Contraception Flashcards
What are the 2 forms of contraception
- Barrier method –> inhibiting viable sperm from coming into contact with a mature ovum
- Hormonal method –> preventing fertilized ovum from successfully implanting into the endometrium
What are the 4 barrier contraceptives available?
- Condoms (male)
- Condoms (female)
- Diaphragm with spermicide
- Cervical cap
Which contraceptives are useful for preventing STI transmission?
Condoms (male and female)
What are the limitations of barrier contraceptives?
High user failure rate
Benefits brought about by hormonal contraceptives
- Prevention of pregnancy
- Improvements in menstrual cycle regularity
- Management of perimenopause
- Management of PCOS
What is the MOA of progestin in COC?
- Thicken cervical mucus to prevent sperm penetration -> delaying sperm transport
- Induce endometrial atrophy (maintain thickness of endometrial and prevent it from growing)
- Stabilize the endometrial lining
- Provide cycle control
- Inhibit LH release –> prevents ovulation
What are the estrogen agents available?
- Ethinyl estradiol
- Estradiol valerate
- Esterol
- Mestranol
What is the main side effect of progestins?
- Androgenic side effects (ie. acne, oily skin, hirsutism) (associated with Gen1-3 progestins)
- Episodes of unpredictable spotting and bleeding (increases with increasing dose)
What is the MOA of Ethinyl estradiol?
- Synthetic estrogen
- Estrogen receptor agonist
- Inhibit FSH release from anterior pituitary –> suppress the development of ovarian follicle (prevent ovulation)
- Make endometrium unsuitable for implantation of the ovum
ADR of EE?
- breast tenderness
- Headahce
- Fluid retention (bloating)
- Nausea/ Vomiting or dizziness
- Weight gain
- Liver damage
- VTE
- MI/ stroke
ADR of EE?
- breast tenderness
- Headache
- Fluid retention (bloating)
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Weight gain
- VTE
- MI/ stroke
- Liver damage
Factors favoring lower dose of EE?
- Adolescence
- underweight (< 50kg)
- Age >35 yo
- Peri-menopausal
- Fewer side effects
Factors favoring higher dose of EE?
- Obesity or weight >70.5 kg
- Early to mid-cycle breakthrough bleeding/ spotting
- Tendency to be non-compliant
List all the progestin agents by their Generation
Gen1: Norethindrone, Ethynodiol diacetate, Norgestrel, Norethindrone acetate
Gen2: Levonorgestrel
Gen3: Norgestimate, Desogestrel
Gen4: Drosperinone, Cyproterone
What are the features of Drosperinone (gen 4)?
- Analogue of spironolactone
- Anti-mineralocorticoid + some anti-androgenic action
- Less water retention and acne
- Can cause hyperkalemia, thromboembolism (VTE), and bone loss
What are the features of Cyproterone?
- Anti-androgenic + Anti-gonadotrophic
- Primary indication is to treat excessive androgen-related conditions
- Should not be used solely for contraception
- High risk for thromboembolism (VTE)
When there is early-mid-cycle breakthrough bleeding, what do you adjust in the COC?
Increase estrogen concentration
When there is late-cycle breakthrough bleeding and painful menstrual cramps, what do you adjust in the COC?
Increase progestin concentration
Advantages of monophasic COC
- Less confusing
- Less complicated miss-dosed instructions
Advantages of multiphasic COC
- Tend to have lower progestin –> less androgenic s/es
How many active and placebo pills are in conventional COC
21 days active pill + 7 days placebo (pill-free interval)
- Newer formulations has 24 active pills + 4 days placebo
Benefit of shorter pill-free interval?
- Reduce hormone fluctuations between cycles –> less side effects