Women's Health FAQ

Q.  How do I get a pregnancy test?
A.  You can obtain a home pregnancy test kit in the Health Resource Center, located on the left as you enter the main lobby (walk-up window) at McKinley Health Center, or the Health Resource Center located in the Oasis at the Illini Union. There is no cost to you.

Q.  How soon can I do a pregnancy test?
A.  Even though pregnancy hormone levels may be detected on the first day of a missed period, the accuracy of the test is greatly improved when the test is done one week after a woman has missed her period.  If you have irregular menstrual cycles, the test can be done 36 days after the first day of the last period.  Waiting until the period is one week late allows for a natural delay in onset of the period, or a date miscalculation, reducing the need to repeat a test.

If you have had unprotected intercourse within the previous two weeks, a test result may not be reliable yet.  Use a consistent method of birth control and wait at least two weeks before doing a test.  Please refer to the handout, Home Pregnancy Testing for more information.

If you have had unprotected intercourse, or a contraceptive failure within the past 72 hours you are a candidate for emergency contraception.  Please refer to the handout, Plan B Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pills) for more information.

Q.  I have a positive home pregnancy test.  What do I do?
A.  A Women's Health Clinic nurse is available to talk with you and answer any questions you might have.  Test results are confidential, as is your decision regarding the outcome.  No attempt will be made to influence your decision.

You can make an appointment by calling Women's Health Clinic at 333-2700.  You are encouraged to make an appointment as soon as possible.  If you plan to continue the pregnancy, early prenatal care is very important.  If you are planning a termination, fewer complications are associated with terminations done early in pregnancy.  Resource lists are available.  You may wish to review to the handout, Pregnancy: A Guide to Decision Making.

Q.  How do I get the emergency contraception pill or morning-after pill?
A.  Emergency contraceptive pills (Plan B) are available through any pharmacy for individuals age 18 and over for a charge. If you are under 18 you must see a health care provider for a prescription. To obtain a prescription or consult about the use of Plan B; you can be seen during Women's Health walk-in hours; Monday through Friday 2:45 - 4:15pm. Or call 333-2700 and schedule an appointment with your primary care provider's nurse or the Women's Health office nurse. On Saturday, Plan B is available through the East 1 clinic from 8am - 4:30pm. The sooner that the medication is taken the more effective it is. You may want to refer to the handout, Plan B Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pills) for additional information. If you are out of town and/or McKinley services are not available, most national pharmacies have Plan B available for purchase.

Q.  How do I obtain prenatal care?
A.  No prenatal care is available at McKinley Health Center. An information packet including community resources for prenatal care is available through Women's Health. You may make an appointment to talk with a Women's Health nurse by calling 333-2700 (select Women's Health). Medically appropriate multivitamins are available in the pharmacy. For additional information you may refer to the handout, Prenatal Care Information and Resources.

Q.  I think I have a yeast infection. What do I do?
A.  If you are experiencing vaginal itching and a thick white discharge and have no visible sores or excessive discomfort, you may go to the Health Resource Center, located on the left as you enter the main lobby (walk-up window), at McKinley Health Center, or the Health Resource Center located in the Oasis at the Illini Union and request medication to treat a yeast infection. You will have a choice of a three day or seven day treatment.  If you are not sure you have a yeast infection, call 333-2700 and speak with a Women's Health nurse or the Dial-A-Nurse for assistance.

Q.  I am scheduled for a pelvic ultrasound or sonogram.  Can I still have it done if I start my period?
A.  Yes, pelvic ultrasound can be done when you are on your period.  You may refer to the handout, Ultrasound Examination for additional information.

Q.  I am interested in birth control but don't know much about the methods available.  How do I learn more?
A.  Birth Control Education provides a thorough review of the birth control methods available. Information is available online at Birth Control Education Class. You may also refer to the handout, Thinking About Birth Control for a general overview.

