Laxatives: Birth Control's Foe?

There are conflicting opinions on whether laxatives cancel out birth control. Some sources claim that laxatives can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills as they speed up the passage of waste from the intestines, not giving the body enough time to fully absorb the pill. However, other sources claim that laxatives only affect the lower bowels and therefore do not alter the absorption of the pill. It is important to note that vomiting or having diarrhea for more than 48 hours can also lower the effectiveness of birth control pills. If you are taking birth control pills and are considering using laxatives, it is recommended that you consult with a healthcare professional.

Laxatives may speed up the passage of waste, reducing pill absorption

Taking laxatives may speed up the passage of waste through your intestines, reducing the amount of time your body has to absorb the pill. This means that your body may not fully absorb the pill, reducing its effectiveness.

Laxatives can cause you to have a bowel movement, and if you experience diarrhoea, this can also lower the effectiveness of your pill. If you take a laxative and experience diarrhoea within 48 hours of taking your pill, you should treat it as a missed pill.

It is important to note that laxatives do not affect all forms of birth control. For example, they do not affect the IUD or the implant. If you take laxatives regularly, it may be worth consulting your doctor about switching to an alternative form of birth control.

If you are taking the pill, it is recommended that you use condoms as a backup method for seven days after taking a laxative to ensure you are fully protected from pregnancy.

Diarrhoea for 48+ hours can reduce pill effectiveness

Diarrhoea for 48+ hours can reduce the effectiveness of the pill. This is because the body doesn't have enough time to fully absorb the pill. Diarrhoea can be caused by many things, including contaminated food or water, viral infections, lactose intolerance, food allergies, intestinal parasites, antibiotic use, menstrual cramps, alcohol overuse, stress, or panic attacks.

If you experience diarrhoea for more than 48 hours, it is important to treat it as a missed pill and use a backup method of contraception, such as condoms, for the next seven days. This is especially important if you are taking oral contraceptives containing ethinyl estradiol, as many antibiotics can decrease their effectiveness.

If you are experiencing diarrhoea, it is important to drink plenty of fluids to replace lost water and electrolytes. Sports drinks, broth, and fruit juices can help with this. You may also want to try eating low-fibre or bland foods, such as bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast.

If your diarrhoea persists for more than two days, it is advisable to consult a doctor. They may recommend over-the-counter medications such as loperamide or bismuth subsalicylate, or prescription medications such as alosetron, eluxadoline, or rifaximin.

To prevent diarrhoea, it is important to maintain proper hand hygiene and avoid risky foods and beverages when travelling.

Vomiting after taking birth control may require a backup method

If you vomit after taking a birth control pill, it's important to know what to do next to ensure you're still protected from pregnancy. The first thing to consider is the time that has passed since taking your pill. If you threw up more than two hours after taking it, your body has likely absorbed the pill, and you're still protected.

However, if you vomited within two hours of taking your pill, it's recommended that you take the next active pill in your pack as soon as possible. If you vomit again after taking the second pill, you should treat it as a missed pill and use a backup method of contraception, such as condoms, for the next seven days. This is because your body might not have had enough time to fully absorb the pill, and vomiting can reduce the pill's effectiveness.

If you are too sick to keep the pills down or they are causing you to vomit, it's best to consult your doctor for advice. They may suggest an alternative method of taking the pill, such as inserting it vaginally, or they may recommend a different form of contraception altogether. It's important to continue using backup contraception until you start a new pack or receive confirmation from your doctor that you're protected again.

Additionally, if you experience ongoing vomiting or diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours, your protection from pregnancy may be reduced. In such cases, it's advisable to continue taking your pills at the normal time each day and simultaneously use a backup method of contraception.

Laxatives do not affect the IUD or implant

While laxatives may affect the effectiveness of birth control pills, they do not impact other forms of contraception such as the intrauterine device (IUD) or the implant. The IUD is a small, T-shaped device that is inserted into the uterus by a healthcare provider. It can be made of plastic, copper, or hormonal components, and works by preventing sperm from reaching or fertilizing the egg. The implant, on the other hand, is a small, flexible rod that is inserted under the skin of the upper arm and releases a progestin hormone to prevent pregnancy.

Laxatives can speed up the passage of waste through the intestines, which may reduce the body's ability to fully absorb the hormones in birth control pills. This can lead to decreased effectiveness of the pill, potentially resulting in an increased risk of unplanned pregnancy. However, this concern does not extend to the IUD or the implant, as these methods do not rely on oral hormone absorption.

The IUD, whether hormonal or copper, works directly at the source of potential fertilization by creating an inhospitable environment for sperm, thus preventing fertilization from occurring. The implant, on the other hand, provides a consistent release of hormones that suppress ovulation and thicken the cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to reach any egg that may be released.

It is important to note that while laxatives do not directly interfere with the effectiveness of the IUD or implant, frequent diarrhea or vomiting can be a side effect of laxative use. If an individual experiences these symptoms for more than two days, it is recommended to consult a healthcare provider, as it may indicate a separate health issue that could require medical attention.

In summary, laxatives do not affect the IUD or implant, but they may impact the effectiveness of birth control pills. If an individual relies on laxatives for digestive health, it is advisable to consult a healthcare provider to discuss alternative birth control methods, such as the IUD or implant, which are not influenced by the use of laxatives.

Consult a doctor or nurse about laxatives and birth control

If you are taking birth control pills, it is important to consult a doctor or nurse about any potential interactions with other medications or supplements, including laxatives. While laxatives do not affect some forms of birth control, such as the IUD or implant, they can impact the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.

Laxatives can speed up the passage of waste through the intestines, reducing the time available for your body to fully absorb the birth control pill. This can lower the pill's effectiveness, increasing the risk of unplanned pregnancy. Therefore, it is crucial to discuss the use of laxatives with a healthcare professional if you are also taking birth control pills. They can advise you on any potential interactions, recommend alternative treatments, or suggest switching to a different form of birth control that may not be affected by laxatives.

Additionally, it is important to note that vomiting or experiencing diarrhea for more than 48 hours can also reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. If you take a pill and then vomit or have excessive diarrhea within 48 hours, it is recommended to treat it as a missed pill. Consult your healthcare provider for guidance on what to do in such cases and to ensure you are taking the necessary precautions to prevent unplanned pregnancy.

Moreover, other medications and supplements can interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills. For example, certain antibiotics, antifungals, antiretrovirals, anti-nausea medications, and herbal supplements can all impact the efficacy of hormonal contraception. It is always best to consult a doctor or nurse about any potential interactions between your birth control and other substances you are taking to ensure your contraception remains effective and to discuss alternative options if needed.

In summary, if you are taking birth control pills and considering the use of laxatives, it is crucial to consult a doctor or nurse. They can provide personalized advice, ensure the continued effectiveness of your birth control, and help you make informed decisions about your health and well-being.

Frequently asked questions