Introduction
Contraception treatments are a vital part of women’s health for several reasons. First of all, they increase one’s chances at preventing unintended pregnancies which can seriously affect women’s physical and mental health (Tharpe, Farley, & Jordan, 2017). Furthermore, some of the contraceptive methods present other benefits to women’s wellbeing (Yonkers, Cameron, Gueorguieva, Altemus, & Kornstein, 2017). In the first case, a 23-year-old Caucasian female raises concerns about mood swings that she experiences around the time of her menstruation. This is one of the examples where hormonal contraception can be used. This work will discuss the use of contraceptive pills for the patient and consider how to treat patients who disagree with the clinician’s recommendations.
Contraception Treatment
The primary advice for the patient in the first case study would be to use hormonal contraception. Oral contraceptives (pills) are one of the most common medications that women are prescribed (Taggart, Eaton, Keyes, Hammett, & Ulloa, 2018). They are used for a variety of reasons, affecting the hormone-related changes that happen in women during the menstrual cycle. For instance, they can alleviate one’s mood swings, sleeping problems, depression, anxiety, and fatigue (Taggart et al., 2018). Birth control pills contain doses of estrogen and progesterone, which are released over time to placate the ovaries’ function and stop the growth of endometrium on one’s uterus (Yonkers et al., 2017). As a result, the hormonal fluctuation usually experienced during periods decreases, affecting one’s mood and pain levels.
An oral contraceptive seems to be the most appropriate option for the discussed patient because it affects the hormonal balance in one’s body and makes it more stable. It should be noted that the patient does not express the need for birth control, only for the relief of distress during menses. Thus, it is vital to discuss with the patient whether she wants to take contraceptives for mood swings or other options need to be reviewed.
Working with Disagreements
The topic of contraception is an exceptionally serious discussion that is also very private and important for patients. Birth control options differ according to their longevity, cost, and need for regular intake. While some options require additional commitment, others provide a limited number of benefits. Therefore, the patient’s decision in choosing a contraceptive method should be informed by the nurse and based on personal needs. A care provider has to deliver patient education and show which birth control strategies are the most effective for each individuals case (Schuiling & Likis, 2017). However, if a patient strongly opposes some of the recommended options, nurses have to look for other ways to help patients deal with the problem. For example, if a woman cannot take hormonal contraception due to her busy schedule, long-lasting options such as inserted devices must be considered (Nelson et al., 2018). Similarly, if a patient does not feel comfortable with devices, she may be advised to take pills or injections. The range of birth control options is extensive, and patient education about the benefits and drawbacks of each method is the primary responsibility of nurses.
Conclusion
Depending on the type of birth control, devices and medications have various strengths and limitations. The benefit of hormonal contraception (pills) is that they also help women regulate their hormone levels. Oral contraceptives can help patients with mood swings, menstrual pain, depression, and other issues. Thus, they are an option for the woman in the first case study. If the patient does not want to take birth control pills, other methods of relieving her mood changes have to be considered. Nurses need to educate patients on different contraceptive strategies and work to create individual plans that are based on women’s needs and limitations.
References
Nelson, A. L., Cohen, S., Galitsky, A., Hathaway, M., Kappus, D., Kerolous, M.,… Dominguez, L. (2018). Women’s perceptions and treatment patterns related to contraception: Results of a survey of US women. Contraception, 97(3), 256-273.
Schuiling, K. D., & Likis, F. E. (2017). Women’s gynecologic health (3rd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
Taggart, T. C., Eaton, N. R., Keyes, K. M., Hammett, J. F., & Ulloa, E. C. (2018). Oral contraceptive use is associated with greater mood stability and higher relationship satisfaction. Neurology, Psychiatry and Brain Research, 30, 154-162.
Tharpe, N. L., Farley, C., & Jordan, R. G. (2017). Clinical practice guidelines for midwifery & women’s health (5th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Yonkers, K. A., Cameron, B., Gueorguieva, R., Altemus, M., & Kornstein, S. G. (2017). The influence of cyclic hormonal contraception on expression of premenstrual syndrome. Journal of Women’s Health, 26(4), 321-328.