Special Session - Metabolic Effects of Hormonal Contraceptives in PCOS: Case Presentations

Presenters

Needs Assessment and Description
Recent concerns about selective increased risks for thromboembolic events with specific hormonal contraceptives, such as oral contraceptive pills containing drospirenone or with the vaginal hormonal ring, have underscored the need for providers to be aware of risk factors for these events. This live course for clinicians providing contraceptive care to women will cover the importance of the changes in risk factors with treatment of hormonal contraceptives, especially in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this session, participants should be able to: 

1. Review evidence for increased risk of thromboembolic events with specific hormonal contraceptive formulation. 
2. List relative and absolute contraindications to hormonal contraception that are specific to women with PCOS. 
3. Discuss the metabolic changes with oral contraceptive use relevant to women with PCOS.

ACGME Competency
Patient Care

TEST QUESTION:
A 36-year-old woman with PCOS presents for a follow-up visit. She has a chief complaint of hirsutism, well controlled on chronic oral contraceptive pill therapy. She smokes less than 5 cigarettes a day, is not currently on any medications and has a recent glycohemoglobin level of 6.0%. On examination today she has a body mass index (BMI) of 41 kg/m2 and blood pressure of 150/105; repeat was 160/100. After participating in this session, in my practice I will consider the following to be an unacceptable health risk for using the oral contraceptive pill in this patient. 

1. Age ≥ 35 years 
2. Currently smoking 
3. Morbid obesity 
4. Suspected pre-diabetes or diabetes 
5. Elevated blood pressure 
6. Not applicable to my area of practice