Framingham, Massachusetts
A 27-year-old female asked:
Do i need to worry about the effectiveness of my birth control pills if i had one light case of diarrhea 2h after taking it? should i take another pil
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Holly Maesanswered
Pediatrics 38 years experience
No, your fine: The absorption of the medicine takes place in stomach and upper intestinal tract, which would be totally unaffected by a bout of diarrhea. No need to throw your levels out of whack due to a little diarrhea. Even if you miss one entire pill, you are still considered to be protected.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
991 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Related questions
A 26-year-old female asked:
I had diarrhea once per day on the 3rd and 4th day of my new pack of birth control pills. I take them in the evening and this happened in the morning. Can this affect their absorption? Sould I worry if it happens again?
Dr. Harold Fieldsanswered
Family Medicine 63 years experience
It should not affect their absorption . Good Luck
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Reviewed Aug 24, 2021
A female asked:
Does having diarrhea 2-3 hours after taking my birth control pill reduce the effectiveness of the pill? Was my birth control pill absorbed?
Dr. Lori Langeanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Yes: The pill should have been absorbed. As long as you did not vomit it up you are OK. Diarrhea will not effect it.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
605 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Does having diarrhea 3 hours after taking birth control change its effectiveness? I just got on it last week and took the 8th pill in the pack today.
Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Shouldn't: Vomitting would be an issue after taking. Diarrhea is a product of the lower GI tract after absorption has taken place.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:
Would diarrhea occurring 4 times within 12 hours after taking first active birth control pill affect its effectiveness?
Dr. Afshan Hameeduddinanswered
Specializes in General Practice
No: Should not affect the efficacy
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
660 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Does diarrhea impact the effectiveness of the birth control pill?
Dr. Thomas Yashanswered
Dentistry 48 years experience
Yes it can. : Any bowel dysfunction can affect the absorption of most BCP. Even antibiotics can alter the effectiveness.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
408 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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Last updated Oct 4, 2017
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