OCPs Flashcards
what are the 2 types of OCPs
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Combined OCPs
- estrogen + progestin
- Progestin-Only OCPs
2 major approaches OCPs prevent pregnancy
- Prevent ovulation
- Impair implantation
we can prevent ovulation by suppressing __ and __ release by preventing ___ in estrogen levels via giving patient __ __ levels
we can prevent ovulation by suppressing LH and FSH release by preventing fluctuations in estrogen levels via giving patient stable estrogen levels
we can prevent implantation by maintaining elevated __ levels via giving patient ___ elevated __
we can prevent implantation by maintaining elevated progesterone levels via giving patient stable elevated progestin
Combined OCP
estrogen + progestin agents
- Estrogen
- ethinyl estradiol or mestranol (prodrug converted to ethinyl estradiol)
- Progestin
- Levonorgestrel
- Desogestrel
- Norethindrone
- Norgestrel
- Norgestimate
- Drospirenone
Almost all progestins have some ___ activity in varying degrees - explain these
Almost all progestins have some androgenic activity in varying degrees - explain these
- Levonorgestrel, Norgestrel: highest
- Norethindrone: lower
- Desogestrel, Norgestimate (3rd gen): even lower
- Drospirenone: antiandrogenic
Combined OCPs are available in ___, ____, and ___ preparations - explain these
Combined OCPs are available in monophasic, biphasic, and triphasic preparations
- Monophasic: fixed estrogen and progestin dose /pill
-
Biphasic/Triphasic: varying proportions of hormones during pill cycle
- ↓ amount and total monthly dose of progestins
- mimics normal physiological hormonal changes more closely
Combined OCPs most commonly used are called ‘___’ containing ___ of ____ or less
Has decreased adverse effects/risks, but more likely to result in ____ if doses are missed
Combined OCPs most commonly used are called ‘low-dose’ containing 35 μg of ethinyl estradiol or less
Has decreased adverse effects/risks, but more likely to result in contraceptive failure if doses are missed
Types of OCPs
-
21 hormonally active pills
- followed by 7 placebo pills to allow withdrawal from bleeding and facilitates consistent daily pill intake
-
Extended-cycle formulations
- 84 days of hormonal pills, followed by 7-day placebo phase
- 4 periods /year
-
Continuous combination regimens
- hormone-containing pills for 21 days, then very-low-dose estrogen and progestin for an additional 4-7 days
Combination OCPs work primarily to prevent conception by preventing ____
___ LH and FSH release and ovulation does not occur
progestin prevents sperm penetraction by ____, and induces endometrium changes that impair ___
Combination OCPs work primarily to prevent conception by preventing ovulation
suppress LH and FSH release and ovulation does not occur
progestin prevents sperm penetration by thickening cervical mucus and induces endometrium changes that impair implantation
OCP benefits
- ↓ risk of ENDOMETRIAL and OVARIAN cancer
- Improved regulation of menstruation
- RELIEF of benign breast disease
- PREVENTS ovarian cysts
- ↓ risk of symptomatic pelvic inflammatory disease
- acne control
about OCP AEs
- cardiovascular toxicity concerns initially limited long-term use
- adjusting/decreasing estrogen and progestin dose reduces AEs
- many AEs (eg nausea, bloating, breakthrough bleeding) improve spontaneously by third cycle
____ is the most common AE of OCPs → more of a problem with __ doses of estrogen because estrogen ___ the endometrium
Breakthrough bleeding is the most common AE of OCPs → more of a problem with LOWER doses of estrogen because estrogen stabilizes the endometrium
OCP AE: headache
- Usually mild and transient
- migraine may be associated with cerebrovascular accidents
- Women who develop migraines should stop taking the contraceptive
OCP AE: Insulin Resistance
- progestin competes with insulin for insulin receptor → insulin resistance
- current OCPs have a low progestin content and rarely cause hyperglycemia