Pharmacology of the Female Reproductive System

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering female reproductive anatomy, hormone control mechanisms, estrogen, progestin, combined hormonal contraceptives, tocolytics, oxytocics, and herbal alternatives based on pharmacology lecture material.

Menopause

The cessation of menses occurring when ovaries cease producing estrogen and progesterone, leading to loss of calcium retention in bones, altered serum lipid levels, and changes in secondary sex characteristics.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

The clinical administration of estrogen and progestin (or estrogen alone in patients who have undergone a hysterectomy) used palliatively during menopause or to treat hypogonadism and ovarian failure.

Combined Hormonal Contraceptives (CHC)

Reversible contraceptives containing synthetic estrogen and progesterone that prevent ovulation by suppressing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), demonstrating an efficacy rate between $92\%$ and $99.3\%$.

Withdrawal Bleeding

Artificial bleeding resembling a menstrual period that occurs during the hormone-free interval when systemic estrogen and progesterone levels decrease sharply, providing clinical reassurance against pregnancy.

Monophasic CHC

A combined oral contraceptive regimen that delivers a constant, fixed ratio of synthetic estrogen to progestin across every active pill in the menstrual cycle.

Multiphasic CHC

Combined hormonal contraceptive regimens (including biphasic, triphasic, and four-phasic formulations) designed to alter the ratios of estrogen and progestin throughout the cycle to mimic natural fluctuations and reduce adverse effects.

Extended-Use CHC Regimen

A $91\text{-day}$ oral contraceptive schedule consisting of $84\text{ days}$ of active combined hormone tablets followed by $7\text{ days}$ of placebo pills, resulting in withdrawal bleeding only $4$ times per year.

Continuous-Use CHC Regimen

An uninterrupted oral contraceptive administration plan that completely eliminates scheduled hormone-free intervals and withdrawal bleeding, offering therapeutic utility for individuals with menstrual disorders.

Transdermal Contraceptive Patch

A combined contraceptive patch applied weekly for $3\text{ consecutive weeks}$ to clean, non-breast skin followed by $1\text{ patch-free week}$; carries a boxed warning for elevated venous thromboembolism risk and lacks efficacy in individuals weighing over $198\,\text{lbs}$.

Transvaginal Contraceptive Ring

A flexible combined hormonal delivery device placed into the mid-to-upper vagina for $3\text{ weeks}$ and removed for $1\text{ week}$; if expelled for greater than $3\text{ hours}$, back-up non-hormonal contraception must be maintained for $7\text{ days}$.

Thrombosis Risk Hierarchy in Contraceptive Use

A clinical stratification of venous thromboembolic risk in which the vaginal ring and transdermal patch carry the highest risk, followed by combined oral contraceptives, progestin-only options (POP, implant, IUD), and non-contraceptive users at baseline.

Progestin-Only Pill (POP / Minipill)

An oral contraceptive devoid of estrogen taken continuously without hormone-free breaks that must be ingested daily within a strict $3\text{-hour}$ window to avoid compromised contraceptive coverage.

Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (Depo-Provera / DMPA)

An injectable progestin administered every $11\text{ to }13\text{ weeks}$ with $97\text{--}99\%$ efficacy, carrying a boxed warning against continuous usage beyond $2\text{ years}$ due to significant bone mineral density demineralization.

Etonogestrel Implant (Nexplanon)

A single-rod subdermal progestin contraceptive rod placed into the inner aspect of the upper arm providing protection for up to $3\text{ years}$, with decreased efficacy noted in patients with a $\text{BMI} > 30$.

Intrauterine Device (IUD)

A T-shaped uterine device available as progestin-releasing systems (such as Mirena, Liletta, Skyla, or Kyleena, active for $3\text{ to }7\text{ years}$ by thickening cervical mucus) or non-hormonal copper systems (Paragard, effective for approximately $10\text{ years}$).

Drospirenone

A specific synthetic progestin agent possessing antimineralocorticoid properties, uniquely contraindicating its use in individuals susceptible to hyperkalemia.

Raloxifene

A selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) indicated for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis and reduction of invasive breast cancer incidence, acting as an agonist or antagonist without being a steroid hormone itself.

Clomiphene

An ovulatory stimulant used in candidates without primary ovarian failure experiencing infertility for $1\text{ year}$, acting either directly on ovarian follicles or indirectly via hypothalamic stimulation of FSH and LH.

Ovarian Overstimulation

A potentially fatal complication of fertility pharmacotherapy characterized by severe pelvic discomfort, abdominal distention, ascites, and pleural effusion requiring immediate medical management.

Oxytocics

Uterine motility agents (such as oxytocin) that stimulate myometrial contractions to induce labor, manage incomplete abortion, assist placental delivery, and control postpartum hemorrhage.

Abortifacients

Pharmacologic compounds (including dinoprostone, mifepristone, and carboprost) indicated to stimulate uterine contractions for elective pregnancy termination, management of fetal demise, or missed abortion evacuation.

Methylergonovine (Methergine)

An ergot alkaloid uterine motility agent administered to manage and control postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) by stimulating sustained myometrial contractions.

Ergotism

A toxic syndrome precipitated by ergot derivatives (such as methylergonovine) manifesting clinically as profound peripheral vascular spasms, gangrene, numbness, seizures, hallucinations, and coma.

Tocolytics

A drug class deployed to suppress uterine myometrial contractions and arrest preterm labor (PTL), including beta-2 agonists, calcium channel blockers, and NSAIDs.

Terbutaline

A beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist tocolytic used to inhibit preterm contractions; restricted by a boxed warning limiting use to less than $48\text{ to }72\text{ hours}$ due to serious maternal cardiovascular morbidity, requiring heart rate maintenance at $\text{HR} < 120\,\text{bpm}$.

Magnesium Sulfate

A calcium antagonist infused intravenously to achieve smooth muscle tocolysis during preterm labor, requiring rigorous clinical monitoring to maintain a therapeutic serum level between $4\text{ and }7\,\text{mg/dL}$.

Calcium Gluconate

The specific intravenous pharmacological reversal agent and antidote utilized to treat systemic magnesium sulfate toxicity.

BURP Mnemonic

A clinical monitoring mnemonic identifying toxic signs of magnesium sulfate: Blood pressure decreased, Urine output decreased, Respiration $< 12\,\text{breaths/min}$, and Patella reflex absent.

Black Cohosh

An herbal alternative therapy that mimics endogenous estrogen to alleviate menopausal symptoms, requiring caution due to potential hepatotoxicity.

Dong Quai

An alternative botanical therapy used for menopausal complaints that causes cutaneous photosensitivity and is strictly contraindicated with warfarin due to elevated hemorrhage risk.

Wild Yam

A natural therapy containing progesterone compounds that must not be co-administered with conventional HRT, disulfiram, or metronidazole, and may elevate blood glucose levels.