Question: I am a Nurse Practitioner at Student Health. One of our physicians sent an article about Phexxi, a contraceptive option to use in conjunction with condoms if a patient did not want to use any standard birth control options. What are your thoughts about this?...
Question: “I have a patient that is complaining of hair loss after having Nexplanon placed. Is that common and if so, is there any treatment for it?” Answer: Dear Doctor H., Hair growth / loss is affected by hormones, especially progestins, so it may be a...
Question: Have any of the leaders in this field set forth any guidance re: providing care in restrictive states that could be deemed “providing abortions” (even though definitely not) – for ex removing an IUD following a +PT? placing an IUD more than...
Question: “I am 45 years old recently menopausal based on no periods for 18 months and confirmation by labs. I recently was having pelvic pressure and went to my ob/gyn. He ordered a transvaginal ultrasound that showed thickened endometrium (15) which he said...
Question: I honestly think my vagina smells horrible all the time and I don’t know if its in my head……. how do i go about fixing this? – Anonymous, 22 Answer: Dear Anonymous: The most common reason for odor is a condition called bacterial...
Question: I lost one of my birth control pills so I took the next days in the pack. Is that okay? What should I do if this happens. I don’t want to get pregnant. – Anonymous Mouse Answer: Dear Anonymous Mouse, Yes—you can just continue with the other...
Question: When my doctor gave me the vaginal ring for birth control, she said something about not using yeast cream. I think I have a yeast infection. Is it okay to buy a yeast cream? – Anne Answer: Dear Anne: You remembered correctly! There are two types of...
Question: The condom broke last night and I would like to take the morning after pill, but I heard it causes abortion. I’m not sure what to do. –Concerned Answer: Dear Concerned: Taking the morning after pill does not cause an abortion. The morning after...
Question: I’m 31 years old and I’ve been on the pill for 10 years. Should I go off to give my body a break? – Emma Answer: Dear Emma: If your health status has not changed since you started the pill, and you do not want to become pregnant at this...
Question: “Is there a specific amount of weight gain in a client that would be unacceptable to continuing DMPA if that is her method of choice? We have tried other options and she wants to use DMPA despite a significant amount of weight gain. Thank you.”...
QUESTION (submitted 1/09/2022): “When prescribing a birth control for a breastfeeding mom who is breastfeeding at least 4x day but who has experienced breakthrough bleeding, ie got a period, and now wants to start on an oral birth control (wants something easy...
Question: “D” had a Mirena IUD placed at the time of Cesarean section. At her 6-week visit, the strings could not be visualized; so, her provider ordered a pelvic US. The IUD is in utero at the level of the fundus but seems to be turned...
Question: Hi I’ve had a coil fitted for nearly 6 years and I’ve just lost a large amount of jelly like brown discharge. Is this normal Answer: The term coil is used outside the US to refer to a copper IUD, so I will answer the question assuming this is...
Question: Dr. Zieman, I am an NP with 8 years of family planning experience in a title X clinic in Oklahoma. Managing Contraception has been very influential in my practice. Due to current politics in my state, I believe initiating contraception via the QuickStart...
Question: “I recently saw a 26 yr old female whose LMP was 3/13/22, she had unprotected sex 3/27/22 and took Plan B 3/28/22, experienced spotting 4/4/22 and has not had a regular menses since 3/13/22. Pregnancy test done 5/16/22 and negative. What is the...
Board-certified as an OB/GYN with a fellowship in contraceptive research and education, I aim to help people make informed decisions about their health.
I’ve co-authored sixteen editions of Managing Contraception* with over one million copies in circulation. I’m here to answer your questions about birth control.
