Fertility Control (Contraception) Flashcards
(Anticoagulants/antiplatelets for women having IUD/implants)
Describe the most commonly used anticoagulants
DOACs = apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban (inhibit factor Xa) dabigatran (direct thrombin inhibitor)
LMWH = dalteparin, enoxaparin, tinzaparin
Warfarin (inhibits synthesis of vit k clotting factors II, VII, IX, X)
Anti-platelets = aspirin and clopidogrel
How would you manage a patient using anti coagulation wanting an IUD or SDI insertion?
- Time insertion to coincide with time of lowest anticoagulant effect
- I.e. if LMWH dose is taken in evening, then an afternoon insertion would be better
- Avoid fitting in community in the first 2 weeks of loading dose of apixaban
- In women on warfarin with INR >3.5, or higher than standard doses of LMWH, their IUC should be fitted in hospital (offer bridging POP until achievable), but SDI can be fitted in community
Any procedural tips for inserting IUD / SDI for patients on anticoagulants/antiplatelets?
- For IUC, consider single tooth vulsellum
- Apply local pressure or use silver nitrate for any cervical bleeding
- For SDI, use local pressure or even a skin suture
- Routine warfarin, DOAC, LMWH and antiplatelet regimes should not generally be withheld for IUD and SDI procedures
How do you use spermicide with diaphragm / cap?
- Insert with spermicide any time before sex
- The spermicide is held against the cervix (i.e. apply to the side where the cervix will sit)
- Two 2cm strips to the upper surface, and can apply some to the leading edge to aid insertion (diaphragm)
- With caps, fill the inside with 1/3 of spermicide but NOT on the rim as it may stop it staying in place
- More spermicide is needed if sex is repeated, or if the diaphragm/cap has been in situ for >3 hours (do not remove to put more spermicide in)
How long should/can a diaphragm/cap be left in-situ before and after sex?
- EC is needed if left in longer than 3 hours before sex and no additional spermicide applied
- Must be in for 6 hours after sex
- Latex diaphragms can remain in situ for max 30 hours
- Silicone caps can remain in situ for max 48 hours
What is the pregnancy rate of typical and perfect use of
A - spermicides
B - female condom
C- male condom
D - diaphragm
A - typical 28%, perfect 18%
B - typical 21%, perfect 5%
C - typical 18%, perfect 2%
D - typical 12%, perfect 6%
How do spermicides and lubricants affect efficacy of condoms?
Spermicides: many contain N-9 which may cause increased risk of genital lesions due to epithelial disruption (theoretically increasing HIV transmission)
Lubricants: water or silicone based are recommended with latex condoms, as oil-based can damage/break latex condoms
What UKMEC is diaphragm/cap for PLWH?
3 - due to the spermicide causing epithelial disruption (although presumably if VL undetectable then doesn’t matter)
What are some first-generation combined hormone contraceptives?
First generation = norethisterone
Brand names = Brevinor, Norimin
What are some second-generation combined hormonal contraceptives?
Second generation = levonorgestrel
Brand names = microgynon, rigevidon, maexini, Levest, Ovranette, Leandra, Elevin
What are some third generation combined hormonal contraceptives?
Third generation = desogestrel (Gedarel, Mercilon, Marvelon), gestodene (Femodette, Millinette, Femodene), norgestimate (cilique, cileste)
Name some newer generation combined hormonal contraceptives
Drosperinone (Yamin, Eloine), dienogest (with estradiol valerate Qlaira), nomegestrol acetate (with estradiol Zoely)
Co-cyprindiol (with cyproterone acetate - Dianette) - anti androgen licensed for acne/hirsutism, but these women do not need additional contraception
What progestogens are in the combined hormonal vaginal ring and the combined hormonal patch?
- Ring: etonogestrel - metabolised to desogestrel (Syreni Ring, Nuva Ring - 15ug EE and 120ug progestogen)
- Patch: norelgestromin - is a metabolite of norgestimate (Evra Patches - 33.9ug EE and 203ug progestogen per 24 hours)
How does combined hormonal contraception work?
- Prevents ovulation by suppressing LH and FSH
- Some changes in cervical mucus, endometrium and tubal motility from the progestogen exposure
What are some disadvantages of having a hormone free interval?
- Heavy, painful, unwanted withdrawal bleeds
- Headache and mood changes in HFI
- Ovarian suppression is reduced / follicular development occurs during HFI, and so errors in pill-taking can result in extension of the HFI - risking ovulation and therefore pregnancy
Are side effects improved with extended CHC regimens?
