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How effective is the pill on anti seizure meds?

Thu, 10/24/2013 - 16:34

Hello community!

My SO and I have a monogamous and sexually active relatinoship. We both use the pills and condoms. We're aware that the meds can have a mitigating effect on the pill. How ineffective does it make it? We would like to have relations with alternative forms of contraception than a condom. We both love each other but want to understand the risks better. Thank you for any help!

Comments

Re: How effective is the pill on anti seizure meds?

Submitted by Nerak95 on Fri, 2013-10-25 - 01:17

What AEDs are you on?

 Karen

What AEDs are you on?

 Karen

Re: How effective is the pill on anti seizure meds?

Submitted by christina79 on Fri, 2013-10-25 - 22:18

Depends on the meds you are on and how many of them.  I've never really found hard numbers for any meds, but what I read was that it affects the way your body metabolizes the pill making it less effective.  It probably varies by person.  I'd discuss with your drs (both neuro & ob).  I think the safest method with any AEDs is some sort of barrier method.  So if you don't want to deal with condoms, maybe a diaphragm?

Or, another option is to continue using the pill and combine it with something like cyclebeads (a natural family planning tool).  If your cycle length falls within a certain window it might work for you.  You can use just the pill on days that are not your fertile days, then use the condoms for backup on the fertile days.      http://www.cyclebeads.com/ 

Depends on the meds you are on and how many of them.  I've never really found hard numbers for any meds, but what I read was that it affects the way your body metabolizes the pill making it less effective.  It probably varies by person.  I'd discuss with your drs (both neuro & ob).  I think the safest method with any AEDs is some sort of barrier method.  So if you don't want to deal with condoms, maybe a diaphragm?

Or, another option is to continue using the pill and combine it with something like cyclebeads (a natural family planning tool).  If your cycle length falls within a certain window it might work for you.  You can use just the pill on days that are not your fertile days, then use the condoms for backup on the fertile days.      http://www.cyclebeads.com/ 

Re: How effective is the pill on anti seizure meds?

Submitted by tcameron on Sat, 2013-10-26 - 18:33
It depends on the AED, but I got pregnant.  A LOT of AEDs and B.C. pills don't work well w/ each other.  Its important to let your neurologist and gynecologist contact one another, or stop another type of birth control. 

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