Read the passage carefully and give the answer to the next five questions:

India was amongst the first countries in the world to initiate action plans and pro grammes at a national level to attain total reproductive health as a social goal. These programmes called ‘family planning’ were initiated in 1951 and were periodically assessed over the past decades. Improved programmes covering wider reproduction related areas are currently in operation. Creating awareness among the people about various reproduction-related aspects and providing facilities and support for building up a reproductively healthy society are the major tasks under these programmes.

Which of the following methods of contraception is not meant for females?

The correct option is Vasectomy.

Explanation:

Contraceptive methods are designed to prevent unwanted pregnancies by interfering with the normal process of conception (fertilization). These methods are categorized based on whether they are used by males or females.

Let's analyze the options provided to determine why Vasectomy is not meant for females:

1. Vasectomy: This is a permanent surgical method of contraception (sterilization) performed in males. In this procedure, a small part of the vas deferens (the tube that carries sperm from the testes) is removed or tied up through a small incision on the scrotum. This prevents sperm from entering the semen, thereby preventing fertilization. Since females do not have a vas deferens or scrotum, this method is strictly for males.

2. IUDs (Intrauterine Devices): These are contraceptive devices (like Lippes Loop, Copper-T, Multiload 375, LNG-20, etc.) inserted by doctors or expert nurses into the uterus of the female through the vagina. Thus, they are meant exclusively for females.

3. Lactational amenorrhea: This is a natural method of contraception based on the fact that ovulation (and therefore the menstrual cycle) does not occur during the period of intense lactation following parturition. Since lactation (breastfeeding) and menstruation are biological processes exclusive to postpartum females, this method is meant for females.

4. Condoms: Condoms are barriers made of thin rubber/latex sheath that are used to cover the penis in the male or the vagina/cervix in the female just before coitus. Since there are specifically designed female condoms (often called femidoms), and other barrier methods like diaphragms/cervical caps are also used by females, condoms or barrier methods are indeed used by/meant for females as well.

Therefore, among the given choices, Vasectomy is the contraceptive method that is exclusively meant for males and not meant for females.