Posting a question on behalf of a member re: birth control pill and antibiotics

We have a member who has asked me some questions about birth control while treating lyme.

Her period has stopped. This may have occurred because of the infections, but she also lost a lot of weight which can also cause that.

Her endocrinologist wants her on the birth control pill because she is showing signs of Osteoporosis (she's young)

Her Lyme Dr. doesn't know if she should take birth control with the antibiotics.

I asked her if she could request the bio-identical hormones.
but she said she can not get those where she is.

So, her question is can she take the birth control with the antibiotics.

What i have read is that there are a few antibiotics that will interfere...and someone could end up pregnant while on them...she's not concerned about that...

I would think that people who are treating lyme are taking birth control pills...I haven't seen/heard of a baby boom on this forum.....but wanting to confirm this...and ask if anyone knows of any contraindications in general about bc and antibiotics.

Sorry to be long-winded - didn't want to omit pertinent information.

I don't think I was clear - she isn't concerned about that.......doesn't 'need' birth control. She is wanting it for estrogen.


Just wanted to know if anyone knows about any antibiotics that will be affected by the birth control (not the other way around) - i.e.- making the antibiotics less effective. Her Lyme Dr. isn't concerned about that.

I took the pill no problem. I did check with my doc. The effect is only abx affecting the pill (which isn't a prob for her) not vice versa according to her.

Post Edited (silly sheep) : 3/26/2017 12:49:35 PM (GMT-6)

Here are some links you can share with her if she reads this, or you email her:
www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=17192
"Viewer Question:

What are the effects of antibiotics on birth control pills?
Doctor's Response:

There are two ways that antibiotics potentially can reduce the action of birth control pills. Birth control pills contain estrogens. Some antibiotics, e.g., rifampin, griseofulvin, cause the enzymes in the liver to increase the break-down of estrogens and thereby can decrease the levels of estrogens in the body and the effectiveness of the pills. This can result in unwanted pregnancy. Therefore, individuals taking birth control pills should use a second method of birth control when taking these antibiotics or other drugs that can increase the break-down of estrogens.

The other way that antibiotics could interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills is by reducing the re-circulation of estrogens within the body. Estrogens, e.g., ethinyl estradiol, in birth control pills are broken-down by conversion in the liver to other chemicals which are then secreted into the intestines in the bile that is produced by the liver. Bacteria in the intestine are able to convert these chemicals back into the active estrogen which is then reabsorbed into the body.. This re-circulation is called entero-hepatic cycling. Theoretically, antibiotics can kill the bacteria that convert the inactive chemicals to the active estrogen, and, therefore, may interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills. Unwanted pregnancies could occur. Although it has not been proven that unwanted pregnancies can occur by this means, drug manufacturers caution that antibiotics could decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Since it is better to be safe than sorry, individuals taking birth control pills are advised to use a second reliable method of birth control when taking antibiotics."

Certain herbs can increase estrogen as well though:
Japanese knotweed: Page 9
www.betterhealthguy.com/images/stories/PDF/BUHNER%20CONF%20NOTES.pdf

Sida acuta: sphinxsai.com/PTVOL4/pdf_vol4/PT=48%20(1260-1266).pdf

And of course, there may be more. It might be helpful for them to contact a Buhner herbalist if she wishes to pursue herbs for this as well.

I just went to my OB GYN last week and this was one of the questions I asked. She said they are now saying that antibiotics are not affecting birth control like they thought before. Mino says it will make birth control less effective (just one I knew off the top of my head because im taking it). She didnt tell me more, like if there are studies that confirm this- so I am assuming there are studies in the work for it- I only asked because since starting my abx, my period has come back (the bc I am on I didnt have any) so I was curious if ther was a correlation).

Thanks everyone - I will pass this on to our member. I'm sure it will be reassuring for her to get this information!

Thanks Traveler...I did mention that to her - that the estrogen levels need to be monitored.

Hopefully she can get her level up again soon...and not have the osteoporosis continue....she's too young for that!

Traveler said...
I was in the beginnings of osteoporosis (osteopenia) and had it reverse with using green tea and my supplements. I hope that she can find ways to reverse hers as well.

yes, or at least stop it in it's tracks.

I will pass this on to her, Traveler.

PeteZa said...
Magnesium, calcium and D3 supplements will be extremely helpful if she isn't taking those already.

Weight bearing exercise is super beneficial. Sometimes just a can of soup can be used in lieu of a dumbbell.

Thanks, PeteZa...

She's not able to exercise at all...hopefully she will improve soon so she can.