Contraception Flashcards
What are 5 main reasons for starting contraception?
- Avoid pregnancy
- Period control e.g. haemorrhagia
- Acne control
- Management of polycystic ovaries
- Prevent STDs (barrier only)
What are 9 areas of the gynaecological history that should be explored when starting contraception?
- Why they’re starting contraception and what they hope to get out of it
- Menstrual cycle: is it regular/prolonged, ⇒ some can help improve but can make it worse
- Irregular bleeding e.g. post-coital menstrual bleeding; can be a sign of STIs, if put coil in can cause pelvic inflammatory disease. Could also symbolise gyaencological cancer which could be worsened by some contraceptives
- Age: young (<16y), is she competent? As she gets older will increase risk of other medical problems, particularly with oestrogen containing contraceptives
- Any contraception already used, what they like/ don’t like
- Past pregnancies, particularly ectopic as some progesterone only can increase risk of ectopics
- Past pregnancies can also make putting coil in a bit easier (but not essential)
- What thinking about for future - want to get pregnant soon or never at all? Help decision
- Unprotected sex recently - STI risk
Is smoking a contraindication for taking the pill? What 3 things does it depend on?
Answer depends on
- woman’s age
- how much she smokes
- which pill she is on
Which type of ‘pill’ causes an increased risk of thromboembolic events?
Oestrogen-containing i.e. combined pills
When is smoking a contraindication for using the combined contraceptive pill?
If patient is >35 years, smokes >15 cigarettes a day
What steps should be taken if the patient is over 35 and smokes LESS than 15 a day?
Consider other contraceptives before the combined pill, only offer it if there is nothing else
What should you consider about the COCP if a patient is under 35 and smokes?
Still advise other contraceptives but the risks are less
What are 12 important medical conditions to ask about in in patient’s own history and family history when starting contraception?
- Breast cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Endometrial cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Epilepsy
- Stroke
- Migraine
- STIs
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver tumours, Gallbladder disease/ cholestasis
- IBD
- Rheumatic disease: RA, SLE, positive antiphospholipid antibodies
What are the definitions of UKMEC 1-4?
UK Medical Eligibility Criteria; score out of 4
- 1 = no restriction of use
- 2 = the advantages generally outweigh any risk
- 3 = risks often outweight the advantages of this method; consider another one
- 4 = method has unacceptable risk therefore should not be used
What are 3 examples of UKMEC 4 situations i.e. unacceptable choice of contraception?
- COCP and surgery with prolonged immobilisation - increased risk of thromboembolic events
- COCP and migraine with aura - increased risk of CVA
- Coil and untreated chlamydia - risk of pelvic inflammatory disease
What are 4 things to think about that might make it easier to take a focused history to make sure the patient doesn’t have contraindications to any contraceptives without asking every problem?
- Whether patient already knows which contraceptive she does or doesn’t want, to reduce number of CIs to rule out
- Medical problems you must ask about regardless of contraceptive
- Medical problems that are only imporant for specific contraceptives
- Could give pre-reading in a leaflet or online such as Family Planning Association link, ask to come back if she is happy to do this
What are the 2 most important examinations to perform before prescribing a patient hormonal medications i.e. contraceptive?
- BMI
- Blood pressure
What are 2 examinations in addition to BP and BMI to consider performing if the patient is thinking about using the coil?
- Taking swabs
- Pelvic examination
What is another reason to perform swabs and pelvic examination, in addition to a patient considering the coil?
Abnormal bleeding which needs to be investigated before starting any contraception
Overall what are 6 procedures/ examinations to consider when starting women on contraception?
- Blood pressure
- BMI
- Swabs
- Pelvic examination
- Check up to date with smears/ cervical screening if >25y, ask to book with practice nurse if overdue - won’t delay contraception as long as asymptomatic
- Breast exam could be offered but not routine
If a patient has no contraindications for any types of contraception, what 6 questions can be used to narrow down the options to offer?
- Is there a contraceptive that she is most interested in?
- Does she have period problems or acne that she would also like controlling?
- What are her future plans for children?
- How good is she at remembering to take medications?
- What are her thoughts about having an injection or an implant?
- What are her thoughts about bleeding?
Why is it helpful to ask women looking for a contraceptive about period problems or acne?
Progesterone only medications may make periods worse initially and may make spots worse
Why is it helpful to ask women looking for contraception about future plans for children?
In the next few years, a shorter acting contraceptive such as the pill or copper IUD might be better so her fertility returns quickly
Why is it helpful to ask women looking for contraception about having an injection or implant?
Might be squeamish or have heard horror stories; worth exploring so she can make an informed decision
Why is it helpful to ask women looking for contraception about their thoughts on bleeding?
Some women want to have a regular bleed to feel ‘normal’ so COCP would be better, others would prefer never to have a period again
Some contraceptives cause irregular bleeding
What are 2 examples of contraceptives that reduce flow of period bleeding/ can stop period?
