Reproductive Health - Notes | Class 12 | Part 2: Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP)
Intentional or voluntary termination of pregnancy before full term is called MTP or induced abortion.
45 to 50 million MTPs are performed annually worldwide (i.e., 1/5th of the total number of conceived pregnancies).
MTP helps to decrease the population.
Many countries have not legalized MTP due to emotional, ethical, religious, and social issues.
The Government of India legalized MTP in 1971 with strict conditions to prevent illegal female foeticides.
Importance of MTP
To avoid unwanted pregnancies due to casual intercourse, failure of contraceptives used during coitus, or rapes.
It is essential in cases where continuation of the pregnancy could be harmful to the mother, the fetus, or both.
MTPs are safe during the first trimester (up to 12 weeks of pregnancy). Second-trimester abortions are very risky.
Problems Related to MTP
The majority of MTPs are performed anonymously.
Misuse of the amniocentesis test for female sex determination. If the fetus is female, it is often followed by MTP. Such practices are dangerous for the young mother and fetus.
Amniocentesis: In this procedure, some amniotic fluid of the fetus is taken to analyze fetal cells and dissolved substances. It is used to test for the presence of genetic disorders, the survivability of the fetus, etc.
The Government of India enacted The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act, 2017 to reduce illegal abortions and consequent maternal mortality and morbidity.
According to this Act, a pregnancy may be terminated within the first 12 weeks on the opinion of a registered medical practitioner. If the pregnancy is between 12–24 weeks, two registered medical practitioners must agree.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Diseases or infections transmitted through sexual intercourse are called Sexually Transmitted Diseases/Infections (STDs or STIs), also known as Venereal Diseases (VD) or Reproductive Tract Infections (RTI).
Examples include Gonorrhoea, syphilis, genital herpes, chlamydiasis, genital warts, trichomoniasis, hepatitis-B, and HIV leading to AIDS.
Hepatitis-B and HIV are also transmitted by:
Sharing of injection needles, surgical instruments, etc.
Transfusion of blood.
From an infected mother to the fetus.
Except for hepatitis-B, genital herpes, and HIV, other diseases are completely curable if detected early and treated properly.
Early symptoms: Itching, fluid discharge, slight pain, swellings, etc., in the genital region.
Absence or less significant early symptoms and social stigma deter infected persons from consulting a doctor. This can lead to pelvic inflammatory diseases (PID), infertility, ectopic pregnancies, abortions, stillbirths, and cancers of the reproductive tract.
All persons are vulnerable to STDs, with a very high prevalence among those in the age group of 15–24 years.
Prevention of STDs
Avoid sex with unknown partners or multiple partners.
Always use condoms during coitus.
In case of doubt, consult a qualified doctor for early detection and complete treatment.
