If a woman has missed two oral contraceptive pills, what should she be advised to do?

When a woman misses two oral contraceptive pills, she should be advised to double today's and tomorrow's doses and use a barrier method. This approach is essential because missing two consecutive pills can significantly lower the effectiveness of the contraceptive method, increasing the risk of unintended pregnancy. By taking two pills on the day she remembers (the missed dose and the regular dose), she helps maintain the hormonal levels necessary to prevent ovulation.

Additionally, using a barrier method, such as condoms, is recommended for the next seven days after missing two pills. This precaution offers extra protection while the hormonal levels stabilize again and ensures that she is adequately protected from pregnancy during this critical time.

Advising her to continue with the usual dosage would not account for the missed pills and could lead to an increased risk of ovulation and potential pregnancy. Taking a pregnancy test immediately may be prudent if she has had unprotected intercourse in the week prior to missing her pills, but it doesn't address the immediate action that needs to be taken regarding her contraceptive method. Stopping the contraceptive until the next cycle is not advisable, as this would leave her unprotected during that period. Thus, the advised action is the most comprehensive and responsible approach to managing missed doses of oral contraceptives