Contraceptives Flashcards
Methods that contain combined estrogen and
progesterone formulations with different
delivery systems are known as:
Combined hormonal contraception
What is the mechanism of action of Combined Oral Contraception (COC)?
The effects of estrogen and progesterone suppress GnRH which suppresses FSH and LH
1- inhibiting ovulation
2- ovum transport
3- cervical mucus thickness is altered inhibiting sperm transport
4- implantation is inhibited by suppression and alteration of uterine secretion
What are the advantages of using a combined hormonal contraceptive? (15 items)
1- high rate of effectiveness
2- Controlled by women
3- easy and convenient
4- rapid return to fertility
5- improves menstrual characteristics
6- reduction in menstrual bleeding
7- protection against ovarian and endometrial cancer
8- lower incidence of ovarian cyst
9- prevention of ectopic pregnancy
10- lower incidence of endometriosis
11- treatment for PCOS
12- protection against loss of bone mineral density
13- lower incidence of benign breast cysts and fibroadenomas
14- reduction in vasomotor symptoms in perimenopausal women
15- association in mild improvement of acne
What are the current Combined Hormonal Contraceptives?
1- Combined Oral Contraceptives (COC)
2- Transdermal patch
3- Vaginal ring
The three estrogen compounds currently used in combined hormonal contraceptives are :
1- estradiol
2- estradiol valerate
3- menstranol
What are the disadvantages of Combined Hormonal Contraceptives? (8 items)
1- affects all body systems 2- Some forms require daily maintenance 3- some users experience undesirable side effects 4- should not be used when lactating 5- provide no protection against STDs 6- high cost for women 7- prescription needed 8- may interact with other drugs
What are some side effects associated with combined hormonal contraceptives?
1- Effects on Blood Lipids 2- Cardiovascular disease 3- Stroke 4- Carbohydrate metabolism 5- Risk of breast cancer
What are the advantages to using the transdermal contraceptive patch? (5 items)
1- hormonal levels remain therapeutic for 9 days after the application of the second patch, suggesting that ovulation inhibition would be maintained even if a scheduled patch change was missed for as long as 2 days
2- weekly regimen
3- easy verification
4- safe for women with latex allergy
5- delivery system avoids “first pass” effects on liver
What are the disadvantages to the transdermal contraceptive patch? (4 items)
1- decreased effectiveness of Ortha Evra patch for women weighing over 198lbs
2- must remember to change it weekly
3- skin reactions
4- breast tenderness
The transdermal contraceptive patch label indicates the higher exposure to estrogen however there is no increased risk of (3 items).
1- venous thrombosis
2- stroke
3- MI
What are the advantages of the Contraceptive Vaginal Ring? (5 items)
1- elimination of the need for daily pill taking
2- delivery system avoids the first pass effect on the liver
3- low incidence of break through bleeding
4- hormone levels remain therapeutic for at least 35 days, suggesting that the ovulation inhibition would be maintained even if a woman forgets to remove the ring up to 2 weeks late
5- safe for women with a latex allergy
What are the disadvantages to the Contraceptive Vaginal Ring? (5 items)
1- vaginal ring not recommended for women with uterine prolapse, lack of vaginal muscle tone or chronic constipation
2- women must be comfortable with the insertion and removal
3- Women may experience a foreign body sensation
4- side effects of headache, leukorrhea and vaginitis
5- back up contraception is needed for 7 days if ring is removed for 3 or more hours
What are some are some important education points for the patient when starting a Contraceptive Vaginal Ring? (3 items)
1- some women may experience increase in normal vaginal secretions
2- if woman finding it difficult to insert she can use an empty tampon applicator
3- if unpleasant feeling for woman or partner, it may be removed for up to 3 hours, cleansed with cool water and replaced in the vagina
What is the mechanism of action for Progestin-only pills (POPs)? (4 items)
1- Inhibits ovulation
2- increases cervical mucus to inhibit sperm penetration
3- causes the endometrium to become thin and atrophic
4- causes tubal changes to alter tubal transport, contractility and histology
Progestin-only pills are a good choice for women who: (6 items)
1- breastfeeding
2- need short term birth control that can be stopped at any time
3- cannot take estrogen (those who smoke, older than 35, long standing DM, heart disease, problems with blood clots, high blood pressure)
4- have migraines with aura
5- have heavy, painful menstrual periods
6- have anemia from heavy menstrual bleeding
What are the advantages to Progestin-only pills? (6 items)
1- no estrogen related side effects
2- overall safer than combined hormonal contraceptives
3- may be used in patients with prior history of thrombophlebitis
4- minimal effects on carbohydrate metabolism
5- rapid reversal after stopping
6- decreased cramping, lighter bleeding, shorter periods, decreased PMS symptoms, and lessened breast tenderness
What are the disadvantages to Progestin-only pills?
1- Must be taken with meticulous accuracy (no more than 27 hours between pills)
2- Slightly less effective than CHCs
3- May cause irregular bleeding with an unpredictable pattern
4- No protection against STDs
5- interaction with other drugs can decrease effectiveness
6- higher incidence of functional ovarian cyst
7- higher incidence of ectopic pregnancy
8- adverse effects on lipids causing an decrease in HDLs and increase in LDLs
Drugs whose effects may enhance in combination with contraceptives include: (6 items)
1- Tricyclic antidepressants 2- benzodiazepines 3- betablockers 4- corticosteroids 5- theophylline 6- troleandomycin
Drugs whose effects may be diminished in combination with contraceptives include: (4 items)
1- acetaminophen
2- oral anticoagulants
3- some benzodiazepines
4- oral hypoglycemic agents