Does Irritable Bowel Syndrome Affect The Effectiveness Of Birth Control Pill?

Posted on Fri, 5 Dec 2014

Question: Hello,
I have irritable bowel syndrome with a tendency to be constipated with flareups during which I go to the bathroom a lot, soft, not watery. I take my birth control pill in the evening and these flareups always happen in the morning. Is my pill properly absorbed? I'm underweight but always have been. Is there any indication I should look out for that I don't absorb nutrients and thus the pill properly?

Apart from that, I have been dealing with spotting on the pill for many months. I'm now on my second pill pack of a lighter dose pill and I only had spotting for one day (!) instead of close to two weeks. I did experience light cramping for a few days but not sure if it were my bowels or something else. Around the time of spotting I have had intercourse a few times though only briefly (minutes) and without ejaculation. Is it just coincidental that my spotting stopped after intercourse and can I just be happy my body finally seems to be okay with the pill?

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Vjollce Mbiarra (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
They absorbed properly

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear and thanks for your query.

I understand your concern and I would say, don't worry.

First, IBS don't interfere with absorption of birth control pill, this is confirmed as you are having continuous spotting(side effect of the use of the pill).

Second, spotting stopped after intercourse is coincidental.
It is a good sign, that your body is adapted.

Hence take the pill regularly and be aware with your diet.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari

Follow up: Dr. Vjollce Mbiarra (1 hour later)

Thank you.
In previous months during the continuous spotting I often experienced minor cramps. I'm having them now too on and off although my spotting has finally subsided. Is this normal too?

Also this is just out of curiousity, but when I was a teenager (I'm 24 now) I took the pill and had no spotting. Now I experienced spotting on the same pill and same dosage most of the XXXXXXX for three pill packs. Then, on the first pill pack of the lightest dose available I had spotting to the point of breakthrough bleeding and this second pill pack, only spotting for a day so far. So, the pill is still being properly absorbed, but my body is properly adapting now?

Have a good day!e

Answered by Dr. Vjollce Mbiarra (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Pill is properly absorbed

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear again!

Abdominal cramps,spotting are normal for about three months during the use of birth control pill.

Don't worry pills are properly absorbed.
There aren't data that confirm that women with IBS cant use birth controls pills .
Effectiveness is the same as in women who don't have IBS.
IBS doesn't low effect of birth control pill.

ALL THE BEST

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari