birth control + alcohol?

[lala-luvyou.livejournal.com]

I switched to a different kind of birth control and around the same time I've been getting the worst hangovers, they're really bad!
This is a silly question but can bc affect how your body handles alcohol?

*edit* Thank you so much for your responses. You guys are so awesome and it's so nice to be part of a safe community where you can ask anything without getting a negative response.

Comments

[withoutadream.livejournal.com]

You aren't suppose to drink alcohol when you're on any type of medication. So yes, it can.

[zhukora1.livejournal.com]

Alcohol does not affect the chemical efficacy of hormonal birth control, so there is no medical reason to not drink alcohol while you are using birth control. However, as the link melodic_lyrics posted below explains, your body may react differently to alcohol while you are using some types of birth control (which I imagine varies from person to person), so you may have to modify your alcohol consumption habits to minimize unpleasant side effects.

[cityofgods.livejournal.com]

That isn't true. There are certain medications you should not drink alcohol with, sure, but not EVERY medication prohibits a woman from drinking alcohol.

[hollywillsay.livejournal.com]

i've heard that it can make your tolerance low...and that's definitely true for me. it used to take me about 4-5 drinks to even start to feel SOMETHING..now it takes usually around 2-3.

[melodic-lyrics.livejournal.com]

http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/1789.html

This link should explain what happens. It changes the way your body absorbs alcohol.

[lala-luvyou.livejournal.com]

Interesting, thanks for the link. Thankfully I've never thrown up/missed a pill, 10:00 is the perfect time for me.

[zhukora1.livejournal.com]

Yes, and it varies by brand and how your body reacts to the particular hormone or blend of hormones in each. On Yasmin I have no ill effects related to alcohol, on the Nuvaring I would get headaches before I was even halfway into my second drink, before I was even tipsy. If it's really a problem for you, maybe try switching to another type of hbc that is more similar to your original one? Or something entirely different?

[lala-luvyou.livejournal.com]

I started off on Yasmin and I never had any problems while on it. The only reason why I switched was because I wanted to try out the patch (big mistake) and my gyno recommended loestrin 24 because it has a lower amount of hormones? I forgot the reason. I'm going to ask her if I can go back onto Yasmin.

The whole headache thing while drinking is starting to happen to me! Well I've been getting a lot of headaches in general so I think I will switch.

[ladymac111.livejournal.com]

Also, HBC can cause headaches, so I can see how it could make hangovers worse.

[lala-luvyou.livejournal.com]

Yeah I had that experience when I was on the patch. I had migraines so painful that I would get the shakes and throw up. Then I switch to Loestrin and those migraines have switched from a weekly thing to my current hangovers. I do get a lot of headaches though, I'm going to switch bc control again because I'm not fully happy with this one.

Crazy medicines, geez..

[pandoraparabola.livejournal.com]

just a friendly reminder to enjoy a glass of water with every serving of alcohol when you are drinking! usually keeps you healthy, hydrated, and hangover free.
but i know that's not what you were asking. ;) sorry you're having this issue, hangovers are the worst.

[lala-luvyou.livejournal.com]

Yeah I try to but it usually ends up with me drinking a lot of water before going to sleep. hehe or eating a pickle

[teasailor.livejournal.com]

It's definitely possible that your body tolerates alcohol in a different way, but not to worry, you are still protected at the same rate :).

[anyakitty.livejournal.com]

I have been complaining about my significantly worsened sensitivity to alcohol for the past couple of years and only now that you mention this am I making the connection! It makes so much sense now! Thank you for posting this.

[lala-luvyou.livejournal.com]

I'm glad I posted this too because it is starting to make sense! I thought I was going insane for a minute.

They seriously need to think of birth control (that isn't just condoms) for men. I need a break from the craziness of these pills!