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Birth control pills
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Birth control pills inserted vaginally?
Originally Published: March 29, 2002
~ Last Updated / Reviewed on: September 22, 2004
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(1)
Dear Alice, A friend of mine read in SELF magazine last week that if you do not want to orally take "the pill," it is effective to insert it into your vagina. Is this true?
According to the health hint in the December 2001 issue of Cosmopolitan, "If you can't keep your birth control pill down because you're nauseated, insert it into your vagina like a tampon." It seems highly unlikely to me, but it is posted under the "Cosmo Gyno" section (page 92) and is credited to a James Trussel, M.D. Sounds pretty off-base to me. What do you think? Thanks!
The December issue of Cosmopolitan magazine has a Health Hint in rather large print on page 92 that reads as follows: "If you can't keep your birth control pill down because you're nauseated, insert it into your vagina like a tampon." —James Trussel, M.D. I can't find anything on this and have never heard of it. Dr. Trussell (with 2 Ls) is an author of Contraceptive Technology. I am assuming that this is the person they are quoting. I know that just because something sounds strange does not necessarily mean so. Has anyone ever heard of this and does anyone have any documentation on this? Thanks! Dear Reader #1, Cosmo Reader, and Reader #3, Throughout the years, there have been anecdotal stories regarding vaginal insertion of birth control pills. Some women who were not given directions about how to use "the pill" thought that inserting it into the vagina seemed like a logical way to prevent a pregnancy. Others simply misunderstood the directions that were provided by their health care provider. Yet, as the pop culture magazines address, there are some health care providers who recommend this practice to their clients. Surprisingly, a few studies since the early 1980s suggest that inserting birth control pills vaginally is as effective as taking "the pill" orally. While these two practices may be comparable, there are still questions remaining about the proper dosage and procedure. It is also important to realize that in many of these studies, there were two groups of women — one who only took birth control pills orally and the other that only inserted them vaginally. In one study in particular, women who continuously inserted a birth control pill of a particular dosage on a daily basis, skipping the placebos, were offered greater protection against pregnancy than those who had a seven day interruption that allowed for menstruation. This study then suggested that this procedure needs to be broken up by a withdrawal period every three to four months. Health professionals have differing opinions about prescribing vaginal insertion of birth control pills to patients. Some choose not to mention this option since information and research are limited. Other health care providers may suggest that women who have occasional or temporary illness, nausea, and/or vomiting insert "the pill" vaginally as an alternative to missing a pill. Women who experience nausea and vomiting from "the pill," and are curious about vaginal insertion, need to consult their health care provider rather than attempt this on their own. Some providers may recommend this practice and will provide proper instruction. Others may suggest switching to another type of birth control pill, a different type of hormonal contraceptive such as Depo Provera or NuvaRing (a hormonal vaginal contraceptive ring), or advise they use a barrier method such as condoms or a diaphragm. For more information about birth control pills and other forms of contraception, please search through Alice's Sexual Health archive.
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