The vast majority of women in our country and in the rest of the world plan to and want to become pregnant and have a baby at some time in their lives. However, many women suffer from a condition called infertilitythe inability to get pregnant.
What are some of the most common causes of female infertility? How is this problem diagnosed? What types of treatments are available?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Understanding Female Infertility: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatments
Infertility is a significant issue affecting millions of women globally, impacting their plans for pregnancy and family-building. Understanding the common causes of female infertility, the diagnostic processes involved, and the available treatment options can empower women facing this challenge and inform them of the support and solutions that exist.
Common Causes of Female Infertility
Female infertility can arise from various factors, often involving complex interactions between physiological, hormonal, and environmental elements. Some of the most common causes include:
1. Ovulation Disorders
– Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A hormonal disorder causing irregular ovulation or no ovulation at all.
– Hypothalamic Dysfunction: Issues with the hypothalamus can affect hormone production, leading to irregular or absent ovulation.
– Premature Ovarian Insufficiency: Early loss of normal ovarian function can lead to diminished egg production.
2. Fallopian Tube Damage or Blockage
– Conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), endometriosis, or previous surgeries can cause scarring or blockages in the fallopian tubes, preventing sperm and egg from meeting.
3. Uterine Abnormalities
– Structural issues such as fibroids, polyps, or congenital anomalies can interfere with implantation or increase the risk of miscarriage.
4. Endometriosis
– This condition occurs when tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus grows outside it, leading to inflammation and potential damage to reproductive organs.
5. Age-Related Factors
– As women age, particularly after age 35, the quantity and quality of eggs decline, which can significantly impact fertility.
6. Lifestyle Factors
– Factors such as excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, obesity, poor diet, and lack of exercise can negatively impact fertility.
Diagnosis of Female Infertility
The diagnosis of female infertility typically involves a comprehensive evaluation that may include:
1. Medical History and Physical Examination
– A thorough review of medical history, menstrual cycles, and any previous pregnancies or miscarriages is conducted. A physical examination may also identify any visible abnormalities.
2. Ovulation Testing
– Tracking ovulation through methods like basal body temperature charting or ovulation predictor kits can help determine if ovulation is occurring regularly.
3. Hormonal Testing
– Blood tests may be conducted to measure hormone levels (such as FSH, LH, estrogen, and progesterone) that indicate ovarian function and overall reproductive health.
4. Imaging Tests
– Ultrasound or hysterosalpingography (HSG) is used to visualize the reproductive organs and assess the health of the uterus and fallopian tubes.
5. Laparoscopy
– In some cases, a minimally invasive surgical procedure called laparoscopy may be performed to directly visualize the reproductive organs and diagnose conditions like endometriosis or pelvic adhesions.
Treatments for Female Infertility
Treatment options for female infertility vary based on the underlying cause and may include:
1. Lifestyle Modifications
– Encouraging healthier lifestyle choices such as maintaining a healthy weight, reducing alcohol intake, quitting smoking, and managing stress can improve fertility.
2. Medications
– Hormonal treatments such as Clomiphene Citrate or Gonadotropins may be prescribed to stimulate ovulation in women experiencing ovulatory disorders.
3. Surgical Interventions
– Surgery may be required to remove fibroids, polyps, or endometrial tissue or to repair blocked fallopian tubes.
4. Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)
– Techniques like in vitro fertilization (IVF) allow for eggs to be retrieved and fertilized outside the body before being implanted back into the uterus.
5. Donor Eggs or Surrogacy
– In cases where ovarian function is severely impaired, using donor eggs or employing a gestational surrogate may be viable options for achieving pregnancy.
6. Counseling and Support
– Psychological counseling may be beneficial for women experiencing the emotional toll of infertility. Support groups provide community and shared experiences that can help alleviate feelings of isolation.
Conclusion
Infertility is a complex issue that affects many women worldwide. Understanding its causes, diagnostic methods, and treatment options can empower women to seek help and explore pathways to pregnancy. With advancements in medical science and support resources available today, many women facing infertility challenges have options to achieve their dreams of parenthood.
