Contraception Flashcards
(135 cards)
what % of pregnancies are unplanned?
40-60%
~50% of unplanned pregnancies end in abortion
what is GnRH and what does it do?
gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulates pituitary to release FSH and LH from hypothalamus
what is FSH and what does it do?
follicle stimulating hormone stimulates maturation of follicles in ovaries
what does estrogen do?
stimulates thickening of the endometrium (uterine lining)
suppresses FSH (negative feedback)
signals LH
what is LH and what does it do?
luteinizing hormone triggers ovulation
what does progesterone do?
makes the endometrium favorable for implantation
signals the hypothalamus and pituitary to stop FSH and LH production (negative feedback)
where is progesterone produced?
the corpus luteum
what is the follicular phase?
days 1-7
day 1: first day of period
days 1-4: increase FSH (follicle grows)
days 5-7: one follicle becomes dominant, starts producing estrogen, stops menstrual flow, stimulates thickening of endometrial lining
when does ovulation occur?
~28-32 hours after the LH surge
typically around day 14 or a regular cycle
what is the luteal phase?
*14 days long
released ovum travels through fallopian tubes to the uterus
“left over” follicle becomes corpus luteum
- produces estrogen and progesterone
- provides negative feedback to stop FSH and LH production
- maintains endometrial lining
what happens if there is no implantation?
corpus luteum deteriorates and stops producing progesterone
what happens if implantation occurs?
corpus luteum continues to produce progesterone.. but that function is taken over by the placenta
when does the luteal phase switch to follicular phase?
as progesterone levels decrease and endometrial lining is shed (menstruation)
what stimulates the release of GnRH?
low levels of progesterone and estrogen
what is the difference between efficacy and effectiveness?
efficacy = how well something works in an ideal situation
effectiveness = how it happens in real life (drops about 10% usually)
what are the different contraception methods?
hormonal
barrier
permanent
natural family planning
what are the components of hormonal contraceptives?
estrogen - ethinyl estradiol (EE)
progestins - numerous options
what is the MOA of hormonal contraceptives?
estrogen and progestin provide negative feedback which inhibits ovulation
what is estrogens role in HC?
suppresses release of FSH
what is progestins role in HC?
suppresses release of LH and FSH
thickens cervical mucus
changes endometrial lining (the difference from progesterone)
what are the administration forms of HC?
oral(the pill)
injectable
transdermal
intravaginal
intrauterine
implantable
what are the categories of HC?
combined
progestin-only
long-acting reversible contraception (LARC)
what are the combined HC?
pill
patch
ring
what are the progestin-only HC?
pill
injection