Contraception Flashcards
When should contraception be started?
First 5 days of the menstrual cycle
can be started off at other times
What 2 hormones are included in Combined Hormonal Contraceptives (CHCs)
Ethinyl Estradiol (synthetic oestrogen) Progestogen (synthetic progesterone)
What is the usual regime for taking CHCs?
21 days taking them, then don’t take them for a week, then another 21 days…
(Tricycling regime is becoming more popular)
Give examples of contraindications of CHCs.
Previous venous/arterial thrombosis Family history of venous/arterial thrombosis BMI >34 Extensive smoking history Gall bladder disease Previous liver tumour
Give examples of types of CHCs.
Pill
Patch
Ring
What are the pros and cons of CHCs?
Pros:
Reduces menstrual bleeding
Improves acne and hirsutism
Reduces risk of ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, benign breast diseases and osteoporosis
Cons: Breast tenderness Nausea Headaches Irregular bleeding Mood changes Increased risk of VTE (DVT and PE), arterial thrombosis (MI and stroke), cervical cancer and breast cancer
What cancers do CHCs reduce and increase the risk of?
Reduces the risk of…
Ovarian cancer
Endometrial cancer
Increases the risk of…
Cervical cancer
Breast cancer
What is the usual regime for taking progesterone only contraceptives?
One pill, taken at the same time, daily
What are the different types of progesterone only contraceptives?
Desogestrel pill (best) LNG NET pills Oestorgen-free pills Injectable progesterone Sub-dermal progesterone implant
What are pros and cons of progesterone only contraceptives?
Pros:
No increased risk of VTE or arterial thrombosis (unlike CHCs)
Cons:
Increased appetite
Mood changes (mainly via progesterone implants)Increased & prolonged menstrual bleeding (mainly via progesterone implants)
Headache
Fluid retention
Reduced bone density (only via injectable progesterone)
Weight gain (only via injectable progesterone)
Delayed return to fertility (only via injectable progesterone)
What is the other name of intrauterine contraception (IUD)?
The coil
What are the 2 main types of intrauterine contraception (IUD)?
Copper IUD (most common)
Levonorgestrel IUD
(lev-on-or-ges-trel)
How do copper IUDs and levonorgestrel IUDs work?
Copper IUD:
Copper is toxic to sperm
Levonorgestrel IUD:
Affects cervical mucus
What is the most common type of emergency contraception?
Copper IUD
What are the pros and cons of IUDs?
Pros: Hormone free (copper IUD) Reduces menstrual bleeding (levonorgestrel IUD) Can be fitted at any time Little user input needed Reversible Long lasting (5-10 years) Side effects are immediately reversed once it's removed
Cons:
Heavier/crampier periods (copper IUD)
Small risk of perforation and ectopic pregnancy
