When can I start birth control?

In most cases, you can start birth control any day once pregnancy has been reasonably ruled out. Many people:

• Start on day 1 of their period
• Use a “quick start” (start today, regardless of cycle day)
• Start the Sunday after their period (still safe, just older style)

How long until my birth control is effective?

To be safe, plan on using backup protection (condoms) for the first 7 days after starting a new method.

Some methods may work sooner depending on your cycle, but the “7-day rule” keeps things clear and simple so you do not have to calculate timing.

What are the most common side effects?

Common, non-dangerous side effects can include:

• 🩸 Spotting or irregular bleeding (especially in the first 1–3 packs)
• 🤕 Mild headaches
• 🤢 Nausea or mild stomach upset
• 😮‍💨 Breast tenderness or bloating
• 🙂 Mood shifts

These usually improve over 2–3 months. If symptoms are severe, worrisome, or not tolerable, send us a message or start a new visit to talk about switching.

When can I switch if I don’t like it?

Most people should try a method for 1–3 months before switching, unless side effects are severe or unsafe.

Changing methods requires a new visit so we can safely reassess your health, side effects, and goals before making a change.

What happens if I miss a pill?

Missed 1 pill: Take it as soon as you remember, then continue the rest of the pack as usual.

Missed 2 or more pills: Take the most recent missed pill, continue your pack, and use backup protection for 7 days.

Had unprotected sex and missed pills? Emergency contraception (EC) may be needed to reduce pregnancy risk.

Can I request a specific pill or method?

Yes. If you already know what works for you, you can tell us on your intake form.

If it is safe for you, we will continue or match it. If it is not safe based on your health history, we will recommend a safer alternative and explain why, so you understand the reasoning behind any changes.

Is it safe to skip your period?

For most healthy people, it is completely safe to skip periods using hormonal birth control. Skipping your period does not build up blood in your body and does not affect future fertility.

Many people safely skip periods to help with:

• Help with painful cramps
• Bleeding management
• Migraines without aura linked to periods
• Sports, travel, or schedule reasons

How do I skip my period with birth control?

You can skip your period by skipping the placebo (sugar) pills and starting a new pack right away. Monophasic pills (same hormone dose every day) work best for skipping periods.

Triphasic pills (dose changes weekly) are not ideal for skipping periods because the pattern is built around a monthly bleed and can lead to more breakthrough bleeding when used continuously.

With the ring or patch, you can often skip your period by skipping the hormone-free week and continuing straight into the next cycle. This is a common and safe option for many people.

For the patch, apply a new patch each week as scheduled with no patch-free week.

For the ring, replace it every 4 weeks with no ring-free week.

Some spotting or breakthrough bleeding can happen, especially during the first 1–3 months of continuous use. If bleeding becomes heavy or persistent, message us or consider an in-person visit for further evaluation.

What medications should I NOT take with birth control?

Most medications are safe to take with birth control. However, a few can make birth control less effective and increase pregnancy risk by speeding up how your body breaks it down.

Important medications that can interfere include:

• Rifampin / rifabutin (used for tuberculosis and some rare infections)
• Some seizure medications (such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, lamictal, lamotrigine and higher doses of topiramate)
• Some HIV medications
• St. John’s Wort (herbal supplement)

Always tell your clinician about all prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements. If you are on one of these interacting medications, a different method (such as an IUD, implant, or shot) may be recommended for better protection.

If you can’t safely use estrogen, progestin-only pills (POPs) and other progestin-only options (like the implant, shot, or hormonal IUD) can still prevent pregnancy very well. They just affect your cycle a bit differently compared with combined pills.

For your periods:

• POPs can make periods lighter and less cramping over time for some people.
• Others may have more spotting or irregular bleeding, especially in the first 3–6 months.
• If your main goal is very light or rare periods, an IUD or implant may work better than a POP.

For PCOS:

• Combined pills with estrogen are usually best for acne and excess hair growth.
• POPs and IUDs can still help protect your uterus and may improve bleeding.
• Many people still need other treatments (such as acne medications, spironolactone, or metformin) for skin and hair symptoms.

For PMDD and mood:

• Some people feel more emotionally steady on progestin-only birth control.
• Others may notice more mood swings or irritability.
• Because PMDD is individual, many people do best with a combination of hormone support and mental health care.

Do antibiotics make birth control stop working?

Most antibiotics do not make birth control less effective.

Common antibiotics that do not usually interfere with birth control include:

• Amoxicillin
• Doxycycline
• Azithromycin (Z-Pak)
• Cephalexin (Keflex)
• Macrobid (nitrofurantoin)
• Metronidazole (Flagyl)

The major exception is rifampin / rifabutin, which can significantly lower the effectiveness of birth control. If you are unsure, using a backup method (condoms) during antibiotics and for 7 days after is always a safe approach.

Does birth control protect me from STIs?

❌ Birth control does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STDs).

✅ Condoms are still needed for STI protection, even if your birth control is working well for pregnancy prevention.

Can I delay my period for travel or an event?

Yes. For some patients, we can prescribe norethindrone as a short-term option to help delay menstrual bleeding for a planned trip, wedding, or important occasion.

How does period delay medication work?

Norethindrone is a progestin hormone. When started before bleeding begins, it may help temporarily postpone your period until you stop taking it.

Your period usually returns within a few days after stopping the medication.

How do I take norethindrone for period delay?

