St. Johns Wort, 5-HTP & Birth Control Pills??? - Vitamins & Supplements Message Board

md puta · 03-26-2003, 11:41 AM

Hello!

I am slightly worried today... I recently started taking St. John's Wort & 5-HTP to help combat depression. One day at work, one of my co-workers asked me what I was taking and I told her that I was taking St. John's Wort. She mentioned to me that one of her friends told her that St. John's Wort can cause weakness in the birth control pills' effectiveness. Has anyone else heard this? My period is a day late and I'm a little worried.

Thanks!

Lauren

j27 · 04-06-2003, 05:14 AM

Yes!, St. John's Wort is at this time, the only herb that's being advised against if you're on b.c. There have been pregnancies due to it's interaction (weakening of) with the pill (or patch or shot). Its warning is now on b.c. printouts you should get with your meds. Of course, it doesn't mean it's going to happen to everyone- but I wouldn't take chances- take a pg test. Good Luck!

Flipped · 04-13-2003, 08:06 PM

St. John's Wort does indeed weaken the effectiveness of any type of hormonal contraception (it causes your body to break down the hormones in the pill/patch/shot too quickly for them to effectively prevent pregnancy). Hopefully your being late was a false alarm, but you might consider alternate contraception (or at least a barrier back-up) if you cnotinue to use the SJW.