The Pill and Grapefruit Juice
-
- newbie
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Sun Dec 23, 2018 10:52 pm
- Age: 28
- Pronouns: She, her
- Sexual identity: Straight/heterosexual
- Location: USA
The Pill and Grapefruit Juice
Hello,
I am on the pill and I noticed a warning on the carton that says that grapefruit juice can lower the effectiveness of the pill. Is this true? Why so? Is it only grapefruit juice (like the kind that you can find at a supermarket) or does it also include fresh grapefruits?
Thank you!
I am on the pill and I noticed a warning on the carton that says that grapefruit juice can lower the effectiveness of the pill. Is this true? Why so? Is it only grapefruit juice (like the kind that you can find at a supermarket) or does it also include fresh grapefruits?
Thank you!
-
- not a newbie
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Sun Nov 04, 2018 5:38 pm
- Age: 21
- Awesomeness Quotient: i'm a biology researcher!
- Primary language: english
- Pronouns: he / him
- Sexual identity: bi
- Location: massachusetts, usa
Re: The Pill and Grapefruit Juice
hi there,
grapefruit and grapefruit juice actually interact with a lot of drugs! this is because it interferes with enzymes in your digestive tract that break down and absorb medicines. so sometimes, you can absorb too much of a drug -- increasing side effects -- or render the drug ineffective altogether. with birth control, it causes your body to absorb too much estrogen, which shouldn't normally affect the efficacy of birth control drugs, but can worsen side effects.overall, there are no significant studies that prove grapefruit consumption causes failure with birth control medications; however, if you're still worried, it would be worth speaking with your doctor or other healthcare professional. in short, grapefruit and grapefruit product consumption in large quantities can worsen side effects, but the occasional indulgence is unlikely to make anything bad happen.
grapefruit and grapefruit juice actually interact with a lot of drugs! this is because it interferes with enzymes in your digestive tract that break down and absorb medicines. so sometimes, you can absorb too much of a drug -- increasing side effects -- or render the drug ineffective altogether. with birth control, it causes your body to absorb too much estrogen, which shouldn't normally affect the efficacy of birth control drugs, but can worsen side effects.overall, there are no significant studies that prove grapefruit consumption causes failure with birth control medications; however, if you're still worried, it would be worth speaking with your doctor or other healthcare professional. in short, grapefruit and grapefruit product consumption in large quantities can worsen side effects, but the occasional indulgence is unlikely to make anything bad happen.
-
- scarleteen founder & director
- Posts: 9542
- Joined: Sun Jul 27, 2014 11:43 am
- Age: 54
- Awesomeness Quotient: I have been a sex educator for over 25 years!
- Primary language: english
- Pronouns: they/them
- Sexual identity: queery-queer-queer
- Location: Chicago
Re: The Pill and Grapefruit Juice
I'm actually surprised to hear your pill packet had warnings on it about grapefruit juice. I'm just curious: are you sure it didn't say grapefruit *seed*?
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
-
- Similar Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post
-
- 2 Replies
- 1660 Views
-
Last post by Sam W
Mon Jun 26, 2023 10:55 am
-
- 7 Replies
- 4788 Views
-
Last post by Latha
Sun Nov 19, 2023 12:21 am
-
- 1 Replies
- 2872 Views
-
Last post by Sam W
Sat Jun 24, 2023 10:07 am
-
-
New post Missed Pill Question + How Safe Am I Being?
by raily_ » Sat Sep 09, 2023 7:31 am » in Sexual Health - 3 Replies
- 3735 Views
-
Last post by Sam W
Sat Sep 09, 2023 9:02 am
-
-
-
New post Bleeding on pill after losing virginity
by Girl0405 » Sun Jun 18, 2023 4:17 pm » in Sexual Health - 1 Replies
- 4580 Views
-
Last post by Sam W
Mon Jun 19, 2023 6:51 am
-