Contraception & Infertility Flashcards
How long does a normal menstrual cycle range?
A normal menstrual cycle ranges from 23-35-days (average 28 days)
What is considered day 1 of a menstrual cycle?
The start of bleeding (menses) indicates that the next cycle has begun and is counted as day 1 of the cycle; the remnants of the previous cycle (the thick, blood endometrial lining) are sloughing off
What are the different phases of the menstrual cycle?
Follicular, ovulatory, luteal
What phase does menses occur?
Menses occurs during the follicular phase, when the estrogen and progesterone levels start off low
What happens during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle?
Each follicle in an ovary contains an oocyte (immature egg). Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) spurs follicle development and causes estrogen to surge. Estrogen peaks by the end of the phase. The surge in estrogen causes luteinizing hormone (LH) and FSH to increase
What happens in the ovulatory phase?
The LH surge triggers ovulation 24-36 hours later. Ovulation is the release of the egg (ova) from the ovary
What happens in the luteal phase?
The start of ovulation begins the luteal (last) phase, which lasts ~14 days. Progesterone is dominant in this phase
What significance does estrogen and progesterone have on the menstrual cycle?
Estrogen and progesterone cause the endometrium to thicken to prepare for an embryo, and progesterone causes the cervical mucus to thicken and body temperature to increase. When estrogen and/or progesterone are low during the cycle, blood can drip off the lining, causing spotting (which can require an increase in estrogen or progesterone in birth control pills)
What is the significance of the luteinizing hormone in the menstrual cycle?
Luteinizing hormone causes corpus luteum development in the ovary. LH and FSH work together in the ovulatory phase to trigger ovulation
What happens during the mid-cycle luteinizing hormone surge?
The mid-cycle luteinizing hormone surge results in release of the oocyte from the ovary into the fallopian tuber. The oocyte lives for 24 hours once released, and sperm can survive for ~3 days
How do ovulation kits utilize the luteinizing hormone?
Ovulation kits predict the best time for intercourse based on ovulation in order to try to conceive. Some kit test for LH in the urine and are positive if LH is present
*A person wishing to conceive should have intercourse when the LH surge is detected, and for the following 2 days (based on sperm survival of ~3 days)
What hormone is released when a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus?
Human chorionic gonadotropin
How do pregnancy tests utilize hCG?
Detecting hCG in the urine or blood indicates pregnancy. A home urine test can detect pregnancy sooner if the woman tests the first urine in the morning, when the hCG level is highest
What preconception health steps should any woman planning to conceive take?
- Increase their folic acid (folate, vitamin B9) consumption from a combination of dietary supplements and fortified foods. Folate requirement increases during pregnancy to 600 mcg DFE/day
- Stop smoking, using illicit drugs and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
- Keep vaccinations current. Attempt to avoid illnesses that will adversely affect the baby
- Avoid toxic chemicals, including drugs on the Hazardous Drug List developed by NIOSH
What is the only reversible contraceptive method that has a delay in return to fertility?
Medroxyprogesterone injection
What kind of condoms provide more protection from STDs?
Condoms provide protection from some infections - female internal condoms provide more protection than male external condoms
What are the most effective contraceptive methods?
Implant (0.05%), Intrauterine device (0.2% with LNG and 0.8% with Copper T), male sterilization (0.15%) and female sterilization (0.5%)
What are the second most effective contraceptive methods?
Injectable (6%), pill (9%), patch (9%), ring (9%) diaphragm (12%)
What are some other contraceptive methods?
Male condom (18%), female condom (21%), withdrawal (22%), sponge (24% parous women and 12% nulliparous women), fertility-awareness based methods (24%), spermicide (28%)
What is the only 100% effective way to prevent pregnancy and STDs?
Abstinence
What are some other non-pharmacological methods of contraception?
Temperature and cervical mucus tracking and the use of barrier methods. Spermicide can be used alone or with other barrier methods as another OCT option for contraception
How does keeping track of body temperature and cervical mucus be used as a contraceptive method?
Keeping track of body temperature and cervical mucus are used primarily to avoid pregnancy by abstaining from intercourse on days when a woman is fertile. Tracking basal body temperature is used to predict ovulation
Describe the temperature and cervical mucus method
Changes in temperature are recorded on a calendar and used to predict ovulation in the following months. The temperature needs to be taken first thing each morning, prior to any other activity. Temperature methods work best when done in conjunction with tracking changes in the cervical mucus, which has slight changes in color, texture and volume during ovulation
What is the barrier method?
