Vomiting After Taking The Contraceptive Pill

The contraceptive pill is a simple and easy way to prevent pregnancy and when used correctly it is 98-99% effective. While it is not difficult to take the pill correctly, you should know that its effectiveness depends on the routine. In other words, you should take the pill at the same time every day.

However, maybe one day you forgot to take the pill or you are sick and your doctor has prescribed you a course of antibiotics. Have you ever wondered what happens if you vomit immediately after taking your birth control pill? Why is it happening? What can you do about it? We help you answer these questions below.

How does the contraceptive pill work?

Birth control, or oral contraception, is a drug containing artificial hormones that are able to regulate a woman’s menstrual cycle and prevent pregnancy. Some brands contain only the hormone progestin, while others contain both progestin and estrogen. These are called combination pills.

Since the birth control pill was first on the market and to date, hormone concentrations have fallen while its effectiveness has improved.

Mimicking the menstrual cycle

Birth control pills try to mimic the body’s natural menstrual cycle. A woman’s average cycle ranges from 21 to 28 days. That’s why almost all brands offer 21-day or 28-day pills. Take a look at the differences:

• 21 day packs have 21 active pills and no inactive pills. In other words, you take one pill for three weeks and then rest for one week. The following week you will start with a new pack of pills.
• 28-day packs have 21 active pills and 7 inactive pills. This means that you take one pill every day and start with a new pack as soon as you finish the first one.

With both options, your period must occur during the last 7 days of your cycle. This means that if you take a contraceptive for 21 days, you will have your period during the rest week. On the other hand, if you take a 28-day contraceptive, you will have your period in the inactive week.

It is very important that you take the pill at the same time every day so that the pill regulates your period better and suppresses ovulation. When it does this, your body does not release an egg.

If no egg can be fertilized, a pregnancy cannot occur. That is why it is important that you take the pill regularly so that it works properly.

Side effects of the contraceptive pill

In addition to safety and efficiency, oral contraceptives can also have side effects in some women. Although they are usually not serious, it is important to know what they are:

• Headache. In women with a history of migraines before starting birth control, this may be worsened as a result of the Pill.

• mood swings. Mood swings are linked to the hormonal cycle and are not dangerous.
• Breast tenderness. Many women report breast tenderness due to the hormones in birth control pills.
• Weight gain.  Some women experience weight gain when they start a new birth control method due to hormonal changes. It is likely that your weight will regulate as your body gets used to the hormones.
• Nausea and vomiting. Mild stomach tenderness also occurs for some women when they start taking the pill. This too should go away as your body adjusts to the hormones.

What should I do if I vomit after taking the pill?

Studies show that vomiting after taking oral contraceptives, for whatever reason, can affect their effectiveness. However, it is different whether the vomiting occurs immediately after taking the pill or later in the day, hours after taking it.

It is important to note that vomiting the pill three to four hours after taking it has the greatest chance of a decreased effect. This is because it takes about that much time to digest the pill and activate the hormones.

Vomiting during this period probably means that the body was unable to fully absorb the contraceptive hormones. In this case, we recommend that you take another pill and take your pill at the same time as every day the following days.

That way, if you’ve only vomited once and taken another pill, you can maintain the effectiveness of the pill and continue to regulate your cycle.

That is why it is wise to always have a spare pack in case you vomit after taking your pill or if something happens to your other pack. You should respect your 21- or 28-day routine as much as possible.

In addition, you can get sick more than once over an extended period of time due to food poisoning or the flu. In case of prolonged illness, when taking certain antibiotics, or if you forget to take your pill on time, you should use another form of contraception such as a male or female condom to prevent pregnancy.

Finally, it’s important to talk to your doctor if you experience any of the above or if you have any questions about your birth control pill.