Contraception Flashcards
What are the methods of contraception?
- Combined oral contraception (COC)
- Transdermal patch
- Progesterone only pill (POP)
- Injections
- Implant
- Intrauterine copper device (IUCD)
- Intrauterine system (IUS)
- Diaphragm/cap
- Condoms
- Sterilisation
- Natural methods
What are the considerations for which type of contraception should be used?
- Age
- Medical contraindications
- Headaches
- Acne
- Sexual Hx (STI screen, cervical smears)
- Interactions
- Bleeding patterns
- Smoking
- BP
- BMI
- FHx
Contraindications of combines hormonal contraception (CHCs)?
- Migraine with aura
- VTE
- Htn
- BMI > 35
- Breast cancer
- Ischaemic heart disease
- Stroke
- Smoker > 35 years
What do CHCs protect against?
Ovarian, endometrial and colon cancer
What do CHCs increase the risk of?
Breast cancer (slightly)
What are the types of CHCs available?
Pills
Patch
Vaginal ring
Why can you not give pure oestrogen?
Because it will cause endometrial proliferation, increasing the risk of cancer
What do all CHCs contain?
Oestrogen, mostly ethinylestradiol (EE) and progestogen
What are oestrogenic side effects?
(Similar to pregnancy) o Breast tenderness o Nausea o Headaches – Exclude migraine o Vaginal discharge
What are progestogenic side effects?
o Acne, hirsutism
o Mood swings, low mood
o Breakthrough bleeding – Exclude other causes
Missed COC pill guidance?
- Can take pill up to 72 hours after the last one
- If more than that, need to use condoms for 7 days
- Assess need for Emergency Contraception (EC)
- Missed pills more risky in 1st and 3rd week
- Patch and vaginal ring = similar guidelines
- Can take pill up to 72 hours after the last one
- If more than that, need to use condoms for 7 days
- Assess need for Emergency Contraception (EC)
- Missed pills more risky in 1st and 3rd week
- Patch and vaginal ring = similar guidelines
Do antibiotics affect COCs?
No, unless liver enzyme enducers
What is a monophasic 21 day COC pill?
o Most common type
o Each pill has same amount of hormone in
o Taken for 21 days with 7 day break
What is a phasic 21 day COC pill?
o Pills contain different amounts of hormone so must be taken in correct order
o Taken for 21 days with 7 day break
What is an everyday COC pill?
o 21 pills with hormones and 7 placebo pills
o Take for 28 days without a break between packs
How do COC pills work?
inhibiting ovulation, thickening cervical mucus and thinning the endometrium to prevent blastocyst implantation
How effective is the COC pill?
99%
Pros of the COC pill?
o Non invasive
o Effective
o Regular, lighter and less painful periods
o Control timings of periods
o Improve acne
o Reduce premenstrual Sx
o Reduces risk of ovarian, uterine and colon cancer
Cons of COC pill?
o Side effects; headache, nausea, mood changes, breast tenderness
o Breakthrough bleeding and spotting
o No STI protection
o User dependent
Risks of COC pill?
o VTE
o Breast cancer
o Cervical cancer
Contraindications of COC pill?
o Pregnancy o Smoker > 35 o >35 and stopped smoking less than a year ago o BMI >35 o Migraine with aura o Breastfeeding up to 6 weeks o CVD and VTE RFx o FHx of breast cancer
Effects of sickness and diarrhoea on COC?
o Sick within 2 hours, take another when feeling better
o Severe diarrhoea >24 hours, act as if missed a pill
Interactions with COC?
o Epilepsy meds
o HIV meds
o St Johns Wort
How long after starting POP until it is effective?
48 hours
Do you need to double the dose of POP in obese women?
No
Are POPs affected by liver enzyme inducing drugs?
Yes
3 main types of POP in the UK?
o Norethisterone
o Levonorgestrel (can also be used as emergency contraception)
o Desogestrel
How do POPs work?
inhibiting ovulation, thickening cervical mucus and thinning endometrium to prevent blastocyst implantation
How effective are POPs?
99%
Pros of POPs?
o Non-invasive
o Periods can become lighter, more regular and less painful
o Useful if oestrogens contraindicated
o Safe during breastfeeding
Cons of POPs?
o Side effects; headache, nausea, mood changes or breast tenderness
o Change in periods
o No STI protection
o User dependent
Risks of POPs?
o Ovarian cysts
o Breast cancer
Contraindications of POPs?
o Pregnancy
o Breast cancer
o Severe cirrhosis
o Liver tumours
Interactions of POPs?
Epilepsy meds
HIV meds
St John’s wort
What does LARC stand for?
Long Acting Reversible Contraception
Failure rate of LARCs?
<1%
Types of LARCs
Implants
Injectables
IUDs
How long does and implant last?
3 years