Is Trouble Lurking in Your Medicine Cabinet?

According to a study published in Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, about 50% of all unplanned pregnancies occur while women were actually using contraception during the month that they conceived. One of the main reasons that contribute to birth control failure is user error. Before you take it, do you read the package insert of a new prescription medication? If you are finding yourself asking, Huh? There is an information sheet in my prescription box...read on!

One question that I am often emailed about often is whether or not it is okay to use antibiotics while on the pill. There are several types of medication and/or supplements that can decrease the effectiveness of the birth control pill. Its important to keep in mind, these same medications also can compromise the success rate of other hormonal birth control methods as well - such as the NuvaRing, OrthoEvra Patch, Depo Provera Shot, and Mirena IUD.

• Know what medications could compromise your contraception, and make sure to use a back-up method (like a condom or the sponge) if you have to use one of them.

  It is also a good idea to check with your health-care provider before taking a new medication just to make sure that it does not lower your birth control's effectiveness.

  _{Birth Control Pill Photo © 2009 Dawn Stacey}