GUM Flashcards
How do barrier contraceptives work?
They prevent the sperm from coming into contact with the ovum
What is one of the big benefits of most barrier contraceptives?
Decreased transmission of STIs
What are the types of barrier contraception?
Male condom
Female condom
Diaphragms
Cervical caps
Describe how female condoms work.
Tubular shape with inner ring that sits in vagina, and outer ring that sits just outside the vulva.
Describe how a diaphragm works?
Rigid metal inner frame spanning the posterior fornix and covering the cervix.
Describe how cervical caps work?
Sit directly over the cervix, held on by suction and vaginal tone. Spermicide often added to increase efficacy.
What are the advantages to the male condom?
No contraindications (unless latex allergic, but alternate materials can be used)
Responsibility shared between both people.
Widely available, simple to use.
Protect against STIs.
What are the benefits of female condom?
No contraindications
Less likely to tear than male condom
Protects against some STIs
Can be inserted up to 8 hours before intercourse
What are the benefits of the diaphragm and the cervical cap?
Can be inserted up to 3 hours before intercourse.
What are the disadvantages of the male condom?
User dependant, and perfect use is rarely achieved.
Can reduce sensitivity/arousal.
What are the disadvantages of the female condom?
Perfect use is rarely achieved
Penis can be inserted outside of the condom
Can be noisy or uncomfortable
What are the disadvantages of diaphragms and cervical caps?
Perfect use is rarely achieved Require planning and careful insertion Require measuring and fitting to find the correct size High rate of UTIs STI transmission is not reduced
With perfect use, what are the efficacy rates of barrier contraceptions?
Male condom 98%
Female condom 95%
Diaphragm 94%
Cervical cap 80-91% depending on parity.
Considering the failure rates of barrier contraception, what should we counsel patients to do if the barrier fails or is omitted?
Seek emergency contraception from a pharmacy ASAP
What is the primary action of combined hormonal contraception?
Inhibits ovulation by preventing LH surge by negative feedback.
In addition to the primary action of combined hormone contraception, how else does it work?
Progesterone inhibits endometrial proliferation and thickens cervical mucus
What forms does combined hormonal contraception come in?
COCPs
Transdermal patch
Contraceptive vaginal ring
What kind of COCPs are there, and how do they work?
Monophasic pills - same amount of hormones in each pill. 21 day cycle with a 7 day break.
Phasic pills - varying amounts of hormone throughout the cycle. May be biphasic, triphasic, or quadraphasic. Important to take them in the correct order.
Give 2 examples of brands of monophasic COCP.
Microgynon 30
Brevinor
Give 2 examples of phasic COCP brands.
QIaira
BiNovum
How does the transdermal patch work?
Apply and change every 7 days over 3 weeks, with a one week break. Withdrawal bleed usually occurs.
Very sticky, can stay on while bathing or swimming.
How does the contraceptive vaginal ring work?
120 micrograms etonogestrel and 15 micrograms ethinyl estradiol per day deposited into vagina.
Sits in place for 21 days, rest for 7 days.
What are the advantages of combined hormonal contraceptives?
Non invasive.
If taken correctly, more effective than barrier.
Menses can be regulated and lighter/less painful.
Reduce risk of ovarian, uterine, and colon cancer, and ovarian cysts.
Return to normal fertility immediately after stopping use.
What are the disadvantages of combined hormonal contraception?
User dependant
Side effects (headaches, breast tenderness, mood wings)
BP may increase
Breakthrough bleeding may occur
Small risk of VTE, MI/stroke, breast and cervical cancer
What are the contraindications to combined hormonal contraception?
BMI over 35 Breast feeding Smoking over age 35 HTN Personal or FHx of VTE Prolonged immobility Diabetes mellitus with complications Migraine with aura Breast cancer or primary liver tumours
How effective are combined hormonal contraceptives when used perfectly?
99.7% effective
91% with typical use
What is something key to consider with hormonal contraceptives?
There is no protection against STIs.
It is also important to counsel them on what to do if they miss a pill.
What is the mechanism of action of the POP?
Thicken cervical mucus primarily.
Suppresses ovulation to varying degrees also, depending on the type of pill.
What are the 5 POPs licensed in the UK?
Femulen Norgeston Noriday Micronor Cerazette
What are the advantages of the POP?
More effective than barrier when taken correctly.
No need to interrupt intercourse.
Used when COCP is contraindicated.
May reduce risk of endometrial cancer.
What are the disadvantages of the POP?
User dependant Have to be taken at the same time every day Can deregulate menses Some adverse effects 30% increased risk in ovarian cysts Small increased risk of breast cancer
When is the POP contraindicated?
Current or PMHx of breast cancer
Liver cirrhosis or tumours
Weight over 70kg lowers efficacy
Stroke or coronary heart disease
What is the UK licensed progesterone only implant? How does it work?
Nexplanon - 40mm long plastic tube inserted into upper arm.
Releases 68mg of etonogestrel over 3 years.
How does the progesterone implant work?
Primarily inhibits ovulation and thickens cervical mucus, and thins endometrium.
What are the advantages of the progesterone implant?
Extremely effective - one of the smallest failure rates.
Can be used where COCP contraindicated.
In situ for 3 years
Can use during breast feeding
Normal fertility returns quickly after removal
Effective in women of all BMIs
What are the disadvantages of the progesterone implant?
50% of women experience change to menstrual cycle, irregular patterns common.
Fitting/removal can be painful, bleed, and cause irritation.
Small risk increase for breast cancer.
