A 19-year-old college student is asking for contraceptives
According to Rosenthal & Burchum (2019), the key factors in determining contraceptive measures are safety, efficacy, and patient preference. A thorough history should be taken to determine a patient’s eligibility and risk factors, including medical history, lifestyle factors, and sexual activity. In this case, the NuvaRing, a combined estrogen and progestin vaginal ring, may be a suitable option. It has a similar mechanism of action to combined oral contraceptives and similar side effects, but with a lower risk of serious venous thrombotic events and no significant increase in blood pressure. However, it’s important to note that this is a general recommendation and a personal consultation with a healthcare provider is necessary to determine the best contraceptive option for the individual patient.