Barrier methods of contraception include condoms, diaphragms, caps and shields. They are non-pharmacologic options that form a physical barrier preventing passage of sperm to the oocyte
What are diaphragms, caps and shields?
These options are soft latex or silicone barriers that cover the cervix and prevent sperm passage. They can be used with or without spermicide. The Caya diaphragm is a single size and does not require fitting
What are condoms?
Male condoms are think latex or plastic sheath worn on the penis. Female condoms are inserted into the vagina.
What is an advantage of condoms?
Condoms help protect against many STDs (only if latex or synthetic condoms, not “natural” sheepskin)
What can the combination of a condom and nonoxynol-9 spermicide cause?
Can cause irritation and increase risk of STD/HIV transmission
How can the use of lubricants with condoms be beneficial?
Lubricant makes condoms less likely to break by reducing dry friction. Never recommend oil-based lubricant for use with a latex or non-latex synthetic condom; only recommend water or silicone-based lubricants
What are some other OTC contraceptive methods?
Other OTC contraceptive methods include foams, film, creams, suppositories, sponges and jellies which contain spermicide nonoxynol-9. Do not use spermicide with anal sex. It is irritating and can increase the risk of STDs.
How is the sponge used as contraception?
The sponge is a round piece of white, plastic foam that is inserted prior to intercourse and continuously releases spermicide. It is removed and discarded after use
What is Phexxi and how should it be used?
A recently approved prescription-only option is Phexxi, a vaginal gel that maintains an acidic pH (range 3.5-4.5), which is inhospitable to sperm and reduces their mobility. It should not be used with vaginal rings or in those with a history of recurrent UTIs or urinary tract abnormalities
How do hormonal contraceptives work?
Hormonal contraceptives work by inhibiting the production of FSH and LH, which prevents ovulation. They alter cervical mucus, which inhibits the sperm from penetrating the egg.
What is an important counseling point of hormonal contraceptives?
If implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterus has already taken place, none of these methods are effective, and the pregnancy will proceed normally
What are some available treatments of hormonal contraceptives?
Available treatments include progestin-only options (pill, injectable, implant and IUD) or estrogen/progestin combinations (pill, patch, vaginal ring). The estrogen/progestin combination pills are called combination oral contraceptives (COCs). Non-oral contraceptives that contain both estrogen and progestin are referred to as combined hormonal contraceptives
What health benefits do hormonal contraceptives provide?
A decrease in menstrual pain, menstrual irregularity, endometriosis, acne, ectopic pregnancy, noncancerous breast cysts/lumps and risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer
What does the FDA require to be dispensed with oral contraceptives?
The Patient Package Insert (PPI)
What do most COCs contain?
Most COCs contain the estrogen ethinyl estradiol (EE) and a progestin (e,g, norethindrone, levonorgestrel (LNG), drospirenone)
Describe monophasic COCs
Monophasic COCs have the same dose of estrogen and progestin throughout the pill pack
Describe biphasic, triphasic and quadriphasic
Biphasic, triphasic and quadriphasic pill packs mimic the estrogen and progesterone levels during a menstrual cycle. The type of formulation refers to the number of times the amounts of hormones change
What is Drospirenone and what are its benefits?
Drospirenone is a unique progestin that is used in some COCs to reduce adverse effects commonly seen with oral contraceptives. It is a mild potassium-sparing diuretic which decreases bloating, PMS symptoms and weight gain; drospirenone-containing products are also associated with less acne, as they have anti-androgenic activity
What are other progestins with low adrogenic activity?
Norgestimate, desogestrel and dienogest
What are some other indications that COCs can be used for?
COCs are used for other indications besides pregnancy prevention, including dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps), premenstrual syndrome (PMS), acne (in females), anemia (by reducing blood loss), peri-menopausal symptoms (hot flashes), night sweats) and menstrual-associated migraine prophylaxis. The use of COCs to regulate menses is first-line treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
What indication is COCs used as first line-treatment?
Endometriosis in which endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus. COCs reduce the symptoms of dysmenorrhea and heavy bleeding
What COC is FDA-approved from moderate to severe pain associated with endometriosis?
Elagolix (Orilissa)
What is the COC Natazia and the levonorgestrel-releasing IUD Mirena indicated for?
Heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia)
What is Oriahnn?
Oriahnn, which contains estradiol, norethindrone and elagolix, is indicated for heavy menstrual bleeding associated with uterine fibroids but not a contraceptive
What is Lysteda?
