Fertility Control Flashcards
What are the different methods of Fertility control?
- Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill
- Combined Vaginal Contraceptive (same as COCP but different delivery)
- Progesterone Only Methods
- IUCDs
- Condoms
- Cap
- Fertility Awareness
- Natural Family Planning
- Post-coital pills
What is the Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill?
- Contains both oestrogen and progesterone
=> Oestrogen acts on:
- Anterior pituitary/ hypothalamus
- Ovary
- Endometrium
=> Progesterone acts on:
- Anterior pituitary/ hypothalamus
- Ovary
- Endometrium
- Fallopian tube
- Cervical mucus
What are the 2nd and 3rd generation COCPs?
=> 2nd generation:
- Norethindrone
- Levonorgestrel
=> 3rd generation:
- Desogestrel
- Gestedone
- Norgestimate
What are the risks associated with COCP in terms of:
- CVS
- Neoplastic
- Gastrointestinal
- Hepatic
- Dermatological
- Psychological
CVS => VTE
Neoplastic => Breast, Cervix, Liver
GI => Weight gain, Crohn’s Disease
Hepatic => Hormone metabolisms, Jaundice, Gallstone
Dermatological => Chloasma, Acne, Erythema Multiforme
Psycological => mood swings, Depression, Libido
How are COCPs taken?
- 1st packet taken on 1st day of cycle
- Take 21 pills then stop and take a 7 day break
- Restart on 8th day
What medications interact with COCPs?
Liver enzyme inducing drugs => Rifampicin, Anti-epileptics
Broad spectrum antibiotics
Affect the metabolism of oestrogen and progesterone
What is the Progesterone Only Method?
- Implants or Hormone releasing IUCDs
- Older progesterone only pills or injectables (Cerelle)
- Progesterone works through the increase in cervical mucus and thinning of endometrium
What are the different types of Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices?
=> Copper Bearing IUCDs:
- Left in site for long period of time
- Act through destruction sperm, prevention of implantation
- Examples: GyneFix, Nova T, Multiload, Ortho T
=> Hormone Bearing IUCDs:
- Release progesterone
- Example: Minera
What are the risks of using Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices?
- Miscarriage if left in during pregnancy
- May be expelled
- Perforation of uterus
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using IUCDs?
=> Advantages:
- Non user dependant
- Long term
- Immediately reversible
- Extremely reliable
=> Disadvantages:
- Has to be fitted in by trained medical professional
- Fitting may cause pain or discomfort
- Does not offer protection against infection
- Periods become more painful and heavy
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using condoms?
=> Advantages:
- Puts person in control
- Protection against STIs
- No serious health risk
- Easily available
- For female condoms, does not rely on male erection
=> Disadvantages:
- Last minute use for men
- May cause allergies
- High failure rate
- Female condoms are obstructive and expensive
- Messy
What are the 2 forms of Caps?
Diaphragm Caps => made of latex and fit across vagina. Must be used ≥ 6 hours before sex
Suction Caps => made of plastic, must be used ≥ 6 hours before sex
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Diaphragm Caps?
=> Advantages:
- Women in control
- Offers protection against Cervical Dysplasia
- Can be put in in advance
=> Disadvantages:
- Higher risk of UTIs and Candiadis
- High failure rate
- Must be taught
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Suction Caps?
=> Advantages:
- Suitable for women with poor pelvic muscles
- No problems with rubber allergies
- Women in control
- Very obstructive
= Disadvantages:
- Needs accessible and suitable cervix
- Not easy to find experienced teacher
What are the 2 types of emergency contraception?
- Copper Bearing IUCDs
- Post-coital Pill
=> Post-coital pill can be used up to 72 hours after sex, and works by postponing ovulation.
=> Copper bearing IUCDs work up to 4 days after sex by killing sperm
