Can you drink alcohol while taking birth control?

Whether you’re a habitual partier or prefer enjoying a glass of wine at home, you might wonder—does alcohol affect how well birth control works? The short answer is no. Alcohol doesn’t directly make birth control less effective. However, it can increase your chance of human error like missing a pill or vomiting one up before it's absorbed by your system, which could put you at risk of pregnancy.

‍

Remember that these things happen, and that staying consistent with birth control pills is hard—even when sober! If you need emergency contraception to keep on hand in case you ever find yourself in this situation, Hey Jane’s expert team can help you get Plan B or Ella without leaving home. Click here to learn more.

‍

Does alcohol affect the effectiveness of birth control?

Good news—alcohol does not directly interfere with the way birth control pills, patches, vaginal rings, shots, arm implants, or IUDs work. Whether you use hormonal birth control or a non-hormonal method like a copper IUD, alcohol won’t stop it from doing its job.

That said, alcohol can affect your ability to use birth control correctly. And using it correctly is key to preventing unintended pregnancy.

‍

The real risk: Missed pills and human error

One of the biggest risks of drinking while on birth control is forgetting to take your pill on time or at all. Birth control pills work best when taken consistently, and missing a dose—especially with progestin-only pills—can make them less effective.

Alcohol can also affect your judgement, which might lead to:

• Forgetting to take your pill after a night out
• Losing track of time and missing a dose
• Not using a backup method (like condoms) if you vomit after drinking
• Having unprotected sex while intoxicated

‍

Vomiting after drinking

If you vomit within two hours of taking your birth control pill, your body may not have absorbed the hormones. If this happens, here’s what to do:

• Check your pill pack for instructions on missed doses. Many combination pills recommend taking another pill right away.
• If you're on the mini-pill (or progestin-only pill), missing even one dose by a few hours can increase your risk of pregnancy. You can use a backup method (like condoms) for the next seven days to stay protected.
• Consider emergency contraception if you had unprotected sex and are worried about a missed dose.

If heavy drinking or frequent vomiting is a concern, you might want to try a birth control method that doesn’t require daily pills—like the patch, ring, or IUD. Hey Jane offers several types of the hormonal patch and ring, and you can consult with our expert, judgment-free providers from the comfort and convenience of your phone. Learn more here.

Alcohol, birth control, and antibiotics

You may have heard that antibiotics make birth control less effective. While most antibiotics don’t, rifampin (a drug used to treat tuberculosis) can interfere with hormonal birth control. If you drink alcohol while on rifampin, you may experience more intense side effects, such as dizziness or nausea.

If you’re taking any medication, it’s always a good idea to check with your health care provider about potential interactions with both alcohol and birth control.

‍

Does alcohol increase birth control side effects?

Drinking alcohol while on birth control won’t necessarily worsen side effects, but it can mimic or intensify some common symptoms, such as:

• Nausea – Birth control and alcohol can both cause nausea, making it more likely you’ll feel sick.
• Dizziness – Some people experience dizziness as a side effect of hormonal birth control, and alcohol can make it worse.
• Headaches – Alcohol can be a headache trigger, and some people experience headaches when starting hormonal birth control.

If you notice that drinking makes your birth control side effects worse, you might want to limit alcohol or talk to your doctor about switching methods.

‍

Tips for staying safe while drinking alcohol on birth control

If you drink alcohol and use birth control, here are some ways to stay protected: 

• Set a reminder – Use an alarm or phone app to help take your pill on time.
• Have a backup plan – Keep emergency contraception on hand just in case of a missed pill, condom mishap, or unprotected sex.
• Drink water and pace yourself – Staying hydrated and alternating drinks with water can help prevent nausea and dizziness.
• Make a plan for safe sex – If you consistently have sex with the same partner(s), have a discussion about drinking and safe sex ahead of time—what are your boundaries when it comes to drinking and intercourse? Maybe you want to stick to sexual activity that can’t result in pregnancy when alcohol is involved. Maybe you want to keep condoms in your favorite going-out bag or wallet. Whatever the case may be, make a plan and stick to it.

Drinking alcohol won’t make birth control less effective by itself, but it can lead to missed pills, vomiting, and altered decision-making, which could increase pregnancy risk. If you drink, be mindful of how alcohol might impact your birth control routine, and take steps to stay on track. If you have questions about your birth control method and how it interacts with alcohol, a Hey Jane health care provider can provide personalized guidance to help you stay protected.