Contraception Flashcards
What percentage of U.S. women of reproductive age are sexually active but don’t want to become pregnant?
70% (43 million women).
How long does the average U.S. woman use contraception?
Approximately 30 years.
What is the difference between contraceptive efficacy and effectiveness?
Efficacy: Likelihood of unintended pregnancy even when the method is used consistently and as prescribed.
Effectiveness: Includes unintended pregnancies due to inconsistent or incorrect use of the method.
What is LARC?
Long-acting reversible contraception prevents pregnancy for extended periods with no user effort, including intrauterine devices (IUDs) and subdermal implants.
What are the most effective methods of contraception?
LARC methods.
What are the types of IUDs available in the U.S.?
Copper IUD: Non-hormonal, lasts up to 10 years.
Levonorgestrel IUDs (LNG): Includes Mirena, Liletta, Kyleena, and Skyla, lasting 3-5 years.
How does the copper IUD work?
It creates a sterile inflammatory response in the uterus to prevent pregnancy.
What is the progestin implant?
A single-rod subdermal implant releasing etonogestrel for up to 3 years.
How soon does ovulation return after removing the implant?
Within 6 weeks.
What are the two types of permanent contraception?
Female sterilization (tubal occlusion): Blocks fallopian tubes.
Male sterilization (vasectomy): Cuts or blocks the vas deferens.
What are the two types of hormonal contraceptive methods?
Progestin-only methods.
Combined methods (progestin + estrogen).
What are the forms of combined hormonal contraception?
Combined oral contraceptives (COCs), the contraceptive patch, and the vaginal ring.
How are COCs classified?
Monophasic: Constant hormone dosage.
Multiphasic: Hormone dosage varies (biphasic, triphasic, or quadphasic).
What are the benefits of COCs?
Regulate menstrual cycles and manage abnormal bleeding patterns.
Who are progestin-only methods recommended for?
Women who cannot take estrogen.
What are the types of progestin-only methods?
Progestin-only pills (mini-pills), injection (Depo-Provera), implant, and progestin IUDs.
What methods are used for emergency contraception?
Pills: Levonorgestrel (LNG), ulipristal acetate (UPA), or Yuzpe method.
Copper IUD: Most effective but rarely used for emergency contraception.
Within how many hours must emergency contraception be used?
Within 120 hours (5 days) of unprotected intercourse.
What are examples of nonhormonal contraceptive methods?
Physiologic methods: Abstinence, coitus interruptus, lactational amenorrhea, fertility awareness.
Barrier methods: Male and female condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps, sponges, and spermicides.
Which barrier methods also protect against STIs?
Male condoms, female condoms, and to some extent, diaphragms.
Why is a reproductive life plan important?
It helps clarify goals and promotes consistent use of contraception.
What is a significant downside of hormonal contraceptives?
They do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
