Contraception and Abortion Flashcards
Which method(s) of contraception prevent ovulation?
Combined hormonal methods (pills, patch and vaginal ring)
Progestogen-only injectables, progestogen-only implant (Nexplanon)
Oral emergency contraception
Lactational amenorrhoea
Which method(s) of contraception prevent an embryo implanting in the uterus?
Cu-IUD and LNG-IUS (i.e. coils)
Which method(s) of contraception allow sperm into the vagina but poison them?
Spermicides
Which method(s) of contraception allow sperm to enter the vagina but block further passage?
Diaphragm and cap
Also one of the mechanisms of action of progestogens
Which method(s) of contraception prevent sperm entering the vagina?
Male and female condoms
Avoidance of sex during the fertile time of the cycle
Fertility awareness-based methods
What scoring system is used to identify individuals in whom specific method(s) of contraception may be contraindicated?
WHO medical eligibility criteria (MEC)
What are the absolute contraindications to using combined hormonal contraception?
Age >35 and smoking more than 15 cigs a day
Uncontrolled HTN (BP >160/100)
DVT/MI/CVA past or present, known thrombogenic mutations
Migraine with aura
Current breast cancer
Breast feeding < 6 weeks post-partum
Which drugs are known to decrease the efficacy of hormonal contraception through induction of liver enzymes (OCP, patch, ring, and implant)?
Anticonvulsants (e.g. carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin)
Antibiotics (rifampicin, rifabutin)
Antifungal (griseofulvin)
Antiretroviral (protease inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors)
True or false: A woman may choose to use a combined hormonal contraceptive (pill, patch, ring, implant) alongside an enzyme-inducing drug (e.g. phenytoin, carbamazepine) but should be advised to consistently use condoms, also.
True
If a woman using enzyme- inducing medication wishes to use one of these hormonal methods, then the consistent use of condoms is also advised.
Alternatively, she could consider use of the progestogen-only injectable, Cu-IUD or LNG-IUS, since efficacy of these methods is not affected by drugs that are enzyme inducers.
What do women need to know before starting a new method of contraception?
How to use it and what to do when misused (e.g. missed pill)
Typical failure rates
Common side-effects
Health benefits
Fertility return on stopping
When she requires review
What are the common side-effects of all hormonal methods of contraception?
Unexpected bleeding
Weight gain*
Headaches
Mood swings
Loss of libido
*Although it is one of the most common reasons for not wanting to start hormonal contraception, there is no good evidence (with the exception of the progestogen-only injectable) that hormonal methods cause weight gain.
What are the methods of emergency contraception currently available in the UK?
Hormonal:
- Levonorgestrel
- Ulipristal
Intrauterine device (IUD, Cu-coil)
True or false: Levonorgestrel should be taken as soon as possible after UPSI.
True.
Levonorgestrel should be taken as soon as possible - efficacy decreases over time - and must be taken within 72 hours of UPSI.
How effective is levonorgestrel if used within 72 hours of UPSI?
Levonorgestrel is 84% effective if used within 72 hours of UPSI.
True or false: Levonorgestrel must not be used more than once in the same menstrual cycle.
False.
Levonorgestrel can be used more than once in the same cycle if clinically indicated.
Vomiting occurs in __?__% of people who take levonorgestrel.
1%
What action should be taken if a patient vomits 4 hours after taking levonorgestrel?
No action required.
If vomiting occurs within 3 hours, the dose should be repeated.