February 6, 2008
Antibiotics and birth control
Birth Control and medication
The field of birth control revolves a big deal about oral contraception techniques that include the pills that are the hormonal preparations that avoid gestation as they stop the biological process of ovulation. This phenomenon curbs the possibility of fusion of gametes and hence pregnancy can be avoided. The woman is expected to consume a certain prescribed dosage of these pills in order to avoid pregnancy. Even the birth control medication has been divided into major categories namely the emergency birth control pills, the daily birth control pills and even the seasonal birth control pills that are effective in their own different ways.
Antibiotics and birth control
It is the belief of many that antibiotics reduce the chances of birth control extensively and it has been proven clinically that this is an utter myth. This concept only applies to the antibiotic named rifampin as it decreases the effect of other oral contraceptives. Rest all the antibiotics play no role and do not obstruct the path of birth control in any way. People generally have this preconceived notion that penicillin and tetracycline derivatives hampered birth control but no major research has been able to prove this till date. Though a few exceptional cases do experience decreased and ineffective contraception during the period of intake of antibiotics and such aspects are prominent when the dosage of birth control pills is very mild. If the concern is bothering the family a lot, one can shift to barrier methods to avoid pregnancy. The drugs like Amoxillin, Sulfonamide, Minocycline and Phenobarbitol should be strictly avoided. One should try and take to barrier methods and intrauterine devices during the medication period to be on the safer side. It is always advisable to check up with a doctor so that the effect of birth control pills and antibiotics do not interfere with one another. It is always better to supplement your birth control pills with extra methods like spermicide, condoms, vaginal sponges etc in order to decrease the effect of any antibiotic on birth control if it exists.
Break the Myth
Precaution is always better than cure and hence instead of blaming the antibiotics for unwanted pregnancy one should try and stay equipped with other alternative methods of contraception instead of just depending on the oral pills.
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Comments on Antibiotics and birth control »
I've been taking birth control for 4 months now. I recently took ammocacilin for 1 day. Five days later my boyfriend and I did not use a condom. What are the chances that I am pregnant?