• Start at least 3 days before your expected period
• Take 1 tablet 3 times daily with meals
• Continue for up to 10 days as directed
• Your period typically returns 2–3 days after stopping

If bleeding has already started, this medication may not be effective at stopping it.

What side effects are common?

Most people tolerate short courses well, but possible side effects include:

• 🩸 Spotting or breakthrough bleeding
• 🤕 Mild headache
• 🤢 Nausea or stomach upset
• 😮‍💨 Bloating or breast tenderness
• 🙂 Mood changes or irritability

Does period delay medication prevent pregnancy?

No. This is not birth control and does not prevent pregnancy. If pregnancy is possible, you should use reliable contraception or condoms.

When should I seek urgent care?

Seek emergency care right away for:

• Chest pain or trouble breathing
• New leg swelling or pain
• Sudden severe headache or vision changes
• Very heavy or uncontrolled bleeding

How soon should I take emergency contraception?

As soon as possible. EC works best within 72 hours, but some options can work up to 5 days after sex, depending on the medication and where you are in your cycle.

Can I take EC while on birth control?

Yes. If you missed pills or had a failure, EC is safe to use as backup. Restart your regular birth control the same or next day (except for Ella-specific rules) and use backup protection for 7 days.

Can I use EC more than once in a month?

It can be used more than once, but it is not intended as regular birth control and can cause:

• Irregular bleeding
• Cycle changes
• Hormone-related side effects

Each EC request requires a new visit so we can review safety and timing each time.

What is hormone therapy (HRT)?

Hormone therapy is used to help manage symptoms related to perimenopause and menopause.

Common symptoms treated with HRT include:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Sleep disruption
• Mood changes
• Vaginal dryness
• Brain fog or fatigue

Who is eligible for HRT through MyBodyMyRx?

Our telehealth HRT service is designed for patients typically between ages 40–65 experiencing menopause-related symptoms.

What HRT medications may be prescribed?

• Oral estradiol
• Estradiol patches
• Combined estrogen + progesterone pills
• Combined HRT patches
• Micronized progesterone
• Vaginal estrogen tablets or cream

The safest option for you depends on symptoms, medical history, and whether you still have a uterus.

How much does an HRT visit cost?

Visits for hormone therapy are a $75 flat fee.

Birth control, emergency contraception, and period delay visits remain $30.

What’s included in my $30 visit?

Your visit includes:

• One medical evaluation
• One prescription decision with refills based on your preference
• One condition (birth control, EC, or both if selected together)

Can I message questions after my visit?

Quick clarification is fine (for example, pharmacy issues or dose confirmation).

❗ New symptoms, new side effects, or changes in your health require a new $30 visit so a clinician can safely reassess you.

Can I get new refills without a new visit?

❌ No. Each prescription requires a clinician review. Refills require a new visit to confirm that your method is still safe and appropriate.

Where is my prescription sent?

We send prescriptions to the pharmacy of your choice — no forced mail-order.

How do I order a refill from my pharmacy?

If your prescription still has refills available, you can request it directly through your pharmacy by:

• Using your pharmacy’s mobile app or website
• Calling the automated refill line
• Asking a pharmacist in person

❗ If your prescription has no refills left, you will need to start a new $30 visit so a clinician can safely review and renew it.

If your pharmacy is out of stock or you want to change pharmacies, you can message us with the new pharmacy information and we will resend your prescription.

How much does a visit cost?

✅ Flat visit fees
$30 for birth control, emergency contraception, and period delay.
$75 for hormone therapy (HRT).

All visits are reviewed by a board-certified licensed clinician.

• No subscriptions
• No memberships
• No hidden charges

You pay your pharmacy separately for the medication.

Do you take insurance?

❌ No. We are cash-pay only to keep care simple, affordable, and transparent. Our services are cash-pay and may not be reimbursable by insurance. We do not participate with any insurance billing or reimbursement for commercial insurances and/or federal insurance plans (Medicaid).

If you have insurance, you may be able use it at your pharmacy to help cover the cost of your medication. Insurance is applied by the pharmacy — not through MyBodyMyRx.

Is birth control safe for everyone?

Not always. Some conditions — such as certain migraines, a history of blood clots, smoking over age 35, uncontrolled high blood pressure, liver disease, some cancers, and certain autoimmune conditions — require different options.

Our intake form screens for these, and your clinician will guide you safely. We may recommend a different method or in-person follow-up if there are concerns.

What if I’m not able to safely get birth control through this service?

If your medical history means birth control is not safe to prescribe through telemedicine, you will need to be seen by an in-person provider for a full exam and possible testing.

You can see your primary care clinician, an OB/Gyn office, a local health department or public health clinic, Planned Parenthood or community women’s health clinics, or urgent care for short-term needs. Many health departments and community clinics offer low-cost or sliding-scale services.

If you’re unsure where to go, you can message us and we’ll help point you in the right direction.

If you’re in emotional distress, thinking about self-harm, or feel unsafe, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for immediate support. 💛

MyBodyMyRx visits are reviewed by experienced, state-licensed, board-certified clinicians with extensive backgrounds in women’s health and reproductive care.

We believe reproductive healthcare should be respectful, evidence-based, and accessible — not rushed, judgmental, or confusing.

Every visit is personally reviewed by a licensed clinician practicing in accordance with state telemedicine laws. Prescriptions are only issued when medically appropriate after careful clinical screening and safety review.

Our mission is simple: expand access to safe, affordable reproductive care while treating every patient with clarity, compassion, and respect.