Can supplements affect birth control effectiveness?

Dear Reader 1 and Don’t Want a Grumbly AND Pregnant Tummy,  

While some supplements and medications can interact with birth control, there’s no evidence that vitamin C, probiotics, or prebiotics make birth control pills less effective. In fact, some vitamin supplements can help bring your vitamin and mineral levels up to recommended levels. This may help to ease some of the unpleasant side effects associated with birth control pills, such as fatigue, headaches, and mood changes.  

What are probiotics and prebiotics?  

Probiotics are foods or products that introduce live microorganisms to your gut and help to maintain a healthy balance of helpful bacteria. Prebiotics are foods that promote the growth of helpful bacteria in the gut. Medical providers may recommend taking probiotics after finishing a course of antibiotics to help rebuild your gut microbiome. Some people also find that probiotics can help to ease digestive issues. There’s no evidence that probiotics or prebiotics affect birth control effectiveness. 

While scientists still don’t fully understand how probiotics affect the nervous and immune system, some emerging research suggests that probiotics may improve mood, inflammation, and fatigue. Probiotics are considered safe, but people with weaker immune systems, such as those taking immunosuppressant medications or those with critical illnesses, may be at risk of infection. 

Can dietary supplements make birth control less effective? 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t test dietary supplements for safety before they’re sold. As such, there’s limited research on how they may affect hormonal birth control. However, studies have found that St. John’s wort, an herbal supplement used to treat depression and menopausal symptoms, may increase the risk of breakthrough bleeding and ovulation when taken with birth control pills. While there isn’t enough evidence to say that St. John’s wort makes birth control pills less effective, it may cause the body to break them down more quickly. This means that the hormones in birth control pills may not stay active in your body for as long as they’re formulated to, potentially making them less effective.  

As for vitamin C supplements, studies suggest that taking vitamin C with birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy may increase estrogen levels in the body. However, there’s no evidence that it reduces the effectiveness of birth control.  

While vitamin supplements and probiotics don’t interfere with birth control, certain medications can make birth control pills less effective. This is because some medications interact with the same liver enzymes that are responsible for metabolizing birth control. When those medications are taken together, these enzymes break down birth control more quickly and clear it out of the body.  

Should you take dietary supplements if you’re on birth control? 

Vitamin supplements are safe to take with birth control—in fact, they may even give you a much-needed boost! Birth control pills can make it harder for the body to absorb and retain certain vitamins and minerals. However, you may want to talk with your health care provider before adding in any vitamin supplements just to make sure you are taking ones that you need.  

Studies have found that people taking oral birth control tend to have lower levels of vitamins like folate, vitamins B, C, and E, as well as minerals like magnesium, selenium, and zinc. These vitamin and mineral deficiencies may be the culprit behind the mood changes, headaches, fatigue, and breast tenderness often associated with birth control pills. Supplements may help to ease these side effects. For instance, vitamin B2 supplements can help to reduce headaches while vitamin B6 may relieve breast pain and tenderness.  

Is taking vitamin C necessary? 

The human body doesn’t make its own vitamin C, so you need to get it from food sources like citrus fruits, tomatoes, berries, and spinach. Most people get enough vitamin C from the food they eat, but people who smoke, don’t regularly consume fruits and vegetables, or have gastrointestinal conditions may benefit from supplements. If you’re taking vitamin C supplements, it may be helpful to keep in mind that the maximum daily intake for adults is 2000mg. Taking too much vitamin C can cause nausea, stomach cramps, and headaches. 

In a nutshell—or rather, a capsule—it’s safe to take vitamin C supplements and probiotics with birth control pills. If you do decide to take dietary supplements, it may be a good idea to speak with a medical provider. They may be able to provide recommendations and ensure your health and safety. 

B well and C you later!