Introduction
The contraceptive pill is a widely used drug that many women use for contraception. Since it is metabolized by the body like other drugs, various circumstances as well as some other drugs may reduce the effectiveness of the preparation. If a woman is taking the pill, it is therefore essential that she is informed about all the things that can lead to a reduction in effectiveness. In some cases, 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 a pregnancy, which can become apparent in the early stages through certain signs of pregnancy. Otherwise both the effectiveness of the pill and its ineffectiveness are not noticeable by specific signs.
It is therefore very important to take the pill consistently and to be aware of interactions with other drugs which could lead to a reduction in its effectiveness. Only in this way can the optimal effect be ensured. If one or more pills have been forgotten, the falling hormone level can be noticeable by a spotting.
However, spotting can also occur as a general side effect of taking the pill, even if you are taking it regularly. Therefore, this symptom is not a sure sign that the pill is not working. Very insecure women who do not want to trust in the effect of the pill even if they take it conscientiously should consult their gynecologist about other or additional possibilities of contraception.
Causes
There are several causes that can lead to a reduction or loss of effectiveness of the pill. These include, among others:
- Drugs
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
Many medications can lead to a reduction in the effectiveness of the pill or to a loss of effectiveness if they are taken at the same time. Below is a list of some drugs for which this effect has been proven.
To be sure that a drug does not affect the effect of the pill, it is best to consult your doctor before starting treatment, or read the package leaflet carefully for indications of interactions. The effect of the pill can be influenced by, among other things
- Antidepressants, including St. John’s wort preparations
- Laxatives
- Medicines against lipid metabolism disorders
- Various antibiotics
- Medicines for epilepsy
- Antifungal agent
- Various chemotherapeutics
Some antibiotics can interfere with the effect of the pill. This is because some preparations promote the production of certain enzymes in the liver, which then break down the pill more.
This can cause the pill to lose its effect. However, this does not apply to all antibiotics. Women who use the pill as a contraceptive and are prescribed an antibiotic when they are ill should therefore make sure that they find out whether they can interact with the pill.
This information can be obtained directly from the doctor in charge or read in the package insert of the antibiotic. In the package insert of the medicine, you will find information about any interactions with other medicines. Should the antibiotic endanger the safety of the pill, this is explicitly mentioned there.
For antibiotics that influence the effect of the pill, additional contraception using a condom is indicated. 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 seven more days afterwards, or for the rest of the existing cycle.
In case of diarrhoea, the effect of the pill may be impaired. Due to the diarrhoea it can happen that not the entire active substance of the tablet can be taken up by the intestine, but some is rinsed out with the diarrhoea. Especially if the diarrhoea lasts longer and several times when the pill is taken are affected by this period, a loss of effectiveness of the pill must be expected.
If the diarrhoea only occurs a few hours after taking the pill, it can be assumed that the preparation was still absorbed through the intestines. However, this is not certain. Therefore, if diarrhoea occurs, a second method of contraception such as a condom should be used for the rest of the existing cycle as a precaution.
If vomiting occurs, the pill may lose its effectiveness.Depending on how long it has been since the last time you took the pill, when vomiting occurs, the pill may be able to be vomited as well and thus not be effective. It is not always possible to detect the pill in the vomit. If the last pill has been taken several hours ago, it can be assumed that it has already been absorbed by the intestine.
However, since this is not certain, in case of vomiting another method of contraception such as a condom should be used for the rest of the cycle. This is especially true if the vomiting lasts for a long time and several times the pill is taken. In this case the pill is likely to be less effective.
