Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Is Taking Antibiotics Along With Birth Control Pills Safe?
Im 28 years old and taking birth control. I had had to run 3 packs of birth control together as I was on anti-biotics I also had unprotected sex while taking anti-biotics. A week or so after sex I began to feel a lot of pregnancy symptoms, fatigue, swollen, tender breasts, naseau, sensitivity to smells, mood swings, sore hips, increased vaginal discharge for a period of two weeks. A week before my period I took a pregnancy test which was negative and I noticed my symptoms beginning to decrease I convinced myself I must have been imagining things as I know most symptoms of pregnancy occur later on. I began bleeding on the date my period was due but it was extrememly light which is unusual for me. On the second day I had very little blood and also passed more clots than usual. I felt very weak all day and heat pads did nothing to relieve my cramps and lower back pain. I felt very unwell and just felt something was wrong. In the evening I then passed more clots and some grey tissue, I instantly felt much better after this. I am now on the third day of my period and am hardly bleeding at all. Do you think this is because I have not had a period in a few months?
Wed, 31 May 2023
Hi,
It is generally considered safe to take antibiotics and birth control pills together, but there is a slight risk of decreased effectiveness of the birth control pill. Antibiotics can interfere with the absorption of the birth control pill in the intestine, which can decrease its effectiveness in preventing pregnancy. It is recommended to use a backup form of contraception, such as condoms while taking antibiotics to prevent pregnancy.
Regarding your symptoms, it is difficult to say whether they were due to pregnancy or another underlying condition. It is possible to experience early pregnancy symptoms before a pregnancy test shows positive results, but it is also possible to experience similar symptoms due to other factors such as hormonal changes or stress. The light bleeding and passing of clots may be due to a change in your menstrual cycle, do consult your healthcare provider.
If you are concerned about the effectiveness of your birth control pill or potential pregnancy, it is recommended to speak with your healthcare provider. They can provide more personalized advice and guidance based on your situation.
If you require a personalized response, kindly use the Ask A Doctor service and post a follow-up. Take care. Hope I have answered your question.
Regards,
Dr. Priyanka, General & Family Physician
It is generally considered safe to take antibiotics and birth control pills together, but there is a slight risk of decreased effectiveness of the birth control pill. Antibiotics can interfere with the absorption of the birth control pill in the intestine, which can decrease its effectiveness in preventing pregnancy. It is recommended to use a backup form of contraception, such as condoms while taking antibiotics to prevent pregnancy.
Regarding your symptoms, it is difficult to say whether they were due to pregnancy or another underlying condition. It is possible to experience early pregnancy symptoms before a pregnancy test shows positive results, but it is also possible to experience similar symptoms due to other factors such as hormonal changes or stress. The light bleeding and passing of clots may be due to a change in your menstrual cycle, do consult your healthcare provider.
If you are concerned about the effectiveness of your birth control pill or potential pregnancy, it is recommended to speak with your healthcare provider. They can provide more personalized advice and guidance based on your situation.
If you require a personalized response, kindly use the Ask A Doctor service and post a follow-up. Take care. Hope I have answered your question.
Regards,
Dr. Priyanka, General & Family Physician
I find this answer helpful
Hi,
It's possible that the changes in your menstrual bleeding pattern could be due to the fact that you ran three packs of birth control together, which can cause some irregularity in menstrual bleeding. Additionally, antibiotics can also affect the effectiveness of birth control, so it's important to use additional contraception methods while taking antibiotics.
However, the symptoms you described, such as passing clots and grey tissue, can be concerning and may warrant further investigation. It's possible that this could be a miscarriage or other gynecological issue. I would recommend that you schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms and get a proper evaluation. They can help determine the cause of your symptoms and provide appropriate treatment or referral if necessary.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Diwashish Biswas, Internal Medicine Specialist
It's possible that the changes in your menstrual bleeding pattern could be due to the fact that you ran three packs of birth control together, which can cause some irregularity in menstrual bleeding. Additionally, antibiotics can also affect the effectiveness of birth control, so it's important to use additional contraception methods while taking antibiotics.
However, the symptoms you described, such as passing clots and grey tissue, can be concerning and may warrant further investigation. It's possible that this could be a miscarriage or other gynecological issue. I would recommend that you schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms and get a proper evaluation. They can help determine the cause of your symptoms and provide appropriate treatment or referral if necessary.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Diwashish Biswas, Internal Medicine Specialist
I find this answer helpful
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Loading Online Doctors....