The Pointer UW-Stevens Point Student Newspaper
The quick and dirty… Your column for quick tips on reproductive health, sex and relationships.
As reproductive health peer educators on campus, you can imagine we have got some pretty interesting questions. And we love it. Check out our Facebook page, UWSP Reproductive Health Peer Educators, for the survey link so we can anonymously answer your questions in our next column.
We received two great questions this week.
Q: What is the best way to change the time you take the pill due to schedule changes, different time zones and daylight savings?
A: Changing the time you take oral contraceptive can be a little tricky. You can take the pill between two-three hours earlier each day in order to account for any schedule changes, time zones and daylight savings! If you are traveling to a different time zone for an extended period of time, it is best to change the time you take the pill. At first, you will have to account for the time zone change. This might mean that you have to wake up in the middle night, bummer. Within a few days, you should be on a normal schedule again. If you are traveling or have schedule changes often, there are forms of contraceptive you don’t have to worry about on a daily basis. You may want to consider the implant or an intrauterine device (IUD).
Q: I have been spotting a lot recently but I haven’t gotten my full-blown period yet. Is there a chance I could be pregnant even though I’m spotting? I’m freaking out.
A: The short answer is yes, you could be pregnant. Spotting occurs at different times for different people. Just because you have spotting does not mean you are not pregnant. Irregular periods and spotting happens for a multitude of different reasons depending on the individual. We suggest coming to UWSP’s Student Health Services for a pregnancy test. The urine pregnancy test is free and the blood test is $11. If you are covered under the Family Planning Waiver, the blood test is free as well. Coming in for a test is the only way you can know for sure. I am sure you are freaking out and taking the test sounds stressful, but ignoring the issue will not solve the problem.
Courtney Gonnering
Health.Services-RHPE@uwsp.edu
