Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Does Coughing After Taking Birth Control Pills Reduce Its Effectivness?
Posted on
Mon, 7 Jul 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 7 Jul 2014
Answered on
Mon, 28 Jul 2014
Last reviewed on
Question : I took my bc pill at the usual time but directly after taking it I had a coughing fit and sneezed is it possible my pill didn't get ingested properly?
Brief Answer:
Please read complete details below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Birth control pills are very small and usually go down the food pipe without much trouble. While swallowing a pill occasionally the water enters the nasopharynx and causes an irritation leading to a cough and sneeze to occur. If you did not feel the pill coming out of your mouth then by all means it has gone down the right path through the food pipe. Please check the space around yourself to see if the pill is lying around to be doubly sure that it has not been expelled out of the mouth during coughing or sneezing.
Whatever the situation, missing a single pill does not alter your birth control plan for the month. Please do not miss any further pills.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Please read complete details below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Birth control pills are very small and usually go down the food pipe without much trouble. While swallowing a pill occasionally the water enters the nasopharynx and causes an irritation leading to a cough and sneeze to occur. If you did not feel the pill coming out of your mouth then by all means it has gone down the right path through the food pipe. Please check the space around yourself to see if the pill is lying around to be doubly sure that it has not been expelled out of the mouth during coughing or sneezing.
Whatever the situation, missing a single pill does not alter your birth control plan for the month. Please do not miss any further pills.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
No there was no sputum or vomiting just a bit of choking I looked around the area and didn't the pill so am assuming it was swallowed as I managed to put it in mh mouth and swallow half a glass of water before I started coughing. This has happened a few times when I take the pill but I shouldn't have anything to worry about? Thanks
Brief Answer:
Swallow pill slowly.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.
From the description given by you it looks like you have swallowed the pill. There is absolutely no need to worry and the cough was just a reflex after having swallowed the pill. Since this has happened few times earlier, I suggest that you swallow the pill slowly and not be in a hurry. You can take in one mouthful of water with the pill and then swallow it slowly.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Swallow pill slowly.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.
From the description given by you it looks like you have swallowed the pill. There is absolutely no need to worry and the cough was just a reflex after having swallowed the pill. Since this has happened few times earlier, I suggest that you swallow the pill slowly and not be in a hurry. You can take in one mouthful of water with the pill and then swallow it slowly.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
