Contraception Flashcards
Why use contraception?
Prevent unwanted pregnancies
Space pregnancies
Prevent pregnancy when it’s dangerous or life-threatening to mother
Other Names for Emergency Contraception
Postcoital contraception
“Morning after pill”
Examples of Emergency Contraception
Plan B: levonorgestrel
Plan B One Step: levonorgestrel
Ella: ulipristal
Copper IUD
Oral Hormonal Emergency Contraception (Levonorgestrel)
No pregnancy test or exam
No medical contraindication
OTC
Effective up to 120 after event
SE of Levonorgestrel
N/V Irregular bleeding the month after treatment Dizziness Fatigue HA Breast tenderness
Emergency Contraception that Requires Precautions or Some Contraindications
Ulipristal
IUD insertion
Levonorgestrel MOA
Inhibiting or delaying ovulation
Copper IUD MOA
Interfering with fertilization or tubal transport
Prevent implantation by altering endometrial receptivity
Counseling for Emergency Contraception
Obtain pregnancy test if no menses 3-4 weeks after EC
Discuss risk of pregnancy & STIs with unprotected sex
Encourage patient to start a regular contraception method OR review correct use of current one
EC is back up, not a primary contraceptive method
Considerations for Choosing a Contraceptive Method
Efficacy (failure rate) Safety SE Convenience Cost Personal lifestyle & pattern of sexual activity Reversibility
Goals for Educating Patients
Dispel misconceptions
Review SE & risks
Compare options to maximize choice appropriate to lifestyle & ability to use correctly
Educate proper use
Distinguish between contraception & protection for STIs
Encourage patients to talke about birth control issues with partner
Patient’s personal needs change over time
Discuss EC with all patients
Categories of Contraception
Hormonal
IUD (IUC)
Barrier
Permanent
Options for Contraception Failure
Inappropriate use
Failure to use
Failure of method
Hormonal Methods of Contraception
Oral pills Transdermal patch Injections Intrauterine devices Subdermal implants Intravaginal
MOA of OCP
Suppression of GnRH
Stabilizes endometrium to minimize breakthrough bleeding
Influence of progestin
Types of Suppression of GnRH
Inhibits the LH surge
Prevents ovulation
Suppresses FSH secretion
Prevents ovarian folliculogenesis
The Influence of Progestin in OCPs
Suppress LH secretion
Suppress ovulation
Thickens cervical mucus
Creates atrophic endometrium unfavorable to implantation
Impairs normal tubal motility/peristalsis
Advantages of Newer Progestins
Less effect on carb & lipid metabolism
More effective at reducing acne & hirsutism
Higher HDL/lower LDL
Higher sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)
Greater affinity to progesterone binding sites
Reduced amenorrhea
Other Uses for OCP
Endometriosis: reduce pain
Treatment for acne or hirsutism
Treatment for heavy, painful or irregular menstrual periods
Reduce occurrence of recurrent ovarian cysts
PCOS
PMS/PMDD
Decreased risk of ovarian CA & colon CA
Decrease menstrual migraine
Reasons for High Dose Estrogen
Spotting or absence of withdrawal bleeding that can’t be managed at lower doses
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
Reduce recurrent ovarian cysts
OCP Preparation Types
Mono phasic
Multiphasic (biphasic or triphasic)
Extended cycle (withdrawal flow every 12 weeks)
Progestin-only pill
Choosing a Pill Formulation
Start with monophasic
Perimenopausal women: lower estradiol pill
Consider androgenic influence of progestin
Breastfeeding women: progesterone only pill
Education for Patients on OCP
When to start pill
Take at same time everyday
Miss 1 pill: take ASAP
Miss 2 pills: double up for 2 days
High risk if next cycle not started on time
