitis).
• Viral STIs: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV/AIDS; infects CD4+ helper T cells, destroying cellular immunity), Human Papillomavirus (HPV; linked to genital warts and cervical carcinoma; preventable by vaccination), and Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-2; painful genital blisters).
• Contraceptive methods: Natural / behavioral (rhythm method, coitus interruptus), Barrier methods (condoms preventing STIs, diaphragm), Hormonal methods (oral contraceptive pills, implants, injections suppressing ovulation via estrogen/progestin feedback), Intrauterine Devices (IUDs: copper-releasing, hormone-releasing), and Permanent surgical sterilization (vasectomy in males, tubal ligation in females).

Test yourself (1 minute)

1. Barrier dual protection

   Male and female condoms are the ONLY contraceptive methods that provide significant dual protection against both unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs/HIV).

2. Hormonal pill mechanism

   Combination pills (synthetic estrogen + progestin) inhibit pituitary secretion of FSH and LH, preventing follicular maturation and ovulation, while thickening cervical mucus to block sperm motility.

3. Vasectomy vs Tubal ligation

   Vasectomy severs/ties the vas deferens (ejaculation still occurs with seminal fluid but zero sperm); Tubal ligation cuts/occludes the Fallopian tubes, preventing sperm from meeting ovum.

Practise Reproductive health questions today

Source: NIE G.C.E. (A/L) Biology Syllabus & Resource Book, Unit 5

What should I study first?

What comes next?

Next in the syllabus

Where does Reproductive health fit in the syllabus?

Year 2 · Term 1