BC Flashcards
Oral Contraceptives (OCPs)
-HISTORY IS ESSENTIAL
COMPLIANCE IS IMPORTANT (can they remember to take a pill every day)
HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS (Some work better with certain OCPs)
-Combo of Ethinyl Estradiol (EE) and Progestin
-EE always same; Progestin varies
Reproductive Cycle
- average 28 dys
- day 1, 1st day of period
- two phases: Follicular and Luteal
- without ovulation pregnancy cannot occur!
Follicular Phase
- days 1-14/ or day 1 - ovulation
- anterior pituitary releases FSH which causes eggs to begin to mature
- start with 5-7, end up w/ 1 (maybe 2) dominant follicules
- follicules secrete estrogen which promotes growth of uterine lining
- when estrogen levels reach a certain point LH secreted from anterior pituitary finalizes follicule development, ovulation occurs
Luteal Phase
- day 14-28/ or ovulation - next period
- site of ovulation becomes corpus luteum and secretes progesterone for impending pregnancy until a placenta takes over at 10 weeks
- if no fertilization, loss of feedback and CL disintegrates
- lack of progesterone causes shedding of uterine lining
OCPs (PHASIC)
PTS
- 1st choice orthotricyclen – young women and non-smokers; Less effective in those who weigh 160 lbs (need more estrogen/progestin)
- Yasmin – Increases POTASSIUM and can cause MOOD SWINGS
- Seasonique – Best for short periods of time i.e. wedding; vacation
- Contraceptives DO NOT prevent STDs
OCPs
CONTRA
- Hx of CV ischemia: MI/Stroke, Atrial Fib, Heart Failure, Previous blood clot (clotting cascade)
- Ovarian or breast cancer
- Smoker >35
- Pregnant
- Uncontrolled HTN
- Liver tumors/disease (NO OC)
- Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
- Hx of Classic migraine (WITH aura)
- (OCP) Monophasic:
- (OCP) Biphasic:
- (OCP) Triphasic:
(OCP) Monophasic:
- One level of hormones for the cycle
- Constant dose of estrogen and progestin for 21 days
(OCP) Biphasic:
- Two combos of estrogen/progestin
- Progestin increases in steps
- Estrogen is altered during cycle
(OCP) Triphasic:
- Three combo of estrogen/progestin
- Progestin increases in steps
- Estrogen is altered during cycle
OCPs (Phasic)
MOA
- Combined estrogen/progestin work to suppress the release of FSH and LH
- Combined prevents ovulation;
- Always the same: Can prescribe ANY drug
OCPs (Phasic)
PTS
- Hx: Migraine (no aura)
- Uterine fibroids
- Heavy menses
- HTN
- Fibrocystic breasts
OCPs (Phasic)
SE
-Estrogen can cause blood coagulation by increasing platelet aggregation
OCPs (Phasic)
Consider
- Causes endometrium to be less hostile to environment
- Start with low dose for lowest risk.
- HOWEVER, weight can be a factor. >160 lbs will need higher dose
Progestins
- 4 generations
- vary amount
- Androgenic=testosterone
- more Androgenic=acne, bloating, hiruitism
- newer progestin have less androgenic
- not progesterone
- inhibits ovulation by supressing release of LH
- thickens cervical mucus (cleariod)
- hostile environment for implantation
Estrogen
- Ethinyl Estradiol (EE)
- EE always same
- supresses FSH and LH
- decreases fertilization time
- estrogen may decrease production of milk
- fluctuations = migraine (classical w/ aura, no E)
- HX of Cancer, no Estrogen
4 Generations of Progestins
- vary in amounts of ando; aldactone=Diuretic=Hypokalemia
- 1st=stop lining of uterus from growing; treats endometriosis
- 2nd=thickens uterine lining; doesn’t prevent ovulation. most ando
- 3rd-used in combo; least ando; high clot risk
- 4th=least ando; risk of hyperkalemia; aldosterone antagonist (Yaz, Yasmin); -Yasmin – Increases POTASSIUM and can cause MOOD SWINGS
OCPs
Progestin Only
- “mini pill”
- Norethidrone (micronor, camila, errin, jolivette), Norgestral (overette)
- 99.5% effective; less effective than combo pill
- Thickens cervical mucus (makes it difficult for sperm to penetrate)
- Creates a more hostile environment for implantation
- Breastfeeding (estrogen may decrease production of milk)
- Needs to be taken exact same time everyday
- If missed, must use back up
- Progestin contraceptives have NO ESTROGEN so they are a choice for women with history of thromboembolic disease.
