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POP start day 6 — DFSRH MCQ

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HardProgestogen-only contraceptionPOP start day 6DFSRH

A patient on day 6 of a natural cycle has had no sex since menstruation began and wants to start a desogestrel POP today. What should she do?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: D — Start today with 2 days of condom use

The best answer is “Start today with 2 days of condom use”. Pregnancy can reasonably be excluded from the history, so there is no need to delay initiation. Because a desogestrel POP is being started after day 5 of the natural cycle, additional contraception is required until it has been taken correctly for 2 days. Emergency contraception is not indicated without unprotected intercourse.

Reference: CoSRH/FSRH, Progestogen-only Pills (August 2022, amended April 2026): https://www.cosrh.org/Common/Uploaded%20files/documents/fsrh-ceu-clinical-guideline-progestogen-only-pills-aug22-amended-11july-2023-.pdf