- Cochrane review of RCTs reported that in most studies bleeding patterns were equivalent or improved
- Also suggested some improvement in menstrual related headache, bloating, tiredness and menstrual pains with extended regimes
What are the quick-starting rules for Qlaira and Zoely?
Both can be started on day 1 without any additional contraception
After day 1, Qlaira - Use barrier contraception for 9 days, Zoely - use barrier contraception for 7 days
What does the FSRH guideline say about quick-starting women with short menstrual cycles?
- Fewer than 5% of women have menstrual cycles <20 days
- If any concern re. early ovulation in the patient, advise on additional contraceptive precautions when starting after Day 1 of natural menstrual cycle
What is the perfect use and typical use % for unintended pregnancy rates for CHC?
Perfect = 0.3%
Typical = 9%
What does Pearl Index mean?
- Number of contraceptive failures per 100 women-years of exposure
- Uses the denominator as the total months or cycles of exposure from initiation of product to the end of the study or discontinuation of the product
What does the FSRH guideline say about the effect of weight on CHC?
- UKMEC 3 for BMI > 35
- No evidence of reduced effectiveness with higher weight
- Possible reduction in effectiveness of patch when >90kg
- Concern re. restrictive bariatric procedures decreasing absorption, particularly those who have had biliopancreatic bypass (rather than gastric band)
How would you manage someone on CHC and an enzyme inducing medication?
- Effectiveness of CHC could be reduced during use and for 28 days after stopping drug
- If patient wishes to persist, can use 50ug EE (monophasic) throughout and for 28 days after (apart from with rifampicin or rifabutin)
- Encourage continuous use
- Breakthrough bleeding could mean low serum EE concentrations
- Use of two patches or two rings is not recommended
- Exceptionally 70ug of EE could be used
What are the benefits of CHC and endometriosis?
- Higher rate of remission from endometriosis in women taking COC after surgery than surgery alone
- Continuous > cyclical
- Potentially estradiol valerate + dienogest (Qlaira) continuous may be most beneficial
- For women who cannot take CHC, POP is a good alternative (if not willing to trial LNG-IUD)
What is VTE risk in women taking CHC containing levonorgestrel, norethisterone or norgestimate?
5-7/10,000
What is the VTE risk in women taking CHC containing etonogestrel or norelgestromin?
6-12/10,000
What is the VTE risk in women taking CHC containing drospirenone, gestodene or desogestrel?
9-12/10,000
What is the VTE risk in women taking CHC containing etonogestrel or norelgestromin?
6-12/10,000
Does family history of arterial thromboembolic disease preclude use of CHC?
No
Which generation of CHC have better bleeding control / less unscheduled bleeding?
Third-generation > Second generation > First Generation
What dispensing rules are there with the Nuva Ring? (Which doesn’t exist with Syreni Ring)
After dispensing, Nuva Ring can be stored at room temperature and used within a maximum of 4 months - so no more than one pack of three rings can be dispensed at a time
What specific advice is given for women who are travelling whilst on CHC?
Incidence of DVT is 1/560 people travelling by air for >8 hours
Risk increases with flight time >8 hours
Do not recommend compression stockings or aspirin
What specific advice is given for women who are trekking at high altitudes whilst on CHC?
High altitude = >4500m
High altitude = more erythropoeisis = higher risk of thrombosis
Recommend alternative method of contraception if at high altitude >1 week
What advice is given to women on CHC pre planned major surgery?
Switch to alternative method 4 weeks prior
UKMEC 4 major surgery with prolonged immobilisation
UKMEC 2 major surgery without prolonged immobilisation
UKMEC 3 prolonged immobility not related to surgery (i.e. wheelchair use)
Post-pregnancy contraception: when can women who are not breastfeeding commence CHC?
- No additional risk factors for VTE: UKMEC 3 <3 weeks, UKMEC 2 <6 weeks, UKMEC 1 >6 weeks
- Additional risk factors for VTE: UKMEC 4 <3 weeks, UKMEC 3 <6 weeks, UKMEC 1 >6 weeks
Can a woman who is <6 weeks postpartum use DMPA?
Yes - regardless of breastfeeding - however risk of VTE is highest in first 6 weeks post partum and for this reason DMPA is UKMEC 2 (rather than UKMEC 1 like the POP and implant)
A patient had gestational hypertension and obstetric cholestasis in her pregnancy 2 years ago. She wishes to commence CHC now, can she?
CHC is UKMEC 2 for women who have had high BP in pregnancy previously and a previous history of obstetric cholestasis
Can a woman who is breast feeding use ulipristal acetate for emergency contraception?
Yes but UPA is excreted in the breast milk and its effect has not been studied in infants, therefore the woman should not breast feed for 7 days after taking UPA
A patient wishes to come back 7 days after EMA for IUC insertion, what does the FSRH state about this?
