• Question 1 - I missed my pill yesterday. What should I do?
• Question 2 - The condom broke while we were having sex. What should I do?
• Question 3 - Can I get pregnant while taking the pill? The answer...
• Question 4 - When should I have a Pap test? The answer...

Do You Have More Questions? If you don't see the question you need answered here, check the FAQ section of the Canadian Health Network.

Answer 1.

What to do if you miss your birth control pill:

NOTE: 28-DAY PACK: If you forget any of the seven "reminder" pills (without hormones) in Week 4, just safely dispose of the pills you missed. Then keep taking one pill each day until the pack is empty. You do not need to use a back-up method.

IF YOU FORGET MORE THAN ONE PILL 2 MONTHS IN A ROW, TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR about ways to make pill-taking easier or about another method of birth control.

The following chart outlines the actions you should take if you miss one or more birth control pills. Match the number of pills missed with the appropriate starting time for the type of pill pack.

Answer 2.

What to do if your condom breaks:

To prevent unwanted pregnancy, you should consider the Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP). It is effective in preventing pregnancy if it is taken within 72 hours (3 days) of unprotected sex. It may also work up to 2 days later.

ECP - 'PLAN B' is now available through your local pharmacist without a prescription. Prices will range from $30 to 50 depending on the drugstore. If in the metro area, call 902-455-9656 to reach to the Halifax Sexual Health Clinic (formerly Planned Parenthood Metro Clinic). They dispense ECP for a lot less money.

You can also buy Plan B ahead of time, as a preventative measure, “just in case”.

If you don’t have the money, you can go to the emergency department at the South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater, and they may give you some at no charge. However, if there are other people there, even if they came in behind you, you may have to wait a long time before you get to see the doctor. The emergency department receives patients by priority of need/injury, not by first-come first-served.

Some women feel sick taking ECP and may even vomit, so you might want to take an anti-nausea pill like Gravol® about an hour before taking ECP.

After taking ECP your period may come a week early or a week late. See your doctor or get a pregnancy test if your period is more than a week late. You can get a free pregnancy test at the Sexual Health Centre in Bridgewater (527-2868) or buy one at your local pharmacy.

If you have missed the 72 hour deadline for the ECP you might consider an IUD which can also be used as an emergency birth control method up to 7 days after unprotected sex.

You should also be tested for Sexually Transmitted Infections.

Answer 3.

Can I get pregnant while taking the pill?

Yes, but if you read the directions on your pill package and take them as directed, the risk of pregnancy is low. The pill (or any single contraceptive method) is not 100% effective in preventing pregnancy.

Some medications, including antacids, can cause the pill to be ineffective. Taking the pill at the same time each day is also very important. Always use a second method of birth control, in addition to the pill, to reduce the risk of pregnancy and sexually tranmitted infections.

For more information, call us.

When should I have a Pap test?”

You can reduce your chances of cervical cancer by

1. not smoking

2. not having multiple sex partners

3. not having sex before age 18

4. Having regular Pap tests done.

The Cervical Cancer Prevention Program in Nova Scotia recommends that you get your first Pap test within 3 years of first vaginal contact. That means within 3 years of anyone else besides yourself touching or inserting anything into your vagina. This does not just mean penile-vaginal intercourse. This also includes fingers (of another person), oral sex, or the use of sex toys (if sex toy is touched by someone else’s hands).

If you have had no vaginal contact (as mentioned above) your first Pap should be done at age 21.

Screening (a Pap test) should be done every year until there are 3 consecutive negative tests (a negative test in this case is good because it shows no abnormal cells, dysplasia or cancer cells).

After having 3 negative tests in a row, your Pap tests can be done every 2 years.

Screening is finished at age 75 if there have been negative results in all tests in the previous 10 years.

* Women with minor abnormalities that went away by itself, or those who have had colposcopies showing no dysplasia or cancer, can continue as if they tested negative, and can follow the regular regimen (every 2 years after 3 consecutive negative tests).

* Women who have sex with women follow the same regimen as women who have sex with men.

* Women who have received a total hysterectomy (with removal of cervix) and who had no signs of, or treatment for, dysplasia or cancer do not need pap tests.

* Men who are undergoing or have undergone gender reassignment surgery (and are genetically female) and who still have an intact cervix need to follow the regular regimen.

Women who must receive Annual Pap tests include those who:

- have ever been treated for dysplasia or cervical cancer

- are Immuno-compromised

- are HIV positive

*Note: STI testing is DIFFERENT from a Pap test. If you have had unprotected sex, you must request an STI test IN ADDITION to your Pap test. STI testing should be done more often than Paps if you are having unprotected sex, and with the change of every sex partner.

For an annual Pap test reminder email, go to: www.myhealthtestreminder.com