Gynecology Part 4 Flashcards
What class of medication is Ethinylestradiol?
Estrogen receptor agonist –> common OCP
What is the typical dose range of PO ethinylestradiol?
20 - 35 mcg –> may increase dose if breakthrough bleeding
What is the benefit of using a lower dosing strategy for PO ethinylestradiol?
Lessens AEs
What is the mechanism of Progestin (progesterone) use as a birth control option?
Provide negative feedback to H-P axis decreasing FSH and LH inhibiting follicle development and ovulation
What are three clinical effects of progesterone on the uterus and fallopian tubes?
Thickens cervical mucus
Thins endometrium
Decreases tubal peristalsis
Why is progesterone alone effective for birth control?
Progesterone inhibits ovulation
What is the risk if a patient becomes pregnant while taking progesterone birth control?
Ectopic pregnancy s/p progesterone decreasing tubal peristalsis.
What hormone does estrogen most inhibit and what is the clinical effect?
Estrogen most inhibits FSH –> inhibits cyst growth in the ovaries
What hormone does progesterone most inhibit?
LH
Differentiate older progesterone products from newer ones and state how this is clinically relevant?
Older products (Yaz for ex) have more of an anti-androgen effect. Beneficial in patients with acne or PCOS
What is the typical regimen for patients taking combination OCPs?
Take a pill every day. Three weeks of pills are hormonal followed by 4-7 days of placebo.
What differentiates one combination OCP product from another?
They vary based on estrogen dose and type of progesterone.
What is the typical regimen of a combination transdermal patch or vaginal ring?
Wear/use for three weeks then discontinue for one week. It is ok to use continuously if preferred.
What is the most significant AE of the transdermal patch combination products?
Twice the risk of thromboembolism compared to OCPs
What is the advantage of progesterone-only products compared to combination products?
Progesterone-only are always safer with regard to thromboembolism risk.
What is the name of the injectable progesterone-only product and what is the injection schedule?
Depo Provera –> one injection every three months
What are the most significant AEs of injectable progesterone-only products?
Weight gain and decrease in bone mineral density (but no increased risk of fracture has been shown)
How long do injectable progesterone-only products disrupt menstruation after their use is discontinued?
Can disrupt ovulation and menses for up to one year.
What is the brand name of the progesterone-only subdermal implant?
Nexplanon
How effective is the progesterone-only implant?
Very effective - statistically more effective than sterilization
How long is the progesterone-only implant effective for?
4 years
What is the most significant AE of the progesterone-only implant?
Light, irregular bleeding for the first 3 - 12 months.
What are the clinical effects of a progesterone releasing IUD?
Thickens cervical mucus, partially inhibits ovulation, thins endometrium.
How long is the progesterone releasing IUD effective for?
3-7 years depending on type.
What are the risk factors for IUD expulsion?
Prior expulsion, Hx of menorrhagia or dysmenorrhea, post second trimester abortion, age < 25
What is the mechanism of action of a copper IUD?
Releases copper ions creating an inflammatory response that makes intrauterine environment very spermicidal.
How long is the copper releasing IUD effective for?
12 years - though copper does degrade over time
What are the advantages of male sterilization over female sterilization?
No general anesthesia needed and lower rates of failure
Define Essure and state its major AE.
Polyester coil placed in proximal fallopian tube. It stimulates a reaction that results in fibrosis and occlusion. It is rarely used because it tends to cause severe pain.
Differentiate tubal ligation from salpingectomy.
Lig: A small section of the tubes may be cauterized or a clip is placed on each tube.
Salp: Removal of both fallopian tubes.
What is the benefit of salpingectomy over tubal ligation?
Thought to be protective against ovarian cancer
List and describe three options for emergency contraception.
Plan B: Progesterone blocks LH surge to inhibit ovulation. Can take up to 72 hours after sex.
Ella: Anti-progesterone product inhibits ovulation and makes endometrium uninhabitable for implantation. Can take up to 5 days after sex. Px only.
Copper IUD: Can be emergency contraceptive if placed within 5 days of sex. Most effective emergency contraceptive.
Compare the efficacy of long acting reversible contraceptive methods to OCPs and other short-acting methods.
Long-acting methods 20x more effective. Women tend to stay on long-acting methods longer than short-acting.
What is MEC in relation to birth control?
Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use. Chart made available from the CDC to guide providers on which birth control methods can and can’t be used in various medical conditions.
What are the 6 absolute contraindications of estrogen birth control products?
Thromboembolic disorder Known or suspected breast cancer Smokers older than 35 Uncontrolled HTN Migraine with aura SLE with antiphospholipid antibodies
What is the best birth control method for a women with SLE with antiphospholipid antibodies?
Copper IUD –> progesterone products are not indicated for this condition.
Define and describe endometriosis.
Endometrial tissue outside of uterus. Most common in ovary and pelvic peritoneum. May also be transported via lymph system.
What are thought to be possible etiologies of endometriosis?
Genetics or immune dysfunction
What believed to be the most likely mechanism for development of endometriosis?
Retrograde menstruation - endometrium floats back out of fallopian tubes onto ovary or cul-de-sac.
Describe the relationship between estrogen and endometriosis.
Endometriosis is estrogen dependent - decreased risk after menopause.
What might be an anatomical cause of endometriosis?
Obstructive anomaly - imperforate hymen, transverse or longitudinal septum, cervical agenesis
List risk factors for endometriosis.
Early menarche, short cycles, heavy or prolonged cycles, Mullerian duct anomalies, family Hx, autoimmune Hx
Define Mullerian duct anomalies.
Congenital abnormality in which the fetal female reproductive tract does not develop properly in