Gynaecology: Contraception and Abortion Flashcards
Why is contraception important?
- Reduces high risk pregnancies
- Allows for family planning/spacing which in turn reduced infant mortality, reduced impact of low SES
What are some important barriers to achieving adequate contraception to be aware of?
- Lack of knowledge
- Poor communication from health care providers
- Poor quality of service from HCPs
- Improper use
- Fear of side effects
- Cultural or religious opposition
- Language barriers
What is the most commonly prescribed method of contraception in the UK?
Combined Hormonal Contraception.
Most commonly a second gen COCP pill (e.g. Levonorgestrel), but can give 1st/3rd/4th gen if bad reactions to past pills, can also give rings or patches but rare in UK.
What are some health risks associated with CHC?
Rare, but can cause increased risk of:
- Breast cancer
- Cervical cancer
- VTE (however effect is mediated by other RFs, little to no increased risk if normal BMI, BP etc)
- CVD and stroke
What are some crucial contraindications for CHC?
UK MEC category 4:
- Cardiovascular disease (IHD, Stroke)
- Multiple RFs for arterial disease e.g. over 35+ smoking
- Hypertension (160/95)
- VTE current or past
- Major surgery w/ prolonged immobilisation
- Complicated valvular and congenital heart disease
- Migraine with aura
- SLE
Also important to know drugs which can react with CHC:
- Anti-epileptics
- Rifampicin
- HIV drugs
- Lamotrigine
- UPA
Outside of contraception, what are some benefits from CHC?
Reduces:
- Menstrual bleeding
- Menstrual pain
- PID risk
- Ovarian, endometrial and colorectal cancer risk
What is the most commonly given POP and how does it work?
Cerazette.
Cervical mucus alteration AND inhibits ovulation
In what conditions is the POP safe but the COCP unsafe?
Women with:
- Migraine
- DVT
What are some side effects of the POP?
- Headaches
- Breast pain
- Acne
- Nausea
- Changes in libido
- Changes in bleeding patterns are reasonably common
What is the most important UKMEC category 4 contraindication for the POP?
Current breast cancer!
Give an example of a progesterone only injectable?
Depo Provera, given IM in GP clinics every 3 months.
When can progesterone injections be given when COCP or POP may not?
If the patient is on a complex drug regimen (e.g. TB or HIV), effectiveness is not affected by enzyme inducing drugs
What are some downsides to the Depo injection contraception?
- Delayed return to fertility (can take up to a year)
- Weight gain!!!
- Can cause a small loss in Bone Mass Density, but no evidence of increased fracture risk (still best to avoid in peeps with osteoporosis risk e.g. FH or wheelchair bound)
What is the main contraindication for depo injections AND subdermal infections according to UKMEC?
Current breast cancer!
What is an aternative to the depo injection in terms of long term progesterone contraception?
Nexplanon subdermal implant. Effective for 3 years (4 in Covid).
Implanted in the skin above the tricep of the non dominant arm.
What are the benefits to the subdermal implant?
- Long acting reversible contraception
- No adverse effect on BP, VTE risk, CV disease
- No effect on bone mass density (issue with depo)
- Rapid return to ovulation and fertility following removal
What are some drawbacks to the implant as a method of contraception?
Risks associated with insertion: Infection, Bledding, Bruising, Scarring, Deep implant and subsequent difficulty with removal.
Bleeding issues: Irregular for first 3 months, long term some get amenorrhoea, some get infrequent periods and some get prolonged bleeding.