A Long-Acting Contraceptive or desogestrel (progesterone only pill) e.g. Cerazette
Note other progesterone only pills unlikely to stop periods and may give irregular bleeding too
What is a negative effect of contraceptives which can reduce flow/ stop periods (i.e. Long-acting contraceptives and desogestrel POP)?
Can also cause a lot of irregular bleeding in the beginning - need to be ok about this
What are 3 overall types of contraception?
- Barrier methods: condoms
- Daily methods: combined oral contraceptive pill, progesterone only pill
- Long-acting methods of reversible contraception (LARCS): IUS, IUD, injectable, implantable
What is a drawback of using condoms as contraception?
Relatively low success rate, particularly when used by young people (however helps protect against STIs)
What is the mechanism of action of the combined oral contraceptive pill?
Inhibits ovulation
What are 3 risks of the combined oral contraceptive pill?
- Increases risk of venous thromboembolism
- Increases risk of breast cancer
- Increases risk of cervical cancer
What is the mechanism of action of the progesterone-only pill, excluding desogestrel?
Thickens cervical mucus
What is a common side effect of progestogen only pills excluding desogestrel?
Irregular bleeding
What is the mechanism of action of injectable contraceptive i.e. medroxyprogesterone acetate?
Primary: inhibits ovulation. Also: thickens cervical mucus
How long does the injectable contraceptive last for?
12 weeks
What is the proper name for the injectable contraceptive?
Medroprogesterone acetate
What is the proper name for the implantable contraceptive?
Etonogestrel
What is the mechanism of action of the implantable contraceptive (etonogestrel)?
Primary: inhibits ovulation. Also: thickens cervical mucus
What is a common side effect of the implantable contraceptive?
Irregular bleeding
How long does the implantable contraceptive last?
3 years
What is the mechanism of action of the intrauterine contraceptive device/IUD aka copper coil?
Decreases sperm motility and survival
What is the name of the medication in the intrauterine system (IUS)?
Levonorgestrel
What is the mechansim of action of the intrauterine system (levonorgestrel) aka IUS?
Primary: prevents endometrial proliferation. Also: thickens cervical mucus
What is a common side effect of the IUS?
Irregular bleeding
What are 3 forms of emergency contraception?
- Levonorgestrel: pill
- Ulipristal: pill
- Intrauterine device (IUD)
What is the mode of action of levonorgestrel for emergency contraception?
Not fully understood - acts to both stop ovulation and inhibit implantation
During which time window should levonorgestrel be taken following unprotected sexual intercourse (UPSI)?
Within 72 hours; but should be taken as soon as possible
What is the dose of levonorgestrel as an emergency contraceptive?
1.5mg single dose; should be double for those with BMI >26 or weight over 70kg
What is the effectiveness rate of levonorgestrel if used within 72 hours of UPSI?
84% effective
What are 2 side effects seen with levonorgestrel as emergency contraception?
- Disturbance of current menstrual cycle (significant minority)
- Vomiting - 1%
What is the advice given regarding levonorgestrel for emergency contraception and vomiting?
If vomiting occurs within 3 hours of taking it, the dose should be repeated
Can levornogestrel be used more than once within the menstrual cycle?
Yes if clinically indicated
What can be done immediately after using levonorgestrel for emergency contraception?
Hormonal contraception can be started immediately
What is levonorgestrel and what is the brand name for the emergency contraception form?
A progesterone; Levonelle
What is the mechanism of action of Ulipristal?
Selective progesterone receptor modulator; inhibition of ovulation
What is the brand name for ulipristal?
EllaOne
What dose of ulipristal is taken for emergency contraception?
30mg oral dose
What is the time window after UPSI when ulipristal can be taken?
120 hours after intercourse, but should be taken as soon as possible
Can ulipristal be used concomitantly with levornogestrel?
No, not recommended
Can hormonal contraception be started immediately after using ulipristal?
No - may reduce effectiveness of hormonal contraception
Use of pill/ patch/ ring should be started or restrarted 5 days after having ulipristal. Use barrier methods during this period
After what time period can hormone contraception with the pill/ patch/ ring be started or restarted following use of ulipristal as an emergency contraceptive?
5 days
Can ulipristal be used more than once within the same menstrual cycle as emergency contraception?
Yes - previously not recommended but now it can
What is something that is negatively affected by ulipristal and should be delayed following its use, but not with levonorgestrel? (other than hormonal contraception)
Breastfeeding: should be delayed for one week after taking ulipristal, but no such restrictions for levornogestrel
Within what time frame must the intrauterine device (IUD) be used following UPSI?
Inserted within 5 days; BUT if woman presents after >5 days then IUD may be fitted up to 5 days after the likely ovulation date
What is thought to be the mechanism of action for IUD for emergency contraception?
May inhibit fertilisation or implantation