Is it alright to temporarily stop my birth control pills for this month?

Question

Just yesterday I got my wisdom teeth surgically removed. In the post-surgery packets it says that women taking birth control should stop because it will complicated healing and cause infection. I'm on antibiotics too and that interferes with the pills affectiveness anyways. I'm not even done with my first week of pills yet, so I was wondering if I would just stop this month and then just begin all over again next month as soon as this heals. Any sort of advice would help. Thanks!

Answer 1

I would imagine you could stop taking your birth control pills for the month and, as you say, your antibiotics could reduce their effectiveness, anyway.
Just remember not to have unprotected sex in the meantime and to allow the pill to build up its effectiveness in your system when you start taking it again.
But, if in any doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Answer 2

I'm not at all familiar with birth control pills complicating healing or causing infection, but it definitely is true that certain antibiotics will cut down on the effectiveness of birth control pills (BCPs). The antibiotics that decrease the effectiveness of BCPs include the penicillins (penicillin, amoxicillin, Augmentin) and the cephalosporins (like Keflex for one). You were probably prescribed one of these antibiotics, so even if you don't stop the BCPs you should use a back up method of birth control for this month (like condoms).

You can stop the BCPs if you like and no, it is not dangerous for you. Just use another method this month, and then start a new pack when your next period starts. If you start the new pack on the first day of your next period then the BCPs will be effective that first month, otherwise continue to use a back-up method until you're on the second pack.

Answer 3

You should probably call the doctor who gave you the antibiotics and ask if he could prescribe some other antibiotic that would not interact with your BC pills. If you did however, opt out of the BC, and continued to have sex, there is a possibility you might get pregnant that month and the month when you start using the BC pills again (so two months total). So you'd have to use some other means of birth control other than the pills, if you continued. Also, if you decided to continue taking the BC pills, their effectiveness might be reduced by the antibiotic. Either way, you should still talk to your MD.

Answer 4

Remember that bcps are chemical hormones that alter your body's responses. While not normal, it is an occasional occurrence where the body 'forgets' for a while how to function normally without that added hormone. It's the same response that typically causes that weight gain - and, sadly, is the same reason for the other things once going off it (pimples, headaches, etc). While I'm glad to hear you've made sure you were protected, I agree that your body could recharge itself at any time getting back into the normal pattern (I say normal, because it could be one period every two months for half a year! - but at least there starts to be some sort of a pattern). Eventually it'll even itself out to some sort of pattern (note that it might not be 'normal' according to a 27-day calendar or anything), but perhaps a 24 or 35 day scheme. In other words, I'd give it a couple more months before going to see a doctor to find out more. P.S. If you ever decide to go back on, perhaps check for other types / hormones that are more compatible with you?

Answer 5

JUST STOP HAVING SEX FOR 1 MONTH...