Hormonal Contraception Flashcards
What is menarche?
the first menstrual cycle - generally happens around 12 years of age
What is menses?
the sloughing of the endometrial cells- otherwise known as a period
What is the general length of the menstrual cycle?
about 28 dyas
What is menopause?
the cessation of the menstrual cycle - a year without the menstrual cycle is when you say that menopause has happened
Menstrual cycles all begin in the _______
hypothalamus
In the pulsatile factor, the hypothalamus secretes ____
GnRH
GnRH stimulates the anterior pituitary to release _____ or ____
FSH or LH
What is the action of the follicle stimulating hormones?
stimulates the follicle and this acts in the ovary to recruit follicles
How many follicles are stimulated in each menstrual cycle?
several
What happens around day of 5-7 of the menstrual cycle?
there is a dominant follicle that forms
What happens when the dominant follicle forms?
this means that ovulation will happen in the cycle
The follicle attracts all of the ___ and this is the primary follicle that forms
FSH
There is a surge of ____ that occurs 24-36 hours proper to the dominant follicle going through ovulation. There is ovulation once the LH is stimulated
LH
What does the follicle become after it is stimulated?
oocyte
What happens to the rest of the dominant follicle after ovulation occurs?
it forms the corpus luteum
What does the corpus luteum do?
this stimulates hormones. and allows the release of estrogen and progesterone
What is day 1 of the menstrual cycle?
first day of menses
What hormone is considered the builder of the uterine lining?
estrogen - it builds the endometrium lining
Estrogen and progesterone go via negative feedback to stop the production of ____
GnRH
What hormone comes in to stop the estrogen from building and building on itself - it makes it more conformable to form?
Progesterone
Day 1-14 is what phase?
follicular phase
Day 14-28 is what phase?
luteal phase
At day 28, what causes the menstrual cycle to form?
a fall in the estrogen and progesterone levels
If we count back _____ after the first day of menses, then we know that ovulation occurred
14 days
What phase of the cycle is the variable one?
the follicular phase
What is the luteal phase based on?
the corpus luteum
What is the follicular phase based on?
the follicular phase can vary in the amount of GnRH it takes to stimulate the anterior pituitary to release hormones
What is there a spike in in ovulation?
body temperature
What is the mechanism of action of oral contraceptives?
- estrogen and progesterone provide negative feedback mechanism on the hypothalamus
- suppresses pituitary gonadotropin
- alters the normal pattern of gonadotropin secretion of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) by the anterior pituitary
- midcycle FSH LH surge stop… thereby inhibiting ovulation - creates endometrium that is unreceptive to implantation
- production of viscous cervical mucous
- possible effect on set secretion and peristalsis in fallopian tubes
What happens when there is a higher level of progesterone given in an OC?
- the estrogen never has time to work on its own and build up the thickness of the uterine wall - this means that the wall of the uterus will be thing. The thinner the wall there is the more hostile the environment for the egg to implant, if one did get released
- progesterone also thickens the mucous of the cervix- the plug at the cervix can become very thick, preventing the sperm from travelling up the cervix
- may also have an effect in the secretion process of the fallopian tubes through the peristaltic process. The hormonal contraceptive decreases the peristalsis, meaning that it will not meet tup with the sperm before the lifecycle ends
Most estrogen in birth control is usually what?
ethinyl estradiol
What is the highest dose of estrogen that women should be on?
35 mcg
How many generations of progesterones are there?
3 plus a new one
What is first generation progesterone?
binds to estrogen, progesterone and androgen receptors
What is second generation progesterone?
more potent than first generation, may be better tolerated
What is third generation progesterone?
developed to have fewer androgenic effects
What are the newer progesterones considered to be?
- considered to have anti androgenic effects
What are the different androgenic effects of progesterone?
- newer (norgestimate=desogetrel) have minimal androgenic activity
- older (norgestrel>levonorgestrel>norethindrone) kinds with some androgenic activity
What are the different progestagenic activity effects of progesterone?
- desogestel, levonorgestrel, norgestrel are the most potent
- norethindrone is the least potent
What are the different actions of Yaz? What is it related to?
- Yaz is a derivative of spironolactone
- it is progestagenic, antiandrogenic, antimineralocorticoid
- this may be good for PCOS
- need to watch for K, therefore there are potential risks
What are the advantages of using Yaz?
- less weight gain, useful as an OC, for acne and PMDD
What are the advantages and actions of diane-35?
- cyproterone (anti-androgenic). Indicated for temporary treatment of severe acne. Not to be used in a patient with a history that puts them at risk for blood clots