Q.  What do I need to do to start using a hormonal (birth control pills, the patch, vaginal ring, or shot) method of birth control?
A.  Birth Control Education is required if you have never used a hormonal method of birth control. This education is available online using McKinley's On-Line Birth Control Class. If you have used hormonal birth control in the past you are not required to attend the birth control education class; however you are welcome to do so if you would like to learn more about the different options available.  It is most convenient if you can complete the birth control education prior to your appointment.

You are also required to have an annual physical exam (including breast exam) and Pap smear within the past year.  If you have had this done at your home doctor's office you should contact them and request that a prescription be faxed to our pharmacy. It is not necessary to have a repeat exam at McKinley. Please refer to the handout, Transferring Outside Contraceptive Prescriptions to McKinley. If you have never had an exam or if your exam was more than one year ago, you may schedule an appointment at McKinley by calling 333-2700.

Q.  What is an annual exam and Pap smear?  When should I have an exam done?
A.  An annual exam consists of a review of your medical and family medical history and a physical exam including a breast exam and pelvic exam is performed.  A pap smear is a screening test done to check for the presence of abnormal cells on the cervix (the portion of the uterus that extends into the vagina).

A woman should start having annual exams when she begins having intercourse (regardless of age).  If a woman has never had intercourse it is generally recommended that she have her first exam at 21 years of age.  You may refer to the handouts, The Gynecological Exam and Pap Test and Colposcopy: Questions and Answers for more information.

Q.  I am ready to start my first pill pack.  How do I start taking them?
A.  You have a choice of which day to start your first cycle of pills.  Review these instructions and decide which is best for you.  Pick a time of day that will be easy to remember.

Day 1 start:

1. Take the first active pill of the package during the first 24 hours of your menstrual period.
2. You will not need to use a backup method of birth control, since you are starting the pill at the beginning of your period.

Sunday start:

1. Take the first active pill of the package on the first Sunday after your period starts, even if you are still bleeding.  If your period starts on Sunday, you may start your pills the same day.  Use a backup method of birth control if you have intercourse, until you have taken the first seven pills in the pill pack.

Q.  What do I do if I forget to take my pills?
A.

1. If you miss one ACTIVE birth control pill:

• Take it as soon as possible.
• If you have missed it by an entire day, you will be taking two pills at one time.
• You may experience some mild nausea for approximately 24 hours.
• You should expect some spotting or bleeding to start within the next two to seven days.

2. If you miss two ACTIVE birth control pill during weeks ONE or TWO of a pill pack:

• You may become pregnant. Condoms and spermicide are recommended if intercourse occurs.
• Take two pills on the day you remember and two pills the next day, then continue taking one pill daily at the regular time, until the cycle is completed.
• You may experience nausea when you have to take two pills in one day.  Taking them with food and eating small, frequent meals or snacks may reduce the nausea.
• Expect to have bleeding.  It may be light spotting or could be as heavy as a period and may continue until you begin a new pill pack.
• You are protected against pregnancy once you have taken pills for seven consecutive days.

3. If you miss three ACTIVE birth control pills during weeks ONE or TWO of a pill pack:

• You may become pregnant. Condoms and spermicide are recommended if intercourse occurs

If you are a Sunday starter:

• Take a pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday throw away the remainder of the pills in the pill pack.  Start a new pill pack.
• This means that you will skip the placebo (reminder) pills in your pack.
• You will probably begin bleeding within one to three days of missing the pills.  This bleeding may be light spotting or could be as heavy as a regular period.
• You are protected against pregnancy once you have taken pills for seven consecutive days.

If you are a day one starter:

• Throw away the remainder of the pill pack.
• Start a new pill pack immediately.
• This means that you will skip the placebo (reminder) pills in your pack.
• You will probably begin bleeding within one to three days of missing the pills.  This bleeding may be light spotting or could be as heavy as a regular period.
• You are protected against pregnancy once you have taken pills for seven consecutive days.

4. If you miss two or more ACTIVE birth control pills in week THREE of a Pill Pack:

• You may become pregnant.  Condoms and spermicide are recommended if intercourse occurs.

