GP - Contraception Flashcards
What are the 2 types of Emergency contraception in the UK?
- Emergency hormonal contraception
- Emergency intrauterine device (IUD)
What are the 2 types of emergency hormonal contraception in the UK?
- Levonorgestrel
- Ulipristal (brand = ellaOne)
How does Levonorgestrel emergency hormonal contraception work + extra details?
Levonorgestrel:
- Levonorgestrel is a progestin i.e. a synthetic progesterone
- MoA - not fully understood but does both: stop ovulation + inhibit implantation
- Must be taken within < 72-hrs of unprotected sex
- Hormonal contraception can be started immediately after using Levonorgestrel for emergency contraception
- Dose:
- BMI < 26 or weight < 70kg –> 1.5 mg
- BMI > 26 or weight > 70kg –> 3mg
- Side-effects:
- Vomiting (1%) - if occurs within 2-hrs then dose needs to be repeateda
How does Ulipristal emergency hormonal contraception work + extra details?
Ulipristal (EllaOne):
- MoA - selective progesterone receptor modulator –> inhibits ovulation
- Take within < 120-hrs (~ 5-days) of unprotected sex
- Ulipristal can reduce effectiveness of current hormonal contraception –> pill, patch or ring need sto be started/restarted 5-days after Ulipristal (barrier methods should be used during this period)
- Delay breastfeeding for 1-week after Ulipristal
- Dose:
- 30mg
How does the Intrauterine device work as emergency contraception?
Intrauterine Device:
- MoA - thought to inhibit fertilisation (thickens cervical mucus) or implantation (prevents endometrial proliferation)
- Must be inserted within 5-days (~ 120 hrs) of unprotexted sex
- Or up to 5-days after the likely ovulation date (if presenting > 5-days after unprotected sex)
- Is 99% effective regardless of when in menstrual cycle it is used
- Should stay in-situ until at least next period
Which is the most effective method of emergency contraception?
IUD
99% effective
What are the 3 categories of non-emergency contraception?
What forms of contraception fall into these categories?
-
Barrier
- Condoms
-
Daily methods
- COCP
- Progesterone only pill
-
Long-acting method of reversible contraception (LARCs)
- Implantable contraceptives
- iIjectable contraceptives
- Intrauterine system (IUS) i.e. progesterone releasing coil e.g. Mirena
- Intrauterine device (IUD) i.e. copper coil
What is the MoA of the COCP?
Inhibits ovulation
What is the MoA of the Progesterone-only pill?
Progesterone-only pills MoAs:
- Most Progesterone-only pill:
- Thickens cervical mucus
-
Desogestrel-only pill (type of progestin):
- Primary: inhibits ovulation
- Also: thickens cervical mucus
What is the MoA of the Injectible contraceptive?
medroxyprogesterone acetate
Brand: Depo-Provera
Primary: inhibits ovulation
Also: thickens cervical mucus
What is the MoA of the Implantable contraceptive?
(etonogestrel)
Primary: Inhibits ovulation
Also: thickens cervical mucus
What is the MoA of the Intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD)?
(copper)
Toxic to sperm
(decreases sperm motility and survival)
What is the MoA of the Intrauterine system (IUS)?
(levonorgestrel)
Primary: prevents endometrial proliferation
Also: thickens cervical mucus
- Is also used in management of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding (HMB) due to reducing endometrial proliferation
What are some side-effects / risks associated with the COCP?
- Pts forget to take it - unplanned pregnancy
- Increased risk of VTE (small)
- Increased risk of IHD + Strokes (very small)
- Increased risk of breast + cervical cancer
- NO Weight gain - cochrane review found no causal relationship
- Temporary side-effects can be seen:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Breast tenderness
What counselling should you provide to a pt regarding the COCP?
Cycle start date:
- If the COCP is started within first 5-days of cycle –> no additional contraception is needed
- If not started within first 5-days of cycle –> use condoms for first 7-days
How to Take:
- Take at the same time daily
- Schedule options:
- Can take without ‘pill-free’ interval i.e. every day
- ‘Tricycling’ - take 3 x 21-day packs back-to-back then period of 4-7 days with no pills –> then start again
- 21 days of daily pills –> then 7-day break
- Intercourse during ‘pill-free’ period is only safe is next cycle of pills is started on time
- If vomiting < 2-hrs after taking pill –> take another one or contact GP
- Abx don’t interfer with the COCP unless they are P450 enzyme-inducing e.g. rifampicin