Last Updated on February 10, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta
In the event that the birth control stops working, there might be severe repercussions. If hormonal contraception doesn’t work to prevent pregnancy, one may be more likely to conceive unexpectedly. This article discusses birth control, the possibility that malaria pills may affect birth control, and the medications that could lessen the effectiveness of hormonal birth control pills.
What does the phrase “birth control” mean?
Contraception, also known as birth control or family planning, enables you to avoid getting pregnant or to schedule a pregnancy. Birth control pills, barrier methods, short- and long-acting hormonal contraceptives, spermicidal and vaginal gels, and vaginal rings are the main birth control options. The birth control pill is the method of birth control that is most frequently prescribed globally. About 25% of women between the ages of 15 and 44 who use contraception said they prefer the pill. Oral contraceptives come in two varieties: progesterone-only pills and combined estrogen-progesterone pills, also known as COCs. The estrogen and progesterone-containing combined hormonal pill is the one that is most frequently prescribed.
The hormone progesterone is responsible for preventing pregnancy, while the estrogen component regulates menstrual blood loss. The way a drug is used determines how effective these oral contraceptives are. Most of the women who use OCPs do so for non-contraceptive purposes, but the majority do so to prevent pregnancy. OCPs can be used to treat a variety of medical conditions, particularly those related to menstruation, including migraines caused by menstruation, endometriosis, fibroids, painful periods, and menstrual pain.
Do anti-malarial drugs have an impact on birth control?
The pill and other forms of contraception can be used in conjunction with the antimalarial drugs Lariam, doxycycline, and Malarone. However, taking an antimalarial drug like artemether without first talking to a gynaecologist could interact with hormonal contraceptives, reduce their effectiveness, and result in breakthrough bleeding, spotting, or accidental pregnancy. Furthermore, even after you stop taking artemether, the effects of the interaction might persist for a few weeks. Therefore, it is always advised against taking oral birth control pills and malaria medications together without first consulting a doctor.
Which drugs have an impact on birth control?
The effects of one medication can be changed by another when you take two or more at once. We refer to this as an interaction. Some medications may also impair the effectiveness of hormonal contraception. If this occurs, you will need to use additional contraception, switch to another method of contraception, or take your contraception in a different way. Antibiotics like rifampicin, some epilepsy medications, some antiretroviral medications for treating HIV, some antifungal medications, some herbal remedies like St. John’s wort, and vitamin C supplements are the important medications that could interact with birth control pills.
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