Contraception Flashcards
How many pregnancies are unplanned?
40 - 60% of pregnancies are unplanned
How many unintended preganncies end in abortion?
50% of unintended pregnancies end in abortion
Abortion Rates
Approximately 1/3 of individuals have had at least one induced abortion
What are the two phases of the menstrual cycle? When do they start?
FOllicular Phase
Luteal Phase
The follicular phase is from the start of menstruation to the moment of ovulation. The luteal phase is from the moment of ovulation to the start of menstruation (the final 14 days of the cycle).
How long is the luteal phase?
Always 14 days long –> 14 days from the start of menstruation
Describe the menstrual cycle
- Hypothalamus release Gonadotropin releasing hormone which causes anterior pituitary to release FSH and LH
- Days 1-4: Increase FSH. FSH stimulates 15-20 primordial follicles in the ovary to start dveloping. As they develop, granulosa cells surrounding them secrete estrogen.
Days 5-7 - One follicle dominant
- Estrogen causes negative feedback onto the anterior pituatary and hypothalamus. As estrogen rises, LH and FSH release are supressed. Stops menstrual flow
Stimulates thickening of endometrial lining
↑ production of thin, watery cervical mucus - Prior to ovulation, estrogen levels drop as follicle is getting to release the ovum. There is a spike in LH that causes the follicles to reach the surface of the ovary and release the ovum. Consistently high estrogen levels stimulate the pituitary to release a mid-cycle surge of LH.
- Luteal Phase. Follicle that released ovum collapses and becomes corpus luteum. The corpus luteum secretes high levels of progesterone and little estrogen and androgens. Progesterone maintains negative feeddback to stop LH and FSH production.
- If ovum fertilized occurs, fetus secretes HCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin) to keep corteus luteum alive.
- If not fertilized, corpeus luteum degenerates and stops producing estrogen and progesterone. This drop removes negative feedback to hypothalamus and pituatary and levels of FSH levels rise again and cycle is restarted (release GnrH). Also, triggers endometrium to break down and mentsrutaion occurs.
What is the main job of FSH and LH?
FSH - Stimulates dvelopment of follicles
LH- Causes ovulation
What is estrogen?
Sex steroid hormone that acts on estrogen receptors to promote female secondary sexual charcteristics
- Develop the breast tissue, vulva, vagina and uterus around puberty
- Development of endometrium
- Cause mucous in cervix to thin so sperm can penetrate it around the time of ovulation
What is progesterone?
Steroid sex hormone
- Produced by corpus luteum after ovulation
- If preganancy occurs, the placenta takes over production of progesterone around 5-10 weeks of preganncy
What does progesterone do?
- Act on same tissues as previously acted on by estrogen:
i) Thickening and maintain endometrium
ii) Thicken cervical mucous
iii) Cause slight increase in body temp
What is menstruation?
Starts on Day 1 of cycle
- Superficial and middle layers of endometrium seperate from basal layer of endometrium
- Tissue broken down in uterus and released through cervix and vagina
- FLuid containing blood released from vagina and lasts 1 to 8 days
Main role of GnRH
Stimulates pituitary to release FSH and LH
MAin role of FSH
Stimulates maturation of follicles in ovaries
Main role of estrogen
Stimulates thickening of the endometrium (uterine lining)
Suppresses FSH (negative feedback)
Signals LH
Main role of LH
Triggers ovulation
Main role of progesterone
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)
How long is an average menstrual cycle?
Average cycle is 28 days (range 21-40 days)
What is day 1 of the cycle?
Day 1 of cycle = first day of period (menses)
Describe hormone changes in menstrual cycle
When does ovulation occur?
28-32 hours after LH surge
What are the methods of contraception?
Hormonal
Barrier
Permanent
Natural family planning
What are the componenets of hormonal contracpetions?
