Contraceptive Methods and Nursing Considerations

A set of vocabulary flashcards detailing various contraceptive methods, their mechanisms of action, effectiveness, and essential nursing considerations based on lecture notes.

Medroxyprogesterone

An injectable progestin that prevents ovulation for $12\,\text{weeks}$, is $99.7\,\%$ effective, and has a return to fertility of $6$ to $12\,\text{months}$.

Estradiol (monthly injection)

A monthly injectable contraceptive similar to oral contraceptives that provides immediate contraception within $5\,\text{days}$ of the last normal menstrual period (LNMP).

Intrauterine device (IUD)

A contraceptive device inserted by a health care provider that causes degeneration of the fertilized egg or renders the uterine wall impervious to implantation; it is nearly $100\,\%$ effective.

IUD String

A component of an Intrauterine device that the client must check for routinely, especially after each menstrual period, to ensure the device is still in place.

Male condom

A rubber sheath applied over the erect penis that prevents sperm from entering the vagina and helps prevent sexually transmitted disease; only water-based lubricants should be used.

Female (vaginal) condom

A polyurethane pouch with flexible rings inserted into the vagina that provides protection without relying on a male condom, though it has failure rates of about $21\,\%$.

Diaphragm

A flexible rubber ring with a latex-covered dome fitted by a health care provider that is released to cover the cervix and prevent sperm entry.

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS)

A potential risk associated with diaphragm use; to decrease this risk, the device should be removed at least once in $24\,\text{hours}$.

Vaginal spermicides

Over-the-counter creams, foams, or jellies that interfere with the viability of sperm and prevent their entry into the cervix.

Natural family planning

A method involving periodic abstinence from intercourse during the fertile period based on the regularity of ovulation.

Ovulatory cervical mucus

Mucus that becomes abundant, clear, thin, stretchy, and slippery, indicating the fertile period during the cervical mucus method.

Coitus interruptus

A contraceptive method where the man withdraws his penis before ejaculation to avoid depositing sperm into the vagina.

Vasectomy

A permanent male sterilization procedure that terminates the passage of sperm through the vas deferens; sterility is not complete until the proximal vas deferens is free of sperm, which takes about $3\,\text{months}$.

Tubal ligation

A female sterilization procedure where fallopian tubes are tied and/or cauterized through an abdominal incision, laparoscopy, or minilaparotomy.

Oral contraceptives

Contraceptive pills that inhibit the release of FSH, resulting in anovulatory menstrual cycles; they are close to $100\,\%$ effective but contraindicated in those with hypertension or thromboembolic disease.