Dear SBforever,

Drinking alcohol does not affect the effectiveness of the birth control pill. However, if a woman has too much to drink and throws up within a few hours of taking the Pill, it may affect the effectiveness of it.

Keep in mind that mixing sex with alcohol or other drugs increases the chances of unintended pregnancy and exposure to sexually transmitted infections. This is because if a person has sex when she or he is drunk or high, that person is much less likely to be thinking clearly enough to use condoms, use them correctly, or practice other kinds of safer sex.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.