BC nightmare

[ihavepms.livejournal.com]

I've been taking antibiotics for a throat/chest infection for the past 4-5 days........... and am also on birth control pills. Of course, my boyfriend being his randy self has convinced me on more than a few occasions to have sex, during this time. Since starting BC over a year ago, I've never had cause to take antibiotics, hence, the whole making the pill less effective thing completely slipped my mind.

I'm just wondering how high my risk factor is and what I should do in the meantime? I'm around about the middle of my pack, too. How convenient. *sigh* Are my odds of being pregnant very high? The last thing we need is a baby.

Comments

[silverfiligree.livejournal.com]

I asked my doctor about that once, and she said the main risk was that the antibiotics might cause vomiting or diarrhoea, so you wouldn't absorb the pill hormones. Try not to worry, the risk factor isn't that high.

[smallstar.livejournal.com]

The only antibiotic that has a really major effect on effectiveness of the pill is Rifampin. If you're taking any other antibiotic, your chances of being pregnant are still very low. All you can do now is wait and see if your next period comes on time, and take a pregnancy test if it doesn't.

In the meantime, keep taking the pill and the antibiotics, and use a backup method (eg. condoms) for the rest of the time that you're on the antibiotics, and for 7 days after you've finished them. And try not to worry! You're probably not pregnant.

[moveover.livejournal.com]

Man...I've taken antibiotics, and I'm not doctor, I'm just speaking from personal experience, I couldn't tell that my bc was working at ALL. I started taking the medicine in the middle of my period, and my period lasted the entire time I was taking the antibiotics, even while taking BC...so I could only deduce that the hormones were not working because the bleeding didn't stop. I don't know what the risk involved is that, but I would DEFINATELY use backup. Just my experiences..good luck!

[beatgirl.livejournal.com]

Whenever I start taking antibiotics, I immediately start my period. I recently went off BC because I've been on antibiotics for a reoccuring ear infection. I doubt that you are pregnant, but be careful the next time, because my friend's friend got pregnant because she was taking bc and antibiotics and not using another form of protection.

[trashbag.livejournal.com]

The risk factor isn't that high -- BUT I know somebody who just got pregnant this summer by taking antibiotics with b/c.

[ihavepms.livejournal.com]

thank you! i'm pretty sure the hormones arent working, because i feel as if i'm getting my period early. you know, cramps and the like. i will be sure to use backup from now on.

i don't want a baby just yet, i have my kitty to love and stroke :) isn't she cute?

[dokuya.livejournal.com]

good :))
yeah, she's cute!
and, just a thought, i hope you let your bf know how worried you are/were and ask him if he wants to risk becoming a dad.
it's not hard looking up drug interactions on the net or asking a doc when he prescribes you meds, it becomes routine.
my bf often does it for me or asks me if i did because me becoming pregnant would affect the both of us - negatively at the moment.

and you can always post here if you have problems!