Can women who smoke use COCs safely?
Women younger than age 35 who smoke can use low-dose COCs. Women age 35 and older who smoke should choose a method without estrogen or, if they smoke fewer than 15 cigarettes a day, monthly injectables. Older women who smoke can take the progestin-only pill if they prefer pills. All women who smoke should be urged to stop smoking. 14. What if a client wants to use COCs but it is not reasonably certain that she is not pregnant after using the pregnancy checklist? If pregnancy tests are not available, a woman can be given COCs to take home with instructions to begin their use within 5 days after the start of her next monthly bleeding. She should use a backup method until then. 15. Can COCs be used as emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) after unprotected sex? Yes. As soon as possible, but no more than 5 days after unprotected sex, a woman can take COCs as ECPs (see Emergency Contraceptive Pills, Pill Formulations and Dosing, p. 56). Progestin-only pills, however, are more effective and c
