i had so much on my mind yesterday when i went to the doc to get my BC script that i forgot to ask her about how being on the pill would affect me if i continued to smoke. i know you are not supposed to take BC and smoke at the same time but i dont know if i am going to be able to quit right now (if i HAVE to then i will). i do plan on quitting this year for sure but RIGHT now i dont want to. im only 24 and i can remember if this rule only applies to over 35 yrs olds....has anyone had any problems with smoking while taking the pill? would it be a huge risk if i continued to smoke for a while?
As I understood the warnings (from years ago when I smoked, and I'm no med. prof.), smoking increases the risks of certain side effects for anyone, but the degree to which it increases the risk goes up after around 35. Yes, you should try to quit smoking, but putting it off for a few months (you did say you plan to quit within the year) is probably not going to be that big of a deal.
My doc told me that being on the pill and smoking doesnt effect its effectiveness, however doing it you are more susceptible to getting blood clots and heart disease. A couple of months after i went on the pill, my bf made me go to the doc coz my bf thought i could have a blood clot (long story lets not go there lol) but then my doc told me he has never seen it happen, he just has to warn people, and it pretty much can only happen if you are over 35 and on the pill and smoking. I have been on the pill for about a year now and i smoke a pack a day, and it hasnt effected me. I have a question to add to this post, if you dont mind answering, is how does alcohol effect the pills effectiveness?? My friend and o were talking yesterday and she told me that if u are on the pill then alchohol can negate its effects or make it not as effective. Is this true or is it a myth? I thought the whole idea of going on the pill was so you could get drunk and not have to worry about getting pregnant (only std's lol) Anyway hope i helped u out! xxx ash
I've not heard anything about alcohol affecting the pill's effectiveness... And that seems like the sort of thing that would be plastered all over the exam rooms in a university student health center (where I've gone for all my health care needs for the past several years) if it were true. There are things that will affect the effectiveness... The only one I've had to pay attention to has been antibiotics, but I think there are some other prescription meds that may also affect it. Your doc should warn you if it is an issue -- but if you go to a general practitioner and someone else for gyno exams, make sure your gp knows you're on the pill, so he can let you know if some med affects the pill.
okie dokie thnx people. I didnt think alcohol would effect it, but then u never know. If it did it would be the kinda thing that would be plastered all over the packet, coz its a general substance that alot of people drink, so there would be warnings. i knew antibiotics affect it, and have heard st johns wort does as well. Theres some trivia for ya lol xxx ash
