Diarrhea and birth control pills

[llama-friendly.livejournal.com]

In 2009 I had my gallbladder removed. Since then my digestive system has been very finicky and I'll have diarrhea about twice a week, usually right after a meal. Last night I read that having diarrhea can affect the absorption of the pill. This really has me nervous because I regularly have sex without any back up protection. I just use the pill.

Should I be concerned? Getting pregnant right now would be devastating.

Comments

[archangelbeth]

Do you have diarrhea of the "WHOOSH, went in, came out" variety, and do you have it within an hour or two of taking your pill? If so, then yes, you could have compromised protection (though probably no worse than the 90% protection range), and might want to consider adding a backup method of contraception (e.g., condoms, withdrawal, spermicidal foam, etc.), or switching to something like the NuvaRing or an IUD -- or to taking your pill sometime when you will have at least a few hours before you are likely to have the diarrhea!

I hope that helps you figure out something that will make your protection less likely to get compromised! (Or, if you are already having 4+ hours before you risk diarrhea, after taking your pill, that you're reassured. O:> )

[llama-friendly.livejournal.com]

It's the kind where it went and and came out! It's usually during the day and I take my pill at 9:30pm. But it can be random as well and I'm sure I've had it right after taking my pill. I have to see my gynecologist in a few weeks so I'm going to ask about Nuvaring then. I definitely don't want to risk it! Thanks so much for your response!