Can bend or break in situ.
When is the progesterone implant contraindicated?
Pregnancy Unexplained vaginal bleeding Liver cirrhosis or tumours Hx of breast cancer Stroke or TIA with implant in situ
How many injectable progesterone contraceptives are there available in the UK?
3:
Depo-Provera
SAYANA PRESS
Noristerat
How frequently are the injectable contraceptives given?
Every 8-13 weeks depending on brand.
Depo-Provera = most common = given every 12 weeks IM.
How does the progesterone injection work?
Inhibits ovulation
Thickens cervical mucus
What are the advantages of the progesterone injection?
Very effective.
Long term - don’t have to worry about contraception.
No known drug interactions.
Can be used when COCP is contraindicated.
Can be used in women BMI over 35
What are the disadvantages of the progesterone injection?
Not rapidly reversible - can take up to a year to return to normal fertility.
Altered bleeding patterns inc. persistent bleeding
Weight gain
Slight increase in breast cancer
Loss of bone mineral density if used over a year
What are the contraindications to the progesterone injection?
Current breast cancer Hx of severe arterial disease Pregnancy Diabetes with complications Those who want quick return to fertility
How effective is the progesterone injection with perfect use?
99.8% effective
How long does an IUD/IUS stay in situ?
It can stay in for up to 5 years
What is the IUD?
Copper coil which is toxic to sperm and inhibits implantation
What is the IUS?
Levonorgestrel-releasing coil which thins endometrium and thickens cervical mucus.
How effective is the IUD/IUS?
Over 99% effective but do not offer any protection against STIs
When can an IUD/IUS be inserted?
At any point in the menstrual cycle
What would you tell a patient who wants an IUD/IUS inserting about the procedure?
Takes about 20 minutes.
Bimanual examination then speculum examination to visualise cervix.
Insertion of a cervical dilator or sizer.
Small plastic T shaped device is inserted into uterus via cervix and remains there. Strings are cut to suit patient so the coil can be removed.
Should an STI screen be performed before insertion of a coil?
It is usually performed 2 weeks before insertion as recent STI exposure is an absolute contraindication for the coil.
Which coil can be used as emergency contraception?
The copper coil if inserted within 5 days of UPSI
What are the indications for the IUS other than contraception?
First line for treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding.
Second line for dysmenorrhoeaa
When are coils contraindicated?
Infection -hx of PID, STI, or infection of the uterus. Pregnancy/up to 4 weeks post partum Abnormal structure of uterus Gynae malignancy Current unexplained vaginal bleeding Copper allergy
What specific contraindications are there for the IUS?
Current DVT or PE
Current liver disease
History of breast cancer
What are the advantages of the coil?
Over 99% successful
Quick return to normal fertility after removal
Can be fitted at any time of cycle and during breastfeeding
Good when COCP contraindicated
Mirena helps with heavy/painful periods
Copper coil has no hormones
What are the disadvantages of the coil?
No protection against STIs
Risk of ascending or iatrogenic infection
Risk of uterine perforation when inserted
Risk of body expelling the coil
Irregular bleeding for up to 6 months after insertion
Can be painful
Higher risk of ectopic pregnancy
Cervical dilation increases risk of seizures in epileptics
What can be used as emergency contraception?
IUD/Copper coil
Levonorgestrel morning after pill (Levonele One Step)
Ulipristal acetate morning after pill (EllaOne)
When is emergency contraception indicated?
UPSI or contraception method has failed.
Missed pills may require emergency contraception depending on how many have been missed.
How does the levonorgestrel morning after pill work?
Synthetic progesterone that delays ovulation for 5-7 days until the sperm is no longer viable.
When can someone take the levonorgestrel pill?
Within 72 hours of unprotected sex
When can someone take the ulipristal acetate/ellaone pill?
Within 120 hours of unprotected sex
How does the ulipristal acetate pill work?
Progesterone receptor modulator that delays ovulation by 5-7 days by which time the sperm have become non-viable.
Why might someone choose the copper IUD over a pill as emergency contraception?
It can provide contraceptive cover for 5-10 years after insertion!
When would the levonorgestrel morning after pill be contraindicated?
There are no absolute contraindications.
May have reduced efficacy in diseases of malabsorption, or when they are taking enzyme-induing drugs e.g. rifampicin.
When would the ulipristal acetate morning after pill be contraindicated?
May have reduced efficacy in diseases of malabsorption Severe hepatic dysfunction Enzyme inducing drugs Breast feeding Asthma controlled by steroids Drugs increasing gastric pH
When is the copper IUD contraindicated for emergency contraception?
Uterine fibroids causing cavity distortion
PID (diagnosed or suspected)
STI (documented or suspected)
What safety-netting/aftercare advice do you need to give to someone who has taken a morning after pill?
Verbal and written.
Seek help if vomiting occurs within 2 hours (levonorgestrel) or 3 hours (ulipristal).
If UPSI occurs again, the pill only covers the original episode.
ADRs inc. nausea, dizziness, menstrual disturbance, and abdominal pain.
Can levonorgestrel be used more than once in a cycle?
Yes
Can ulipristal acetate be used more that once in a cycle?
It didn’t used to be recommended, but now it can be.
What is PID?
Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the upper genital tract in females, affecting the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.
What age group is PID most common in?
Ages 15-24
Where does the infection come from in PID?
Lower genital tract e.g. vagina or cervix
What are the common causes of PID?
Chlamydia trachomatis Neisseria gonorrhoea Streptococcus Bacteriodes Anaerobes