Advice on the Morning After Pill

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-04-2004
Advice on the Morning After Pill
1
Tue, 09-28-2004 - 5:02pm
I am on Yasmin birth control. I recently started taking Bactrim for a sinus infection. I also just had unprotected sex with my boyfriend. He tried to pull out but thinks he was a little late. I have read that not all antibiotics decrease the pills effectiveness and that it is very rare. I am wondering whether or not I should get the morning after pill. HELP!! Thanks
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Tue, 09-28-2004 - 6:28pm
Hi starlight2036, welcome back!

Some antibiotics can reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives in some women and it is impossible to say who they are ahead of time. This board recommends using back-up while taking ABs and for at least 7 consecutive days of active pills after the last dose of medicine. Your chances of becoming pg may be slim but no one can say for certain what they might be. Only you can decide whether to do nothing and wait for your period to arrive or protect yourself as much as possible. If I were you, I'd take EC if it has been less than 72 hours (when it is the most effective) since the event of concern. Look at the Questions on the EC site: http://ec.princeton.edu/ and talk with your doctor or Planned Parenthood: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/Zip.htm as soon as you can. You should decide as soon as possible as the longer you wait the less effective EC becomes. Let us know how you're doing, ok?

Hugs,

      Jill