If you are a Sunday starter:

• Take a pill every day until Sunday.  On Sunday throw away the remainder of the pills in the pill pack.  Start a new pill pack.
• This means that you will skip the placebo (reminder) pills in your pack.
• You will probably begin bleeding within one to three days of missing the pills.  This bleeding may be light spotting or could be as heavy as a regular period.
• You are protected against pregnancy once you have taken pills for seven consecutive days.

If you are a day one starter:

• Throw away the remainder of the pill pack
• Start a new pill pack immediately.  This means that you will skip the reminder pills in your pack.
• You will probably begin bleeding within one to three days of missing the pills.  This bleeding may be light spotting or could be as heavy as a regular period.
• You are protected against pregnancy once you have taken pills for seven consecutive days.

If you are unsure about any of these instructions:

• Take one pill every day and use a condom and spermicide with every act of intercourse until you can talk to a Women's Health nurse for advice.

Q.  What should I do if I don't start my pill pack on the day I am supposed to?
A.  If you do not start your new pill pack as scheduled:

• You may become pregnant if you are off of your active birth control pills for longer than seven days.  Use condoms and spermicide until you have taken pills for seven consecutive days.
• If you are able to start your pill pack within three days, do so and take two pills per day for the first three days.
• If you are four or more days late starting your new pill pack, you will need to wait until you start your next period.  You will need to use an alternative method of birth control until you restart your birth control pills.  Refer to instructions for starting pills.

If you have other questions about birth control pill availability or prescriptions you may want to refer to the Pharmacy FAQ's.

Q.  What if I want to stop my birth control pills or switch to another type of hormonal birth control?
A.  Unless instructed by a health care provider, it is recommended that you finish a package of pills before discontinuing them.  If you are doing so because you are having unpleasant side effects, you should talk to your health care provider.  The switching to a different brand or dosage of pills may eliminate side effects.  You can usually switch to a different method of birth control at the end of a pill pack and will not have any loss in contraceptive protection.

Q.  I understand that there are birth control shots available.  What are they?
A.  Depo Provera^® (DMPA) contains only the progestin hormone. Depo Provera^® is given every three months and bleeding is unpredictable.  A woman will often skip periods when using DMPA.  A handout is available on Depo Provera^® for additional information.

Q.  I am currently receiving Depo Provera^® from my health care provider at home.  How do I get started using it at McKinley?
A.  If you are already receiving Depo Provera^® injections:

• Request that your health care provider send a copy of your most recent annual exam and pap smear result to McKinley Health Center as soon as possible.
• You must have written confirmation of the date of your last injection when you come for your appointment.
• Call 333-2700 and schedule an appointment in Women's Health to get your injection.

Q.  I am interested in starting Depo Provera^® for the first time.  What do I need to do?
A.  You must have a current physical exam and pap smear and will need to meet with a health care provider for screening and instruction.  The first injection must be given during the first five days of your period, or within the first five days after childbirth (unless you are breast-feeding) or termination of pregnancy.  Talk with your clinician about scheduling the first injection if you are currently using another prescribed method of birth control.

Q.  What do I do if I am late for my next Depo Provera^® injection?
A.  If you are more than seven days late for your Depo Provera^® injection, you may become pregnant.  If you have intercourse, use condoms and spermicide.  You will need a pregnancy test before you can get your next injection.  If you don't use a condom, you must wait two weeks after the last act of unprotected intercourse, so that an accurate pregnancy test can be obtained.  If the test is negative, the injection will be given.

Q.  How do I get my injections for Depo Provera^® over the summer or if I am away from school when my injection is due?
A.  If you are within driving distance, you may return to McKinley for your injection.  If you are not registered for the current semester, you may pay for the medication.  If you are not able to return to McKinley for the injection, you will need to obtain a copy of your last annual exam and pap smear result and documentation of your last injection from our Medical Records Unit.  Take these with you to your health care provider.  It is sometimes difficult to locate a provider who will give the injection to a new patient without requiring an exam.  Make calls to locate a provider who is willing to provide this service well in advance of the due date for your next injection.