Contraception_Basic_Introduction_Flashcards
What has been one of the most significant developments in medicine over the past 50 years?
The development of effective methods of contraception has been one of the most significant developments in medicine over the past 50 years.
What are the different methods of contraception?
The different methods of contraception include barrier methods, daily methods, and long-acting methods of reversible contraception (LARCs).
What is a barrier method of contraception?
A barrier method of contraception is a physical barrier, such as condoms.
What are the daily methods of contraception?
The daily methods of contraception include the combined oral contraceptive pill and the progestogen-only pill.
What are the long-acting methods of reversible contraception (LARCs)?
The long-acting methods of reversible contraception (LARCs) include implantable contraceptives, injectable contraceptives, the intrauterine system (IUS), and the intrauterine device (IUD).
How do condoms work as a contraceptive method?
Condoms work as a contraceptive method by providing a physical barrier.
What are some notes about the use of condoms?
Condoms have a relatively low success rate, particularly when used by young people, but they help protect against STIs.
How does the combined oral contraceptive pill work?
The combined oral contraceptive pill works by inhibiting ovulation.
What are some risks associated with the combined oral contraceptive pill?
The combined oral contraceptive pill increases the risk of venous thromboembolism and the risk of breast and cervical cancer.
How does the progestogen-only pill (excluding desogestrel) work?
The progestogen-only pill (excluding desogestrel) works by thickening the cervical mucus.
What is a common side effect of the progestogen-only pill?
Irregular bleeding is a common side effect of the progestogen-only pill.
How does the injectable contraceptive (medroxyprogesterone acetate) work?
The injectable contraceptive (medroxyprogesterone acetate) works primarily by inhibiting ovulation and also by thickening the cervical mucus.
How long does the injectable contraceptive last?
The injectable contraceptive lasts for 12 weeks.
How does the implantable contraceptive (etonogestrel) work?
The implantable contraceptive (etonogestrel) works primarily by inhibiting ovulation and also by thickening the cervical mucus.
What is a common side effect of the implantable contraceptive?
Irregular bleeding is a common side effect of the implantable contraceptive.
How long does the implantable contraceptive last?
The implantable contraceptive lasts for 3 years.
How does the intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) work?
The intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) works by decreasing sperm motility and survival.
How does the intrauterine system (IUS) work?
The intrauterine system (IUS) works primarily by preventing endometrial proliferation and also by thickening the cervical mucus.
What is a common side effect of the intrauterine system?
Irregular bleeding is a common side effect of the intrauterine system.
summarise contraception: a very basic introduction
Contraception: a very basic introduction
The development of effective methods of contraception over the past 50 years has been one of the most significant developments in medicine.
Methods of contraception
Barrier methods
condoms
Daily methods
combined oral contraceptive pill
progesterone only pill
Long-acting methods of reversible contraception (LARCs)
implantable contraceptives
injectable contraceptives
intrauterine system (IUS): progesterone releasing coil
intrauterine device (IUD): copper coil
Contraceptive Method of action Notes
Condoms Physical barrier Relatively low success rate, particularly when used by young people
Help protects against STIs
Combined oral contraceptive pill Inhibits ovulation Increases risk of venous thromboembolism
Increases risk of breast and cervical cancer
Progestogen-only pill (excluding desogestrel*) Thickens cervical mucus Irregular bleeding a common side-effect
Injectable contraceptive (medroxyprogesterone acetate) Primary: Inhibits ovulation
Also: thickens cervical mucus Lasts 12 weeks
Implantable contraceptive (etonogestrel) Primary: Inhibits ovulation
Also: thickens cervical mucus Irregular bleeding a common side-effect
Last 3 years
Intrauterine contraceptive device Decreases sperm motility and survival
Intrauterine system (levonorgestrel) Primary: Prevents endometrial proliferation
Also: Thickens cervical mucus Irregular bleeding a common side-effect
*desogestrel is a type of progestogen-only pill which also inhibits ovulation
A 22-year-old student consults her GP as she has some questions about the combined oral contraceptive pill. After her own background reading she is struggling to understand what the risk of an unplanned pregnancy would be if she were to start taking this form of contraception. Assuming the Pearl Index of the combined oral contraceptive pill is 0.2, how will you explain the failure rate of this form of contraception if used correctly?
For every thousand women using this form of contraception for one year, two would become pregnant
For every thousand women using this form of contraception for ten years, two would become pregnant
For every hundred women using this form of contraception for one year, two would become pregnant
0.2% of women using this form of contraception become pregnant
If used as the sole form of contraception, the risk of an unplanned pregnancy after each episode of coitus is 0.2%
For every thousand women using this form of contraception for one year, two would become pregnant
The Pearl Index is the most common technique used to describe the efficacy of a method of contraception. The Pearl Index describes the number of pregnancies that would be seen if one hundred women were to use the contraceptive method in question for one year. Therefore in the question, assuming the Pearl Index is 0.2 and the medication is adhered to perfectly, we would expect to see 0.2 pregnancies for every hundred women using the pill for one year - or 2 for every thousand.
