Birth Control

Birth Control Questions?

• How effective are birth control pills?

  Medical providers at Nurx agree that birth control pills are over 99% effective, especially when taken as prescribed. The more often you’re able to take your pills, or replace your patch, consistently – the more effective the medication will be. But since of course we know that it can be hard to take a pill at the same time every day, or replace a patch on a specific date, often birth control is only up to 92% effective. Our strongest recommendation would be to do your best to use your birth control consistently, in the way your medical provider described.

• Can I get a refill of my existing birth control?

  Absolutely! If you have used Nurx to get a birth control prescription within the last 12 months, we can easily refill that medication for you. Once you message us, we may have a few health questions for you or recommend some other steps, but we’ll do our best to make sure you get what you need quickly.
  
  If you have a birth control prescription from another doctor, please submit a new request for birth control at www.nurx.com. Our Nurx Medical Team will be able to better help you after you answer some basic health questions.

• Does Nurx replace my primary care provider?

  Nurx does not replace your primary care provider, but helps you avoid making multiple appointments by allowing you to access basic healthcare in a more convenient way. We encourage you to continue seeing your primary care provider, especially for annual checkups and urgent care.

• What types of birth control do you offer?

  We are proud to offer more than 50 types of birth control, including name brand and generic pills plus the patch, the shot, and the vaginal ring. We are happy to try to order specific brands if you request them as well.

• I don't know what to order. Can you help me choose?

  If you’re unsure what type of birth control may work best for you, our medical providers will be able to recommend healthy options for you. Just submit a new request at www.nurx.com.

• Does alcohol affect my birth control?

  No, alcohol does not affect your birth control. However, we recommend that you be mindful to take your pill on time, even if you’re away from home, and do not become so intoxicated that you throw up your medication. Please drink responsibly.

• I do not want my period during a special event. How do I skip it?

  We completely understand wanting to skip your period for a special event! If you are able to plan ahead, we recommend taking birth control for at least one full cycle/month prior to trying to skip your period. Often, many women experience irregular spotting the first time they skip their period with birth control. Though this is lighter than a regular period, it still can be unwelcome. When you submit a request for birth control, please share the date of your event and we’ll do our best to make sure your period is one less thing you need to worry about.

• What if I miss a dose?

  Missing a dose is common. Depending on the type of birth control you’re using, we recommend:
  
  

  • If it has been 24 hours or less, take your late pill as soon as you can. This may mean taking 2 pills in one day.
  • If it has been over 24 hours, take your missed pill with your next pill at your regularly scheduled time. If you missed a placebo pill, you have nothing to worry about! Just continue the rest of your placebo pills as normal. Make sure to start your next pack on time on your usual start day.
  • If your patch fell off or you forgot to change it by 24 to 48 hours, put a new one on as soon as possible. Use a backup form of birth control, like condoms, for a full week after.

  
  
  If you ever are unsure about how many pills you missed or what you should do, please don’t hesitate to contact us. A member of our Medical Team will help you determine the best next steps.

• At what temperature should I keep my birth control?

  Most birth control can be safely stored at normal temperatures (59-86ºF) and for short periods in colder/hotter temperatures. For your specific birth control’s limits, we recommend double-checking the manufacturer’s temperature recommendations located on the packaging or insert of your birth control.

• Can I switch to the generic version of my medication?

  If your birth control has a generic option, we’d be happy to write that prescription for you. Generics are just as safe and effective as their brand counterparts. Most people don’t notice any difference between brand and generic medications. If you want to switch to a generic, please just message our Customer Care team and they will update your subscription.

• Is it normal for discharge to change when starting birth control?

  Yes, it is completely normal for your discharge to change when you start taking birth control. One of the ways birth control works is by thickening your natural discharge. However, if you notice any new colors, odors, or itching, please let us know. A member of our medical team will help you determine your best next steps in case you have an infection.

• I just started this pill and my face is breaking out, why?

  Unfortunately, it is very common for women starting a new birth control to initially get more acne. Though your acne will typically clear in 6 weeks or less, it can sometimes take as long as 3 months for your skin to clear up. The good news is that once you get through this period of break outs, the acne is unlikely to return. If it has been more than 3 months and you’re still breaking out, please contact us. We’ll do our best to find a birth control option that works better for you.

• I'm having heavy spotting or breakthrough bleeding, is my birth control working?

  As long as you’re taking your birth control as prescribed, it is still working. Spotting and breakthrough bleeding are totally harmless (though can be annoying) and are more likely to happen when women are skipping periods or are starting a new type of continuous birth control. If this bothers you and continues for more than a couple of months, please let us know. Our medical team will do their best to find another birth control option for you.

• Is birth control going to make my period more regular?

  Possibly, depending on the type of birth control you are using. If you are using a combined hormone birth control, your period should be lighter, less painful, and more regular. If you are using a progestin-only pill, your period may be regular, irregular, or even disappear. With progestin-only pills it’s especially important that you do not skip any pills to attempt to adjust your period.