Urinogenital Medicine Flashcards
Name 2 types of POP
Desogestrel Only Pill (Cerazette)
Traditional progestogen-only pill (Norgeston)
What is the MOA for POP? (4)
Thickens cervical mucus
Makes endometrium less accepting of implantation
Reduces ciliary action in the fallopian tubes
Inhibits ovulation (desogestrel)
When is it best to start the POP and why?
Starting on day 1-5 of the menstrual cycle provides immediate protection (as ovulation is unlikely during this period and it takes 48 hours for cervical mucus to thicken)
If a POP is started after day 5 of the menstrual cycle, what advice is given?
Use additional contraception (i.e condoms) for 48 hours after starting POP
Can POP be used in pregnancy?
Yes. POP is not harmful in pregnancy.
But, women should do a pregnancy test 3 weeks after last unprotected intercourse.
When is it best to switch from COCP to POP?
Day 1-7 of the hormone free period after finishing the COCP pack. Here no additional contraception is required.
What is the only unacceptable health risk for POP use?
Active breast cancer
If a patient had sex since completing the last pack of COCP what must they do before switching to POP?
Complete at least 7 consecutive days of COCP before switching AND use extra contraception for 48 hours.
List 5 side effects of POP
Unscheduled bleeding (common in 1st 3 months)
Amenorrhoea/Irregular bleeding
Breast tenderness
Headaches
Acne
Give 3 possible complications of POP use
Ovarian cysts
Ectopic pregnancy (due to reduced ciliary action in fallopian tubes)
Breast cancer (small chance)
How are missed pills classified in POP? (3)
Traditional POP - >3 hours late - >26 hours after last pill
Desogestrel POP - >12 hours late - >36 hours after last pill
Diarrhoea or vomiting - Extra contraception is required until 48 hours after diarrhoea and vomiting settles
What should a patient do if they miss a POP pill? (3)
Continue with next pill at usual time (take 2)
Use extra contraception for next 48 hours of regular use
Use emergency contraception if they had sex since missing the pill or within 48 hours of restarting regular pills.
Give 4 examples of COCP and state what they contain
Microgynon - Ethinylestradiol + Levonorgestrel
Loestrin - Ethinylestradiol + Norethisterone
Marvelon - Ethinylestradiol + Desogestrel
Yasmin - Ethinylestradiol + Drospirenone
When is noresthisterone useful?
Useful for delaying periods (i.e if a woman is going on holiday)
When is drospirenone useful? and why?
1st line for premenstrual syndrome
(spironolactone analogue)
Has antimineralocorticoid and antioandrogen effects which helps with bloating, water retention and mood changes.
What is drospirenones pattern of use?
Continuous rather than cyclical
What is the MOA of the COCP? (2)
Prevents ovulation
Thickens cervical mucus, inhibits implantation and reduces ciliary action in fallopian tubes
How does COCP prevent ovulation?
Oestrogen and progesterone have a negative feedback effect on the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary, suppressing the release of GnRH, LH and FHS.
What is a withdrawal bleed (COCP). How often should they occur?
Describes when the pill is stopped (inactive pills) and the endometrium breaks down and sheds, resulting in a withdrawal bleed.
Should occur at lasts 3 times/year
Give 3 regimes for the COCP
21 days on and 7 days off
63 days on (3 packs) and 7 days off (tricycling)
Continuous use without a pill free period
Give 3 side effects of COCP
Unscheduled bleeding (common in 1st 3 months)
Breast pain/tenderness
Mood changes/depression
Give 2 risks of taking the COCP
VTE
Breast + Cervical Cancer
Give 3 non-contraceptive benefits of COCP use
Improves premenstrual symptoms, menorrhagia (heavy periods) and dysmenorrhea (painful periods)
Reduces risk of endometrial, ovarian and colon cancer
Reduces risk of benign ovarian cysts.
Give 5 contraindications for COCP use
Uncontrolled hypertension (>160/100)
Migraine with aura
History of VTE
Smoking >15/ day and >35 years old
SLE/anti-phospholipid syndrome
When is it best to start the COCP? What should you advise if the COCP is started after this period?
Day 1-5 of menstrual cycle - offers immediate protection
Starting > day 5 requires use of extra contraception for the first 7 days of consistent pill use
What antibiotic can reduce the effect of COCP?
Rifampicin
What is classified as a ‘missed pill’ when taking COCP? What should be done if this happens? Is emergency contraception needed? (3)
Missed pill = >24 hours late (48 hours since last pill was taken)
Take missed pill ASAP (even if that means taking 2 pills in 1 day)
No emergency contraception is required (as mons as all other pills have been taken correctly)
What is advised if >1 COCP pill is missed (>72 hours since last pill was taken)? (2)
Take most recent missed pill ASAP (even if it means taking 2 pills in one day)
Use additional contraception regularly for 7 days
Regarding days of the menstrual cycle, what is the emergency contraception advice for missing >1 COCP? (3)
Day 1-7 missed - Emergency contraception required
Day 8-21 missed - No emergency contraception required