If You are on the Birth Control Pill, Read This

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If You are on the Birth Control Pill, Read This

The birth control pill, or BCP, is a highly effective form of birth control and is safe and completely reversible. Along with the safeness of this medication, other bonuses come with taking BCP include a shorter, lighter and more regular periods, clearer skin, and vast lower changes of ovarian cancer. If you use BCP for pregnancy protection, there are many things you have to know. Most pregnancies acquired by BCP users happen because of misuse; the birth control pill can become less effective by many things:

1.) Not taking the pill around the same time every day - Like any medications, for optimum effectiveness, BCP (ESPECIALLY low dose pills) should be taken around the same time of day. Take your pill with a good sized glass of water to make sure it gets into your stomach! Four hours is enough to make a difference in your hormone levels, making ovulation possible. There are also certain times of the month where you are more prone to becoming pregnant if you miss a pill; at the beginning and end of your pack of pills, you are more prone to ovulate than in week two of your pack.

2.) Expired BCP - This is a no-brainer! Look at the expiry date of your pills. It should say on the back of your pill pack. Expired pills are less effective in preventing pregnancy.

3.) Vomiting/Diarrhea - If you vomit within two hours of taking your pill, there is a chance of having less protection by the pill. Consistent diarrhea can also increase your chances of ovulation.

4.) Herbal remedies - St. John's Wort is known to reduce the effectiveness of the pill.

5.) Antibiotics - some antibiotics (not all) can decrease the effectiveness of BCP. Be sure to ask your doctor when he/she prescribes you any medication on whether it will affect your BCP.

6.) Antacids, laxatives, stool softeners, and some over the counter medications can interfere with your birth control pill. If it says "Do not take within two hours of another medication" be sure to do so. Your ol' bottle of Pepto could help reduce the effectiveness of BCP!

I hope this helped! If you have any other pointers, comment!

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