If prior to 2 weeks post EMA, ultrasound is required
Otherwise low-sensitivity pregnancy test at 2 weeks or high sensitivity test at 3 weeks
Post methotrexate administration for ectopic pregnancy, what should a woman be advised re. trying to conceive again?
FSRH/RCOG state to wait for 3 months (drug manufacturers state 6 months)
Contraception can be initiated on the day of administration
A patient has had her 3rd miscarriage, and wishes to commence a method of contraception pending investigations. Which methods can she have?
- Any apart from CHC, until antiphospholipid syndrome has been excluded
- Positive antiphospholipid antibodies
= UKMEC 4 for CHC
= UKMEC 2 for progestogen-only methods
= UKMEC 1 for Cu IUD
What advice should be given to a woman who has had a molar pregnancy / GTD and trying to conceive again?
- Avoid subsequent pregnancy until GTD monitoring is complete
- Complete molar: avoid conception for 6 months (6 months from first normal hCG or 6 months from evacuation of uterus if the hCG level normalises by 8 weeks post evac)
- Partial molar: avoid conception until 2 consecutive monthly hCG levels are normal
- GTN: women who have had chemo should avoid for 1 year after treatment is completed
- UKMEC 1 on day of treatment for implant, injection, POP, CHC, diaphragm, condoms
- UKMEC 3 with falling hCG levels for IUD
- UKMEC 4 with persistently elevated hCG levels / malignant disease for IUD
What is the chance of conception for a woman over 40 over the course of a year?
10-20%
Women aged 40+ have highest rates of abortion:live births
Maternal mortality rate for women over 40 is 3x greater than women aged 20-24
Women aged 40+ are 3x more likely to have an ectopic pregnancy
Risk of downs syndrome in a woman aged 40+ is 1/146 (vs 1/909 for a woman aged 30)
What is the guidance for copper IUD inserted in women >40?
Cu IUD containing 300mm or more of copper inserted at 40 or above can remain in situ until one year after LMP, if the LMP occurs after age 50
If LMP is aged under 50, can stay in for 2 years post
Failing the above, can remain in situ until age 55
A 52 year old patient with an implant in situ has been amenorrhoeic with this method for 10 years. She wishes to know if she can just stop the contraceptive method now altogether. How can you be sure she is post-menopausal?
- If woman is >50 with amenorrhoea on contraception and wishes to stop contraception, FSH levels can be checked
- If FSH >30, method can be discontinued after 1 year
- If FSH <30, continue method and recheck FSH level again in 1 year as above
At what age does DMPA move from UKMEC 1 to UKMEC 2?
Age 45
Increased background risk of VTE
Women aged >40 with additional risk factors for osteoporosis should consider another method
Stop DMPA at age 50
When can you check FSH levels in a woman using DMPA?
Optimum time is just before next dose of DMPA
DMPA can suppress FSH levels
What is the pregnancy risk from a single episode of UPSI in the fertile period?
30%
What EC can a patient have if she is taking an enzyme inducer (CYP450)
Cu-IUD
Double dose LNG-EC (3mg) - off licence
Not recommended: double dose UPA
Which women should avoid UPA?
- Severe asthma controlled with steroids due to anti-glucocorticoid effect
- Avoid in women with hepatic impairment
- Lactose intolerance
- On enzyme inducers
If a woman uses a single fertility indicator for the fertility awareness method, what is her risk of pregnancy at 1 year?
24%
What happens to a woman’s temperature throughout her cycle? (fertility awareness method)
- Progesterone causes an increase in the BBT (temp taken before rising from bed after resting for at least 3 hours)
- Following ovulation, progesterone increases BBT and remains elevated until menstruation
- Post-ovulatory infertile phase of the cycle starts once temps on 3 consecutive days are at least 0.2 degrees higher than all the previous 6 days
- Women must monitor BBT on a daily basis using a digital thermometer, and take their temp at the same time every day
- Failure rate of BBT as a single indicator is 6.6%
What happens to a woman’s cervical secretions throughout her cycle? (fertility awareness method)
- Survival of sperm is dependent on presence of alkaline cervical secretions
- Following menstruation there will be several days where the vulva feels dry with no visible secretions
- In the follicular phase, estrogen levels increase and in the lead-up to ovulation, cervical secretions are sticky and appear white/cream
- At high estrogen levels, secretions become slippery/wet/clear and stretchy
- Following ovulation, the corpus luteum produces progesterone and cervical secretions become sticky and thick again, blocking sperm penetration
- Peak day (closest to ovulation) is recognised retrospectively - highly fertile
- Most fertile stage is peak day and 2 days preceding it
- Fertile time starts at first sign of any secretions, and continues for 3 full days after the peak
What is the two-day method for fertility awareness method?
