Khaberni - The effectiveness of birth control pills depends on consistent use, yet some dietary supplements may interfere with hormonal action or absorption.
Birth control pills are among the most efficient methods of contraception when used correctly, but their effectiveness may be affected by certain dietary supplements that interfere with the mechanism of hormonal action or absorption in the body.
According to the scientific website «Very Well Health», there is a group of supplements that can reduce the efficiency of birth control pills or lead to increased side effects, as follows:
St. John's Wort
St. John's Wort is used as a herbal supplement to improve mood; however, it can accelerate the liver's breakdown process of hormones found in birth control pills. When this process is accelerated, hormone levels may drop significantly, making them unable to prevent pregnancy.
Some women who take this supplement may notice irregular bleeding, which could be an indicator of reduced pill effectiveness.
Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is used in some dietary supplements for treating gas and bloating and is sometimes promoted as a way to reduce cholesterol levels.
Activated charcoal is also used as an emergency treatment in some cases of poisoning or drug overdose, as it works by binding to substances present in the digestive system.
However, this property may extend to medications, including birth control pills, where activated charcoal may prevent their proper absorption, and this risk is particularly high when it is taken shortly before the birth control pills.
Soy supplements contain phytoestrogens, natural compounds that mimic the action of estrogen in the body by binding to and activating its receptors.
Consuming moderate amounts of whole soy products, such as one to two servings a day of soy milk or tofu, is safe and may help prevent breast cancer. However, concentrated soy supplements may affect the hormonal balance in the body and may be unsafe in some cases, potentially leading to changes in bleeding patterns or increased side effects.
Garlic supplements are sometimes used to support heart health and boost immunity, but taking them in high doses may affect the cytochrome P450 system, specifically cytochrome 2C9 enzyme, a liver enzyme that plays a role in processing many drugs, including birth control hormones.
Flaxseed supplements contain phytoestrogenic compounds known as lignans, which mimic naturally occurring estrogen in the body and in birth control pills.
These compounds may compete with birth control pills for estrogen receptors, which could lead to reduced effectiveness of the hormonal method.
Very high doses of vitamin C may elevate estrogen levels in the blood.
This does not directly affect the effectiveness of birth control pills but may increase the severity of some side effects, such as nausea, bloating, and headaches.
Supplements marketed for treating anxiety, weight loss, detoxing, or enhancing sleep and relaxation often contain a mix of herbs and ingredients that affect digestion or liver enzymes.
Taking these products may reduce hormone absorption or accelerate their breakdown in the body, thus it is advised not to use them concurrently with birth control pills.