Lysteda, an oral formulation of tranexamic acid (antifibrinolytic), is a nonhormonal treatment for menorrhagia
Describe progestin-only pills and how they can prevent pregnancy
Progestin-only pills contain no estrogen and have 28 days of active pills in each pack. POPs prevent pregnancy by suppressing ovulation, thickening the cervical mucus to inhibit sperm penetration and thinning the endometrium
Which population primarily use POPs?
POPs are primarily used in women who are lactating (breastfeeding) , because estrogen decreases milk production. POPs can be useful for women with a contraindication or intolerance to estrogen and can be started soon after delivery (3-6 weeks postpartum). It is not safe to use estrogen this soon after delivery because of an increased risk of thrombosis
What is required of patients taking POPs?
POPs require good adherence; the pill must be taken within 3 hours of the scheduled time
What is another indication that POPs can be used for?
POPs are sometimes used for migraine prophylaxis and are safe in women who have migraines with aura
What are some examples of non-oral hormonal contraceptives?
Contraceptive patch, vaginal contraceptive rings, injectable contraception, intrauterine devices
What are some similarities and differences between the patch and oral contraceptives?
The patch has the same side effects, contraindications and drug interactions as COCs, but the patch causes a higher systemic estrogen exposure
Who should not use the contraceptive patch?
It should not be used in anyone with clotting risk factors. The patch is less effective in women > 198 pounds (Xulane) or BMI > 30 kg/m2 (Twirla). Do not use the patch in women > 35 years old who smoke
Describe vaginal contraceptive rings
The vaginal rings have the same side effects, contraindications and drug interactions as oral contraceptives. These are small, flexible rings that are inserted into the vagina once a month. The exact position of the ring in the vagina does not matter
Describe injectable contraception
The injection (Depo-Provera, Depo-subQ Provera 104) is depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), a progestin. It suppresses ovulation, thickens cervical mucus and causes thinning of the endometrium. DMPA is given by IM or SC injection every 3 months
Describe intrauterine devices (IUDs)
IUDs are long-acting, reversible forms of contraception. Some IUDs contain hormones to exert their effects
Describe how COC formulations sync up with menstrual periods
Most COC formulations involve 28 days (4 weeks) of pills, with 21-24 pills containing active hormone and the remaining pills containing no hormone. During week 4, bleeding (menses) occurs for 3-7 days. Fewer inactive pills results in a shorter hormone free interval and shorter bleeding time. Women who take COCs often have lighter bleeding because the endometrium remains relatively thin
When does bleeding occur with women who take the patch or the ring or injection?
Bleeding occurs during the patch-free or ring-free interval (week 4). About half of medroxyprogesterone acetate users will be amenorrheic (no menses) after 1 year of use
What are extended cycle COCs?
Extended-cycle COCs involve 84 days of active hormonal pills followed by 7 days of inactive or very low dose estrogen pills. With this schedule, bleeding occurs every 3 months rather than every month. By taking continuous contraception, it is possible to suppress menses altogether
What is an example of an extended cycle COC?
Amethyst
What are some counseling points regarded extended-cycle COCs?
With continuous use, it can be difficult to tell if a woman becomes pregnant. Spotting occurs commonly with continuous contraception, which can lead to discontinuation. It is important to counsel patients that this typically resolves after 3-6 months. There are benefits to continuous use, such as less anemia and menstrual migraines
What are some general tips for contraceptive names?
- “Lo” indicates < 35 mcg of estrogen; less estrogen causes less estrogenic side effects
- “Fe” indicates an iron supplement is included
“24” indicates a shorter placebo time 24 active + 4 placebo = 28 day cycle
What are some examples of monophasic formulations?
What are some examples of monophasic formulations?
Junel Fe 1/20, Microgestin Fe 1/20, Sprintec 28, Loestrin 1/20, Yasmin 28, Apri, Aviane, Cryselle-28, Levora, Nortrel 1/35, Ocella, Portia-28, Zovia 1/35E, Loestrin 24 Fe, Yaz, Beyaz, Minastrin 24 Fe, Nikki, Lo Loestrin Fe
Describe monophasic formulations
Provides the same dose of progestin and estrogen throughout the active pill days
What are the examples of monophasic formulations that are 21/7 pill pack that contains 21 active hormonal pills, 7 inactive pills?
Junel Fe 1/20, Microgestin Fe 1/20, Sprintec 28, Loestrin 1/20, Yasmin 28, Apri, Aviane, Cryselle-28, Levora, Nortrel 1/35, Ocella, Portia-28, Zovia 1/35E