I have been suffering with depression on and off for the last 5yrs. I have been on anti-depressants prescribed by my GP before but didnt really get on with them.
This time i want to try a natural remedy to see if that is better. I decided to try St Johns Wort.
My question is: I am currently taking Microgynon 30 birth control pills. Will the St Johns Wort make this ineffective??
Many Thanks in advance for you answers.
2007-08-02 23:21:58 · 6 answers · asked by E C 2 in Health ➔ Women's Health
Yes, there have been studies that show that taking St. Johns Wort can make the birth control pill ineffective at protecting against pregnancy.
2007-08-02 23:25:37 · answer #1 · answered by sokokl 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
St John's Wort actually increases fertility and seriously affects the pill, i suggest you take a test if you have had sex since you started taking st john's wort, if you have started taking it.
BC pills can have side effects such as depression so why not take a break from them for a while and use a condom with your partner instead or anything free of hormones. Microgynon 30 is the reason i switched to the mini pill! it is a biatch for depression while on the mini pill it can come in bouts of severe depression but only every now and again rather than constantly like on Microgynon.
i suggest you have a break from the pills and then try something different after you have had 3 true periods, by which point you may not want to go back on it because not being on BC pills feels so much better.
2007-08-03 01:15:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, St. Johns Wort is known to decrease the effectiveness of hormonal birth control pills. It can also cause irregular menstrual bleeding when used with 'the pill'.
St. John's Wort is only good for very mild depression and acts like a placebo really, there are not studies that show that it does anything except give people side effects and interact with medication. If you're really depressed going off your antidepressants and trying this herbal treatment can be very dangerous.
If you are not already, you should get yourself into proper therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy has been proven to be just as effective at curing and controling mild to moderate clinical depression as antidepressant medication. And with CBT the likelihood of relapse after treatment has stopped is drastically lower than that with antidepressant therapy alone. Also, CBT can be completed in as little as 9 weeks. It's a safer option than St. John's Wort. Remember, just because it is 'natural' doesn't mean it is safe.
2007-08-02 23:28:26 · answer #3 · answered by skunk pie 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Short Answer - Yes. St John's Wort interferes with lots of BC pills but not all of them (I think). If you ask your doc for advice, he should be able to advise a BC method that will not be affected by the St John's Wort to allow you to take both at once.
Hope the SJW helps, good luck for the future.
2007-08-05 20:08:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I take Yaz, and the packet that comes with my pills specifically states that taking St. John's Wort can render the Pill ineffective. Talk to your doc about another kind of natural remedy that won't interfere...or start using a barrier method of contraception instead, such as condoms or a diaphragm. Good luck!
2007-08-03 02:43:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I tried all the anti depressants there are from doctor but I found the best one was propananol and yes St Johns wart does affect the pill and pills for HRT.
2007-08-02 23:32:31 · answer #6 · answered by Jackie M 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