garlic & HBC interactions

[mycatfrankie.livejournal.com]

I've been eating about a clove of crushed raw garlic everyday for 4 days or so, to help clear up a YI. While doing some research this evening on the other health benefits of garlic, I saw that it could negatively interact with birth control. Something about the garlic speeding up the breakdown of the estrogen, making it less effective. 

Has anyone gotten pregnant or noticed problems (like spotting) while taking birth control and garlic or garlic supplements? Do you think one clove a day is enough to make a difference? I hope I don't need to stop, because garlic is the only thing that has been working for me so far.

Thanks.

Comments

[archangelbeth]

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/300.html says: "The body breaks down the estrogen in birth control pills to get rid of it. Garlic might increase the breakdown of estrogen. Taking garlic along with birth control pills might decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills."

Notice the "might" there.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19719333, on the other hand, does not link garlic and oral contraceptives at all.

If you're concerned, I'd suggest adding a secondary method of contraception (spermicide, withdrawal, condoms, etc.) and not worrying overmuch.

Must run. Luck! Hopefully someone else more knowledgeable will come along soon.