Contraception Flashcards
What are the Canadian rates of birth in 2023?
10.1 births per 1000
-SK: 11.9 births per 1000 (2022)
What is the average maternal age at first birth?
~30 years
What is the percentage of pregnancies that are unplanned?
40-60%
->180,700 per year
-~50% of unintended pregnancies end in abortion
-approximately 1/3 of individuals have had at least one induced abortion
What are the 5 hormones involved in the menstrual cycle?
GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone)
FSH (follicle stimulating hormone)
estrogen (predominantly estradiol)
LH (luteinizing hormone)
progesterone
What is the role of GnRH in the menstrual cycle?
stimulates pituitary to release FSH and LH
What is the role of FSH in the menstrual cycle?
stimulates maturation of follicles in ovaries
What is the role of estrogen in the menstrual cycle?
stimulates thickening of endometrium (uterine lining)
suppresses FSH (negative feedback)
signals LH
What is the role of LH in the menstrual cycle?
triggers ovulation
What is the role of progesterone in the menstrual cycle?
produced by the corpus luteum (mass of cells resulting from the ruptured follicle when the ovum is released)
makes the endometrium favourable for implantation
signals the hypothalamus and pituitary to stop FSH and LH production (negative feedback)
What is the average cycle length?
average is 28 days (range 21-40 days)
What is day 1 of the cycle?
first day of period (menses)
Describe the follicular phase.
day 1:
-first day of period
days 1-4:
-increases in FSH (follicle grows/develops)
days 5-7:
-one follicle becomes dominant
-starts producing estrogen (estradiol)
–>stops menstrual flow
–>stimulates thickening of endometrial lining
–>increased production of thin, watery cervical mucus
What does consistently high estrogen levels cause?
stimulates the pituitary to release a mid-cycle surge of LH
LH=follicle maturation and triggers ovulation
When does ovulation occur?
~28-32 hours after LH surge
typically around day 14 of a regular cycle
Describe the luteal phase.
14 days long
released ovum travels through fallopian tubes to the uterus
if no implantation:
-corpus luteum deteriorates and stops producing progesterone
if implantation occurs:
-corpus luteum continues to produce progesterone but that function is ultimately taken over by the placenta
What is the corpus luteum?
“left over” follicle
produces androgens, estrogen, and progesterone
progesterone provides negative feedback to stop FSH and LH production
maintains endometrial lining
Describe the transition back from the luteal phase to the follicular phase.
as progesterone levels decrease
-endometrial lining is shed (menstruation)
-low progesterone and estrogen levels stimulate release of GnRH
What are the four methods of contraception?
hormonal
barrier
permanent
natural family planning
What are the two components of hormonal contraceptives?
estrogen
progestins
What are the two forms of estrogen that can be in hormonal contraceptives?
ethinyl estradiol (EE)
-synthetic form of estradiol
-most common form
estetrol
-plant source
What are progestins structurally similar to?
testosterone
-androgenic effects (acne, oily skin, hirsutism)
Which progestins are anti-androgenic?
cyproterone acetate (Diane-35)
drosperinone
What is the MOA of hormonal contraceptives?
estrogen and progestin provide negative feedback which inhibits ovulation
estrogen:
-suppresses release of FSH
progestin:
-suppresses release of LH and FSH
-thickens cervical mucus (impedes sperm transport)
-changes endometrial lining (not hospitable for implantation)
What are the routes of administration for hormonal contraception?
oral (the Pill)
injectable
transdermal
intravaginal
intrauterine (hormonal and non-hormonal options)
implantable