Can birth control pills protect me from sexually transmitted diseases?
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Dr. Angela Lowery answered:No. Birth control pills cannot protect you from sexually transmitted diseases.No. Birth control pills cannot protect you from sexually transmitted diseases. More -
Dr. Evelyn Minaya answered:Birth control pills, injections, patches or intravaginal rings only protect against pregnancy. There were some previous studies that suggested that the environment in the cervical mucous changed with the birth control pill that would "ward" off sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea and chlamydia. We know that the best way to prevent sexually transmitted infections is by using a condom. It can prevent also the tranmission of HIV, herpes, syphillis, HPV and hepatitis.Birth control pills, injections, patches or intravaginal rings only protect against pregnancy. There were some previous studies that suggested that the environment in the cervical mucous changed with the birth control pill that would... More -
Dr. Charla Simon of NorthShore University HealthSystem answered:The birth control pill has NOT been proven effective against transmission of STDs. If there is any concern for exposure a condom (male or female) should be used in addition to the pill to decrease the risk of transmission.The birth control pill has NOT been proven effective against transmission of STDs. If there is any concern for exposure a condom (male or female) should be used in addition to the pill to decrease the risk of transmission. More -
Dr. Kathleen Mahoney answered:Simply put, no. And all labelling in the package inserts for the various pills says exactly that - birth control pills do not protect against STDs/STIs of any kind nor do they provide protection from HIV.Simply put, no. And all labelling in the package inserts for the various pills says exactly that - birth control pills do not protect against STDs/STIs of any kind nor do they provide protection from HIV. More -
Dr. Laura Corio answered:No. Birth control pills will not protect against STD's. Condoms or barrier vaginal dams protect against STD's. Transmission of HPV can be decreased by 70% with usage of a condom. Birth control pills will protect against pregnancy, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, and regulate cycles.
No. Birth control pills will not protect against STD's. Condoms or barrier vaginal dams protect against STD's. Transmission of HPV can be decreased by 70% with usage of a condom. Birth control pills will protect against pregnancy, uterine cancer,... More -
Dr. Margit Lister of Intermountain Healthcare answered:NO!!!
That is the most important thing to remember when taking "the pill", you still need protection from sexually transmitted diseases, such as a condom.
NO!!! That is the most important thing to remember when taking "the pill", you still need protection from sexually transmitted diseases, such as a condom. More -
Paula Greer answered:Absolutely NOT! Birth control can prevent pregnancies and has some protective health effects as well but when it comes to safe sex you must WRAP it up!. Condoms and dental dams can lower your risk of exposures to sexually transmitted diseases....so make sure to have them readily available when needed and inspect them for pinholes and defects. Using your birth control correctly and wrapping things up is the best way to stay safe from pregnancy and diseases. Make sure to bring your questions to your health care provider and discuss them at your next visit.Absolutely NOT! Birth control can prevent pregnancies and has some protective health effects as well but when it comes to safe sex you must WRAP it up!. Condoms and dental dams can lower your risk of exposures to sexually transmitted diseases....so... More -
Dr. Theresa Lohman of Honor Society of Nursing (STTI) answered:No. They are meant to prevent unwanted pregnancy. In fact, they may actually increase the risk of gonorrhea and chlamydia. Contracept.org has a good article on how different birth control methods increase your risk of certain infections.
No. They are meant to prevent unwanted pregnancy. In fact, they may actually increase the risk of gonorrhea and chlamydia. Contracept.org has a good article on how different birth control methods increase your risk of certain infections. More -
Dr. Hugo Ribot answered:Unfortunately birth control pills do not eliminate the possibility of sexually transmitted diseases. They may have a slight benefit in decreasing a woman's chances of P.I.D. (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, which is a bacterial infection of the inside of the uterus, tubes, or ovaries), by the mechanism of thickening the cervical mucus and making it more difficult for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea to go past the cervical canal.
The only way to significantly decrease one's chances of contracting an STD is to use barrier contraception, which usually means condoms.
That and being in a truly monogamous relationship, with possibly some STD screening thrown in prior to first having sex.
Unfortunately birth control pills do not eliminate the possibility of sexually transmitted diseases. They may have a slight benefit in decreasing a woman's chances of P.I.D. (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, which is a bacterial infection of the inside... More -
Dr. Kevin Windom answered:NO.
They only protect you against pregnancy. You still need to use condoms unless you are in a committed and monogamous relationship.
NO. They only protect you against pregnancy. You still need to use condoms unless you are in a committed and monogamous relationship. More -
Boston Women's Health Book Collective answered:No. Most birth control methods—such as the pill, Norplant, the diaphragm, and the intrauterine device (IUD)—do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You may have a slightly higher risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) at the time of insertion of an IUD, but this risk is greatly reduced if you are tested and treated for STIs at the time. In addition, at least one research study has shown that IUD use may be associated with an increased risk of developing bacterial vaginosis (BV). Birth control pills are linked to changes in the cervix that may also increase risk for certain STIs, particularly chlamydia and possibly HIV.
For women having sex with men, the safest protection against STIs and pregnancy together is condom use without spermicides (chemicals that kill sperm). Nonoxynol-9 (N-9), the main ingredient in most spermicides, is still used for birth control, but may cause irritation and is not recommended for protection against STIs. Many condoms are available without added N-9; take a stroll in your local pharmacy to find a brand that works for you.
STI prevention approaches currently being explored internationally include adult male circumcision, for hygienic reasons, and involving men more actively in preventing pregnancy and HIV. In the United States, self-tests for STIs appear to improve the chances of early detection, especially for teens. Microbicides—gels or creams applied directly to the vagina or rectum— are being developed and may soon offer an important new approach to STI prevention.
No. Most birth control methods—such as the pill, Norplant, the diaphragm, and the intrauterine device (IUD)—do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You may have a slightly higher risk of pelvic inflammatory disease... More -
Dr. Lisa Rogo-Gupta answered:Birth control pills are not recommended to prevent transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). They are used for birth control, control of bleeding and other menstrual symptoms.Birth control pills are not recommended to prevent transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). They are used for birth control, control of bleeding and other menstrual symptoms. More -
Dr. Frederick Friedman of The Mount Sinai Medical Center answered:No. Despite the many non-contraceptive benefits of birth control pills, they will not protect someone from sexually transmitted diseases. Only a barrier method such as a condom (male or female) will limit the risk of most STDs. The pill may prevent the development of pelvic inflammatory disease ("PID" or infections of the fallopian tube) if a woman is exposed to chlamydia or gonorrhea, but it will not prevent her from contracting the infection.
No. Despite the many non-contraceptive benefits of birth control pills, they will not protect someone from sexually transmitted diseases. Only a barrier method such as a condom (male or female) will limit the risk of most STDs. The... More
