Contraceptive Options Flashcards
generally- what is contraception
Method, procedure, device, behavior, or medication that allows for the prevention of pregnancy and for planning the timing of pregnancy
describe actual vs theoretical effectiveness
- actual: efficacy when forgetfulness or improper use occurs; conditions of typical use
- theoretical: efficacy when consistent and reliable use occurs; conditions of perfect use
Hormonal Contraceptives (HCs)
generally describe
- contain synthetic analogs of the reproductive hormones (estrogen +/- progesterone)
- Act synergistically to produce anti-ovulatory effects (uppression of GnRH)
- Affect the endometrial lining (↓ bleeding and pain associated with menstruation)
Hormonal Contraceptives (HCs)
available types
- Oral contraceptive pills (combined and progestin-only)
- Transdermal patches
- Vaginal rings
- Progestin injections
- Subdermal implants
- Intrauterine devices
factors when choosing contraceptives
- Ease of access and use (dosing regimen, required procedures)
- Affordability
- Efficacy rate
- Reversibility or permanence
- Prevention of STIs
- Adverse effects
- Medical contraindications
- Ethical and moral beliefs
least to most effective BC methods
Least
- spemicide, fertility tracking based methods
- diaphragm, condoms, pull out, sponge, cervical cap
- breastfeeding, shot, pill, ring, patch
- vasectomy, sterilization, IUD, implant
Most
Hormonal Contraceptives
chemistry review- general
Both estrogens and progestins are steroidhormones, making them fat-soluble and highly protein-bound
Hormonal Contraceptives
chemistry review- ethinyl estradiol (EE)
- Very similar in structure to natural estradiol
- Addition of an ethynyl group (C2H) makes it significantly more stable than estradiol
- ↑bioavailability as compared with estradiol when taken orally
- ~50% (natural estradiolis only ~5%)
- Only estrogen used in hormonal contraception (variable doses)
Hormonal Contraceptives
Chemistry Review- Progestins
- Similar in structure to progesterone
- Addition of a triple bond in most cases makes the molecules more stable
Androgenic effects:
* Most are derived from testosterone → have stronger androgenic effects than natural progesterone
* Less androgenic: norgestimate, etonogestrel, and desogestrel
* Antiandrogenic activity: drospirenone (spironolactone analog)
* Multiple different progestins are used in HCs → different properties of the progestins are responsible for different side-effect profiles of various HCs
Hormonal Contraceptives
MOA- Estrogen
- Both estrogens and progestins cause an antiovulatory effect (Used together, this effect is SYNERGISTIC)
- Inhibits FSH release → prevents the selection and maturation of the dominant follicle = No ovulation
- Stimulates endometrial proliferation if given without progestin (↑ a patient’s risk for certain cancers) → ethinyl estradiol is NOT given alone
Hormonal Contraceptives
MOA- Progestin
- Inhibits LH surge that is necessary for ovulation by decreasing the pulse frequency of the GnRH
- ↑ Cervical mucus viscosity → inhibits sperm transport into the uterus
- ↓ Cilia motility in the fallopian tube
Effects on the endometrium:
* Natural progesterone is required to make the endometrium healthy forpregnancy
* Androgenic nature of synthetic progestins thins the endometrial lining, making it unsuitable for implantation
* All hormonal contraceptives are “progestin-dominant” → overall endometrial effect of hormonal contraceptives is endometrial atrophy
PREVENTS PREGNANCY
Hormonal Contraceptives
how does progesterone prevent pregnancy?
it provides negative feedback at the hypothalamus to decrease the pulse frequency of the GnRH; this in turn reduces the secretion of FSH and decreases the secretion of LH
Combined Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCPs)
describe how these are classified
number of phases
- Monophasic: Each pill contains fixed amounts of ethinyl estradiol and progestin
- Biphasic: Variable amounts of ethinyl estradiol and a form progestin
- Triphasic: Variable amounts of ethinyl estradiol and a form progestin
By Progestin
* 1st generation (estranes): EE/norethindroneacetate
* 2nd generation (gonanes): EE/norgestrel, EE/levonorgestrel
* 3rd generation: EE/desogestrel, EE/norgestimate
* 4th generation/unclassified: EE/drospirenone (Yaz)
OCPs
describe use/meds
- Low-dose ethinyl estradiol (10-35 mcg) preferred to high-dose (50 mcg)
- must take daily
- initiation on the first day of the menstrual cycle or first Sunday after the onset of the cycle
- NOTE: Patients using the first Sunday start are not protected from pregnancy in the first 7 days and an additional form of birth control will be needed
Pregnancy rate
* 0.3% with perfect use
* 8% with typical use
Contraindications
* SBP > 130 or DBP > 80
* pregnancy
* thorough family/soc/personal hx
OCPs
non-contraceptive benefits
- More regular, lighter, shorter menses
- Improvement of dysmenorrhea symptoms (cramping)
- Decreased risk of ovarian, endometrial, and colon cancers
- Improvement of acne and unwanted hair growth
- Functional ovarian cysts are less likely
- Lower frequency of uterine myomas with taking COCPs > 4 years
- Reduce the frequency of migraines associated with menstruation (NOT for use in patients with migraines with aura
Transdermal Patch
describe use of
- Small, square adhesive patch worn on the skin (Buttocks, chest (not the breasts), upper back or arm, or abdomen); should rotate application sites
- Releases ethinyl estradiol and norelgestromin or levonorgestrel daily which is absorbed through the skin
- Hormone blood levels are more constant with the patch than with OCs
- Weekly administration: 1 patch applied per week for 3 weeks in a row, no patch for 1 wk then menses occurs
Less effective in women > 90 kg
Vaginal Ring
describe use of
- Flexible, transparent, plastic ring that is placed in the upper vagina
- Releases ethinyl estradiol and a progestin (etonorgestrel = NuvaRing; segesterone = Annovera) that is absorbed through the vaginal tissues
- adverse: increased vag discharge
Ring types
* Month-long (NuvaRing): 1 ring inserted for 3 weeks/21 days; removed for 7 days…menses occurs, replaced each month
* Year-long (Annovera): 1 ring inserted for 3 weeks/21 days; removed for 7 days…menses occurs, replaced once a year
Efficacy and adverse effects are similar to those of OCs, but adherence is better with rings because they are inserted monthly rather than daily
Hormonal Contraceptives
methods of administration
Cyclic Administration
* Pills/patches/rings containinghormonesare typically used for 21–24 days in a row (ovulation and endometrial growth are suppressed during this time)
* Hormone-free interval (HFI): Typically 4–7 days in length, Pill packs include placebo pills, Patch/ring is withheld during this time, Withdrawal bleeding during this time
Prolonged Cyclic Administration
* Hormones taken for up to 84 days (12 weeks) followed by a 4–7-day HFI
* Withdrawal bleeding typically 4 times per year
* Hormone use can be extended beyond 12 weeks if tolerated by the patient
Continuous Administration
* Hormones are taken continuously, with no HFI
* Monophasic pills, the patch, and vaginal ring can all be administered this way
* Higher risk of breakthrough bleeding owing to prolonged endometrial atrophy