Final answer:
Women in their childbearing years taking antipsychotic medications should be instructed to continue using contraception consistently, even during periods of amenorrhea, because antipsychotics can cause irregular menstrual cycles without necessarily preventing ovulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Teaching for women in their childbearing years who are receiving antipsychotic medications should include the fact that the client should continue using contraception during periods of amenorrhea. Amenorrhea can sometimes be a side effect of antipsychotic medications; however, it does not necessarily mean that ovulation has stopped. Since antipsychotic medications can disrupt hormonal balance, resulting in irregular menstrual cycles, the perception that fertility is reduced could lead to unintentional pregnancies if contraception is not consistently used.
Additionally, it is important to use contraception consistently because birth control pills require regular intake to maintain the necessary levels of hormones to prevent ovulation. The failure rate of birth control pills increases with imperfect use, making it paramount to take them at the same time every day, as per the instructions on the package.
It's also crucial to understand that all methods of birth control have potential adverse effects, but their health risks are lower than those associated with pregnancy, and using contraception to space children is beneficial for both the children's health and the mother's health.