Birth control pills contain estrogens. Certain types of antibiotics cause enzymes in the liver to break them down more, which means there will be less estrogens in your body, which leads to a decrease in the effectiveness of the pills. 

Always check with your doctor that the antibiotics you have been given is compatible with your pill. 

If you’re ill and suffer from these side effects, the absorption rate of the pill may be affected, especially if you consumed it just two hours before. 

Check with your doctor to see if you can treat it as a missed pill. And to be safe, use backup contraception such as a condom. 

We know that we have to store our supplements in a cool, dry place and the pill is no different. Storing it somewhere moist and hot can render the medication inactive. 

It’s not just about making it a habit. 

Taking the pill at the same time every day helps your hormones to have the most consistent effect on your body and cycle, which really is the point, right? 

Apparently, grapefruits affect how your body metabolises the active ingredient in the pill. 

The fruit can decrease enzyme levels in the intestine required for breakdown and also block the breakdown of estrogen in the body, so try to avoid having more than more grapefruit and avoid having it around the same time as when you take your pill. 

A missed pill doesn’t spell pregnancy — especially if you quickly follow the directions on the pack on what to do next. 

But that doesn’t mean you’re free from doubling up on contraception over the next few days. After all, you’ve made a mistake, and you really wouldn’t want to make a much bigger one. 

Text: Adora Wong/CLEO