Reproduction - Reproductive Health

Reproductive health, as defined by the $WHO$, is total well-being in all aspects of reproduction, including physical, emotional, behavioral, and social components.

Amniocentesis is a fetal sex determination and disorder test based on the chromosomal pattern in the amniotic fluid. It is often misused for female foeticide, though its primary purpose is detecting genetic disorders like Down syndrome ($47, XX+21$ or $47, XY+21$).

Contraceptive methods are classified into: Natural (Periodic abstinence, Lactational amenorrhea), Barrier (Condoms, Diaphragms), IUDs ($CuT$, $Cu7$, $Multiload$ $375$), Oral pills ($Saheli$ - a non-steroidal once-a-week pill), and Surgical methods (Vasectomy and Tubectomy).

Intrauterine Devices (IUDs) like $CuT$ release copper ions ($Cu^{2+}$) which suppress sperm motility and the fertilising capacity of sperms.

Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) is legal in India (since $1971$) and is considered relatively safe up to the first trimester, i.e., $12$ weeks of pregnancy.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) include Hepatitis-$B$, $HIV$, and Genital Herpes, which are currently not fully curable. Others like Syphilis and Gonorrhoea are curable if detected early.

Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) include $ZIFT$ (Zygote Intra-Fallopian Transfer), where the zygote or early embryo up to $8$ blastomeres is transferred, and $IUT$ (Intra-Uterine Transfer) for embryos with more than $8$ blastomeres.

$GIFT$ (Gamete Intra-Fallopian Transfer) involves the transfer of an ovum collected from a donor into the fallopian tube of another female who cannot produce one but can provide a suitable environment for fertilization.

$ICSI$ (Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection) is a specialized procedure to form an embryo in the laboratory in which a sperm is directly injected into the ovum.