3.02 - Contraception Flashcards
What are the UKMEC levels of risk for contraception?
UKMEC 1: no restriction in use (minimal risk)
UKMEC 2: benefits generally outweigh the risks
UKMEC 3: risks generally outweigh the benefits
UKMEC 4: unacceptable risk
What are the key risk factors to ask about in a contraception consultation?
Breast cancer - avoid hormonal contraception and opt for the copper coil or barrier methods.
Cervical or endometrial cancer - avoid the intrauterine system.
Wilson’s disease - avoid the copper coil.
What are the risk factors that should make you avoid the combined contraceptive pill (UKMEC 4)?
- uncontrolled hypertension
- migraine with aura
- history of VTE
- aged >35 years and smoking >15 cigarettes per day
- major surgery with prolonged immobility
- vascular disease or stroke
- ischaemic heart disease, cardiomyopathy or atrial fibrillation
- liver cirrhosis and liver tumours
- SLE and antiphospholipid syndrome
In perimenopausal women, how long after the last period is contraception recommended?
2 years in women under 50.
1 year in women over 50.
Does HRT prevent pregnancy?
No - added contraception is required.
For amenorrhoeic women taking progesterone-only contraception, they should continue until:
- FSH >30IU/L
- 55 years of age
What are the options for contraception under the age of 20?
- COCP (UKMEC1)
- POP (UKMEC1)
- progestogen implant (UKMEC1)
- progestogen injection (UKMEC2)
- IUD / IUS (UKMEC2)
What are the options for contraception after childbirth?
21 days postpartum, contraception is required.
Lactational amenorrhoea is >98% effective for up to 6 months after birth. Women must be fully breastfeeding and amenorrhoeic.
POP and implant are considered safe in breastfeeding and can be started at any time after birth.
COCP should be avoided in breastfeeding until 6 weeks postpartum.
IUS or IUD can be inserted either within 48 hours of birth, or more than 4 weeks after birth.
What are the barrier methods of contraception?
Physical barrier to semen entering the uterus and causing pregnancy, also protecting against STIs.
- condoms
- diaphragms
- cervical caps
- dental dams
Condom effectiveness.
Perfect use: 98%
Typical use: 82%
What are diaphragms and cervical caps?
Silicone cups that fit over the cervix and prevent semen from entering the uterus.
They should be fitted before sex, and left in-situ for at least 6 hours after sex.
They can be used alongside spermicide gel to further reduce the risk of pregnancy.
Diaphragm and cervical caps effectiveness.
Perfect use: 95% effective
What are dental dams?
Used during oral sex to provide a barrier between the mouth and the vulva, vagina or anus.
Which infections can be prevented using dental dams?
Prevents infection spread through oral sex:
- chlamydia
- gonorrhoea
- HSV-1 or HSV-2
- HPV
- E. coli
- public lice
- syphilis
- HIV
Effectiveness of COCP.
Perfect use: 99%
Typical use: 91%
MOA of COCP.
Oestrogen and progesterone have negative feedback effect on the HPG axis, suppressing the release of GnRH, LH and FSH. Without the effects of LH and FSH, ovulation is prevented.
What are the two types of COCP?
1) Monophasic pills (contain the same amount of hormones in each pill)
2) Multiphasic pills (contain varying hormones to match normal cyclical changes)
What are the different regimes used in COCP?
- 21 days on and 7 days off
- 63 days on and 7 days off
- continuous use
Side effects of COCP.
- unscheduled bleeding in the first three months
- breast pain and tenderness
- mood changes and depression
- headaches
- hypertension
Risks of COCP.
- VTE (risk lower for the pill than pregnancy)
- breast cancer
- cervical cancer
- myocardial infarction
- stroke
Benefits of COCP.
- effective
- rapid return in fertility after stopping
- improvement of PMS, menorrhagia and dysmenorrhoea
- reduced risk of endometrial, ovarian and colon cancer
- reduced risk of benign ovarian cysts
UKMEC4 risk factors for COCP.
- uncontrolled hypertension
- migraine with aura
- history of VTE
- major surgery with prolonged immobility
- vascular disease or stroke
- ischaemic heart disease, cardiomyopathy or atrial fibrillation
- liver cirrhosis and liver tumours
- SLE and antiphospholipid syndrome
UKMEC3 risk factors for COCP.
BMI >35kg/m2
What advice should be given if a woman starts taking COCP on days 1-5 of the cycle?
No additional contraception required and protection is offered straight away.
What advice should be given if a woman starts taking COCP after day 5 of the cycle?
Additional contraception (i.e. condoms) required for the first 7 days of consistent pill use.
What advice should be given if a woman switches between COCPs?
Finish one pack, then immediately start the new pill pack without the pill-free period.
What advice should be given if a woman switches from traditional POP to COCP.
Additional contraception (i.e. condoms) required for the first 7 days of consistent pill use.
What advice should be given if a woman switches from desogestrel POP to COCP.
Switch immediately with no additional contraceptive requirements.
A COCP is classed as missed if it is:
More than 24 hours late
What advice should be given if a woman misses one COCP pill (less than 72 hours since the last pill was taken)?
- take the missed pill as soon as possible
- no extra protection in required
What advice should be given if a woman misses one COCP pill (more than 72 hours since the last pill was taken)?
- take the most recent missed pill as soon as possible
- additional contraception (i.e. condom) required for first 7 days of consistent pill use
- emergency contraception if day 1-7 of the packet they had unprotected sex
Sick day rules for COCP.
A day of vomiting or diarrhoea is classed as a ‘missed pill’ day, as the illness may affect the absorption.
NICE (2019) recommend COCP is stopped how many weeks before a major operation?
4 weeks to reduce the risk of thrombosis.
Effectiveness of POP.
Perfect use: 99%
Typical use: 91%
Types of POP.
- traditional POP
- desogestrel-only pill
MOA of traditional POP.
- thickening the cervical mucus
- altering the endometrium and making it less accepting of implantation
- reducing ciliary action in the fallopian tubes
MOA of desogestrel POP.
- inhibiting ovulation
- thickening the cervical mucus
- altering the endometrium
- reducing ciliary action
What advice should be given if a woman starts taking POP on days 1-5 of the cycle?
No additional contraception required as woman is protected immediately.
What advice should be given if a woman starts taking POP after day 5 of the cycle?
Additional contraception is required for 48 hours, to give time for the cervical mucus to thicken.
What advice should be given if a woman switches between POPs?
Switched immediately without any need for extra contraception.