Read the given passage and answer the following questions:
Oral administration of small doses of either progestogens or progestogen –estrogen combinations is another contraceptive method used by the females. They are used in the form of tablets and hence are popularly called the pills. Pills have to be taken daily for a period of 21 days starting preferably within the first five days of menstrual cycle. After a gap of 7 days (during which menstruation occurs) it has to be repeated in the same pattern till the female desires to prevent conception. They inhibit ovulation and implantation as well as alter the quality of cervical mucus to prevent/retard entry of sperms. Pills are very effective with lesser side effects and are well accepted by the females. Saheli –the new oral contraceptive for the females contains a non-steroidal preparation. It is a ‘once a week’ pill with very few side effects and high contraceptive value. Progestogens alone or in combination with estrogen can also be used by females as injections or implants under the skin. Their mode of action is similar to that of pills and their effective periods are much longer. Administration of progestogens or progestogen-estrogen combinations or IUDs within 72 hours of coitus have been found to be very effective as emergency contraceptives as they could be used to avoid possible pregnancy due to rape or casual unprotected intercourse.
Assertion (A): Surgical methods (sterilisation) are generally advised for the male/female partner as a terminal method to prevent any more pregnancies.
Reason (R): Surgical methods are highly effective, but their reversibility is very poor.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Both (A) and (R) are correct, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
Assertion (A): Surgical methods (sterilisation) are generally advised for the male/female partner as a terminal method to prevent any more pregnancies. — True. A is about who is advised sterilisation. Surgical methods (vasectomy in the male, tubectomy in the female) are advised as a terminal method, for couples who do not want any more pregnancies.
Reason (R): Surgical methods are highly effective, but their reversibility is very poor. — True. R is about the nature of these surgical methods. A small part of the vas deferens or the fallopian tube is removed or tied up, which blocks gamete transport. The methods work very well, but this cannot easily be undone.
Why R explains A? A method that is highly effective but can hardly be reversed is a final step. If a couple may want a child later, such a method would close that choice. So doctors advise it only as a terminal method, when no more pregnancies are wanted. The poor reversibility in R is the reason for the advice in A, so R is the correct explanation of A.
NCERT Extract:
Population Stabilisation and Birth Control – “Surgical methods, also called sterilisation, are generally advised for the male/female partner as a terminal method to prevent any more pregnancies. Surgical intervention blocks gamete transport and thereby prevent conception. Sterilisation procedure in the male is called ‘vasectomy’ and that in the female, ‘tubectomy’. In vasectomy, a small part of the vas deferens is removed or tied up through a small incision on the scrotum (Figure 3.4a) whereas in tubectomy, a small part of the fallopian tube is removed (Figure 3.4b) or tied up through a small incision in the abdomen or through vagina. These techniques are highly effective but their reversibility is very poor.”