Combined oral contraceptive pill Flashcards
How does the COCP effect periods?
Usually makes periods regular, lighter and less painful
What does the COCP not interfere with?
Sex
How are the contraceptive effects reversed?
Stop taking the pill
What cancer does the COCP reduce the risk of?
Ovarian
Endometrial
Colorectal cancer
What can the COCP help protect against?
Pelvic inflammatory disease
What can the COCP reduce the risk of?
Ovarian cysts
Benign breast disease
Acne vulgaris
What does the COCP offer no protection against?
Sexually transmitted infections
What is there an increased risk of with the COCP?
venous thromboembolic disease
Stroke
Ischaemic heart disease
What cancer does the COCP increase the risk of?
Breast and cervical cancer
What are the temporary side effects of the COCP?
Headache
Nausea
Breast tenderness
Potentially- weight gain but not proven
Before how long is the COCP contraindicated after giving birth?
6 moths postpartum
What are the main contraindications of the COCP?
more than 35 years old and smoking +/- 15 cigarettes/day
BMI > 35 kg/m^2
immobility e.g. wheel chair use
current gallbladder disease
family history of thromboembolic disease in first degree relatives < 45 years or history of thromboembolic disease
controlled and uncontrolled hypertension
carrier of gene associated with breast cancer or current breast cancer
positive antiphospholipid antibodies (e.g. in SLE)
What BMI is a contraindication for the COCP?
BMI > 35 kg/m^2
What type of history of thromboembolic disease is
a contraindication for the COCP?
Family history of thromboembolic disease in first degree relatives < 45 years
or history of thromboembolic disease
What cancer causes a contraindication for the COCP?
Carrier of gene associated with breast cancer (e.g. BRCA1/BRCA2)
or
Current breast cancer
Is diabetes a contraindication for the COCP?
Diabetes mellitus diagnosed > 20 years ago is a contraindication
Past what age is a contraindication for the COCP?
Over 35 and smoking
Being positive for what antibodies would indicate a contraindication for the COCP?
Antiphospholipid syndrome antibodies
What is the advice if one pill is missed?
take the last pill even if it means taking two pills in one day and then continue taking pills daily, one each day
Is additional contraception required if one pill is missed?
No
What is the advice if 2 pills are missed?
Take the last pill even if it means taking two pills in one day, leave any earlier missed pills and then continue taking pills daily, one each day
If 2 pills are missed, what should the women do?
Use condoms
or
Abstain from sex until she has taken pills for 7 days in a row
