birthcontrol

[Rokiss12]

just wondering, im not 'active' or anything, but i take BC for acne, and i was wondering how much takingi antibiotics makes the BC not work? like are there statistics? because just for future reference and such. thanks!

 

[thelizardqueen]

I know that in CFers, birth control is less effective, because of how we absorb things, etc - but I don't have any statistics. I know you say you're not 'active', but if/when you decide to - make sure that you're using 2 forms of birth control, i.e. the pill and condoms. I know that with CF its harder to get pregnant, but there have been CFers who have accidentally gotten pregnant even on the pill.

 

[Rokiss12]

haha yeah, no worries liz/everyone, just wondering! thanks for the info <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[anonymous]

Always ask the pharmacist when you start a new antibiotic, just in case, if you're being "active" at the time. I've been on a few that can lessen the effect of birth control enough that a person could get pregnant. I'm not sure how much this would affect you as far as using it to treat acne though, not as birth control.

Also, I'd like to ask what bc pill you are on if you don't mind. I've tried a few over the past 7 years, none seem to make a huge improvement. I think my skin (and hair and nails too) were at their best when I was pregnant. Hair and nails could have been the prenatal vitamins though.

 

[anonymous]

I just wanted to add that I know the first paragraph is kind of a repeat of the other posts. While I was typing those popped up, I swear. There were no responses when I first started replying! I guess I type slower than I thought.

 

[Rokiss12]

haha no problem! thanks for the advice! i take aviane, and it reallly helped with my acne. i've been almost clear for the past couple months. knock on wood. however it did take two or three months to start working. im relaly happy with it though

 

[Momtana]

hi, Kate. I am a huge advocate of men always wearing condoms until they want to be a father! Condoms are really important for women - 2nd method of birth control and a big boost toward not getting sexual infections. Laura

 

[Scarlett81]

I ditto the condom thing. If you are on antibiotics they can and often do alter the effectiveness of some forms of birth control. I've known lots of ladies, cf and non cf, that have had a "surprise" b/c of that. My hubby and I always relied on them as a back up. Meaning, whenever I went on IVs. If I needed to start an oral antibiotic. Also, its not just during taking the antibiotic-you have to double up for a full month after you stop the antibiotic too.
I personally think its common that many women with cf might have trouble getting pregnant in the first place, but no way would I bet my money on that. I've heard of just as many that have had no trouble at all!

 

[jamie6girl]

I went to the gyno a couple of weeks ago to talk to her about birth
control.... And She said that it has gotten a lot better over the
last few years in regards to antibiotics.... She said that there
was a study that showed the same people that got pregnant that were
on antibiotics also did not pick up their birth control
prescription in a timely manner at the pharmacy... Whoops!

 

[Momtana]

the clinicians I work with are always super cautious about antibiotics and hormonal contraception - always back up - just in case.

 

[ej0820]

Birth control is less effective for us, however, you might want to ask your doc about using the Nuva Ring. It's BC that you insert 'down there' and leave in for three weeks and take out for one. My doc suggested it to me because it doesn't have to be digested and absorbed before getting to where it's supposed to go...it's already there! Therefore it's not weakened...or atleast not weakened as much. It's a little more reliable than the pill, I was told and it's very easy to use. So when the time comes to being active, check it out if you're worried about taking the standard pill form of BC.

 

[dyza]

As my grandmother used to say when she heard of a young girl getting pregnant ''she should have kept her hand on her ha'pney''. Scots for halfpenny = ha'pney.
I guess I'm saying is abstinance dear girl.

 

[Scarlett81]

I'm for abstinence too-but this isn't about that!<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

I just stopped my BC, but for 2 yrs I was on the NuvaRing also. I started on the Depo shot-for me, it was awful. But it was the only thing I could use and still take my typical antibiotics with. (non-IV's-just inhaled and oral) But the shot made me so anxious and depressed I had to stop it. Then I started then NuvaRing-within 1 cycle I felt better. And it just got better and better. Now if I remember correctly, there are a few antibiotics that don't interfere with the Nuvaring. But IV's always did. I loved the NuvaRing. It doesn't go through your digestive tract the way others do, so to me, its less altering to my body.

 

[Momtana]

the Nuva Ring is very popular with women at our family planning clinic.