Contraception Flashcards
What are the legalities of pregnancy termination?
- Legal up to 24w, or for medical reason (e.g. fetal issue incompatible with life) no limit
- Form signed by 2 doctors
- Abortion Act 1967 + HFE Act 1990
- If <16 can consent if Gillick competent, but bear in mind Sexual Offences Act 2003
Indications for TOP?
Risk to mother too great, prevent harm to mental/physical health of mother, risk of serious disability in child or maternal choice
How is TOP carried out?
- Surgical: cervix dilated to the equivalent week of gestation in mm, conceptus removed by curretage/suction/forceps (later), usually done under GA. Can insert coil or do tubal ligation at the same time
- Medical: usually from 14w onwards. Oral progesterone antagonist (mifepristone) then buccal/vaginal misoprostol (prostaglandin analogue) 36-48h later. Before 7w medical is safer than surgical
What are the potential complications of TOP?
- Early: bleeding, uterine perforation, cervix laceration, retained POC, incomplete termination, sepsis, DIC
- Late: infertility, cervical incompetence, isoimmunisation (so give anti-D if RhD neg), psychological comps (esp in later)
What are the Fraser guidelines vs Gillick competence??
- Fraser guidelines: specifically about contraceptive advice (inc TOP) in <16. Can do this as long as young person will understand it, they cannot be persuaded to inform their parents (which would be more ideal), they’re likely to begin/continue sexual intercourse even if you don’t give contraception, unless they receive contraception their mental/physical health are likely to suffer, and that their best interests require them to receive contraceptive adv/treatment with or without parental consent
- Gillick competence -term in medical law in England, used to decide whether a child (<16) can consent to medical treatment without parental consent - test if they have sufficient understanding of the proposed treatment inc purpose nature risk + likely effects, chances of success and the other available options (confusion cos it was brought about around a case about contraception)
Barrier contraception
Stop sperm + egg meeting. Male or female condom, diaphragm (rubber with a metal frame to cover cervix), cervical caps (sit directly over cervix)
- Pros: reduce STI transmission, only CI is latex allergy
- Cons: perfect use rarely achieved, can reduce sensitivity, diaphragm needs planning for correct size + you use spermicide which can irritate vagina
How does the COCP work?
Contains O+P - negative feedback on HP axis stops LH surge - prevents ovulation; also reduces endometrial receptivity to implantation + thickens cervical mucus
Tends to make menses lighter/less painful/more regular, reduces size of ovarian cysts, reduces the risk of ovarian + endometrial cancer
Needs monitoring - depends how long been on but usually 6m BMI + BP + issues check, also use time to offer LARC
What are the possible s/es of the COCP?
Breast tenderness, breakthrough bleeding, mood disturbance, weight gain, hypertension
What interactions are possible with the COCP?
CYP inducers - rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, topiramate, St John’s Wort, anti-retrovirals
What are the contraindications to the COCP?
Migraine with aura, BMI > 35, breastfeeding, smoking >35, HTN, personal/FH of VTE, prolonged immobility, complications of DM, breast cancer, primary liver tumours
Patch contraception
Put on skin, changed every 7d over 3w then 7d off. Same mechanism as COCP
Vaginal ring
O+P put in vagina, delivers a daily amount for 21d then remove for 7d. Same mechanism as COCP
How does the POP work?
Lower dose of progesterone that is taken daily - thickens cervical mucus + thins endometrium to inhibit implantation, desogestrel form also often inhibits ovulation
What are the side effects of the POP?
Irregular bleeding (4/10), amenorrhoea (2/10), altered mood, breast+skin changes, reduced libido, weight gain, 30% higher risk of ovarian cysts, small increased risk of breast cancer
How is the COCP taken?
21d + 7d break (can omit break) / 28d continuous which includes placebo, usually monophasic i.e each pill same concentration
Start at any point in cycle, if on D1 works straight away, if after D5 need barrier for 7d