Failure of the pill to work

introduction

The birth control pill is a widely used medication that many women use for birth control. Since, like other drugs, it is metabolized by the body, various circumstances and some other drugs can make the preparation less effective. If a woman takes the pill, she should therefore be informed about everything that can lead to a weakening of the effect. Double contraception may then be necessary for some time.

How do I know that the pill is not working?

There are no general signs that the pill is not working. Unfortunately, the only sure sign of this is pregnancy, which can be noticeable in the early stages through certain signs of pregnancy. Otherwise, both the effectiveness of the pill and its ineffectiveness will not be noticeable by special signs.
It is therefore very important to consistently take the pill and to be aware of any interactions with other medications that could lead to a weakening of the effect. Only in this way can the optimum effect be ensured.
If you forget one or more pills, the drop in hormone levels may be reflected in spotting. However, spotting can also occur as a general side effect of the pill, even with regular use. Therefore, this symptom should not be taken as a sure sign that the pill is not working.
Very insecure women who do not want to trust the effect of the pill, even if they are conscientiously taken, should find out more about other or additional possibilities of contraception from their gynecologist.

Read also: Ovulation despite the pill

causes

There are different causes which can lead to a weakening or loss of effectiveness of the pill. These include:

• Medication
• diarrhea
• Vomit

Drugs that affect the way pills work

Numerous drugs can lead to a weakened effect or a loss of effectiveness of the pill if they are taken at the same time.
The following are some drugs that have been shown to have this effect. In order to be sure that a drug does not affect the effect of the pill, it is best to consult a doctor before starting treatment, or to read the package insert carefully for information on interactions. The effects of the pill can be influenced, among other things, by:

• Antidepressants, including St. John's wort preparations
• laxative
• Medicines for lipid metabolism disorders
• Different antibiotics
• Drugs for epilepsy
• Antifungal agents
• Various chemotherapy drugs

Read more about this: Which drugs affect the way the pill works?

Antibiotics

Some Antibiotics can they effect the pill affect. This is because some preparations stimulate the production of certain enzymes in the liver, which the pill then increasingly break down. This can cause it to lose its effectiveness.
However, this does not apply to all antibiotics. Women who use birth control pills and who are prescribed an antibiotic for illness should therefore definitely find out whether they are too Interactions can come with the pill. This information can either be requested directly from the attending physician or can be found in the package insert for the antibiotic.
In the package insert for the medication, she will find information about any interactions with other medications. Should the antibiotic endanger the safety of the pill, this is explicitly mentioned there.
With antibiotics that affect the way the pill works, there is one additional contraception indicated with a condom. The additional contraceptive should be used from the first day of taking the antibiotic. To be on the safe side, double contraception should be used for at least another seven days or for the rest of the existing cycle.

Please also read our topic on this Antibiotic side effects

Effect of the pill on diarrhea

If you have diarrhea, the pill may not work properly. The diarrhea can mean that not all of the active ingredient in the tablet can be absorbed through the intestine, but rather some of it is flushed out with the diarrhea. In particular, if the diarrhea lasts longer and several times of taking the pill are affected by this period, a loss of effectiveness of the pill is to be expected.
If the diarrhea only occurs a few hours after taking the pill, it can be assumed that the preparation was still absorbed through the intestine. However, this is not certain. Therefore, if diarrhea occurs, a second method of contraception, such as a condom, should be used as a safety measure for the rest of the existing cycle.

Read more on the topic: Diarrhea after taking the pill

Effect of the pill on vomiting

At Vomit there may be a loss of effectiveness of the pill. Depending on how long it has been since the last pill intake, when vomiting occurs, the pill may also be vomited and therefore not take effect.
The tablet cannot always be recognized in the vomit. If the last pill was a few hours ago, it can be assumed that it has already been absorbed by the intestine. However, since this is not certain, in the event of vomiting, a another method of contraception such as a condom to be prevented for the rest of the cycle. This is especially true if the vomiting continues for a long time and several times of taking the pill are affected. In this case, a weakened effect of the pill can be assumed.

Will alcohol affect the way the pill works?

By alcohol will be the effect of the birth control pill unaffected. Accordingly, women who use the pill do not have to give up alcohol. The alcohol only becomes relevant in the case of one induced vomiting. Vomiting can - depending on when the pill is taken - break it out again and lose its effect. It is essential to pay attention to this and, in this case, additionally use a condom for the rest of the cycle.

Loss of the pill's effectiveness due to stress?

stress in itself affects the No effect of the pill. However, stress can lead to undesirable side effects on the body.
For example, some people develop diarrhea under stress. These in turn can impair the effectiveness of the pill, since it is possible that not all of the active ingredient in the pill can be absorbed through the intestine, but is flushed out with the diarrhea. It is essential to pay attention to this and, in this case, additionally for the rest of the current cycle, e.g. be prevented with condoms. The mere stress itself, which exists without further symptoms such as diarrhea, is not expected to weaken the effect of the pill.