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💡 Responsible choices
Being ready for sexual activity is about thoughtful, responsible decisions — protecting oneself and others from unplanned pregnancies and infections.
How can unwanted pregnancies and infections be prevented?
Preventing Pregnancy and Infections
Barrier — condoms also prevent STIs Oral pills — hormones stop the egg release IUDs — devices like Copper-T in the uterus Surgery — block vas deferens or fallopian tubes
- Some infections spread through close physical contact — Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) like gonorrhoea, herpes, syphilis, genital warts and HIV (which can lead to AIDS); condoms can prevent their transmission.
- Barrier methods (condoms, vaginal covers) stop sperm reaching the egg; oral pills alter hormones to change egg release; IUDs like Copper-T are placed in the uterus (Fig. 11.23).
- Surgical methods block the vas deferens or fallopian tubes; unwanted early pregnancies may be ended by abortion , but prenatal sex determination is strictly prohibited by law in India.
⏸▶ Pause and Ponder
- 11. In many animals, the young ones can walk or find food soon after birth but human babies are completely dependent on adults for a long time. What might be some advantages and disadvantages of this for humans as a species?
- Advantage — a long childhood gives a long learning period .
- The brain keeps growing and wiring itself after birth.
- Children can learn language, skills and complex behaviour.
- Knowledge and culture pass from one generation to the next.
- Disadvantage — parents must invest heavily in each child.
- Feeding, protecting and teaching take years of effort.
- So humans produce very few offspring at a time.
- The young stay vulnerable for a long time.
- Losing one child costs the family far more than in other species.
🌎 Bridging Science and Society
- Indian scientists at CDRI, Lucknow, made a breakthrough.
- They developed the world’s first non-steroidal, non-hormonal oral pill.
- It is taken just once weekly.
- It avoids side effects like weight gain, nausea or headaches.
- It is provided free through the National Family Planning Programme.
⏸▶ Pause and Ponder
- 9. Condoms (barrier devices) can be used during sexual activity to reduce the spread of STIs.
- 10. Oral pills prevent pregnancy but do not stop STIs, so without condoms the risk of sexually transmitted infections remains .
- 11. Long dependence of human babies allows more learning and stronger bonds, but demands heavy, long-term care from adults — a trade-off for our species.
Period is your pride
- Menstruation is a sign of a healthy reproductive system.
- It is not something to be ashamed of.
- Use clean menstrual products.
- Change them as often as required.
- Dispose of them responsibly.
- This keeps you healthy and your surroundings clean.
✅ Test Yourself
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Which contraceptive method also protects against STIs?
Show Answer
The condom — a barrier method. Pills and IUDs do not. -
Name three sexually transmitted infections.
Show Answer
Gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV (also herpes and genital warts). -
What is an IUD?
Show Answer
An Intra-Uterine Device, such as the copper-T, placed in the uterus to avoid pregnancy. -
Why is prenatal sex determination banned in India?
Show Answer
It leads to self-selective abortion and a skewed sex ratio.
Important Definitions
- Gametogenesis — the formation of gametes (sperm and eggs) by meiosis in the testes and ovaries.
- Ovulation — the release of a mature egg from the ovary, usually once a month.
- Menstruation — the shedding of the uterine lining with some blood when the egg is not fertilised.
- Trimester — one of the three stages, each about three months, into which pregnancy is divided.
- Contraception — the use of methods that prevent unwanted pregnancy.
- STIs — Sexually Transmitted Infections that spread through close physical contact.
