What should a patient do if they miss a dose of their progestin medication?

When a patient misses a dose of their progestin medication, the best course of action is to use additional contraception. Progestin is often used in hormonal contraceptives, and missing a dose can reduce the effectiveness of the medication in preventing pregnancy. The concern is that the hormone levels may drop, leading to the possibility of ovulation and, therefore, a potential risk of unintended pregnancy.

Using additional contraception, such as condoms, during this time provides an extra layer of protection until the progestin medication can return to its effective level. This advice ensures that the patient's contraceptive method remains reliable.

While consulting a doctor could be beneficial for individualized advice, especially if doses are missed frequently or if the patient has specific health concerns, it is not the immediate action recommended after a single missed dose. Doubling the next dose can lead to an increased risk of side effects and is not advised as it does not safely make up for the missed medication. Skipping the missed dose without any additional protective measures might lead to the risk of pregnancy if the medication is not at therapeutic levels. Thus, using additional contraception is the most appropriate and immediate response following a missed dose.