What advice should a 24-year-old female on oral contraceptives follow if she missed her last 2 pills?

If a 24-year-old female on oral contraceptives misses her last two pills, the most appropriate guidance is to double today's dose and use a barrier method for the rest of the month. This instruction is consistent with the general recommendation for missed oral contraceptive pills: when two pills are missed in a row, it is vital to take the most recent missed pill as soon as remembered, and to take the next pill at the regular time even if it means taking two tablets in one day.

Additionally, using a barrier method, such as condoms, ensures extra protection against unintended pregnancy during this time of potential decreased contraceptive efficacy. When pills are missed, the hormonal balance can be disrupted, raising the risk for ovulation. Therefore, reinforcing the use of additional contraception is essential to maintain effective protection until the hormonal levels are stabilized.

This approach maximizes protection and helps to ensure that the contraceptive method continues to be effective throughout the cycle, addressing the risk associated with missing doses.