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Herbal Supplements and Birth Control: Which Ones Interfere?
Herbal supplements and birth control can interfere, and St. John's wort is the best-documented case. NCCIH lists birth control pills among the medicines it can weaken. Keep taking your prescribed birth control, and ask your doctor or pharmacist before you add any herb to it.
Written by the MemoPryl label deskUpdated · 4 min read
Do herbal supplements make birth control less reliable?
Some can. St. John's wort is the one the major health sources name. NCCIH says it can weaken the effects of many medicines, including birth control pills (NCCIH, St. John's Wort safety).
FDA lists birth control pills among the medicines St. John's wort can make less effective (FDA, Mixing Meds and Supplements). NIH's supplement office gives the same example (NIH ODS, Supplements Need To Know).
If a pill works less well, pregnancy protection may drop. That is why the question belongs with a clinician, not a guess.
Do not stop or skip it to make room for an herb. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before you start, and ask whether a backup method is wise.
Which herbs should I ask about first?
Start with St. John's wort, then ask about any blend whose list you cannot read. The sources we use document the interaction for St. John's wort; they do not give a verified list for every other herb.
That gap is the point. Absence from a list is not proof of safety. When a label is short on detail, the safest move is to ask.
| Herb name | Birth control note | Source |
|---|---|---|
| St. John's wort | Can weaken birth control pills | NCCIH, FDA |
| Ginkgo biloba | Cited for bleeding risk, not birth control | FDA, NCCIH |
| Unlisted or unclear blends | Unknown, so ask | Pharmacist |
Does MemoPryl contain an herb that affects birth control?
It may. A sibling MemoPryl pack names St. John's wort among six ingredients. Whether your bottle holds it is unconfirmed, and no amount is printed on any image we hold.
The two bottle labels disagree on size and wording, and neither shows a Supplement Facts panel. Read the ingredient list on the bottle you receive. If St. John's wort appears and you use hormonal birth control, ask before the first capsule.
Pregnant or nursing? NCCIH says St. John's wort may be unsafe in pregnancy (NCCIH, St. John's Wort safety). Ask your doctor first. See the fit check for who should hold off.
MemoPryl: capsules in 2, 3 or 6 bottlesRead the bottle · check your medicines · 60-day window (confirm)
See packsWhat should I ask my doctor or pharmacist?
Ask whether your exact pill, patch or ring is affected, and whether a backup method is needed. Brands of birth control differ, so give the name.
- Does any ingredient on this bottle affect my method?
- Do I need a backup method while taking it?
- How long after stopping does the effect fade?
- What signs mean I should call you?
More question prompts sit on the pharmacist question page.
Thinking about MemoPryl?Check your medicines with a pharmacist first. Prices and the 60-day window are confirmed at checkout.
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FAQ01
Quick answers on herbs and birth control
Can I take St. John's wort on the pill?
Ask first. NCCIH says St. John's wort can weaken birth control pills, so a doctor or pharmacist should review your exact method before you combine them. Do not stop your pill to start the herb.
Do patches and rings have the same risk as pills?
The sources we use name birth control pills, not every method. Do not assume a patch or ring is exempt. Give your clinician the exact product name and ask whether the herb affects it.
Is a backup method needed with an herbal capsule?
Possibly, if the herb is one that can weaken your method. Your doctor or pharmacist decides, based on the herb and your birth control. Ask before the first capsule, not after a missed month.
Who wrote this02
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Pages built from the bottle images, the seller's product notes and linked NIH, FDA, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Learn about our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by Official stocking desk for MemoPryl, not by the manufacturer or the distributor of the bottle. We make money when you buy through our order links.
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