Using Antibiotics and Birth Control Pills
For hormonal contraceptives include birth control pills that contain artificially synthesized hormones that its composition and properties are very similar to the hormones produced by the female body – estrogen and progestogen. Modern oral contraceptives may comprise either one type hormones (progesterone) or two (estrogen and progesterone). In the first case they are called mini-pills (Microlut, Exluton), in the second – combination therapy (Microgynon). Also there are monophasic (one-phase), biphasic (two-phase) and triphasic (three-phase) pills. Monophasic pills consist of the same dose of hormones in a female body. When receiving a two-phase drug with double dose of hormones you increase your chance to prevent pregnancy but only a doctor can recommend you using such pill. The most common are still mini pills (monophase contraceptives) that contain only one hormone called progestin.
What are mini pills?
“Mini-pill” is taken once a day, starting with the first day of menstruation, regularly at the same time each day. The preferred time of intake is at night. If you’ve missed the regular intake (more than three hours), the contraceptive effect will be lost for 48 hours. During this time, it is necessary to use additional contraception. Simultaneous treatment with antibiotics other than Rifampicin, does not reduce the contraceptive effect. Basically mini pills is one of few birth control pills that are good tolerated with antibiotics. Use mini pills if you want to avoid any effects related to the combinatory intake of antibiotics and birth control pills.
What is the advantage of this type of contraception?
The most important advantage of birth control pills is high efficiency. The intake of birth control pills reduces the risk of ectopic pregnancy, prevents the development of inflammatory diseases of the genital organs, prevents the development of benign and malignant tumors, normalizes the menstrual cycle, reduces pain arising in the middle of the menstrual. Hormonal birth control pills do not violate the female body’s ability to fertility. The ability to conceive restored completely after 1-2 months of using pills (unless you’ve been taking birth control pills and antibiotics simultaneously). Birth control pills are widely available, easy and convenient to use, they can be used successfully for 5 years without a break under the supervision of a physician.
Antibiotics and birth control pills
Birth control pills are considered one of the most efficient types of contraception. When they at first appeared in the 1960s, they changed the lives of women who could now only have sex for pleasure without having a high-risk pregnancy. Women began to choose the size of their families. Fewer children born to each woman, means that she has a more opportunities for career development. However, the use of this means of contraception should be aware of some of the features.
Why do antibiotics and birth control pills affect one another?
Antibiotics alter the intestinal flora and affect the female body’s ability to metabolize hormones. More of the active ingredient out during a bowel movement, and may occur breakthrough bleeding and pregnancy.
Examples of antibiotics that may affect the tablet include amoxicillin, ampicillin, erythromycin and tetracycline. Other antibiotics are also inducers of enzymes, such as rifampicin and rifabutin – powerful enough to make the tablets effective. These types of drugs may increase the amount of enzymes in the body. These are known as enzyme-inducing pills affecting hormonal contraceptives. Enzymes in the body do not return to normal balance within a few weeks after taking this type of medicine, so doctors are advised to use other methods of contraception.
Enzymes are proteins controlling the chemical reactions in the body, and they can accelerate the processing of the ingredients of tablets. The less active ingredients will be in your blood. That’s why pregnancy can occur if no other method of contraception is not used.
What else but antibiotics can reduce effectiveness of birth control pills?
- Anticonvulstants like phenytoin and Carbamazepine;
- HIV medications as Norvir;
- Morning-after pills taken along with oral contraceptives;
- Some herbal medicines, for example, antidepressants;
- St. John’s wort;
- Pills treating diarrhea or vomiting .
If you have been taking enzyme-inducing antibiotics and birth control pills simultaneously you may require a non-hormonal method of four to eight weeks after you have stopped treatment with antibiotics. Besides the above mentioned, all other antibiotics are not enzyme inducing and will not interfere with the use of hormonal oral contraceptives.