- Daily monitoring of cervical secretions, preferably in afternoon or evening
- If a woman does not notice secretions on that day, or the day before, then the probability of pregnancy is very low
- Perfect use 2.9%
What happens to the cervix throughout the menstrual cycle? (Fertility awareness method)
- Fertile window starts when cervix becomes high, soft and os open
- Fertile window ends when cervix becomes low, firm and os closed for 3 days
- Not recommended as a sole indicator for contraceptive purposes
What factors affect the fertility awareness method?
- Illness can affect temp
- Alcohol and stress can affect adherence
- Menstrual irregularities in post-menarche and peri-menopause
- Do not rely on post-partum until three regular menses, same rule for recent use of hormonal contraception (a year for DMPA)
- Do not rely on when breastfeeding
Describe the hormonal doses, release rate, and make of Nexplanon contraceptive implant
- Single, non-biodegradable, subdermal rod (licensed for 3 years)
- Contains 68mg etonogestrel
- Release rate of 60-70ug/day in weeks 5-6
- Release rate of 25-30ug/day at the end of the third year
- Barium sulphate added to detect by x-ray
Can you describe the serum ENG levels associated with Nexplanon use?
- Serum levels of ENG > 90pg/ml will inhibit ovulation in 97% of women (these levels have been demonstrated within 8 hours of implant insertion)
- Mean serum concentration around 200 at end of first year, and 156 at end of third year
What general advice is given to patients post-vasectomy?
- Safety net for signs/symptoms of persistent bleeding, infection, scrotal haematoma
- Abstain from sex for 2-7 days post-procedure
- Wear supportive underpants in the first few days (including at night for 48 hours)
- Use alternative method of contraception until 3 month post-vasectomy semen analysis has been undertaken
What risk factors increase a patient’s possibility of regret following sterilisation/vasectomy?
- Age under 30
- Nulliparity
- Unhappy relationship
- Being single
- Remarriage / change of partner
- Death of a child
- Psychological issues, coercion
- Timing of procedure in relation to a pregnancy
Describe the vasectomy procedure
- Interruption of vas deferens
- No-scalpel vasectomy = puncture wound in the scrotal skin to access and occlude the vas
- Fixation clamp encircles and firmly secures the vas without penetrating the skin, dissecting forceps used to puncture the skin and vas sheath and to stretch a small opening in the scrotum
- Vas is lifted and occluded, and the same hole can be used for the opposite vas
- Performed under local anaesthesia (with or without adrenaline)
What do we look for in the post vasectomy semen analysis?
- 12 weeks post vasectomy is the optimum time
- Cease contraception when <100,000 non-motile sperm/ml are observed in a fresh semen sample
- If motile sperm are observed in a fresh sample 7 months post-procedure, vasectomy can be considered a failure
Describe some vasectomy complications
- Unable to find or palpate vas deferens (consider possibility of ipsilateral renal agenesis, can refer for USS / refer to urology)
- Double or duplicate vas ?needs USS doppler to check for ectopic ureter
- Skin cleansing to reduce risk of infection, no need for prophylactic antibiotics
- 0.05% chance of contraceptive failure
- No evidence of increase risk in testicular cancer
Describe tubal ligation
- ‘Pomeroy technique’
= Absorbable suture material applied to base of loop of fallopiana tube near mid-portion (ampulla) and excising the top of the loop
= After the sutures are absorbed, the ends of the tubes pull apart
= Destroys about 3-4cm of fallopian tube, so reversal is more difficult - Filshie clips are quicker to perform and just as effective
What is a luteal phase pregnancy after female sterilisation?
- Not taking contraception prior to sterilisation
- Pregnancy can occur when patients are sterilised after unknowingly conceiving in the same cycle as the sterilisation procedure occurs
- Can cause an iatrogenic luteal-phase ectopic pregnancy if the tube has been blocked before the blastocyst has passed
- Occurs in 2-3/1000 procedures
When can a woman stop her contraception after a lap steri?
