Contraception Flashcards
What are the UKMEC levels?
UKMEC 1 = no restriction in use (minimal risk)
UKMEC 2 = benefits generally outweigh the risk
UKMEC 3 = risks generally outweigh the benefits
UKMEC 4 = unacceptable risk (contra-indicated)
What contraceptives should be avoided in breast cancer?
any hormonal
What contraceptive should be avoided in cervical or endometrial cancer?
intrauterine system
What contraceptive should be avoided in Wilson’s disease?
copper coil
Until what age can the COCP be used?
up to 50 years
Until what age can the progesterone injection be used?
up to 50 years (due to risk of osteoporosis)
How long should patients that are amenorrhoeic on progesterone-only contraception continue it?
FSH blood test results >30 IU/L on two tests taken six weeks apart - continue contraception for one more year
55 years of age
What contraceptives are UKMEC 2 for patients <20 years and why?
progestogen only injection - concerns about reduced bone mineral density
coils - higher rate of expulsion
What are the only contraceptives that offer protection against UTIs?
condoms
dental dams
How effective are condoms as contraceptives?
perfect use = 98%
typical use = 82%
What can damage condoms?
oil based lubricants
What type of condoms can be used in latex allergy?
polyurethane
How effective is natural family planning as a contraceptive?
perfect use = 95-97%
typical use = 76%
How effective is the COCP as a contraceptive?
perfect use = >99%
typical use = 91%
How effective is the progesterone-only pill as a contraceptive?
perfect use = >99%
typical use = 91%
How effective is the progesterone only injection as a contraceptive?
perfect use = >99%
typical use = 94%
How effective is the progesterone-only implant as a contraceptive?
> 99%
How effective are coils as contraceptives?
> 99%
How effect are surgical methods of contraception?
> 99%
How do diaphragms and cervical caps work?
fit over the cervix and prevent semen from entering the uterus
How should diaphragms and cervical caps be used?
fitted before sex
left in place for at least 6 hrs after sex
use with spermicide gel to further reduce the risk of pregnancy
How effective are diaphragms and cervical caps as contraceptives?
perfect use = 95%
How does the COCP prevent pregnancy?
prevents ovulation (primary mechanism of action)
progesterone thickens the cervical mucus
progesterone inhibits proliferation of the endometrium, reducing the chance of successful implantation
How does the COCP prevent ovulation?
oestrogen and progesterone have a negative feedback effect on the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary suppressing the release of GnRH, LH and FSH
What causes a withdrawal bleed when the COCP is stopped?
lining of the endometrium is maintained in a stable state while taking the COCP
when the pill is stopped, the lining of the uterus breaks down and sheds
What can cause breakthrough bleeding to occur when taking the COCP?
extended use without a pill-free period
What are the two types of COCP?
monophasic pills = contain the same amount of hormone in each pill
multiphasic pills = contain varying amounts of hormone to match the normal cyclical hormonal changes more closely
Give examples of monophasic COCP
Mircogynon
Loestrin
Cilest
Yasmin
Marvelon
What is the oestrogen in the COCP?
ethinylestradiol
What progesterone is in Microgynon?
levonorgestrel
What progesterone is in Loestrin?
norethisterone
What progesterone is in Cilest?
norgestimate
What progesterone is in Yasmin?
drospirenone
What progesterone is in Marvelon?
desogestrel
What are the first line COCP and why?
pill with levonorgestrel (e.g. Microgynon) or morethisterone (e.g. Leostrin)
lower risk of VTE
What COCPs are first line for PMS and why?
Yasmin and other COCPs containing drospirenone
drospirenone has anti-mineralocorticoid and anti-androgen activity - may help with symptoms of bloating, water retention and mood changes
What COCPs can be used for treatment of acne and hirsutism and why?
COCPs containing cyproterone acetate (e.g. Dianette, co-cyprindiol)
cyproterone acetate has an anti-androgen effect
Give examples of COCPs containing cyproterone acetate
Dianette
co-cyprindiol
Why should COCPs containing cyproterone acetate be stopped three months after acne is controlled?
oestrogenic effect means that there is a 1.5-2 times greater risk of VTE than first line COCP
What are the common regimes of the COCP?
21 days on and 7 days off
tricycling = 63 days on (three packs) and 7 days off
continuous use without a pill-free period
What are the side effects and risks associated with the COCP?
unscheduled bleeding (common in first three months and should settle with time)
breast pain and tenderness
mood changes and depression
headaches
hypertension
VTE (risk is much lower for the pill than pregnancy)
small increased risk of breast and cervical cancer - returns to normal ten years after stopping
small increased risk of MI and stroke
What are the benefits of the COCP?
effective contraception
rapid return of fertility after stopping
improvement in PMS, menorrhagia and dysmenorrhoea
reduced risk of endometrial, ovarian and colon cancer
reduced risk of benign ovarian cysts
What makes the COCP UKMEC 4?
uncontrolled hypertension (particularly >160/100)
migraine with aura (risk of stroke)
history of VTE
aged >35 years and smoking >15 cigarettes per day
major surgery with prolonged immobility
vascular disease or stroke
IHD, cardiomyopathy or AF
liver cirrhosis and liver tumours
SLE and antiphospholipid syndrome
What makes the COCP UKMEC 3?
BMI >35
When does the COCP offer protection straight away and when is additional contraception required?
protection straight away = starting on days 1-5 of cycle, switching from desogestrol (inhibits ovulation unlike traditional POPs)
7 days of extra protection (i.e. condoms) = starting after day 5 of cycle, switching from a traditional POP
When is a COCP considered missed?
more than 24 hours late (48hrs since last pill was taken)
What should be done if one COCP is missed (less than 72 hrs since last pill was taken)?
take the missed pill asap - even if this means taking two pills on the same day
no extra protection required provided other pills before and after are taken correctly
What should be done if more than one COCP is missed (more than 72 hrs since the last pill was taken)?
take the most recent missed pill asap - even if this means taking two pills on the same day
additional contraception (i.e. condoms) is needed until they have taken the pill regularly for 7 days straight
day 1-7 of packet = emergency contraception if they have had unprotected sex
day 8-14 (and day 1-7 was fully compliant) = no emergency contraception required
day 15-21 (and day 1-14 was fully compliant) = no emergency contraception is needed, should skip the pill-free period
What can reduce the effectiveness of the COCP?
vomiting
diarrhoea
(day of vomiting or diarrhoea is classed as a missed pill day as the illness may affect absorption)
How long before an operation should the COCP be stopped and why?
4 weeks
reduce the risk of thrombosis