Archives: FAQ

I’m taking a cold medicine, will that interact with the birth control pills?

October 15, 2019

Cold medicines rarely affect birth control. Unless you are on Pseudoephedrine, which revs up your system and chews up the birth control pills’ hormones faster. If you notice spotting when taking your cold meds, then the birth control might not be working. Use a back up method to be safe.

Do high dosages of Vitamin C reduce the effectiveness of contraceptive pills?

Actually, high Vitamin C does the opposite. It might increase the effect of the estrogen and increase the risk of blood clots. So watch out for headaches, chest pain, leg pain. If you get any of those, go to the emergency room and tell them you are on the birth control pill.

I’m taking a multivitamin and Calcium, will that interact with the birth control pills?

Multivitamins won’t affect birth control pills. Only if you are on a supplement with high dose magnesium, such as a specific antiacid not just a multivitamin.

Is it ok to take topomax (topiramate) with orthocyclen or other birth control pills?

It’s safe to take it with birth control pills. However, the topamax may make the birth control NOT work. so best to consider the shot, the implant or the IUD with hormone. she can check out bedsider.org for options and for those options she has to go in and see a provider. For providers she […]

I took the pill on the first day of my period and my period stopped, and I’m continuing taking the pills but I’m spotting everyday. Is this normal?

If this is the first time that you started birth control pills, then sometimes it takes 3 months for your body to get used to it. Once you start the birth control pills, then you should take a pill everyday. For the spotting, you can try ibuprofen 600 mg up to 3 times a day for up to 5 days WITH […]

I haven’t had a period in two month due to being on the birth control and now I am spotting. Does this mean that my medication isn’t in effect? I haven’t missed a pill.

When you get spotting, that means your body wants to come off the medication. Come off for 5 days, have a bleed during that time and on day 6 re-start ACTIVE pills whether or not you are still bleeding. Hopefully next time you can get out a longer period before the spotting happens. For many […]

If my birth control Nuvaring showed up and was not cold is it still safe to use?

Yes. It is safe to use. It can be stored at 77 degrees fahrenheit for up to 4 months. It can be stored up to 86 degrees. AVOID >86 degrees and in direct sunlight.

What do I do if I forgot to take the NuvaRing out or found it has fallen out?

If you are LESS than 48 hrs. late with inserting a new ring and you are sexually active: Insert the ring as soon as possible ASAP Keep the ring in until your regular scheduled ring removal day. Emergency contraception (EC) is not usually needed but can be considered depending on day of your cycle.Talk to your health […]

What is the cost of IUDs in the US?

It should be free under the Affordable Care Act – both the device and the MD visit to insert it. Insurance should cover IUD insertion without co-pay. If people are being charged, they should go to coverher.org

Are hormonal birth control and IUD really good for women? Do they have bad side effects?

Hormonal birth control is actually great for women. You can choose to have NO periods and it helps decrease acne. IUDs with hormones also can cause lighter or no periods. IUDs with copper have more blood and more pain but some women like them because they consider them “natural” because there are no hormones. So, […]

Do birth control patches work with dysmenorrhea? I’m wanting birth control for really bad cramps but swallowing pills gives me anxiety. If not, are there ones that dissolve or are chewable?

Yes, they do but I would recommend the ring. More information, here. But the patch works as well – the only negative on the patch is that it delivers higher estrogen than other pills and that puts you at risk of blood clots. BUT it is better than nothing. also, if you are NOT good at […]

How soon is the patch effective?

Depends where you are on your cycle when you start the patch, if you are on your period and start the patch, then AFTER 24 hrs you should be protected. If you are more than 5 days from the FIRST day of your period, then 1 week.