contraception, emergency contraception and medical abortion Flashcards
In the menstrual phase, what 2 hormones increase as a result of an increase in estradiol in the last follicular phase?
Increase in FSH and LH
List some contraception options (6)
- awareness
- barrier methods for both fe/m
- hormonal methods
- implants
- emergency contraception
- permanent methods like sterilisation
4 hormonal contraceptive options
- OCP (COCP, POP)
- vaginal rings
- depot inj (P only)
- LARCs (long acting reversible contraception e.g. IUD)
When do people on the COCP get withdrawing bleeding, and why?
During the inactive placebo pill to mimic a normal period
What is the first line contraceptive medication
COCP
3 most common estrogens
ethinyloestradiol, mestranol, estradiol
metabolic estrogen side effects (3)
increase coagulation factors, increase HDL/VLDL/TG, decrease bone resorption
Similarities of P and E in the menstrual cycle
- suppresses FSH
- potentiates the actions of each other
Differences of P and E in the menstrual cycle
- P suppresses LH and FSH, E only suppresses FSH
Action of P in the menstrual system (6)
- suppresses mid-cycle peaks of LH and FSH to block ovulation
- suppresses endometrial proliferation
- produces secretory endometrium
- slow down movement of ovum
- thickens cervical mucous making it impermeable to sperm and making it a non-receptive environment
- decrease sperm motility
Action of E in the menstrual system
- suppresses development of ovarian follicles by FSH
- stabilises endometrium to reduce breakthrough bleeding and irregular shedding
- potentiates P by increase conc. at receptors
- prevents development of dominant follicle in the follicular progression
- stimulates endometrial proliferation
Which E ingredient has the most bioavailability
ethinyloestradiol
What is mestranol metabolised to?
ethinyloestradiol
Main action of COCP
inhibit ovulation
What is the physical change that P potentiates?
Thickens cervical mucous
Define monophasic
Fixed dose of E and P throughout the whole 21 days of the active pills
What word defines ‘delaying period by 3 months’
Tricyclic
What happens if you delay period for too long
breakthrough bleeding
True/False?
Vaginal rings are a combined contraceptive agent
True
Increasing what ingredient, will increase risk of VTE?
E
What is MEC1-4 in the UKMEC risk criteria for hormonal contraceptives
MEC1/2 - safe
MEC3 - require clinical judgement
MEC4 - contraindicated
What 3 main precautions would put someone under the UKMEC3 (needs clinical judgment)?
- BMI > 35
- diabetes with a secondary impact like retinopathy
- history of migraine with aura over 5 years ago
Why would someone with a history of migraines, with auras up to or over 5 years ago, be flagged when prescribing COCP?
It increases risk of VTE
When, after pregnancy can you start taking COCP
after 6 week postpartum