- More Androgenics = more acni, bloating, hirsuitism
- Newer progestins have less androgenic activity
- Irregular spotting, no menses
- Amenorrhea
- hx of classical migraines (w/ aura)
OCPs
Progestin Only
MOA
- Inhibits ovulation by suppressing release of LH
- Thickens cervical mucus (makes it difficult for sperm to penetrate)
- Creates a more hostile environment for implantation
OCPs
Progestin Only
HORMONES
- Derivative of testosterone
- Drosperinone: exception because has aldosterone
OCPs
Progestin Only
PTS
- Breastfeeding (estrogen may decrease production of milk)
- Hx of blood clots or VTE (venous thrombo embolism)
- Hx of classic migraine
- Smokers
OCPs
Progestin Only
SE
- More Androgenics = more acni, bloating, hirsuitism
- Newer progestins have less androgenic activity
- Irregular spotting, no menses
- Amenorrhea
OCPs
Progestin Only
CONSIDER
- Needs to be taken same time everyday
- If missed, must use back up
- Progestin contraceptives have NO ESTROGEN so they are a choice for women with history of thromboembolic disease.
OCPs
How to pick
- start low dose (lowest risk of SE, 18-25mcg EE)
- low dose better for common migraine (no aura), fibroids, HTN, fibrocystic breasts
- normal dose 30-50 mcg EE
- Triphasic closest to normal cycle, start first
- if more than 160, need higher dose
- monitor weight gain
OCPs
Monophasic
- EE/ Levonorgestral (Seasonique, Seasonale, Lybrel)
- constant level of hormones
- extended cycle regimens (period q 3 mnoths, 84 dys of EE/progestin
OCPs
Start
- Quick Start (starts that day, backup for a minimum of 7 days, high risk of breakthrough bleeding 1st month)
- First Day Start (Most Common and Safest, starts first day of next period, NO BACKUP needed)
- Sunday Start (first sunday after period starts, NEED BACKUP for 7 DAYS)
OCPs
Follow up
- monitor weight gain
- follow up 3 months to 1 yr
- ask about SE, breakthrough bleeding
- SE decrese w/ time (stick with it!)
- breakthrough bleeding early in cycle dy 1-10 or no period during placebo wk=MORE ESTROGEN
- breakthrough bleeding dy 10-21= need MORE or DIFFERENT PROGESTIN
OCPs
RISKS
- migraines, headaches
- INCREASED RISK CVA
- BLOOD CLOTS
- htn
- mood changes
- GALLBLADDER DISEASE (cholesterol production up, progesterone down=affects motility of GI)
- acne
- bloating
- hair loss/ hiruitism
OCPs
BENEFITS
- safe
- bleeding down, anemia down
- less cramping
- predictable cycle
OCPs
ACHES
- Abdominal Pain
- Chest Pain
- Headaches
- Eye Problems
- Swelling/ Aching Legs
OCPs
CANCER
- lower risk of ovarian and endometrial
- little increase risk of cervical
- not linked to breast
- HX of Cancer, NO ESTROGEN!
BC and BF
- progestin only pill
- IUD
BC and Migraines
- Common (no aura)=low dose OCP
- Classical (w/ aura)=no estrogen; Depoprovera ok
Ortho Evra “The Patch”
- a progestin (norelgestromin) and an estrogen (ethinyl estradiol)
- Worn for three weeks then one patch free week
- not as effective if you weigh more than 198
- transdermal
- no 1st pass effect=higher EE