Contraception Flashcards
If a child is under the age of 16 how will it be assessed whether they are suitable for contraception?
Using Fraser Competence guidelines: UPSSI
- Understand - can the child understand the risks and benefits of that contraception
- Parents - children should not be forced to tell their parents but it should be encouraged
- Sexual intercourse - you should believe the child will continue to have sexual intercourse regardless of contraception
- Suffer - you should have reason to believe the physical or mental health of the child will suffer without contraception
- Interest - you should have reason to believe that having contraception is within the child’s best interests
What age is not suitable for contraception?
UNDER THE AGE OF 13 - they are unable to consent to sexual intercourse. Any sex in people of this age group is considered criminal
How can we categorise someone’s suitability for specific contraceptive methods?
UKMEC CRITERIA UKMEC 1 = Always usable UKMEC 2 = Benefit outweigh risks UKMEC 3 = Risks outweigh benefits UKMEC 4 = Do NOT use
What are the broad categories of contraception?
Short acting reversible methods:
- The pills, patches and barrier contraception
Long acting reversible contraceptions (LARC):
- Coils, IUDs, IUSs, Implants and injectable contraceptives
Irreversible methods
- Male and female sterilisation
How effective is the combined pill at preventing pregnancy?
PERFECT USE = 0.3% of women become pregnant
TYPICAL USE = 9% of women become pregnant
How effective is the LNG IUS at preventing pregnancy?
PERFECT USE = 0.2% women become pregnant
TYPICAL USE = 0.2% women become pregnant
How effective are condoms at preventing pregnancy?
TYPICAL USE = 18% pregnancy rate
PERFECT USE = 2% pregnancy rate
What is the most effective method of contraception at preventing pregnancy?
Implant (0.05% perfect and typical use)
What is the main benefit of barrier contraceptives and when should they be encouraged?
They are the only contraceptive method that prevents against STIs (also no hormonal effect)
- Bad at preventing against pregnancy so advise use with other contraceptive method
(they also are poorly used, interrupt sex and are very user dependent)
When is it deemed to be an ‘established pregnancy’ under UK law?
When it has IMPLANTED in the uterine wall (this can happen any time between day 6-12 and usually day 9 s used)
- Therefore preventing pregnancy before this point is not legally deemed an abortion
What are the three options for emergency contraception the UK?
- LEVONORGESTREL 1500mcg
- ULIPRISTAL ACETATE 30mg
- COPPER IUD
What do you need to know from the woman before you can decide which method of EC is most suitable?
Date of LMP and when the episode of UPSI was
- need to know where she is in her cycle
How do the two oral methods of EC work (LNG and UA)?
They work by preventing ovulation and so technically won’t work after day 14.
When is EC indicated?
ANY DAY of natural menstrual cycle
From day 21 after childbirth
From day 5 after abortion, miscarriage or ectopic
When regular contraception has been compromised or used incorrectly
When should EC be offered if a woman has missed pills?
If she has missed 2 or more pills during week 1 of her packet
How does LNG EC work and how long is it effective for?
Works by inhibiting/delaying ovulation
Effective for 96 hours (4 days) but only licensed for 72hours (3 days)
NOT EFFECTIVE IF WOMAN HAS ALREADY OVULATED
When do doses of LNG need repeating?
If woman vomits in 2 hours post ingestion then consider another dose
Can LNG EC be given more than once in the same cycle?
Yes but off licence - senior decision
Who need doubles doses of LNG EC?
Women with HIV, TB and epilepsy
How does ulipristal acetate work and how effective is it compared to LNG EC?
It is a selective progesterone receptor modulator (SPRM) and it works again by inhibiting/delaying ovulation (in reality it is still given at all stages of the menstrual cycle)
It is MORE EFFECTIVE than LNG
For how long after UPSI is UPA EC effective?
120 hours (5 days) - there is little reduction in its efficacy over this time
When should a repeat dose of UPA EC be given?
If the woman vomits within 3 hours of taking
Which women will need a double dose of UPA EC?
All women with BMI >26 or who weigh >70kg
What extra advice do you need to give to women taking UPA EC about its effects?
Cannot breastfeed within 1 week of taking
Its effectiveness will be reduced if progesterone has been taken in the 7 days prior or 5 days after (COCP or Prog pill)
What is the gold standard of emergency contraception?
The copper IUD. It should be offered to any woman seeking EC (although uptake is poor)
Why is copper IUD so good at EC?
Prevents egg from implanting even if fertilised, it is also toxic to sperm and slows down passage of egg
Often convince the woman to try and keep coil in as LARC
For how long is copper IUD effective as EC?
Within 5 days of UPSI OR with 5 days of the earliest expected date of ovulation
When can copper IUD not be given?
When there has been a previous period of UPSI in the same cycle. LNG and UPA should be given here as they will not disturb an ongoing pregnancy
When giving a woman EC what should you always consider?
Ongoing contraception (hence encourage IUD)
If taking LNG she can start suitable contraception immediately
If taking UPA then wait 5 days and then can start hormonal contraception
Always give advice about barrier contraception and STIs