Reproductive Health — Questions & Answers

Sample questions from Reproductive Health

1. Q1. Why is the "rhythm method" (avoiding intercourse during the fertile window) considered a less reliable natural contraceptive method compared to barrier or hormonal methods?

   • A.Because it has zero failure rate
   • B.Because cycle length and ovulation timing can vary between individuals and cycles, making the fertile window difficult to predict precisely✓
   • C.Because it requires surgery
   • D.Because it always prevents STIs
   Solution

   Since ovulation timing can vary cycle-to-cycle and between individuals, predicting the exact fertile window is imprecise, making the rhythm method inherently less reliable than barrier or hormonal methods with more consistent mechanisms.

2. Q2. Which of the following is the most accurate statement regarding the relationship between age at first pregnancy and maternal health risk?

   • A.Both very early (adolescent) and very late (advanced maternal age) first pregnancies are associated with elevated maternal/fetal health risks compared to pregnancies in the mid-reproductive years✓
   • B.Age has no bearing whatsoever on pregnancy risk
   • C.Only advanced maternal age carries any risk; adolescent pregnancy carries none
   • D.Only adolescent pregnancy carries risk; advanced maternal age carries none
   Solution

   Both adolescent pregnancies (due to physical immaturity and increased complication risk) and pregnancies at advanced maternal age (due to increased chromosomal and obstetric risk) are associated with elevated maternal/fetal health risks compared to pregnancies during the physiologically optimal mid-reproductive years.

3. Q3. Why is a condom described as protecting the user from contracting an infection rather than as preventing all transmission?

   • A.Because it must be reused to be effective
   • B.Because it acts only on bacteria and not on viruses
   • C.Because it reduces but does not abolish contact with infected secretions and lesions, and because two of the listed infections also spread by blood-borne and mother-to-foetus routes✓
   • D.Because it works only in the presence of a spermicide
   Solution

   A condom keeps the genital surfaces apart during coitus and so lowers risk substantially, but lesions outside the covered area can still transmit infection, and hepatitis-B and HIV additionally spread through infected needles, instruments, transfused blood and from mother to foetus.

4. Q4. A 16-cell embryo is ready for transfer. Which procedure name and site apply?

   • A.Gamete intra-fallopian transfer, into the oviduct
   • B.Zygote intra-fallopian transfer, into the oviduct
   • C.Intra-uterine transfer, into the uterus, since the embryo has more than 8 blastomeres✓
   • D.Intra-uterine insemination, into the uterus
   Solution

   Embryos beyond the 8-blastomere stage are introduced into the uterus, a step called intra-uterine transfer, to complete further development. Zygote transfer to the tube applies at up to 8 blastomeres, gamete transfer moves unfertilised gametes, and insemination introduces semen.

5. Q5. Which feature is shared by the male condom and the female condom but by none of the diaphragm, cervical cap and vault?

   • A.They are made of rubber
   • B.They release copper ions
   • C.They must be fitted by a doctor
   • D.They are disposable single-use devices that also lower the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection✓
   Solution

   All five are barriers, and all may be made of rubber or latex, but only condoms are disposable after a single use and cover the surfaces so as to also reduce transmission of infections. The other three are reusable devices covering only the cervix and give no meaningful protection from infection.

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