A 16-year-old female on Ortho-Novum 7/7/7 complains of midcycle spotting. What is the most appropriate response?

In addressing midcycle spotting in a 16-year-old female taking Ortho-Novum 7/7/7, providing reassurance is the most appropriate response. Spotting can be a common occurrence, particularly during the first few months of starting hormonal contraceptives. It is essential to communicate to the patient that this can happen as her body adjusts to the hormones in the birth control pill.

This reassurance helps alleviate anxiety regarding the spotting and encourages continued adherence to the contraceptive regimen. It is important to educate the patient that while it's generally not a cause for concern, they should monitor the situation. If spotting persists beyond a few cycles, changes to the birth control method may be considered.

In regards to the alternatives, changing to Ortho-Novum 1/35 may not be necessary at this point since midcycle spotting can be expected during the initial adjustment phase. Discontinuing use would not address the common nature of the spotting and could lead to unintended pregnancies. Doubling the dose for two days is not a recommended strategy and could introduce new complications rather than resolve the issue. Thus, reassurance stands out as the most suitable approach in this case.