Summer is a carefree season made for poolside lounging and road trips with friends. It’s a time to meet new people and create lasting memories. But the last thing you want is to make the season memorable for all the wrong reasons by forgetting to take your birth control. Managing contraception during the summer can be challenging. Here are a few tips to help you maintain your usual birth control schedule without missing out on any fun.
Ditch the Office Visit and Order Online
Who has time to plan for doctor visits when they’re busy arranging vacations and working on their base tan? It could take weeks to get in for a birth control appointment, depending on how busy your doctor is. You won’t have the luxury of waiting that long if you’ve procrastinated and need birth control right away. The good news is that you can ditch the archaic appointment-setting process and order pills like Junel Fe or other birth control types online in minutes.
Getting an online birth control prescription is easy and doesn’t require any special medical documentation. You’ll just fill out an intake form and submit it online. After that, a remote healthcare provider will review your form and prescribe the indicated medications. This is a great solution if you’re in a hurry to get contraception and don’t have time to wait for a standard appointment.
Plan Ahead for Vacations
Forethought is essential when it comes to contraception and vacations. While you’re figuring out where you’ll stay and what clothes you’ll wear, take time to make sure you have enough birth control. You’ll need at least enough to last you through your upcoming travels. Running out unexpectedly in the middle of your getaway can be devastating. It’s much harder to order birth control when you’re away from home, so ordering in advance is crucial.
Most birth control packs come with 21 active pills and seven placebo pills. The placebo pills are optional, but they typically help you stay in the habit of taking a pill each day. Some people find that switching to a 91-day pack during the summer helps them enjoy their vacations better. This type of pack includes 84 active pills for every seven inactive pills. That means you’ll only get your period once every three months, which is perfect if you love hassle-free vacations.
Store Contraceptives at the Right Temperature
Many people don’t know that birth control should be stored within a certain temperature range, usually between 68⁰ and 77⁰ Fahrenheit. Check your product’s label for more information on the ideal temperature range for storage. Most contraceptives will still work after being exposed to temperatures outside the ideal range. However, extreme heat or cold can make birth control less potent by changing the properties of the proteins inside them. Excess humidity can also pose a threat to your contraceptive’s effectiveness.
Take steps to ensure your birth control works properly during your vacation, especially if you’re traveling to a very hot climate. Consider packing your pills in an air-tight container with a cool pack. You should never leave your medication in a hot car, even for a short time. Instead, carry it with you in a purse or pocket when you leave your car. When flying, keep your medication in a carry-on bag instead of stowing it in the non-temperature-controlled luggage compartment.
Set Reminders on Your Phone
It’s easy to forget to take the pill when you’re enjoying late nights of partying and fun. Any disruption in your normal routine increases your chances of accidentally skipping a dose. One easy way to stay on schedule is to set reminders on your phone. Schedule the reminders for the same time each day, even if you were out late the night before. Once you’re in the habit of taking a pill at a certain time every day, you’ll be less likely to forget.
There’s no need to panic if you’re a few hours late taking contraceptives. Combined-hormone pills should be taken every day, but they don’t need to be taken at the same time each day. If you’re a few hours late taking a combined-hormone pill, you shouldn’t have any problems. Progestin-only pills, however, are most effective when taken at the same time every day. If you’re more than three hours late taking a progestin-only pill, use a backup form of birth control for the next two days.
Be Aware of Increased Sun Sensitivity
Some birth control medications can make you more susceptible to sunburns. Combination birth control pills containing both estrogen and progestin could increase your photosensitivity. Keep your skin safe by taking extra precautions this summer. Wear sunscreen anytime you plan to spend more than 10 minutes outside at a time. Remember to reapply it every hour or two if you’re swimming or sweating heavily.
Wearing protective accessories and clothing can further protect your skin against sun damage. Wide-brimmed sun hats, swimsuit coverups, and flowy long-sleeved clothing can minimize your risk of sunburn. If you get burned despite your best efforts, apply aloe vera, stay hydrated, and keep the affected area covered to avoid further damage.
Planning a fun-filled summer is hectic enough without worrying about running out of contraception. Make sure you’re prepped and ready for your seasonal adventures with enough birth control pills to see you through your upcoming travels.
