Reproductive health Flashcards
What are the available formulations for testosterone?
- Gel: 50-100mg daily, stable concentrations, well tolerated, risk of secondary exposure to others is low as long as the pt washes their hands, waits until gel is dry, avoids getting it wet for 5 hours
- Transdermal (not available in the US)
- Injectable: 50-100mg weekly or 100-200mg every 2 weeks; most cost effective
What is testosterone used to treat?
- Primary hypogonadism
- hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
- male climacteric
- transgender masculine patients
Contraindications to testosterone therapy (6)
- Prostate cancer
- Male breast cancer
- Severe urinary tract symptoms
- Erythrocytosis, do not use if HCT over 50
- Severe, untreated sleep apnea
- Uncontrolled CHF
Drug interactions with testosterone
- Anticoagulants (warfarin): increased r/f bleed
- Diabetic agents: increased r/s hypoglycemia
- Corticosteroids: increased fluid retention
Monitoring with testosterone therapy
- Check level 2-3 months after starting treatment and after any dose change; once stable, change to every 6-12 months
- Re-evaluation for prostate cancer 3 months and one year after starting treatment - PSA and digital exam
- Hct 3-6 months after starting treatment, then annually
- Check lipids, liver function and CBC
Adverse fx of testosterone (8, 5 specific to men; 2 specific to women)
- Acne
- Sleep apnea
- Erythrocytosis
- Liver disorders: Hepatitis, hepatic neoplasm, cholestatic hepatitis, jaundice, hepatocellular carcinoma
- Men: gynecomastia, reduced sperm levels, decreased libido at high levels, depression, prostate disorders
- Women: menstrual irregularities, virilization
What medication can NOT be taken in combination with phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil)?
Alpha-blockers
Antiandrogens
5-alpha reductase inhibitor: Finasteride (Proscar, propecia)
Indications, MOA & Monitoring
- Indications: treats BPH and male pattern baldness
- MOA: inhibits enzymes that converts testosterone to DHT (dihydrotestosterone)
- Monitoring: prostate evaluation required for any increase in PSA while on medication
Antiandrogens
GnRH Analogues: Leuprolide (Leupron)
Indications & MOA
- Indications: advanced prostate and breast cancers, management of endometriosis and uterine fibroids, precocious puberty, pubertal suppression in transgender adolescents
- MOA: blocks LH release hormone antagonists; Creates reversible chemical orchiectomy or oophorectomy state
Antiandrogens
Aldosterone antagonist: Spironolactone
Dosing, indications, MOA
- 50-200mg orally daily
- PCOS, acne, hirsutism
- aldosterone antagonist and inhibits the 5-alpha reductase enzyme
Antiandrogens
Aldosterone antagonist: Spironolactone
Pregnancy considerations, adverse fx
- Contraindicated in pregnancy
- Adverse fx: GI upset, gynecomastia
Estrogen
What are the different forumlations available for the indications? (contraception, menopause, vaginal atrophy/dryness)
- contraception: pill, transdermal, vaginal ring
- Menopausal symptoms: oral, transdermal, topical gels, emulsions, lotions, intravaginal creams, tablets, rings
- Conjugated equine estrogens (premarin): derived from pregnant mare’s urine, mostly comprised of estrone
- Synthetic conjugated estrogens: derived from plant source (soy, yams)
- Many women prefer plant based
- Micronized 17-beta estradiol: bioidentical to main product of premenopausal ovary
- Esterified estrogens: comparable to serum estradiol/estrone levels to conjugated estrogen
- Ethinyl estradiol: more potent than others for MHT, used in low doses
- Vaginal atrophy and dryness: vaginal cream, tablets or ring
What are the advantages of combined oral contraceptives?
- Highly effective
- Rapidly reversible
- Regulate menstrual bleeding
- Decreased menstrual blood loss and dysmenorrhea
- Reduction in risk of ovarian and endometrial cancers
What are prescribing considerations for estrogen replacement therapy in menopause?
- benefits outweigh the risk for healthy, symptomatic women who are within 10 years of menopause or younger than 60 years old and do not have contraindications
- Long-term use no longer recommended
- Oral has greater fx on liver due to first-pass effect which can increase production of clotting factors, lipids and thyroid hormones
- Transdermal associated with lower r/f venous thrombosis and stroke - less fx on serum lipids and equally effective for preserving bone density; also preferred formulation in women with migraine with aura
Contraindications of combined oral contraceptives
- Age over 35 and smoking
- Uncontrolled HTN
- Venous thromboembolism
- Current breast cancer
- History of stroke
- Cirrhosis
- Migraine with aura
- Ischemic heart disease or multiple risk factors