General Gynecology

I missed a birth control pill.

Take it as soon as you remember. Your next pill should be taken at your regular time. This may mean taking 2 pills in 1 day.

I missed two birth control pills.

Take 2 pills on the day you remember then 2 pills the next day. You must use another form of birth control (such as condoms) as a backup for 7 days.

I missed more than 2 birth control pills.

Call the office for advice as the best advice varies with where you are in your cycle. It WILL be necessary to use another method for birth control for the rest of this cycle.

I am on the birth control pill and I missed a period.

If you have missed a period and have taken your pills correctly continue taking them as usual into the next pill pack. If you have missed pills, not taken them correctly, or if you miss 2 periods in a row, contact the nurse to arrange for a pregnancy test.

I am on the pill and I am bleeding between periods.

If irregular bleeding occurs in more than one cycle contact the office to arrange for a medical evaluation.

Does the pill protect me from sexually transmitted diseases?

The pill provides protection against pregnancy but does not protect against STDs. Latex condoms provide some protection. Birth Control Pills DO NOT protect against HIV or other STDs.

What is perimenopause?

The average age of menopause in the United States for nonsmoking females is 51 years of age. Most women will begin to notice menopausal symptoms as early as 5 years prior to true menopause. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, hot flushes during daytime hours, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and alterations in menstrual cycles. Like all symptoms, everyone's experience is individual. Effective treatments are available. Your Carteret Ob/Gyn provider can help you decide what is right for you.