CONTRACEPTION Flashcards
(55 cards)
CONTRACEPTION
What contraception should be avoided in…
i) breast cancer?
ii) cervical/endometrial cancer?
iii) Wilson’s disease?
i) Any hormonal contraception (use IUD or barrier methods).
ii) Avoid IUS.
iii) Avoid copper coil.
CONTRACEPTION
What advice should be given about contraception for perimenopausal women?
- Require contraception for 2y if <50y/o or 1 y if >50.
- HRT does not prevent pregnancy.
- COCP can be used up to age 50 + can treat perimenopausal Sx.
- Injection stopped before 50 due to risk of osteoporosis.
CONTRACEPTION
What advice should be given about contraception in under 20s?
- COCP + POP unaffected by age.
- Implant good choice of long-acting reversible contraception (UKMEC1).
- Injection UKMEC2 due to concerns about reduced BMD.
- Coils UKMEC2 as higher rate of expulsion.
CONTRACEPTION
What advice should be given about contraception after childbirth?
- Fertility not considered to return until 21d postnatally.
- Lactational amenorrhoea is >98% effective for up to 6m after if women fully breastfeeding + amenorrhoeic.
- POP + implant considered safe in breastfeeding + can start any time after birth.
COCP
What regimes are used for the COCP?
- 21d on 7d off.
- Tricycling 63d on (three packs), 7d off.
- Continuous use without a pill-free period.
COCP
What are the UKMEC4 criteria for the COCP?
- Uncontrolled HTN.
- Migraine with aura.
- > 35 smoking >15/day.
- Major surgery with prolonged immobility (stop 4w before major surgery)
- Hx of stroke, IHD, AF, VTE.
- Active breast cancer.
- Liver cirrhosis or tumours.
- SLE + antiphospholipid syndrome.
- Breastfeeding before 6w postpartum (UKMEC2 after).
COCP
What are the UKMEC3 criteria for the COCP?
- > 35 smoking <15/day.
- BMI >35kg/m^2.
- Controlled HTN.
- VTE FHx in 1st degree relatives.
- Immobility.
- Known carrier of BRCA1/2.
COCP
What are the important starting instructions for the COCP?
Rules for switching from POP to COCP?
- Start on day 1 = immediate protection.
- Start after day 5 = extra contraception for first 7d.
- Can switch from traditional POP at any time but 7d extra contraception.
- Can switch from desogestrel with no additional contraception as it inhibits ovulation.
COCP
What is a missed pill? What are the missed pill rules for one pill?
- When the pill is >24h, D+V is managed as missed pill.
- Take missed pill ASAP even if means 2 pills on same day, no extra protection required as long as back on track.
COCP
What are the missed pill rules for >1 pill?
What are the rules regarded unprotected sexual intercourse (UPSI)?
Take most recent missed pill ASAP even if means 2 pills on same day, extra contraception for 7d.
- Day 1–7 + UPSI = emergency contraception.
Day 8–14 + UPSI = ok.
Day 15–21 + UPSI = next pack back-to-back so skip pill free period.
POP
What is the POP?
- Pill containing only progesterone, taken continuously with fewer contraindications + risks compared with the COCP.
POP
What are the instructions for starting the POP and why?
How do you switch between POPs?
- Start day 1–5 = immediate protection.
- Other times = 48h additional contraception to allow cervical mucus to thicken enough to prevent entry of sperm.
- Can switch between POPs with no extra contraception.
POP
What are the rules regarding switching from COCP to POP?
- Best time to change is days 1–7 of the hormone-free period after finishing the COCP pack as no additional contraception required.
- Any other time requires 48h contraception.
POP
What is the UKMEC4 criteria for POP?
- Active breast cancer.
POP
What is the main complaint/side effect of the POP?
What are some other side effects of the POP?
- Unscheduled bleeding common in first 3m (if persists exclude other causes like STIs, pregnancy, cancer).
- Changes to bleeding schedule one of primary adverse effects (40% regular bleeding, 40% irregular, prolonged or troublesome + 20% amenorrhoeic).
- Breast tenderness, headaches + acne.
POP
What are some risks of the POP?
- Increased risk of ovarian cysts, small risk of ectopic pregnancy with traditional POP due to reduced ciliary action, minimal increased risk of breast cancer (returns to normal 10y after stopping).
POP
What classes as a missed pill for POP?
- > 3h in traditional POP is a missed pill.
- > 12h for desogestrel-POP is a missed pill.
PROGESTERONE INJECTION
What is the progesterone only injection? What types are there (long and short acting)?
- Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate.
- Depo-Provera = IM.
- Sayana press = s/c (can be self-injected).
- Noristerat is alternative that contains noresthisterone + works for 8w so used as short-term interim contraception (e.g. after vasectomy).
PROGESTERONE INJECTION
What are the instructions for the progesterone injection?
- Day 1–5 = immediate protection.
- > day 5 = 7d of contraception.
- Injections every 12–13w, any longer = less effective.
PROGESTERONE INJECTION
What is the main side effect of the progesterone injection?
Changes to bleeding schedule main issue
- Bleeding often more irregular, heavier + last longer.
- Usually temporary, >1y of regular use most become amenorrhoeic.
- Exclude other causes of bleeding.
- Can use COCP for 3m if problematic bleeding.
- Short course (5d) of mefenamic acid can halt bleeding.
PROGESTERONE INJECTION
What are 3 unique side effects to the progesterone injection?
- Weight gain
- Reduced BMD (oestrogen maintains BMD + mostly produced by follicles in ovaries)
– Makes depot unsuitable for those >45 - Takes 12m for fertility to return after stopping
PROGESTERONE INJECTION
What are some general side effects of the progesterone injection?
- Acne.
- Reduced libido.
- Mood issues (depression).
- Headaches.
- Alopecia.
- Skin reactions at injection sites.
- Small rise in breast/cervical cancer risk.
PROGESTERONE INJECTION
What are the UKMEC3 + 4 criteria for progesterone injection?
- UKMEC4 = active breast cancer.
- UKMEC3 = IHD + stroke, unexplained vaginal bleeding, severe liver cirrhosis + liver cancer.
PROGESTERONE IMPLANT
What is the progesterone implant?
- Small flexible plastic rod placed in upper arm beneath skin + above s/c fat that slowly releases progesterone into circulation.