Starting birth control soon, need some advice.

**belleisangelic** · 06-04-2010 04:04 PM

I lost my virginity around March and as soon as I returned from Japan I went to my OBGYN, I had been waiting around for my period after the appointment. I have some light spotting today, which means I'll probably be on my period full -blown tomorrow. ( going to a music festival on your period....fun times. -_-). I recently went to my OB-GYN and he perscribed me Loestrin 24 fe, the low-dosage Birth Control pill. I honestly know nothing about birth control pills at all, except for the terrible side effects, but I'm willing to work through them and just know that it's the pill and not me haha. Can anyone tell me what the rules are when it comes to Birth Control and what I should remember to do and not do while being on the pill? can I drink alcohol or take any drugs ( salvia is legal in my state) while on the pill?

**LanaBear** · 06-04-2010 04:23 PM

Read the pamphlet in the pill case.

Take it every day, try not to miss any pills, if you have to set an alarm to remind you, do it.

There are really no rules, you can live life as you would if you weren't taking the pill. Drinking is fine on it, drugs are fine on it.

**eleni** · 06-04-2010 05:40 PM

exactly that!
be aware that if you get a stomach bug/vomiting/diahorrea (i cannot spell) it might not work and might not work for a little while after.

x

**belleisangelic** · 06-04-2010 06:34 PM

I see...how long does it take for the birth control hormones to " kick in" ?

**LanaBear** · 06-04-2010 07:01 PM

Depends on the pill. Some say two weeks, some say 30 days. It should say in the pamphlet how long you need to use a secondary method.

**Yazwoman** · 06-06-2010 04:38 PM

Some other little things about the pill:

Read your packet/leaflet of course but some other things:

Timezone- if you traveling make sure to take it at the time you would in your original time zone. For example, if you are in EST and you take it at 11am EST and you go to California (which is 3 hours difference, you should take the pill at 8am PST)

Herbs:
Avoid St. John's Wart

Antibiotics:
Really hasn't been shown to decrease effectiveness unless you are taking Rampofin (TB drug) Cipro (which is used for UTI's) actually increases estrogen levels. Though better safe than sorry, some people say.

Vomiting: If you vomit within 2 hours of taking your pill, you should treat it as a missed pill (Follow the instructions in your booklet) Backup method for a week.

Diarrhea: 3 or more loose stools in 2 days: interpret as a missed pill. Backup method for at least a week after it clears up.

Backup method: I'd recommend using a backup method for the 1st month on the pill to be on the safe side.

Period: You might not get a period (withdrawal bleed- the placebos) on the pill at first or at any time while taking pill. This is normal on the pill.. If you are concerned just take HPT or go see a doctor about it.

Good luck!

**belleisangelic** · 06-06-2010 07:19 PM

isn't St.Johns Wart an anti-depressant herb? there are trace amounts of it in this tea I drink from Teavana...also has Ginseng...no?

**samanthatallon** · 06-07-2010 01:04 PM

use extra protection if you have an infection and taking anti biotics, as this can counteract the pill, most kinds of the pill my doctor warned me, lol and i had a baby.

sam xx

**Yazwoman** · 06-08-2010 08:06 AM

Originally Posted by belleisangelic

isn't St.Johns Wart an anti-depressant herb? there are trace amounts of it in this tea I drink from Teavana...also has Ginseng...no?

Yes, it is an anti-depression herb. Results have shown that the herb can effect birth control though. I think you should, sadly, drink another type of tea if just relying on the pill. Not sure if trace amounts would effect the pill but better safe than sorry.

**Yazwoman** · 06-08-2010 11:54 AM

Here's a full list of stuff that could interact with bcps:
I've bolded the section about St. John's Wart. (It also could make for irregular bleeding too, which isn't fun.

)

"Drug Interactions

Effects of Other Drugs on Combined Hormonal Contraceptives

Rifampin: Metabolism of ethinyl estradiol and some progestins (e.g., norethindrone) is increased by rifampin. A reduction in contraceptive effectiveness and an increase in menstrual irregularities have been associated with concomitant use of rifampin.

Minocycline: Minocycline-related changes in estradiol, progesterone, FSH and LH plasma levels, breakthrough bleeding, or contraceptive failure cannot be ruled out.

Anticonvulsants: Anticonvulsants such as phenobarbital, phenytoin, and carbamazepine have been shown to increase the metabolism of ethinyl estradiol and/or some progestins, which could result in a reduction of contraceptive effectiveness.

Antibiotics: Pregnancy while taking combined hormonal contraceptives has been reported when the combined hormonal contraceptives were administered with antimicrobials such as ampicillin, tetracycline, and griseofulvin. However, clinical pharmacokinetic studies have not demonstrated any consistent effects of antibiotics (other than rifampin-see above) on plasma concentrations of synthetic steroids. See also separate discussion on minocycline (above).

Atorvastatin: Coadministration of atorvastatin and an oral contraceptive increased AUC values for norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol by approximately 30% and 20%, respectively.

St. John’s Wort: Herbal products containing St. John’s Wort (hypericum perforatum) may induce hepatic enzymes (cytochrome P450) and p-glycoprotein transporter and may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives and emergency contraceptive pills. This may also result in breakthrough bleeding.

Other: Ascorbic acid and acetaminophen may increase plasma concentrations of some synthetic estrogens, possibly by inhibition of conjugation. " (From my pill packet)