- Do not need to stop CHC PRIOR to lap steri
- Continue all contraception for 7 days post steri
- Omit HFI if lap steri is scheduled during the HFI or day 1 of new pill packet
- Implant can be removed at the time of procedure
- IUD should remain in situ for 1 week post lap steri
Describe the quadriphasic doses of Qlaira
Qlaira = estradiol valerate (EV) and dienogest (DNG)
Days 1-2: JUST EV (3mg)
Days 3-7: EV (2mg) and DNG (2mg)
Days 8-24: EV (2mg) and DNG (3mg)
Days 25-26: JUST EV (1mg)
Days 27-78: placebo
What principles must be followed if missing one tablet for >12 hours with Qlaira (estradiol valerate / dienogest)
If days 1-17
- Take missed pill (even if means taking two)
- Continue tablet-taking in normal way
- Use barrier contraception for 9 days
If days 18-24
- Discard current wallet, and start immediately with first pill of a new wallet
- Continue tablet-taking in normal way
- Use barrier contraception for 9 days
If days 25-26
- Take missed tablet immediately (even if it means taking two)
- No barrier contraception necessary
If days 27-28
- Discard missed tablet and continue in normal way
- No barrier contraception necessary
If forgets to start new wallet, or has missed 1+ pills during day 3-9 and has had UPSI previous 7 days, high risk of pregnancy
Who is most likely to gain weight with DMPA?
- Raised BMI in adolescents
- Higher initial BMI is predictive of increased weight gain
- Those who gained >5% weight in first 6 months were likely to continue to experience weight gain
- Consider s/c in women who are obese
Do weight loss medications affect contraception?
No evidence of drug interactions between orlistat, naltrexone/bupronion and liraglutide
What contraceptive advice should be given to someone having bariatric surgery?
- Oral contraception should be avoided in favour of non-oral methods
- Stop CHC and switch to alternative 4 weeks prior to planned surgery
- Pregnancy should be avoided for 12-18 months after surgery
- Malabsorptive procedures (jejunoileal bypass, biliopancreatic diversion and roux-en-y bypass) and restrictive bariatric procedures could decrease absorption of oral contraception, including EC
- Consider effect of long-term diarrhoea and/or vomiting on contraception post bariatric surgery
Why is there such a short window period for missed pills with traditional POP?
- Cervical mucus changes that it relies on may last for max 24 hours
When can drospirenone POP be started without additional contraceptive precautions?
- Day 1 of natural menstrual cycle
- Day 1 post TOP
- Day 21 post childbirth
If quick-starting DRSP POP, how many days should a patient use condoms for?
- 7 days
Name each POP and their doses
- Levonorgestrel 30 micrograms OD
- Norethisterone 350 micrograms OD
- Desogestrel 75 micrograms OD
- Drospirenone 4mg OD
What regimen is used for taking DRSP POP?
- 24 daily active pills followed by 4 hormone-free placebo pills
- No evidence yet for tailored or continuous use of DRSP
What’s the missed pill window period for DRSP?
- 24 hours
Missed pill rules for DRSP
- What is advised if 1 or more pills are missed during days 1-7?
- If 1 or more pills are missed AND there was UPSI in the HFI or later, there could be significant risk of pregnancy and EC should be considered
- Use additional precautions for 7 days when restarting
Missed pill rules for DRSP
- What is advised if pills are missed during days 8-17?
- Provided all other pills have been taken correctly, the risk of pregnancy is thought to be low if pills are missed on up to 4 consecutive days from day 8-17
- EC can be considered, but the priority is restarting the correct DRSP pill-taking
- Use additional precautions for 7 days when restarting
Missed pill rules for DRSP
- What is advised if pills are missed during days 18-24?
- Provided all other pills in the packet have been taken correctly, the risk of pregnancy is likely to be low if pills are missed up to 4 consecutive days from day 18-24
- EC can be considered, but priority is restarting DRSP and omitting HFI
- Use additional precautions for 7 days when restarting
When would EC be required when taking DRSP?
- If any active pills were missed and there was UPSI from the time the first pill was missed until correct pill-taking had resumed for 7 days
- If pills were missed on days 1-7 of the packet and there was UPSI during the HFI
If vomiting occurs after taking each POP, what time frame would effectiveness be unaffected and the patient not advised to take another POP?
- LNG: >2 hours
- NET: >2 hours
- DSG: >3-4 hours
- DRSP: >3-4 hours
Why should DRSP be avoided in those with known hyperkalaemia or untreated hypoaldosteronism?
- DRSP is a spironolactone derivative i.e. an aldosterone antagonist
- Opposes aldosterone activity in the distal nephron
- Results in increased potassium reuptake and increased sodium/water excretion
- Aldosterone is a mineralocorticoid produced in the adrenals
- Someone with adrenal insufficiency needs aldosterone
- DRSP is an aldosterone antagonist
What other precautions are there for DRSP use?
- Someone taking potassium supplements
- Someone on potassium-sparing diuretics
- Someone with mild/moderate renal insufficiency
- Treated Addisons
If issuing DRSP for someone with significant risk factors for chronic kidney disease, consider measurement of BP and U&E first