Hormonal Contraceptives

Question 1

What is the action of progesterone on cervical mucus?

Answer 1

Thickening of cervical mucus limits spermatozoan penetration.

Question 2

What is the mechanism of action (MOA) of progesterone-only pills?

Answer 2

Diminished GnRH pulses, thickened cervical mucus, difficult implantation, hindered spermatozoan movement.

Question 3

What is the duration of action for a subdermal implant containing 216mg norgestrel?

Answer 3

Up to 5 years.

Question 4

What is the dosage and duration of action for crystalline suspension of medroxyprogesterone acetate?

Answer 4

150mg for 3 months.

Question 5

What is the effectiveness of progesterone IUD initially?

Answer 5

97-98% effectiveness.

Question 6

How do progestin-only contraceptives compare in efficacy to combination pills?

Answer 6

Slightly less efficacious.

Question 7

What is the theoretical effectiveness of progestin-only contraceptives?

Answer 7

99%.

Question 8

What is the typical use effectiveness of progestin-only contraceptives?

Answer 8

96% to 97.5%.

Question 9

What is a common example of a progestin-only pill?

Answer 9

Minipill or low dose progestins.

Question 10

How many days are there in a pack of combination contraceptives?

Answer 10

21 days.

Question 11

What is the purpose of inert compounds in combination contraceptive packs?

Answer 11

To create a 7-day pill-free period every month.

Question 12

What characterizes monophasic combination contraceptives?

Answer 12

Fixed amount of estrogen and progestin for 21 days.

Question 13

What characterizes biphasic and triphasic combination contraceptives?

Answer 13

Contain 2 or 3 different pills with varied amounts of active ingredients.

Question 14

What is the range of estrogen content in combination contraceptives?

Answer 14

25-50 micrograms.

Question 15

What is the most frequently used estrogen in hormonal contraceptives?

Answer 15

Ethinyl estradiol.

Question 16

What are the two main types of progestins used in contraceptives?

Answer 16

19-nor compounds of estrane and gonane.

Question 17

What is the effectiveness of post-coital emergency contraceptives?

Answer 17

75% effective.

Question 18

What are the two regimens for emergency contraceptives using levonorgestrel?

Answer 18

• Two one-pill doses of 0.75mg 12 hours apart
• Two two-pill doses of 0.25mg and 0.05mg 12 hours apart.

Question 19

What are some contraindications for hormonal contraceptives?

Answer 19

• Hypertension
• Myocardial infarction
• Diabetes mellitus
• Coagulation disorders
• Fibroids
• Cancers
• Hepatic disorders.

Question 20

What are common adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with progestin-only contraceptives?

Answer 20

• Unpredictable spotting
• Breakthrough bleeding.

Question 21

What is the mechanism of action of emergency contraceptive pills?

Answer 21

• Suppression of ovulation
• Disruption of endometrial receptivity
• Slowed fallopian movement of sperm
• Limited cervical mucus penetration.

Question 22

What are some cardiovascular risks associated with combination pills?

Answer 22

• Thromboembolism
• Insignificant increase in blood pressure
• Slight increase in triglycerides.

Question 23

What is the long-term effect of combination pills on endometrial cancer risk?

Answer 23

50% decrease lasting 15 years after stoppage.

Question 24

What is the theoretical and actual effectiveness of combined oral contraceptives?

Answer 24

• Theoretical effectiveness: 99.9%
• Use effectiveness: 97%-98%.

Question 25

What is a key advantage of hormonal contraceptives introduced since 1960?

Answer 25

Among the most effective drugs.

Question 26

True or False: Hormonal contraceptives have a wide variety of agents with varied doses and components.

Answer 26

True.