Unit VIII - Fertility and Fertility Control

A. Infertility

The student will be able to:

1. Define infertility.

2. Obtain a relevant history from a couple presenting with infertility.

3. Outline a logical plan of investigation and management in a couple who present with infertility.

4. Describe the emotional, psychological and cultural implications of infertility for the couple with infertility and the role of counseling.

5. Outline the etiology, investigations, therapy and complications of therapy in;

- male factor infertility
- disorders of ovulation
- tubo-peritoneal factor
- endometriosis
- unexplained infertility

6. Describe the new reproductive technologies such as IVF, gamete donation, ICSI, their applications, limitations, and complications.

B. Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL)

The student will be able to:

1. Define recurrent pregnancy loss.

2. Describe the etiology of recurrent pregnancy loss with reference to the following factors;

- genetic
- uterine
- hormonal disorders
- infections
- systemic diseases
- immunologic diseases.

3. Outline the appropriate investigations for habitual abortion.

4. Describe the emotional impact and importance of counseling in a couple who present with recurrent pregnancy loss.

5. Outline the role of medical and surgical treatment in recurrent pregnancy loss.

C. Fertility Control

The student will be able to:

1. Describe the mode of action, theoretic and use effectiveness, advantages, disadvantages, contra- indications, and complications of the following reversible methods of contraception;

- abstinence, coitus interruptus, and rhythm
- chemical and barrier methods
- oral contraceptives
- intrauterine contraceptive devices
- post-coital contraceptive techniques.

2. Provide contraceptive counseling to a patient, including information about the various contraceptive options.

D. Sterilization

The student will be able to:

1. Describe the available methods of male and female sterilization.

2. Discuss the advantages, disadvantages, contra-indications, effectiveness and reversibility of these techniques.

3. Discuss the medical and medico-legal consequences of these procedures.

E. Therapeutic Abortion

The student will be able to:

1. Counsel a pregnant woman regarding the range of option available to her including adoption, therapeutic abortion or proceeding with the pregnancy and keeping the child, in situations where the pregnancy is unplanned or unwanted.

2. List the indications for therapeutic abortion.

3. Describe the methods for therapeutic abortion.

4. List the potential complications of the procedure.

5. Discuss the importance of counseling and follow-up, as well as provision of future fertility control.