When should a combined oral contraceptive be started for a woman who had her last menstrual period 3 days ago?

Starting a combined oral contraceptive (COC) immediately after a woman’s last menstrual period provides effective contraceptive protection right away. When a woman has her last menstrual period three days ago, she is likely within the first five days of her cycle, which is considered a safe window for starting COCs. The rationale behind this is that starting the COC at this time aligns with the physiological state of the menstrual cycle and offers immediate efficacy, thus eliminating the need for additional contraceptive methods.

Women can start taking COCs at any point in their cycle as long as they have confidence that they are not pregnant, but the first week of the menstrual cycle is particularly suitable since the body is already in a hormone-responsive state. As a result, immediate initiation allows for convenience and reduces the risk of unintended pregnancies, which is a significant advantage of COC use during this timeframe.

In summary, starting COC immediately following menstruation ensures immediate contraceptive efficacy without necessitating additional measures, making it the optimal and correct option.