Estrogen:
Ethinyl estradiol (EE)
–> Synthetic form of estradiol
–> Most common form
Estetrol (approved in Canada in 2021)
–> Plant source
Progestins (NOT progesterone; synthetic form that acts on estrogen receptors)
Numerous options:
–> Synthetic hormones that activate progesterone receptors
Structurally similar to testosterone
–> Androgenic effects (acne, oily skin, hirsutism)
Anti-androgenic:
–> Cyproterone acetate –> Diane-35 –> used for acne in Canada –> works as birth control, but not indicated in Canada
–> Drosperinone
MOA of Hormonal COntraceptions.What does each hormonal drug do?
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 to implantation)
How can hormonal contraception be delivered?
Oral (the Pill)
Injectable
Transdermal
Intravaginal
Intrauterine (hormonal and non-hormonal options)
Implantable
What are the categories of hormonal contraception?
Combined
Pill
Patch
Ring
Progestin-only
Pill
Injection - depo
Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) – 3-10 years
IUS/IUD
Implant
What are combined oral contraceptions?
Combination of estrogen and progestin
Types/doses of estrogen and progestin vary between products
What are the types of oral combined contraception dosing?
Cyclic
Extended Dosing
Continous Dosing
What is cyclic dosing?
Combined oral contraceptives originally developed to mimic 28-day cycle
21 days of active drug + 7 placebo days (hormone free interval; HFI)
Packs may or may not contain 7 placebo tablets
24 days of active drug + 4 days HFI
24 days of active drug + 2 days EE + 2 days HFI
What are the formulations of cyclic regimens?
Monophasic – fixed levels of EE and progestin
Biphasic – fixed EE levels; ↑ progestin in 2nd phase
Triphasic – fixed or variable EE levels; ↑ progestin in all 3 phases
Different colours of pills for different strengths
Multiphasic products
–> Attempt to imitate the normal menstrual cycle – higher proportion of progestin to EE in second half of cycle
What is the difference in the formulations of cyclic dosing in regards to tolerability?
No difference in efficacy, bleeding patterns, or adverse effects
What is extended dosing?
> 1 “cycle” of active pills then HFI
84 days of active drug + 7 days EE (low does ethanol estradoiol) (10mcg) or HFI
What is continous dosing? What do we prefer here?
Uninterrupted, no HFI
Can use any product (<50mcg EE) for continuous dosing (oral, transdermal, vaginal)
Even multiphasic products (according to SOGC)
No products in Canada over 35 mcg
Better if monophasic –> Constant levels of the same dose of hormones, less s/e due to less changing hormones
What is the difference between cyclic, extended and continous dosing?
No difference in efficacy or short-term adverse effects between cyclic and extended/continuous dosing.
Less risk of ovulation occurring (most missed doses are the beginning of the pack on time)
Risk of pregnancy is the highest –> Hormone has been gone for more than 7 days so brain starts process for FSH
How should a combined OC be started?
Most effective if started on Day 1 (first day of period) and taken daily at the same time daily
Start on the first Sunday after period starts
Avoids a weekend period –> May help with that
Quick start – start any day of cycle
When intitiating a combined OC, what is critical to counsel on?
If not starting on Day 1, then use back-up birth control method (e.g. condom) for first 7 days
Takes 7 days of continuous pill use to suppress ovulation
NEEDS TO BE ON BOARD FOR 7 DAYS
What is the biggest risk of combined OC?
Typical use: 3-8% failure rate
Forgetting to take pill or taking it late (>24 hours apart)
Starting pack late –> Biggest risk
What if a combined OC is missed?
Depends on where they are in the cycle
- Look at the monograph of the drug (if miss pill in week 1 more important than week 2 or 3)
NEED TO ASK: HAVE YOU HAD UNPROTECTED SEX IN THE LAST 5 DAYS? –> WHERE WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION
What are some initial potential a/e of the combined OC?