Nausea in first days
Notify office if: severe/frequent HA, SOB, chest pain, or edema
Menses shorter, lighter, with less cramping
Contraceptive Patch
Change every 7 days for 3 weeks; then 1 week off
Delivers constant medication
Vaginal Ring
Delivers medication for 3 weeks intravaginally
Remove 1 week, then insert new one
Falls out: rinse with water & reinsert
Absolute Contraindications for Estrogen Contraception
Hx of thromboembolic event, stroke, or known thrombogenic mutation Known CVD, cardiomyopathy, BP 160/100 or greater, complicated valvular HD SLE with positive antibodies Women 35+ who smoke Migraines with aura Women 35+ with migraines Hx of cholestatic jaundice Hepatic CA or benign adenoma Active liver disease or severe cirrhosis Breast CA First 21 days postpartum Undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding
Careful Consideration prior to Estrogen Contraception
HTN Anticonvulsant therapy Migraines without aura DM Hx of bariatric surgery with malabsorptive procedure Psychotic depression Ulcerative colitis Obese
Hormone Contraceptive SE
Nausea/bloating Breast tenderness Spotting/break through bleeding Amenorrhea Fatigue Headache Depression/moodiness Decreased libido
Early SE of Hormone Contraceptives
Bloating
Nausea
Breast tenderness
Mood changes
Most Common SE of Hormone Contraception
Breakthrough bleeding
When should you try a preparation with more estrogen?
Instances of amenorrhea
SE of Excess Estrogen
H/V Bloating/edema Hypertension Migraine headache Breast tenderness Decreased libido Weight gain Heavy menstrual flow Leukorrhea
SE of Estrogen Deficiency
Early cycle spotting
Breakthrough bleeding
Amenorrhea
Vaginal dryness
SE of Excess Progestin
Acne Increased appetite/weight gain Fatigue HTN Depression Hirsutism Vaginal yeast infections
SE of Deficient Progestin
Late breakthrough bleeding
Amenorrhea
Heavy menstrual flow
Risks with Estrogen-Progestin Contraception
CVD HTN: mild elevation Stroke: ischemic (low risk) Carb & Lipid Metabolism Venous Thromboembolic disease Increased incidence of cholilithiasis Breast CA Cervical CA
Risk of Ischemic Stroke with Estrogen-Progestin Contraception
Extremely low risk
Estrogen dose dependent
Other factors: smoking, older age, HTN, migraine with aura, obesity, prothrombotic mutations
Carbohydrate & Lipid Metabolism
Mild insulin resistance
Estrogen: serum triglycerides & HDL increase, LDL decrease
Progestin: decrease HDL, increase LDL
Venous Thromboembolic Disease & Estrogen-Progestin Contraception
Dose dependent
Risk varies with type of progestin
Older & obese women at greater risk
Hormonal Contraceptive Drug Interactions that may Decrease OCP Efficacy
Phenobarbitol Phenytoin Cabamazepine Barbituates Griesofulvin Primidone Topiramate Oxcarbazepine St. John's Wart
Hormonal Contraceptive Drug Interactions that don’t have an Effect on Metabolism
Gabapentin
Lamotrigine
Levitiracetam
Tiagabine
What antimicrobial decreases the effectiveness of OCPs?
Rifampicin
Progestin Only Mehtods
Depo medroxyprogesteron acetate (DMPA or DepoProvera)
Progestin implant
Progestin IUD (Mirena, Skyla)
MOA of Progestin Only Methods
Inhibition of gonadotropin secretion Inhibition of follicular maturation & ovulation Thickens cervical mucus Creates thin, atrophic endometrium Ovum transport slowed
Individuals with Progestin Only or Not Hormonal Contraception
Breast feeding Hepatic disease: acute viral hepatitis, hepatocellular adenoma, liver CA, severe cirrhosis, symptomatic, gallbladder disease, cholestasis Post-partum: first weeks Age 35+ & smoker or HTN Hx of DVT/PE/retinal artery occlusion Anticipated major surgery Migraines with aura: any age Migraines without aura: 35+ or