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Maternal (Expert Forum)
How Do Birth Control Pills Work?
Patient medical question and answer from The Maternal and Child Health Forum. Health topic area and articles about newborn care
How Do Birth Control Pills Work?
by Carla__0, Feb 13, 1999 12:00AM
Hi, I have some questions about birth control pills. My doctor has prescribed me to take Orftho-Cyclen : how do the pills work, do I still ovulate when on them, what antibiotics affect the pill, if the antibiotics do affect the pill do I then ovulate, etc/?
I just want to understand the process of the pill so I am more comfortable with the medication.
Thanks!
Doctor's Answer
by hfhsmdrcs, Feb 13, 1999 12:00AM
_
dear Carla:
Birth control pills act primarily by blocking ovulation through the hypothalamic-pituitary control center. The pillalso alters the falloian tube movement, the womb lining, and the cervical mucus, all of which contribute to preventing pregnancy.
There is no effect from common antibiotics such as penicillins, tetracyclines. Antibiotics used to treat tubeculosis and fungal infections that cause diseases such as pneumonia can change the metabolism of the liver and thereby effect birth control pill breakdown in the body.
Keywords: birth control pill action
This information is presented for education and is not amedical consultation. If you have specific questions, please speak with your healthcare provider.
