Last Updated on February 27, 2023 by Dr. Shikha Shiromani
Quick Take
A social media post claims that consuming Vitamin C after unprotected sex can prevent pregnancy. We fact-checked and found this claim to be Mostly False.
The Claim
The caption of a Facebook post reads, “PUT THE PLAN B PILL DOWN- Vitamin C is a NATURAL day after remedy for slip-ups.”
The narrator states in the video that taking 500 milligrams of vitamin C every two hours will bring a woman’s menstrual cycle and prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex.
Fact Check
Can consuming Vitamin C prevent pregnancy?
No. Vitamin C cannot be used as a reliable method for preventing pregnancy. There is a lack of credible scientific evidence to support this claim. Rather, Vitamin C is recommended to be consumed during pregnancy as it protects cells and helps keep them healthy. It is also needed to make collagen, one of the fibres that build the baby’s body.
Vitamin C is a micronutrient needed for normal growth, development, and repair of the tissues. Consuming large amounts of vitamin C will not end a pregnancy. The claim have arisen from a study conducted on rats in which high doses of vitamin C suppressed the production of a hormone called progesterone, which is needed for maintaining pregnancy in the early stages of pregnancy. However, the same results can’t be applied to humans as rats and humans have different biological systems, structures, and functions.
On research, we found that there was an article published in the year 1966 which was explaining the mechanism of abortion induced by ascorbic acid. However, the abstract for the article is no more available.
A much more recent study published in the year 2016 concluded that there was no fetal loss or miscarriage after receiving Vitamin C.
Therefore, further studies are needed to prove that consuming large doses of Vitamin C can be used as a contraceptive measure.
Besides this, consuming large amounts of vitamin C can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, and stomach cramps.
Dietitian Kamna Chauhan further clarifies this by stating, “No, it is not possible to use vitamin C as a natural contraceptive as there is a lack of evidence in proving this. Vitamin C is a micronutrient that helps bones and tissue development and wound repair. Some claim that taking vitamin C benefits, but its overdose can cause diarrhea, stomach ache or increases the risk of kidney stones. Moreover, if you consume more than 1000mg of vitamin c, it will increase your estrogen levels, causing side effects. Some studies stated that taking vitamin c more than the recommended amount will interfere with progesterone secreted from the corpus luteum. High doses of vitamin C may show tissue-damaging pro-oxidant effects. The upper limit for safe consumption is 2000 mg per day.”
Which contraceptive methods are usually recommended?
The most commonly recommended contraception options include hormonal methods such as birth control pills, patches, injections, or intrauterine devices (IUDs), as well as barrier methods such as condoms, diaphragms, or cervical caps. The ideal method of contraception depends on several factors, such as individual health status, age, lifestyle, and personal preferences. It’s crucial to consult a doctor to determine the most suitable contraception method based on individual needs and medical history.
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