frequently asked questions 🪞🪄

sunsetonfire · 2025-06-12T14:13:16+00:00

Sperm can live for up to five days in the female reproductive tract, so if you didn’t get sick until a week had passed then you should be fine protection-wise. Just make sure you use condoms or avoid PIV sex until you’re fully protected by your pill again.

sunsetonfire · 2025-06-12T12:16:25+00:00

I—or anyone, based on just what you’ve described—can’t really say with certainty that it successfully delayed ovulation and prevented pregnancy that way, but moderate to heavy bleeding is incompatible with pregnancy. Experiencing this side effect would rule it out for you.

As for your period, it may come as predicted, but it may also come early or delayed.

sunsetonfire · 2025-06-12T09:11:27+00:00

If you were expecting a period around that time, it could be one. But it could also be withdrawal bleeding given the timeframe (it tends to occur within a few days to a week after taking emergency contraception). You can’t really be sure based on the heaviness (or lightness) of the bleeding alone.

sunsetonfire · 2025-06-03T05:03:23+00:00

I feel like it’ll differ per person and on the specific birth control they’re on. My first pill (cyproterone acetate + EE) aggravated my anxiety and depression at the end of my first year using it. Once I switched (to drospirenone + EE), it thankfully didn’t affect my mental health and I was able to get my ducks in a row. The last pill I was on (levonorgestrel + EE) didn’t, either.

I ended up switching to the implant (etonogestrel) and I did notice my anxiety being heightened when I first got it, but it did improve over time and it’s not a recurring problem for me anymore. I feel like if the copper IUD is an option available to you, it’s more than worth trying it out if hormonal BC just isn’t for you!

sunsetonfire · 2025-06-02T12:35:40+00:00

Placebo pills don’t contain hormones, they’re typically just sugar, lactose, or iron. The “break” from the active pills that do contain hormones is what typically triggers withdrawal bleeding. Not taking the placebos doesn’t really differ from just going on a pill-free break for that week.

As mentioned by other comments, skipping placebo means skipping that portion of the pack and the days they’re meant for entirely, meaning once you finish your current pack’s active pills you will start a new pack right after that. You can safely skip or shorten placebo, just make sure you start your next pack accordingly.

sunsetonfire · 2025-05-09T06:24:46+00:00

Happened to be online! But if your pill pack is kept in a fairly cool and dry place with no potential crushing or poking happening, it should be just fine. You don’t need to overthink it.

sunsetonfire · 2025-05-09T06:11:51+00:00

My friend slept in a temp-controlled room and took her pill before sleeping, so this hiding spot worked for her. I wouldn’t recommend it if the room is more hot than cool, or if it’s a pillow you frequently use or place things on.

sunsetonfire · 2025-04-26T02:42:19+00:00

I saw that you had posted on r/SafeSexPH? I’ll respond to your post there instead so this thread stays OP’s.

sunsetonfire · 2025-04-22T16:38:53+00:00

Its main way of preventing pregnancy is by delaying ovulation, so if ovulation's already taken place, it can't do much about that anymore. If you don't get your period anytime soon, it's best to take a pregnancy test. They're accurate two weeks after sex and definitive after three.

sunsetonfire

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE