Reproductive Health

NCERT Line-by-Line Breakdown for NEET 2026

1. Strategies & Population Explosion

Population Facts

• World population hit 1 billion in 1900 and 6 billion in 2000.
• India’s population was ~350 million at independence and crossed 1 billion in May 2000.
• Reasons for growth: Decline in Death Rate, MMR (Maternal Mortality Rate), and IMR (Infant Mortality Rate). Increase in people of reproducible age.

2. Birth Control Methods (Contraception)

An ideal contraceptive should be user-friendly, easily available, effective, and reversible with no side effects.

A. Natural Methods (Avoid meeting of Sperm & Ovum)

• Periodic Abstinence: Avoiding coitus from day 10-17 of menstrual cycle (Fertile period).
• Coitus Interruptus: Withdrawal of penis before ejaculation.
• Lactational Amenorrhea: Absence of menstruation during intense lactation (effective up to 6 months).

B. Barrier Methods

Prevent physical meeting. Condoms (Nirodh) protect against STIs/AIDS. Diaphragms, Cervical caps, and Vaults are reusable barriers for females.

C. Intra Uterine Devices (IUDs)

Inserted by doctors/nurses into the uterus. Most widely accepted method in India.

D. Oral Contraceptives (Pills)

Progestogens or Progestogen-Estrogen combination.

• Inhibit ovulation and implantation.
• Saheli: New oral contraceptive. Non-steroidal. Once a week pill. Developed by CDRI, Lucknow.

E. Surgical Methods (Sterilization)

• Vasectomy (Males): Vas deferens cut and tied.
• Tubectomy (Females): Fallopian tube cut and tied.
• highly effective but irreversibility is very poor.

3. MTP & Sexually Transmitted Infections

STIs / VDs / RTIs

Infections transmitted through sexual intercourse.

• Common STIs: Gonorrhoea, Syphilis, Genital Herpes, Chlamydiasis, Genital Warts, Trichomoniasis, Hepatitis-B, HIV-AIDS.
• Incurable: Hepatitis-B, Genital Herpes, HIV. (All others are curable if detected early).
• Symptoms: Itching, fluid discharge, slight pain, swellings in genital region.

4. Infertility & Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)

Inability to produce children despite unprotected sexual cohabitation. Specialized techniques (ART) help such couples.

A. IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) – “Test Tube Baby”

Fertilization outside the body (in lab conditions similar to body). Followed by Embryo Transfer (ET).

• ZIFT (Zygote Intra Fallopian Transfer): Zygote or early embryo (up to 8 blastomeres) transferred to Fallopian tube.
• IUT (Intra Uterine Transfer): Embryo with >8 blastomeres transferred to Uterus.

B. In Vivo Fertilization Techniques

• GIFT (Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer): Transfer of an Ovum from a donor to the fallopian tube of a female who cannot produce one but can provide suitable environment. Fertilization happens inside the body.
• ICSI (Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection): Sperm is directly injected into the ovum (In lab).
• AI (Artificial Insemination): Semen collected from husband or donor is introduced into vagina or uterus (IUI – Intra Uterine Insemination). Useful when male has low sperm count.

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