Patient's question:
Please ask if a couple who lives apart should use which type of birth control pill when they are together, and whether they should use it according to the instructions or have a special method of taking it.Doctor's answer:
Husbands and wives who are separated due to work or study reasons may only reunite once or a few times within a year, and the reunion periods are usually short. Once they reunite after a long separation, their emotions tend to be impulsive, similar to newlyweds. During this period, sexual activity is often frequent, and if contraception is not practiced carefully, it is easy to become pregnant. Therefore, it is absolutely not advisable to use the safe period method of contraception, as it is unreliable. The following safe and reliable contraceptive measures are recommended:(1) Various external contraceptive devices, such as condoms, vaginal diaphragms, and external contraceptive films.
(2) Tourist contraception pills: These are not affected by the menstrual cycle. On the first day of the visit, take one tablet in the middle of the day and another in the evening. Continue taking one tablet daily until the 14th day. If the visit is not yet over, switch to short-term oral contraceptives. Taking both types of medication for a total of 22 days will result in menstruation after stopping the pills.
(3) Short-term oral contraceptives: Before starting the visit, plan the dates and begin taking one tablet daily on the first or fifth day of the menstrual period. Continue taking one tablet daily for 21–22 days.
(4) Intrauterine devices (IUDs): These can be used as a post-coital emergency measure. Generally, they should be inserted within 72 hours after intercourse, after a medical examination. It is best to use an IUD with a tail thread for easy removal. If frequent visits occur within a year, the IUD can remain in place. If only one visit occurs in a year, it can be removed at the hospital after the visit ends. For short visits, long-term contraception measures are not necessary.