Family Planning Plus

Some antibiotics can decrease the effectiveness of your birth control pills. How much of a decrease any specific antibiotic causes is unknown.

Anytime you have unprotected intercourse, there is the risk of pregnancy. That being said, though, the spotting you’re having may be due to the stress of your pneumonia. Illness and medications can cause your cycle to be a little off. Also, your nausea and abdominal discomfort may be due more to the antibiotics than to pregnancy. Antibiotics frequently cause nausea, abdominal discomfort, bloating, gas, and other gastric symptoms.

Continue taking your antibiotics as ordered. Continue taking your birth control pills. If you are sexually active, use condoms as your back up method. If you are concerned about pregnancy, you could do a pregnancy test in 3-4 weeks for peace of mind.