Birth Control and Alcohol

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Birth Control and Alcohol
6
Mon, 07-26-2004 - 1:38pm
Ever since I swithced my birth control pills, I have a very bad reaction to alcohol.

If I have one drink, or catch a slight buzz, I will be VERY sick and throwing up. Normally I can drink quite a few drinks with no problem at all. Could it be the birth control pills? Is this a side-effect?

I am also on blood pressure medication - which I am GUESSING the combination of the two could be the problem, but I was wondering if birth control and alcohol can be a problem? Saturday - I took my friend out for her birthday - I had ONE margarita and was throwing up later on!!!!

Does anyone know if there is a connection between the two?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-20-2004
Mon, 07-26-2004 - 1:45pm
Hi hadlbran,

From what I understand, birth control should not really have that drastic an effect on your alcohol tolerance. I have heard from some friends that it's changed it a little for them but after awhile, the change isn't even really noticeable.

It could definitely be the interaction of the two medications. But a more important question I have for you is this: do you have high blood pressure? I'm assuming that you do if you're taking medication for it. Your doctor should let you know that, generally, it's not always the best idea to put a woman who has high blood pressure on birth control. Has he/she discussed the risks involved? I am NOT an expert by any means but I've done enough reading to know this is often something the medical community cautions against. It might be worth a call to your doctor not only to ask about the blood pressure factor, but for your question about alcohol as well.

Hope this helps . . .a little.

Kristina

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Mon, 07-26-2004 - 1:55pm
They think that the high blood pressure comes from the birth control pills which is why they put me on the medication! :( :( :( :(

I am thinking I should get off the birth control pill but the convenience of it just works so well! I am allergic to condoms so I have to buy the polyurethane ones which are more expensive (which is just a lame excuse!) and I don't know enough about any of the other birth control to really switch. I know my doctor doesn't carry the patch- that was an option.

SO....AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I do have an appointment on the 11th to see the gyn again - to monitor the blood pressure - so we'll see I guess.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-20-2004
Mon, 07-26-2004 - 2:00pm
Well, I understand your frustration. But there ARE other options, for sure! You can find a lot just by looking around this website. I think raising the concern with your doctor is a good one. In my experience, most doctors are very diligent about monitoring women's blood pressure while on OCPs. My understanding was if they saw a significant rise in bp due to the use of the pill, that they'd probably recommend you coming off of it. But every doctor does seem to have a different approach which makes things for the little people like us quite confusing and a little scary, doesn't it?

Talk to your doctor. And take care of yourself! I'm sure everything will work out just fine.

Hugs,

Kristina

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-27-2004
Wed, 07-28-2004 - 12:02am
My doctor told me not to mix drinking and BC pills because, they may not be as affective since the kidney will be foccusing all of it's attention on digesting the alcohol and the BC pills may not get through. Just a thought...
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 07-28-2004 - 7:58am
I've never heard that from any of my sources (or physicians)....thanks for letting us know!
Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 07-28-2004 - 10:15am
Not sure about the alcohol part of your situation,but I've been on blood pressure meds for the past few years and took the pill while on them and haven't had any problems....