BIOLOGICAL PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ADOLESCENCE

Adolescence (becoming adult) is a period in life between becoming sexually mature and being an independent adult. It is sometimes a difficult time, for two main reasons:

• we want to be independent, but are not mature enough

• we start to become attracted to the opposite sex.

Good family relationships and good friendships can help us to mature into adulthood. Our sexual awakening can provide some very difficult problems.

Major sex-related issues

It is natural to be attracted to the opposite sex and to want to have sexual relations with a partner. However, casual sex is best avoided for several reasons. There may be cultural or religious reasons why sex before marriage is not acceptable. A particularly serious reason, though, is the risk of catching STD – sexually transmitted diseases. The risk is greatly increased if a person has several sexual partners. Also, the diseases are spread more rapidly when people have several sexual partners.

STD are most frequently transmitted by sexual intercourse. The main diseases are gonorrhoea, syphilis and herpes. If discovered early enough these can be cured, but they can be fatal. The risk of catching these diseases is reduced by using condoms.

More recently a much more serious illness has spread. AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is caused by a virus – HIV. This virus is passed from one infected person to another through body fluids. Sex with an infected partner is one way of catch­ing the disease.

In the infected person’s bloodstream, the HIV attaches itself to certain white blood cells. These white blood cells normally have an important job to do. They defend the body against a whole range of infections. With the HIV in the white cell, it cannot perform this task. In the white cell, the virus multiplies and eventually breaks out to infect more white cells. Eventually all defence against infection is lost – the body’s immune system is destroyed.

When the body’s defence capacity is destroyed, infectious diseases can cause fatal illnesses. Tuberculosis, Pneumonia and skin cancers are the most common life taking diseases of people living with AIDS.

Until today AIDS has no definite cure and as any other STDs, it can be avoided by taking care of the following majors:

• Stay faithful to one partner.

• Avoid homosexual relationships.

• Avoid casual sex with many partners.

• Always use a condom.

• Avoid injecting drugs, and never share needles.

• Seek medical advice immediately you think you might have a problem.

BIRTH CONTROL

There are several methods of birth control. Some of these methods involve special devices. The Figure below shows some of the devices available for contraception (‘against conception’):

• The contraceptive pill is taken daily by the woman. It contains chemicals that prevent the ovaries from releasing ova.

• The ‘morning-after’ pill is taken by the woman after intercourse. This pill contains chemicals that prevent the embryo from being implanted in the womb.

• The condom, or sheath, is worn by the man. It is placed over the erect penis before intercourse. It traps the semen and prevents the sperm from getting into the vagina.

• The diaphragm or capis worn by the woman. It is covered with spermicidal cream (a sperm killer) and is placed over the cervix before intercourse. It stops sperm from entering the womb. It can be fitted by the woman, and is removed several hours after intercourse.

• The IUD (inter-uterine device) or coil is worn permanently by the woman. It has to be placed in the uterus by a doctor. It works by preventing implantation of the embryo.

There are three other methods that do not use special devices:

• the rhythm method. This involves avoiding intercourse at those times in the menstrual cycle when the ova are released. It is not a very reliable method.

• sterilisation. This involves cutting and tying the fallopian tubes in the woman, to prevent the ova from entering the womb. It is normally very effective, but is irreversible. It should only be used when no more children are wanted

• vasectomy. This involves cutting and tying the sperm tubes in the man. Sperm cannot then be ejaculated through the penis. This also is very effective, but is irreversible. It should only be used when there are special medical reasons, or no more children are wanted.

Both these last methods require very serious thought and careful consideration of the consequences before they are used.