Aa
antibiotics and birth control pill
Hi, I have a few questions. My girlfriend and I had sex about two weeks ago for about three or four minutes, without a condom. I never climaxed or ejaculated before we stopped. It was our first time having sex that day and I had urinated atleast 5 or 6 times that day before intercourse. She is on the pill but has been on strong antibiotics 500mg (amoxicillin) for about 2 weeks. How safe do you think we are in regards to pregnancy? Thanks, Mike
hey AMA17, I understand that there is ALWAYS a possibility of pregnancy when you've had sex. I also understand that some antibiotics may lessen the pill's effectiveness. I was just wondering different people's opinions on my specific case here. Like if people think there's a big chance or a low chance of pregnancy in this case. Thanks.
hey monkeyflower -- I've heard various mixed reviews on that - my doc says most kinds of BCP & antibiotics don't mix, and I've heard the contrary as well.. for example:
"Antibiotics that have been shown to interact with birth control pills include rifampin (brand name Rifadin), penicillin (Veetids), amoxicillin (Amoxil), ampicillin (Omnipen), cotrimoxazole (Septra or Bactrim), tetracycline (Sumycin), minocycline (Minocin), metronidazole (Flagyl), and nitrofurantoin (Macrobid or Macrodantin)."
vs.
"Penicillin and ampicillin both have the potential to interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills"
vs.
"There are two ways that antibiotics potentially can reduce the action of birth control pills. Birth control pills contain estrogens. Some antibiotics, e.g., rifampin, griseofulvin, cause the enzymes in the liver to increase the break-down of estrogens and thereby can decrease the levels of estrogens in the body and the effectiveness of the pills. This can result in unwanted pregnancy. Therefore, individuals taking birth control pills should use a second method of birth control when taking these antibiotics or other drugs that can increase the break-down of estrogens."
so who do we believe??
"Antibiotics that have been shown to interact with birth control pills include rifampin (brand name Rifadin), penicillin (Veetids), amoxicillin (Amoxil), ampicillin (Omnipen), cotrimoxazole (Septra or Bactrim), tetracycline (Sumycin), minocycline (Minocin), metronidazole (Flagyl), and nitrofurantoin (Macrobid or Macrodantin)."
vs.
"Penicillin and ampicillin both have the potential to interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills"
vs.
"There are two ways that antibiotics potentially can reduce the action of birth control pills. Birth control pills contain estrogens. Some antibiotics, e.g., rifampin, griseofulvin, cause the enzymes in the liver to increase the break-down of estrogens and thereby can decrease the levels of estrogens in the body and the effectiveness of the pills. This can result in unwanted pregnancy. Therefore, individuals taking birth control pills should use a second method of birth control when taking these antibiotics or other drugs that can increase the break-down of estrogens."
so who do we believe??
With the exception of rifamprin, antibiotics do NOT alter the effectiveness of birth control. Now, before anyone starts posting about how their best friend's sister's boyfriend's cousin's exgirlfriend got pregnant while taking antibiotics and the pill, remember that the pill is not 100% effective. Studies have shown that the percentage of women getting pregnant while on the pill and antibiotics is exactly the same as the percentage of women who got pregnant while just taking the pill.
You have nothing to worry about.
You have nothing to worry about.
low chance!
Uhhh...I'm gonna guess 6%.
"I never climaxed or ejaculated before we stopped. It was our first time having sex that day and I had urinated atleast 5 or 6 times that day before intercourse. She is on the pill..."
Your chances are very low. You're fine.
Your chances are very low. You're fine.
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