Do Probiotics Affect Birth Control Pills?

There is a lot of debate surrounding the topic of probiotics and birth control pills. Some people believe that taking probiotics while on birth control can decrease the effectiveness of the pill.

Others claim that there is no evidence to support this claim and that probiotics are safe to take while on birth control.

So, what is the truth?

In this blog post, we will explore the science behind probiotics and birth control pills, and answer the question once and for all.

Why take Probiotics?

First of all, let’s explore why people take probiotics. Probiotics are live microorganisms that are similar to the ones already found in our bodies (specifically, in our gut).

They can be found in supplement form, or in certain foods like yogurt and sauerkraut. People take probiotics for a variety of reasons: to improve digestive health, to boost immunity, and to treat various conditions like IBS, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.

There are different strains of probiotics, and they work in different ways.

Some research suggests that taking probiotics may help prevent or treat conditions like: 

• Diarrhea 
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) 
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) 
• infections of the digestive tract 
• skin conditions like eczema 
• vaginal infections and urinary tract infections (UTIs) 

Probiotics may also boost your immune system and reduce inflammation.

This may help to protect you from diseases and conditions like: 

• allergies 
• the common cold 
• bronchitis 
• some types of cancer 

Do Probiotics Affect Birth Control Pills?

Now that we know why people take probiotics, let’s get to the heart of the matter: do they affect birth control pills?

The short answer is – no probiotics don’t affect birth control pills in any way. They are safe to take with birth control pills.

There’s no need to worry about taking probiotics while on birth control pills. Probiotics are actually a type of “good” or beneficial bacteria that help keep your digestive system healthy and prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria.

Certain types of probiotics may even help to reduce the risk of yeast infections. In addition, there’s no evidence to suggest that taking probiotics interferes with the effectiveness of birth control pills in any way. So go ahead and enjoy those yogurt drinks and other probiotic-rich foods.

Before we delve into medications and things to avoid while taking birth control pills, lets take a brief look at how birth control pills work for women.

How do Birth Control Pills Work?

Birth control pills work by preventing ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary) and thickening the mucus in the cervix, making it difficult for sperm to travel through and fertilize an egg.

Most birth control pills contain a combination of synthetic versions of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.

The amount of these hormones in the pill determines how effective it is at preventing pregnancy.

There are two types of birth control pills: mini-pill and combination pills.

The mini-pill contains only progesterone, while the combination pill contains both estrogen and progesterone. These are less effective than combination pills, but they may be an option for women who can’t take estrogen.

Things to avoid while on birth control

In this part, we’re going to look at a few things you should avoid while taking birth control pills.

Avoid Smoking

Smoking increases your risk of developing blood clots, and birth control pills can also increase this risk. If you smoke and take birth control pills, you are increasing your risk of developing a blood clot by about 35 times.

As a woman, you should also avoid taking birth control pills if you are over 35 and smoke. This is because the risk of developing a blood clot is much higher in women who smoke and are over 35.

Antibiotics

There are a few reasons why you shouldn’t take antibiotics while on birth control. The main reason is that antibiotics can decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills.

This is because antibiotics can kill the “good” bacteria in your gut that help to metabolize the hormones in your birth control pill. As a result, the hormones in your birth control pill can linger in your system for longer than they should, which can increase your risk of pregnancy.

Additionally, some antibiotics can interact with the ingredients in birth control pills, which can also increase your risk of pregnancy.

Avoid Caffeine

Caffeine can increase your blood pressure and heart rate, which can be dangerous if you have a heart condition. If you have a heart condition, you should talk to your doctor about whether or not it is safe for you to take birth control pills.

Avoid Alcohol

Drinking alcohol while taking birth control pills can increase your risk of developing liver disease. If you drink alcohol, you should talk to your doctor about whether or not it is safe for you to take birth control pills.

Exceeding the ideal BMI

Having a body mass index (BMI) that is greater than 30 can increase your risk of developing a blood clot. If you are overweight, you should talk to your doctor about whether or not it is safe for you to take birth control pills.

Certain herbs

There are a few herbs that can interact with birth control pills and make them less effective. These include St. John’s wort, ginseng, and Dong Quai.

Certain Medication

Do you know how we said that antibiotics can make birth control pills less effective? Well, there are a few other medications that can have the same effect. These include anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antifungals, and some HIV medications.

What’s the best Probiotics supplement?

You know, there are many different probiotic supplements on the market, but not all of them are created equal.

Probiology Gut+ is formulated specifically for women’s gut health, and it contains only natural ingredients that are gluten-free, soy-free, and GMO-free. In addition, Probiology Gut+ contains a healthy dose of prebiotics, which help to feed the good bacteria in your gut.

Probiotics are important for overall gut health, and they can also help to reduce bloating, gas, and other digestive issues.

As an added benefit, this gut+ formula utilizes MAKtrek® marine polysaccharide complex, the latest technology for capsule protection. 

By providing this special protection, the Probiology formula can reach the small intestine without being damaged by your stomach acid. The majority of standard probiotic formulas don’t provide this unique type of protection, making them a complete waste of time and money.

If you are looking for a natural probiotic supplement that is specifically designed for women’s gut health, Probiology Gut+ is the best choice.

Why do we recommend Probiology Gut+?

The reason why I personally recommend Probiology Gut+ is because it’s one of the few probiotic supplements on the market that is formulated specifically for women’s gut health.

I first discovered this supplement when I was searching for a natural way to reduce bloating, gas, and other digestive issues.

I came across so many different probiotic supplements, but most of them didn’t contain the right ingredients or they didn’t have any protection against stomach acid.

Then my cousin who works in a marketing agency told me about a new probiotic supplement called Probiology Gut+.

I had of course told him earlier about my search for a natural probiotic supplement, so he was quick to tell me to check out this new product.

I’m so glad I did because this probiotic supplement has changed my life. Not only have my digestive issues gone away, but I also feel less bloated and gassy after eating.

Learn more about Probiology Gut+ a try here

Final Thoughts

So, do probiotics affect birth control pills? The answer is no. Probiotics are safe to take with the birth control pill and should not cause any interactions between the two medications.

If you are taking a probiotic supplement and also using oral contraceptives, there is no need to worry about any potential interactions. Just make sure that you continue to take your probiotics as directed and enjoy all of the health benefits that they offer.

Regardless, it’s always a good idea to speak with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about taking supplements while on medication.