Does Diarrhea Affect Birth Control Pill Effectiveness?

Experiencing diarrhea while taking oral contraceptives?

Hello Dr.
Tsao: I recently took the 20th pill of my contraceptive, and the next day I had food poisoning and experienced diarrhea.
That evening, I took the last pill as scheduled (I usually take my medication around 11 PM, and the diarrhea occurred at 8 PM).
Should I use an alternative contraceptive method during the seven-day break and the first seven days of the next pack? I've read that diarrhea can affect the effectiveness of contraception...

Greta, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2016/02/20

Dr. Cao Guotao reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

Hello, general contraceptive pills should be started on the 5th day of your menstrual period to be effective.
During the subsequent seven-day pill-free interval and before starting the next pack, no additional contraceptive measures are necessary.
Diarrhea will not affect the contraceptive effectiveness.
Wishing you good health!

Reply Date: 2016/02/20

More Info

Diarrhea can indeed affect the effectiveness of birth control pills, but the extent of this impact largely depends on the severity and duration of the diarrhea. When you experience diarrhea, especially if it is severe or accompanied by vomiting, it can interfere with the absorption of the hormones in the birth control pill. This is particularly concerning if the diarrhea occurs within a few hours of taking the pill, as the body may not have had enough time to absorb the medication before it is expelled.

In your case, since you mentioned that you experienced diarrhea after taking the 20th pill and then took the last pill of the pack on schedule, the timing is crucial. If the diarrhea occurred several hours after taking the pill, it is likely that the pill was absorbed adequately, and you may not need to worry about reduced effectiveness for that specific pill. However, if you had diarrhea shortly after taking the pill, there is a possibility that the pill did not get absorbed properly, which could lead to a decrease in its contraceptive effectiveness.

The general recommendation is that if you experience diarrhea for more than 24 hours, you should consider using a backup method of contraception, such as condoms, for at least seven days after the diarrhea has resolved. This is to ensure that you are adequately protected against unintended pregnancy, especially if you are in the first week of a new pack of pills or if the diarrhea was severe.

It's also important to note that the effectiveness of birth control pills can be influenced by other factors, such as missed doses or interactions with other medications. Therefore, if you are ever in doubt about your contraceptive protection, it's wise to consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice.

In summary, while mild diarrhea may not significantly impact the effectiveness of your birth control pill, severe or prolonged diarrhea can pose a risk. Given your situation, it would be prudent to use an additional form of contraception for the next seven days as a precautionary measure. Always keep an open line of communication with your healthcare provider regarding any concerns about your birth control method and its effectiveness, especially in the context of gastrointestinal disturbances.

Similar Q&A

Does Diarrhea Affect the Effectiveness of Birth Control Pills?

Hello, doctor. I have been taking the contraceptive pill for four months. Last week, I had gastroenteritis and experienced repeated diarrhea. After taking the medication, I continued to have diarrhea. I would like to know if this could reduce the effectiveness of the contraceptiv...

Dr. Cao Guotao reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Hello, the impact should be minimal. If you're concerned, you can consider adding other contraceptive methods. Wishing you good health.

Does Diarrhea Affect the Effectiveness of Birth Control Pills?

Doctor, I took the contraceptive pill last night at midnight, and this morning at 10 AM I had a bowel movement, then another one in the afternoon, and again around 7 PM. However, it wasn't watery; it was more like soft stools. I heard that diarrhea can affect the effectivene...

Dr. Lin Zhaopei reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Vomiting has a greater impact on the effectiveness of contraceptive pills, while diarrhea may sometimes reduce absorption, but the effect is generally minimal.

Does Diarrhea from Gastroenteritis Affect Birth Control Pill Efficacy?

Hello doctor, I developed acute gastroenteritis four days ago, and since last night, I've been experiencing severe diarrhea, losing everything I eat or drink. However, I continued to take my birth control pill as usual. After taking the pill, I went to sleep and did not have...

Dr. Cao Guotao reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Hello, it should not have any impact. If you are concerned, you can use condoms for contraception. Wishing you good health.

Does Diarrhea Affect the Effectiveness of Birth Control Pills?

Hello doctor, I have been taking Yaz for six months, and recently I have experienced diarrhea for a few days. Last week, I had unprotected intercourse. Will this affect the effectiveness of the birth control? Do I need to take additional contraceptive measures in the coming days?...

Dr. Cao Guotao reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Hello, generally it does not have an impact. If you are concerned, you can use additional contraceptive methods, such as condoms. Wishing you good health.