L20 Oral contraceptives

Question 1

Side effects/ risks of oral contraceptives

Answer 1

Hypertension
VTE Venous Thromboebolism
Cancer: breast, cervical, uterine

Question 2

Benefits of COCs

Answer 2

• decreased risk of endometrial, ovarian and colorectal cancer
• Reduction in bone fractures-osteoporosis, dysmenorrhoea and menorrhagia
• Protective effect on benign breast tumors

Question 3

oestrogen OCO

Answer 3

ethinyloestradiol

Question 4

Progestogens
1 old
2 new

Answer 4

old: levonorgestrel
New: cyproterone, drospirenone

Question 5

Types of oral contraceptives

Answer 5

1. COC combined oral contraceptives
2. sequential preparations
3. Mini pill, progestogen only

Question 6

Drospirenone

Answer 6

• has anti androgenic activity and mild diuretic activity similar to spironolactone (helps with acne and hair)
• a derivative of spironolactone
• Receptor aldosterone antagonist/inhibitor
• present in YAZ & YAZMINE
• Tends not to put on as much weight

Question 7

Spironalactone

Answer 7

Anti androgenic and diuretic properties

Prescription for PCOS: Contraceptive pill and spironolactone – for anti androgenic features

Question 8

Why do ppl take the pill?

Answer 8

-reduce heavy period flow
-PCOS polycystic overian syndrome
Anti androgenic effects:
-spironalactone

Question 9

Mini pill

Answer 9

progesterone only oral preparations
1. Changes the cervical mucus
Makes mucus thicker, making it harder for sperm to pass through
2. Endometrium changed, not welcoming for implantation of a embryo
3. Changes motility of the fallopian tube making it hard for implantation of the embryo