All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Oral contraceptives and alcohol: compatible or not?
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
In the instructions to most medicines there is an indication of their incompatibility with alcoholic beverages. Experts argue that oral contraceptives - pills that prevent pregnancy - are not among such drugs.
A woman is allowed to use a small amount of wine, which does not affect the reliability and quality of contraceptive protection.
However, this applies to moderate doses of alcohol. When abuse, the effectiveness of protection is significantly reduced - though only indirectly. The study showed that drunk girls relax, they have less concentration, a sense of responsibility. First of all, this entails the skipping of the next dose of the drug.
According to Planed Parenthood experts, alcohol intake does not affect the action of intrauterine devices, oral contraceptives, implants and patches. If you follow all the doctor's recommendations, then the effectiveness of these funds can be more than 91%.
Specialists point out that if a woman has vomited for two hours from taking the pill because of the use of a large dose of alcohol, the contraceptive effect is lost. In such a situation, doctors advise to immediately take another pill, or get a phone consultation with a gynecologist. However, according to statistics, the main problem is the woman's admission of a pill because of drinking. After a stormy evening the next morning, a woman remembers the need to take the drug, but often by this time the effectiveness of contraceptive prevention is already broken.
It is considered, for example, that progestin contraceptives remain effective with regular admission every day at the same time, an acceptable error of 3 hours. If you miss an appointment, then ovulation can be stimulated.
And one more fact: in women taking oral contraceptives, the metabolism of ethyl alcohol is slower. As a result, alcohol stays in the bloodstream longer, accumulating in large quantities: the state of intoxication occurs more quickly.
However, as experts say, do not relax and combine alcoholic drinks with tablets. According to the same statistics, many women who are drunk are prone to having sex with casual acquaintances, without the use of condoms.
A survey conducted three years ago among ordinary Americans aged 26-38 years, revealed that more than 13% of men and almost 12% of women had adverse consequences after alcohol abuse episodes. Among such consequences, pregnancy, infectious diseases with sexual mode of transmission, HIV infection, etc. Were most often noted . Therefore, experts warn: it is better to prevent such troubles without abusing alcohol.
Information is provided on the pages of the American Federation of Family Planning - plannedparenthood.org.
[