Smoking and the pill? - Birth Control Message Board

warewolfe · 12-09-2005, 09:40 PM

Hi, I'm on the pill now mainly for regulation of my period and its symptoms, I'm currently switching from Ortho Tri-Cyclen to Kariva (headaches). Is it very bad to smoke on the pill? I'm not a smoker, but I do like the occasional smoke, like once a week at most. Is that terribly risky?
Thanks,
W

GLSheridan · 12-10-2005, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warewolfe

Hi, I'm on the pill now mainly for regulation of my period and its symptoms, I'm currently switching from Ortho Tri-Cyclen to Kariva (headaches). Is it very bad to smoke on the pill? I'm not a smoker, but I do like the occasional smoke, like once a week at most. Is that terribly risky?
Thanks,
W

Smoking while using the pill can increase your risk for developing blood clots. While it's best that you don't smoke at all, an occasional smoke here or there isn't likely to cause problems. However, this isn't to say that it won't cause problems, it's just less likely.

BorderGirl · 12-10-2005, 07:58 PM

Do you ever get migraines? My neurologist REALLY stressed that it is critical I not smoke since I take the pill and get migraines (even though mine are without aura). He practically acted like it is a surefire death sentence. He even suggested avoiding second hand smoke.
Even without migraines it does raise your risk. But I don't know how much.

warewolfe · 12-11-2005, 04:20 PM

Re: migraines post, yeah, I do get migraines sometimes. My doctor didn't tell me that, so thank you. I haven't gotten them for about a month or so, though, but still, I'll definitely look into that.
Thank you, -W