Question 1

i had light diarrhea an hour after taking my birth control pill, am i still protected?

Accepted Answer

Yes: It takes much longer for the pill to get to the colon than that.  It would not be in the diarrhea.

Question 2

can having diarrhea right after (within a hour) of taking birth control cause it to be less effective or spotting? i took it then had diarrhea twice within a hour. im spotting a little now. im on low dose birth control?

Accepted Answer

: Diarrhea cannot have such an effect. Check with the doctor or clinic where your pill was prescribed. Good luck.

Question 3

i had diarrhea several times 12 hours after birth control.  am i still protected from pregnancy?  5th bill in 2nd week.

Accepted Answer

Yes: The bulk of GI absorption takes place in the small bowel.

Question 4

i took my birth control pill and have diarrhea 4 hours later? its due to another medication. will the diarrhea make my birth control less effective? its been 4 hours. thanks

Accepted Answer

No: As long as the oral contraceptive pill was not taken conjointly with an antibiotic, the diarrhea should have no impact as the pill has been absorbed in the first 2 hours.

Question 5

hi; ive been on birth control pill and had sex on the first day of new pack (took the pill). partner also pulled out but im not sure if it was completely. took plan b around 68 hours later but had diarrhea 2 hours after. is it not effective? thanks?

Accepted Answer

: The diarrhea does not affect the absorption of plan B pill. You only worry when you vomit within 2 hours of taking the pill.

Question 6

i took the first pill of a new back of birth control at 9pm. i just had terrible diarrhea. am i still protected? i take it at 9pm everyday

Accepted Answer

Yes: Diarrhea should not affect the effectiveness of your birth control pill.  Hope this was helpful.  Dr R

Question 7

i had diarrhea about 36 minutes after taking my birth control pill am still protected?

Accepted Answer

: Yes the diarrhea should not impact the affect of the pill on contraception

Question 8

how much less effective are birth control pills if you have diarrhea?

Accepted Answer

Still effective: Generally speaking, diarrhea will not decrease absorption (or efficacy) of birth control pills. Hopefully, the diarrhea is a temporary or episodic condition, and please see your doctor if diarrhea becomes a prolonged or chronic problem. Did the diarrhea start after bcp (then it may be a side effect, and STILL would NOT decrease efficacy).

Question 9

is birth control pills still active if i had diarrhea for 7 days on day 1 of a new pack?

Accepted Answer

Short answer is yes: as it is still metabolized and absorbed in your small intestines.  Your large intestines (colon) is where diarrhea occurs.  So you should not be concerned.  If you were throwing up the pills, that would be a different story though.  Thanks for trusting in HealthTap.

Question 10

does frequent diarrhea make birth control pill relcipsen less effective?

Accepted Answer

Noooo!!: The key to BCP's effectiveness is taking them every day, without fail. If chronic diarrhea interferes with your ability to stick with a strict once daily routine, than to that extent it will lower the efficacy of the "pill".

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Doctor answers about:

Is birth control still effective if you have diarrhea an hour after taking it

A member asked:

I had light diarrhea an hour after taking my birth control pill, am i still protected?

A member asked:

Can having diarrhea right after (within a hour) of taking birth control cause it to be less effective or spotting? i took it then had diarrhea twice within a hour. im spotting a little now. im on low dose birth control?

A member asked:

I had diarrhea several times 12 hours after birth control. am i still protected from pregnancy? 5th bill in 2nd week.

A member asked:

I took my birth control pill and have diarrhea 4 hours later? its due to another medication. will the diarrhea make my birth control less effective? its been 4 hours. thanks

A member asked:

Hi; ive been on birth control pill and had sex on the first day of new pack (took the pill). partner also pulled out but im not sure if it was completely. took plan b around 68 hours later but had diarrhea 2 hours after. is it not effective? thanks?

A member asked:

I took the first pill of a new back of birth control at 9pm. i just had terrible diarrhea. am i still protected? i take it at 9pm everyday

A member asked:

I had diarrhea about 36 minutes after taking my birth control pill am still protected?

A member asked:

How much less effective are birth control pills if you have diarrhea?

A member asked:

Is birth control pills still active if i had diarrhea for 7 days on day 1 of a new pack?

A member asked:

Does frequent diarrhea make birth control pill relcipsen less effective?

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