This post was most recently updated on July 25th, 2023
Overview
You need to take birth control pills every day at a particular time to make sure the medicine works. However, if you vomit after taking birth control pills, the medicine may not work as well!
There are many different types of birth control pills, most of which contain estrogen and progesterone, but some contain only progesterone. This medicine helps you avoid unwanted pregnancies by preventing ovulation.
Birth control pills also make cervical mucus thicker, making it harder for sperm to reach the egg. Some birth control pills still allow you to have your normal menstrual cycle, such as when not taking the pill. Some medications can shorten the number of days you have your period or eliminate it.
| In theory, birth control pills are 99% effective when used correctly. That means you need to take your medication at the same time each day and follow all other instructions from your doctor. The average effect of birth control pills is nearly about 91%.
However, what if you have followed your doctor’s instructions and used birth control pills correctly but have vomited after taking them? Experts have advised what to do if you vomit after taking birth control pills and how to avoid this in the future. Please read till the end!
Why do you vomit after taking birth control pills?
Some women may experience side effects of birth control pills and vomiting after taking the pill, especially in the first weeks after starting to take it. Some common side effects of birth control pills include:
- Vomit.
- Nausea.
- Chest tightness.
- Abnormal bleeding.
These side effects are usually temporary and subside after two to three months after taking the drug. If the side effects of the medication do not go away after this period, consult your doctor to change the medication.
Depending on your sensitivity to estrogen or progesterone, the side effects may be mild or severe. If the side effects of oral contraceptives affect your quality of life, consider taking another birth control pill.
Less than 1% of women on birth control pills have nausea due to side effects. However, you may feel nauseous because you have forgotten one dose and need to take two or more pills on the same day. New women taking oral contraceptives for 1-2 months are also at risk of nausea.
If you are sensitive to medications or have certain conditions, such as gastritis, impaired liver function, or acid reflux, your risk of nausea after taking birth control pills is higher.
Treatment if you vomit after taking birth control pills
Whether you are vomiting due to birth control pills or any other cause, you still need to take steps to avoid the loss of effectiveness.
- If you vomit after two hours of taking the pill: Your body may have absorbed the medication, so you don’t need to worry.
- If you vomit within two hours after taking the pill: You need to take the next pill in the birth control pack.
- If you are sick and experiencing vomit, then continue to take medicine: If you vomit due to certain illnesses such as stomach flu, see your doctor for treatment. You also need to take the next two pills in the blister the next day. However, you need to take two pills at least 12 hours apart to keep from vomiting.
- If you continue to vomit after taking medicine: You should consult your doctor to know how you should handle it. You may need to use birth control pills or other methods of contraception, such as condoms.
Prevent vomiting after taking birth control pills
If you want to prevent vomiting after taking birth control pills, try the following:
- Take medication with meals: If you have checked and are sure you are vomiting due to the side effects of birth control pills and not due to medical conditions, try taking the pill with meals. Also, you can take medicine before going to bed to reduce side effects.
- Change birth control pills: You can change to a lower-hormone pill if high-dose hormonal contraceptives make you vomit. You can consult your doctor to choose a more appropriate drug. You can also consider using another method of contraception, such as IUD insertion.
- Rest: If you vomit due to illness, take a break, and treat your illness. During this time, you need to use other methods of contraception if you want to have sex.
Birth control pills only work when you use them correctly. If you can’t take the medication as directed because you’re constantly vomiting after taking the birth control pill, try to fix it or use another method of birth control.
