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My girlfriend is and has been taking an oral contraceptive, Loestrin 24 Fe, for four months now. She has never missed a pill and has only a handful of times taken it 1-2 hours later than normal. 13 days ago we were making out and got carried away. We both had our underwear on and I did not ejaculate, but I am aware there was a precum risk. Again 8 or 9 days ago we got carried away and I had on underwear but she did not. Again, I did not ejaculate, but I am aware there was a precum risk.
Shortly after (6 days ago) she developed a UTI for which I now take full responsibility. She was given nitrofurantoin macro 100mg to treat the infection, which I understand can adversely interact with oral contraceptives. 4-5 days ago she complained of a degree of breast tenderness that was not there before. 2 days ago I had her take a home pregnancy test (which showed negative) just to calm both of our nerves, although I realize this test wouldn't mean anything this early after a "risk".
We had no sexual contact whatsoever after she began taking the antibiotic, but my concern is if somehow the previous sexual risk occurred in close enough proximity to the beginning of the antibiotic regiment for there to be a risk associated with the interaction with her oral contraceptive.
She is in the middle of her cycle, so her period isn't due for almost two more weeks. Her breasts are still a little tender, and this is a continuing source of worry for both of us. Could someone please level with us what the actual risk is and what circumstances we should be prepared for? I understand the risks that UTI's pose, and we are going to do everything in the future to prevent those, but there are more pressing matters that worry us at the moment.
Thank you for your help. Please respond as soon as possible.
Only two antibiotics interact with the pill's effectiveness directly, and they're not commonly used. The antibiotic in question is not listed as one that interacts. A select portion of the population may be sensitive enough to the intestinal flora changes that occur with any antibiotic use to impact pill absorption, and this usually presents with diarrheal symptoms and break-through bleeding.
To be on the safe side, though, we recommend using a backup contraceptive for the entirety of the antibiotic regimen and continue doing so until one contacts their provider.
Not only was there not a significant pregnancy risk to begin with, the pill was working when she took it; the pill also works to make cervical fluid thick and acidic, so sperm cannot survive more than several hours. Posts: 4636 | From: USA/Northern Europe | Registered: Oct 2005
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Thank you for the response. That eases my nerves a little bit. More input would be welcome, but I am satisfied by this response. Thank you!
Posts: 5 | From: The South | Registered: Sep 2006
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Really, there's nothing left to say on this one: there's no more input to give.
Sulfa drugs - the type of antibiotics given for UTIs -- have never been found to effect hormonal BC. Plus, you didn't even have a viable risk in the first place.
Also? No one needs to "take responsibility" for UTIs. They're nothing that happens because someone does something wrong: they're just a common infection that happens because bacetria can easily make its way into the female urinary tract. Sexually inactive women get them just like those who are sexually active. there are ways to help prevent them on the women's part, but there's nothing a male partner could do, save making sure that whatever bits of his that are in contact with his partner's genitals have been washed or bathed recently.
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Executive Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • Get our book! Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead Posts: 63261 | From: An island near Seattle | Registered: May 2000
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I do have some follow up questions. My girlfriend is getting pretty worried. Her tenderness hasn't gone away. Also, she usually has some degree of spotting, but she has had none so far. She finished the last of the antibiotic yesterday, so she's starting to get worried. I hate seeing her go through this. Is this a normal side effect of antibiotics/ the minuscule effect the antibiotics had with pill absorption? I realize this may just sound like follow up, but this is still very much a part our symptom-based pregnancy scare.
Posts: 5 | From: The South | Registered: Sep 2006
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Your girlfriend simply cannot be experiencing pregnancy symptoms before she gets a positive pregnancy test; the "pregnancy hormone" detected by pregnancy tests is necessary to elevate the normal levels of female hormones to the point that trigger typical pregnancy symptoms, which usually show a month or two in, if at all.
How long has she been on the pill? It can take several months for a woman's body to adjust to the hormone levels, and sometimes a given brand just doesn't work as well with a female's body chemistry as time goes on. I'd encourage her to call into her doctor to not only ask about the antibiotic, but ask about the breast tenderness if it's persistent or painful for her.
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