Common in first 3 months of starting pill:
Breakthrough bleeding (BTB) (Spotting – Not a full on period)
–> Check adherence
–> If lasts >6 months look for other causes (STIs) – check at how they are taking the pill, if forgetting, different times
–> Change to pill with ↑ estrogen/progestin (depending when BTB occurs in cycle)
Breast tenderness
–> If lasts longer than first 3 months, look for other causes
Change to pill with ↓ estrogen
Nausea
Take at HS or with food
Change to pill with ↓ estrogen
Weight gain (controversial)
Some notice ↑ appetite in first month, but overall little or minimal weight gain
Remember weight fluctuates with age and water retention
Headache or migraine
Can be hormone-related
Can either ↓ or ↑ with use
Mood changes – Depression
–> Observational study
Acne
Can worsen initially…but…
Usually improves with long-term use
Several OC have official indications for acne…but all combined OC can be beneficial
–> Lowers amount of endogenous androgens produced or (bio)available (androgens stimulate sebum production → acne)
If a continued problem, change to pill with ↓ androgenic activity
Or use topical therapy
Boys Beat No Women Having Menstrual Anger
What are some potential benefits of the combined OC?
Simple and effective birth control
Improve menstrual symptoms and regularity
–> Reduces dysmenorrhea and ovulation pain
–> Reduces PMS symptoms
Decreases incidence of:
Endometriosis
Endometrial cancers
Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cysts
Osteoporosis (↑ bone density)
Acne and hirsutism
What are the potemtial risks of combined OC?
Contraceptive failure
Especially if missed pills with <20mcg estrogen (less s/e; however, need good adherence)
Venous thromboembolism (VTE)
Risk is 2-3x higher than in non-users
Risk ↑ with age, smoking, ↑ estrogen dose
Controversy whether drospirenone increases risk
MI and stroke (arterial thrombosis)
↑ risk associated with estrogen >50mcg day, age >35 years, smoking, HTN and other CVD risks
What are the early signs of risks of combined OC?
A – Abdominal pain (severe)
Gallbladder, pancreatitis, thrombosis
C – Chest pain (severe) or shortness of breath
Pulmonary embolus or myocardial infarction
H – Headaches (severe)
Stroke, hypertension, migraine
E – Eye problems (blurring, flashing, vision loss)
Stroke, hypertension, vascular insufficiency
S – Severe leg pain (calf or thigh)
DVT
What risks were shown in observational studies with combined OC?
Breast cancer
Suggested there is an increased risk of 1.3 times
Risk may return to baseline within 10 years of discontinuation
Cervical cancer
Suggested increase risk of 1.5 times with long-term use (>5 years)
But may be associated with early sexual activity and number of sexual partners
Combined OC D.I.
Drugs that reduce the enterohepatic circulation of oral contraceptives (antibiotics effect the reabsorption of BC pills that make them less effective - not totally true)
Drugs that induce the metabolism of oral contraceptives - works less
Drugs that have their metabolism altered by oral contraceptives
Are antibiotics a drug interaction of combined OC?
NO INTERACTION
What are some drugs that induce metabolism of combined OC? How can they be managed?
CPY450 3A4 inducers
Anticonvulsants (carbamezapine, phenytoin)
Anti-infectives (rifampin)
Herbals (St John’s wort)
Management:
Use product with higher estrogen levels (>30ug EE)
Use extended dosing (skip HFIs)
Use alternative to interacting drug or other method of birth control
What drugs metabolism is altered by combined OC? Management?
Metabolism altered by oral contraceptives
Lamotrigine (significantly ↓ levels – induction of lamotrigine glucuronidation)
Management
Use alternative to interacting drug or other method of birth control
C.I. of Combined OC
Thromboembolic disease
Current or past VTE
Hypertension (>160/100mmHg)
Ischemic heart disease / Stroke
Known or suspected breast cancer
Migraine with aura
Severe / active liver disease
Post-partum
–> Wait least 3-6 weeks post-partum b/c increased risk of VTE
Smokers (>15 cigs/day)
Over 35 years old
What is the transdermal contraception?
Transdermal patch (Evra®)
0.6mg ethinyl estradiol + 6.0mg norelgestromin
Average daily release of 35ug ethinyl estradiol + norelgestromin 200ug
Efficacy:
Typical use: failure rate = 8%
How should the patch be administered?
Apply patch on Day 1
No back-up method needed
Apply first Sunday
Use back-up method for 7 days