Contraception and STIs Overview

Contraception and STIs

• Contraception is the deliberate use of artificial methods to prevent or stop a pregnancy as a consequence of sexual intercourse
• Many contraceptive techniques are inspired by the causes of infertility
• Three main types of contraception: hormonal, barrier, and creating an unfavorable environment
• Hormonal contraception works by changing the hormones in the body to stop ovulation. No egg means no fertilization, meaning no pregnancy
• Barrier contraception works by creating a physical barrier to stop sperm from reaching the egg. Examples include condoms, spermicide, and female condoms
• Creating an unfavorable environment works by making the environment inhospitable for sperm and egg.
• STIs are sexually transmitted infections; they aren't always diseases but infections
• STIs are caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites
• A sexually transmitted infection may pass from person to person through blood, semen, or vaginal fluids
• Some STIs are curable (e.g., syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis); others aren't (e.g., hepatitis B, herpes simplex virus, HIV, and HPV)
• All STIs can be treated, and symptoms managed. Some are deadly
• STIs can affect fertility and can cause congenital infections in babies
• It is important to openly discuss sexual health with medical professionals to prevent STIs

Plant Reproduction

• Angiosperms use flowers for reproduction
• Special features of a flowering plant include:
  • Ability to reproduce asexually (self-pollination)
  • Ability to reproduce sexually (cross-pollination)
• Asexual reproduction:
  • Use both organs to fertilize themselves
  • Create a clone with the same characteristics
  • More exposed to viruses/can adapt less effectively