Contraception Flashcards
What is contraception?
Prevention of pregnancy.
What are the main contraceptive methods?
Hormonal, barrier, surgical, fertility-based, emergency.
What are hormonal contraceptives?
Pills, patches, injections, implants, rings, IUDs.
What are barrier methods?
Condoms, diaphragm, cervical cap, sponge, spermicides.
What are surgical methods?
Tubal ligation, vasectomy.
What is fertility-awareness contraception?
Tracking ovulation and avoiding intercourse on fertile days.
How effective is vasectomy?
0.1% failure rate.
How do combined oral contraceptives (COCs) work?
Suppress ovulation, thicken mucus, alter endometrium.
What are the benefits of COCs?
Stronger bones, less anemia, lower cancer risk, better acne.
What are the risks of COCs?
VTE, stroke, MI, gallbladder disease, possible cancer risk.
What drugs reduce COC effectiveness?
Rifampin, anticonvulsants, some antibiotics.
What are COC contraindications?
Hypertension, breast cancer, heart disease, smoking >35y.
How do progestin-only contraceptives work?
Suppress ovulation, thicken mucus, thin endometrium.
What are the benefits of progestin-only methods?
Less bleeding, reduced cramps, fewer PMS symptoms.
What are the side effects of progestin-only methods?
Irregular bleeding, headache, acne, bloating.
How does the copper IUD work?
Prevents fertilization, affects sperm mobility.
What are the benefits of the copper IUD?
Non-hormonal, long-term, highly effective.
What is lactational amenorrhea?
Breastfeeding suppresses ovulation for up to 6 months.
What is emergency contraception?
Prevents pregnancy after unprotected sex.
How do emergency contraceptive pills work?
Prevent ovulation and implantation.
What are the types of intrauterine devices (IUDs)?
Copper IUD, hormonal IUD.
How does the levonorgestrel IUD work?
Thickens mucus, inhibits ovulation, alters endometrium.
What are the benefits of the hormonal IUD?
Less bleeding, reduced cramps, protects endometrium.
What are the side effects of the hormonal IUD?
Irregular bleeding, acne, headache, breast tenderness.
How long does the copper IUD last?
Up to 10 years.
What is a tubal ligation?
Permanent sterilization by blocking fallopian tubes.
What is a vasectomy?
Surgical disruption of the vas deferens to prevent sperm release.
How long does it take for a vasectomy to be effective?
About 3 months or 20 ejaculations.
What is the mechanism of barrier methods?
Physically block sperm from reaching the egg.
How does a male condom help prevent STDs?
Acts as a barrier against infections like HIV, HPV.
What is a female condom?
A pouch inserted in the vagina to block sperm.
What is a diaphragm?
A latex barrier placed over the cervix before intercourse.
What must be used with a diaphragm?
Spermicidal jelly.
How long should a diaphragm stay in place after intercourse?
At least 6 hours, but no more than 24.
What is a cervical cap?
A small latex cap that fits over the cervix with suction.
What are spermicides?
Chemicals that kill sperm, used with barrier methods.
How effective are spermicides alone?
Around 76%, better with condoms.
What is withdrawal (coitus interruptus)?
Removing the penis before ejaculation.
Why is withdrawal not reliable?
Pre-ejaculate may contain sperm.
What is the only 100% effective contraceptive method?
Abstinence.
What is lactational amenorrhea method (LAM)?
Breastfeeding suppresses ovulation.
What are the conditions for LAM to be effective?
Exclusive breastfeeding, no periods, baby <6 months old.
What is emergency contraception used for?
Preventing pregnancy after unprotected sex.
What are the types of emergency contraception?
Pills (levonorgestrel, ulipristal), copper IUD.
How soon should emergency contraceptive pills be taken?
Within 72 hours (preferably ASAP).
How does ulipristal acetate work?
Prevents ovulation, delays egg release.
Which emergency contraceptive is most effective?
Copper IUD.
What are the benefits of hormonal contraceptives?
Regulates periods, reduces cramps, improves acne.
What are the side effects of hormonal contraceptives?
Nausea, weight gain, mood changes, breast tenderness.
What are the risks of hormonal contraception?
Blood clots, stroke, heart disease (esp. in smokers).
What is depo-provera?
A progestin-only contraceptive injection.
How long does depo-provera last?
About 3 months.
What is a major side effect of depo-provera?
Irregular bleeding, weight gain, delayed fertility return.
What is Implanon/Nexplanon?
A progestin implant inserted under the skin.
How long does the contraceptive implant last?
Up to 3 years.
What is a contraceptive patch?
A skin patch that releases hormones.
How often is the contraceptive patch changed?
Once a week for 3 weeks, then 1 patch-free week.
What is the vaginal ring?
A flexible ring inserted into the vagina that releases hormones.
How often is the vaginal ring replaced?
Every 3 weeks.
What is the most effective reversible contraceptive?
Implants and IUDs.
What is the main mechanism of action of the copper IUD?
Prevents fertilization by affecting sperm movement.
How does the copper IUD prevent pregnancy?
Releases copper ions toxic to sperm and eggs.
What is a non-contraceptive benefit of the copper IUD?
Can be used as emergency contraception.
What are common side effects of the copper IUD?
Heavier periods, cramping, spotting.
What are contraindications for IUD use?
Active pelvic infection, pregnancy, unexplained bleeding.
What is the Yuzpe method?
Emergency contraception using high-dose combined OCPs.
What are the risks of using the Yuzpe method?
Nausea, vomiting, less effective than other methods.
What are fertility awareness-based methods?
Tracking ovulation to avoid intercourse on fertile days.
What is basal body temperature (BBT) tracking?
Measuring temperature to predict ovulation.
What is the cervical mucus method?
Observing mucus changes to determine fertility.
What is the standard days method?
Avoiding sex on days 8-19 of a 28-day cycle.
What is the two-day method?
Checking cervical mucus for two consecutive days to detect fertility.
Why is communication important in contraception?
Ensures both partners agree and use methods correctly.
What factors affect contraceptive choice?
Age, health, lifestyle, effectiveness, side effects.
What is dual protection in contraception?
Using condoms + another method for STI and pregnancy prevention.
Why do hormonal contraceptives help with endometriosis?
Suppress ovulation and reduce menstrual flow.
What is a common non-contraceptive use of COCs?
Treatment of acne and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
What is the main risk of tubal ligation failure?
Ectopic pregnancy.
What should be done after a vasectomy?
Use backup contraception until sperm count is zero.
Why should spermicide not be used alone?
Low effectiveness, better with other barrier methods.
