Provider Tips & Strategies

A 22-year-old G0 patient (she/her) comes in for a routine well-person exam. When you ask if she's ever had a Pap smear, she says she hasn't. She's never had penetrative sex and didn't think she needed one until she did. She says she really doesn't want one yet because she's worried it will be painful, and shares that she "doesn't even use tampons." She isn't sure whether she finished the HPV vaccine series as a teenager. She asks you, "Do I really need to do this right now, or is it OK to wait?"

A store-brand version of Opill is now on shelves at Walgreens and CVS. Here's what providers need to know about this additional over-the-counter contraceptive option.

A 23-year-old G1P1 (she/her) is coming in for her first postpartum visit after a normal spontaneous vaginal delivery. She was supposed to come for a 2-week check-in, but missed the appointment. She is now 4 weeks postpartum. She reports the baby is doing well. She is feeling fine, currently breastfeeding and tells you she stopped spotting “a while ago.” She had vaginal sex with her partner 2 days ago for the first time since delivery and they used a condom. Toward the end of her pregnancy, she indicated she wanted to get a copper IUD and now asks you if you can place it today. Her partner went back to work and childcare for an extra visit is difficult.  

Gender-affirming hormone therapy builds on skills clinicians already have. Here's a practical starting point.

A 21-year-old patient (she/her) presents to your health center after a positive home urine pregnancy test last week. Based on a sure last menstrual period (LMP), the patient currently has an estimated gestational duration of 6 weeks. When you ask how she's feeling about being pregnant, she pauses and says, "Honestly? I don't know. I think I could see myself going either way. I just don't know what the right thing to do is." She has a 3-year-old at home, a job she's not sure allows for more time off, and a partner she describes as "supportive but not pushing me either way." She denies urgent safety concerns and has no significant medical history.

Your patient says they've "been doing research." What if that research came from an organized disinformation network? A guide to four sources SRH providers should recognize.

A 29-year-old G2P1 (she/they) presents for medication abortion at 8 weeks of gestation, consistent with a 6-week ultrasound demonstrating a single intrauterine pregnancy. She reports, “I think I got a shot after I had my son. Do I need a shot before I take the pills?" She reports her previous pregnancy was uncomplicated. She is not certain of her prior Rh status. She is not certain about a desire for future pregnancies.