Medical Services
Women's Health - Ask the Nurse!
Below are a set of commonly asked questions. If you do not see an answer to your question here, feel free to contact us for more information. Click on a question below to read the answer.
- Do I need ECP?
- I missed a pill what do I do?
- Am I protected from pregnancy during the placebo days of my pill? (Am I protected from pregnancy during the days off between my ring?)
- I am having irregular bleeding-what does that mean?
- I missed my period-I am on birth control pills-what does that mean?
- I missed my period-I am not on the pill-what does this mean?
- I think I have a yeast infection-what can I do?
- I am worried I have an STI-what do I look for and how can I get tested?
Do I need ECP?
- Emergency Contraceptive Pills (Plan B) are now available without a prescription in our pharmacy. They can also be purchased at an outside pharmacy. You must be 18 to purchase them. If you are under 18, contact a provider for a prescription.
- If you are not using any type of birth control. & have had unprotected intercourse, you need ECP. You may want to follow the bullets below.
- If you are using birth control, but have used it incorrectly, please contact your friendly pharmacy staff or Women’s Clinic nurses to discuss whether you need ECP or not.
- Visit the Emergency Contraception website for questions and answers.
I missed a pill what do I do?
If you missed one pill-take it as soon as you remember it. If you are taking today’s pill and you realize you missed yesterday’s pill, then take both pills at the same time. You are still protected from pregnancy as long as you catch up your pills in 24 hours. You do not need ECP (Emergency contraception/morning after pill).
If you missed 2 pills in a row, and this includes starting your pack 2 days late-you have lost your protection. Catch up missed pills by taking 2 today and 2 tomorrow then take a pill daily for the rest of the pack and USE BACK UP CONTRACEPTION-Condoms! For 1 week. It takes 7 days back on schedule to get your contraception back. Expect break through bleeding and spotting. If you have had unprotected sex during that 7 days-use ECP.
If you missed 3 pills in a row, you are going to bleed-just consider this your period-placebo days- and start a new pack of pills right away. Do not rely on the pill to protect you from pregnancy until you are back on it for 7 days. If you have had unprotected sex during those 7 days use ECP. Use ECP if you have had unprotected sex after missing OCPs for 48 to 72 hours and you have not been back on schedule for 7 days taking your pills correctly.
Am I protected from pregnancy during the placebo days of my pill? (Am I protected from pregnancy during the days off between my ring?)
Yes; as long as you have taken your pills (worn the ring) correctly during the preceding 21 days.
I am having irregular bleeding-what does that mean?
If you are on a hormonal contraceptive method (pill, ring, patch, Mirena, Implanon) it is probably related to the hormones. If you are late taking a pill or change your schedule you may have bleeding. Keep a calendar of your bleeding days and contact us if it is unusually heavy or persists the next cycle.
If you are not on a hormonal contraceptive method your cycle maybe affected by stress, travel, exercise, dietary changes, weight gain or loss or other illness. Chlamydia may also cause light bleeding-if you have not been screened and have had unprotected intercourse, chlamydia testing can be done on a urine sample at a nurse appointment. What bleeding changes need to be evaluated by an examination? If you have repeated bleeding noticed after intercourse, unusually heavy bleeding, unusually painful cramping with bleeding or irregular bleeding that persists the next cycle call and schedule an appointment.
I missed my period-I am on birth control pills-what does that mean?
If you have been taking your pills correctly every day and you are not on any prescription medications which might interfere with pill effectiveness (rifampin, griseofulvin, certain seizure medications) you are not pregnant. Many of today’s low dose pills stimulate very little lining of the uterus to develop and in some circumstances (stress, travel, diet change, exercise change) there is just minimal or no period bleeding. Keep taking your pills. If you miss a 2nd period-do a pregnancy test just in case.
If you cannot tolerate not having a period we may need to change your pill. On the other hand many women see this as an added benefit and it is not unhealthy to not menstruate as long as you are on OCP.
I missed my period-I am not on the pill-what does this mean?
If your cycles are mostly regular and you are not having sexual activity of any kind that could expose you to pregnancy then it is probably related to stress, life style changes, dietary changes etc (see question 3). Keep a calendar of your menstruation pattern and if you miss 2-3 periods call and make an appointment. We can check some basic lab studies to rule out thyroid problems or pituitary gland problems and we can stimulate a period with hormones. Many times nature takes it course and your cycles will return as your body rhythm returns. If there is no risk of pregnancy it is safe to wait and see if your cycles return in 2-3 months. If on the other hand you are engaged in any kind of sexual activity you should do a pregnancy test. The most common reason for a missed period is pregnancy. The over the counter pregnancy tests are accurate and can detect pregnancy right at the time of the missed period or about 14 days after possible conception. You may also schedule a pregnancy test with our nurse. The costs are: Blood-$22.00; Urine-$21.00.
I think I have a yeast infection-what can I do?
These are very common and usual symptoms include vaginal itching/burning, redness of the skin around the vagina, discomfort during and after vaginal intercourse and sometimes an increased discharge. If you have taken antibiotics recently you are at high risk of a secondary vaginal yeast infection. You can use an over the counter yeast treatment. We suggest the 3 Day cream or suppositories. If your symptoms do not respond in 1 week you need an examination. If you have sores or bumps you need an examination. If you have had unprotected sex you need STI testing. A wet prep-or microscopic analysis for common vaginal infections cost $6.
I am worried I have an STI-what do I look for and how can I get tested?
If you have any bumps or sores call and make an appointment.
Genital Herpes, a common viral STI, can produce painful itchy blisters and sores. This diagnosis is best made with a culture of the sores. Treatment with an antiviral medication early in the course of infection reduces discomfort by several days.
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the most common viral STI. Genital warts are raised irregular bumps on the surface of the skin, these are not usually painful but can itch. We diagnose these by visual examination and these can be treated by a variety of methods in the office.
Chlamydia is the most common bacterial STI on campus. Most of the time it causes no symptoms, but it may cause irregular bleeding and spotting, urinary discomfort and a change in vaginal discharge. Women should consider screening for this every year with their annual exam.
Gonorrhea is less common but can produce symptoms of discharge, cramps and irregular bleeding. Both Chlamydia and Gonorrhea can be tested through a urine sample -no exam required. HIV and Syphilis testing are also available through a blood test.
Costs of the tests:
Chlamydia $21
Gonorrhea $21 or both for $40,
HIV $25
RPR (syphilis) $26
Herpes culture $45
--with typing of the virus $89
--just blood typing $40
Pregnancy Testing $18,
Wet Prep/Vaginal infection check $6.
