Think you know everything about the contraceptive pill? Think again—these eight expert-backed facts will surprise you.
Vegetarians and vegans taking low-dose contraceptive pills (<20 micrograms) may experience breakthrough bleeding. If you're taking the pill correctly, aren't ill, and have no other factors affecting its efficacy, your diet could be the reason.
How does this happen?
The pill contains two hormones: progestogen, which prevents pregnancy, and estrogen, which stops bleeding, explains Professor Frits Rosendaal, a leading researcher on oral contraceptives. London doctors suggest that a vegetarian diet alters gut flora, impairing estrogen absorption from low-dose pills. This leads to insufficient estrogen levels, causing spotting.
Protection remains intact:
Breakthrough bleeding doesn't reduce the pill's contraceptive effectiveness. Switching to a higher-dose pill (>30 micrograms) often resolves the issue.
Curious about the other 7 facts? Discover them starting on page 36 of the May issue of Santé.
