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Backup Pack Effectiveness

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paigealicec
newbie
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Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2015 7:38 pm
Age: 31
Location: Massachusetts

Backup Pack Effectiveness

Unread post by paigealicec »

I've been taking birth control for 6 years now, so I'm not new to the medication. I take it every day at the same time, and this is my last week of active pills before I get my withdrawal bleed. I just noticed that somehow I've lost my current pack, and all of the pharmacies around me are closed. I have a pack of backup pills, but they are 8 months old; the expiration date is not for another 4 months, but I'm worried that their effectiveness might be diminished by now anyways. How safe is it to use these pills?
Sam W
previous staff/volunteer
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Age: 33
Awesomeness Quotient: I raise carnivorous plants
Primary language: english
Pronouns: she/her
Sexual identity: queer
Location: Coast

Re: Backup Pack Effectiveness

Unread post by Sam W »

Hi paige,

If the pills are not expired, then they are likely still effective to use. However, if you're concerned, you can try calling your healthcare provider to ask them about it. And, if you're worried about having sex while on the older pack, we advise using condoms as a back-up (if you aren't already)
And you to whom adversity has dealt the final blow/with smiling bastards lying to you everywhere you go/turn to and put out all your strength of arm and heart and brain/and like the Mary Ellen Carter rise again.
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