Health Content // 3 Things That Can Stop the Contraceptive Pill from Working*

When used correctly, the contraceptive pill is over 99 per cent effective at preventing pregnancy, so it’s not hard to see why this form of birth control has proved so popular. However, it’s important to be careful if you take this type of oral contraceptive. There are certain things that can stop it from doing its job properly – and here are three risk factors that you should know about.

Missing pills
Missing just one pill, or starting a new pack a day late, shouldn’t put you at an increased risk of pregnancy, but if you accidentally skip two pills or you start a pack more than one day late, your chance of conceiving rises. The risk is especially high if you forget two or more pills immediately after the seven-day break between packs because your ovaries are more likely to release an egg. If you skip more than one pill, you’ll need to use additional protection, such as a condom, for seven days. Your pack of contraceptive pills should come with full information concerning what to do in these circumstances and you can find out more online or by speaking to your doctor.

Sickness
You’re also at an increased risk of pregnancy if you throw up within a couple of hours of taking your pill. This is because it takes longer than this for the contraceptive to be completely absorbed into your bloodstream. So, if you’re sick soon after swallowing your pill, take another one straight away. If you keep vomiting, you’ll need to use another type of birth control for the duration of your illness and for two days afterwards. The same applies if you suffer from severe diarrhoea.

Other medicines
It’s important to be aware of the fact that certain medicines can interfere with oral contraceptives and make them less effective. For example, the antibiotics rifabutin and rifampicin, which are used to treat infections like meningitis, can interact with the combined pill. Some HIV and epilepsy medicines may also have this effect, as can the herbal remedy St John’s wort. If you’re concerned that a medicine you’re taking may have an impact on your contraceptive, make sure you speak to a GP or nurse. They may recommend an alternative treatment or advise you to use an extra form of birth control.

As long as you take the pill properly, and are aware of risks like these, you should find it’s a simple and effective way to avoid pregnancy.