Birth Control and Alcohol: Do They Interact?
Does birth control interact with alcohol?
Alcohol use does not lower the effectiveness of hormonal birth control methods, including emergency contraception. But alcohol use and intoxication can cloud your judgment, increase your risk for unsafe sex, or add to the chance you'll forget to take your pill or use protection. If you drink and vomit within 2 hours of taking your birth control pill, its effectiveness may be lowered.
Drinking also does not lower the effectiveness of the condom, diaphragm, cervical cap or female condom when used correctly and consistently. Intoxication may make proper use of these birth control methods difficult or you may make an unsafe decision about using them at all.
When used correctly and as directed, hormonal birth control methods such as the pill, intrauterine device (IUD), hormonal implant, ring, shot, or the patch are about 91% to 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.
Does alcohol increase risky sexual behavior?
Yes, alcohol use and excessive drinking can lead to risky behavior and accidents. One large study in over 465,000 adolescents and young adults showed that consuming alcohol is strongly associated with a first sexual encounter at an early teen age, inconsistent condom use, and multiple sexual partners.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that studies show that alcohol use by adolescents and young adults increases the risk of injuries, alcohol dependence, risky sexual behaviors, poor school performance, and an increased chance of suicide and homicide.
Tips if you choose to drink alcohol
There are some tips you should consider if you drink alcohol and use birth control:
- Alcohol (ethanol) use and intoxication can cloud your judgement, increase your risk for unsafe sex, boost the chance you'll forget to take your pill or use protection, and make driving dangerous.
- Skipping your pill at the regular time even once or twice a month may increase the chances of ovulation (releasing an egg) and a pregnancy.
- If you drink so much alcohol that you vomit within 2 hours of taking your pill, then the effectiveness of the pill could be compromised. Try to avoid drinking so much alcohol that it leads to vomiting, as this can be dangerous. Don't drink on an empty stomach.
- If you take a birth control pill and vomit after drinking alcohol, take another pill as soon as possible, and use a back-up method of birth control like a condom during sex until you can check with your healthcare provider about how to proceed.
The National Dietary Guidelines recommend that adults of legal drinking age can choose not to drink, or drink in moderation by limiting intake to 2 drinks or less in a day for men or 1 drink or less in a day for women, on days when alcohol is consumed.
Lifestyle considerations
Also, consider your lifestyle and weekly routine. It's best to take your pill at the same time every day. If you are out drinking on a regular basis, you might miss your pill late at night or first thing in the morning, especially if you sleep in late.
It might be best to:
- take your pill at the same time every day when you are most likely to be awake - for example, mid-afternoon. Taking it at night may not be best if you are out frequently in the evening and drinking.
- set a reminder on your phone to do this, if needed. Missing your pill will increase your chance for an unwanted pregnancy.
- plan for the unexpected. If you think you might need a condom for protection from pregnancy and a sexually transmitted disease (STD) like HIV, keep one with you at all times and within easy reach.
You might consider using a more fool-proof, longer-term birth control method, like the IUD, implant, or vaginal ring, if you frequently miss your pill. That way you don't have to remember to take it daily. Plus, these methods can be easily removed if you change your mind about pregnancy.
Other drug interactions with birth control
There can be other drug interactions with contraceptives you should think about. Some drugs do change the effectiveness of hormonal birth control and may increase your risk for a pregnancy.
Be sure to have a complete drug interaction review with a pharmacist or doctor each time you start a new medication. Tell them about all the medications you take, including prescription, over-the-counter (OTC), vitamins and herbal supplements.
Some research also suggests that the blood levels of alcohol may be increased if you take the birth control pill and drink. This could make the intoxicating effects of alcohol more intense. This might occur because alcohol consumption may affect the enzymes in your liver, but the effect can be unpredictable. Talk with your doctor about this interaction if you have a concern.
Overall, you should drink responsibly and not to the point where you vomit, or are a risk to yourself or to others. Plan ahead if you think alcohol may impair your ability to effectively use birth control. Never drive if you have been drinking any amount, and don't ride in car with a driver who has been drinking. Do not drink alcohol if you are pregnant or think you might be.
Types of Drug Interactions With Alcohol
- ADHD Medications and Alcohol
- Allergies, Cough/Cold Medications and Alcohol
- Antibiotic Medications and Alcohol
- Antidepressants and Alcohol Interactions
- Antipsychotic Medications and Alcohol
- Anxiety Medications and Alcohol
- Bipolar Medications and Alcohol
- Blood Thinners and Alcohol: A Dangerous Mix?
- Can You Mix Alcohol with Stomach Medicines?
- Can You Mix Weight Loss Drugs and Alcohol?
- Cholesterol Medications and Alcohol: Can You Mix Them?
- Diabetes Medications and Alcohol
- Do blood pressure drugs interact with alcohol?
- Do Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Drugs Interact with Alcohol?
- Enlarged Prostate (BPH) Medications and Alcohol Interactions
- Herbal Supplements and Alcohol
- Is it safe to drink alcohol with acne medicines?
- Motion Sickness Drugs and Alcohol Interactions
- Seizure Medicines and Alcohol: Do They Mix?
- Should you mix muscle relaxants with alcohol?
- What are the dangers of mixing sleeping pills with alcohol?
- What are the risks of mixing pain medications and alcohol?
Learn more
- Antibiotics and Birth Control Pill Interactions
- Birth Control Pills and Your Period
- Birth Control Pills: Why Do I Get Breakthrough Bleeding?
- Emergency Contraception: What You Need to Know
- Grapefruit and Birth Control Pills: Your Questions Answered
- Missed your birth control pill? Here's what to do
- Non-hormonal Methods of Birth Control
- What are the Benefits and Risks of Taking Birth Control Pills?
- What are the options for permanent birth control?
- What is Emergency Contraception?
- Your Guide to Birth Control Pills (Oral Contraceptives)
Treatment options
Medicine.com guides (external)
Sources
- Cho HS, Yang Y. Relationship Between Alcohol Consumption and Risky Sexual Behaviors Among Adolescents and Young Adults: A Meta-Analysis. Int J Public Health. 2023 Apr 19;68:1605669. doi: 10.3389/ijph.2023.1605669
- Jones MK, Jones BM. Ethanol metabolism in women taking oral contraceptives. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 1984 Jan-Feb;8(1):24-8. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1530-0277.1984.tb05026.x
- Alcohol and Public Health. FAQs. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/about-alcohol-use/
- Peacock A, Droste N, Pennay A, et al. Self-reported risk-taking behavior during matched-frequency sessions of alcohol versus combined alcohol and energy drinks consumption: does co-ingestion increase risk-taking? Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2015;39:911-8. https://doi.org/10.1111/acer.12700
- Alcohol and Public Health. Dietary Guidelines for Alcohol. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). cdc.gov/alcohol/about-alcohol-use/moderate-alcohol-use.html
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.