Dr. Singh, my intern, presented the case: “Fifty-one-year-old woman complaining of right calf pain and swelling. Flew back from London two days ago. On birth control pills for 20 years. Sister recently developed a thigh clot after starting the pill.”
I turned to our patient. “Mrs. Watson, why are you on birth control pills?”
With the tone adults use for dense 2-year-olds, she explained, “Um, that would be to avoid having babies, doctor.”
Her husband, a hearty Brit, guffawed. I laughed along with him.
“Sometimes they’re used to regularize menstrual cycles or treat severe cramps,” I replied, trying to sound medical.
