Warning as the Pill can STOP working in hot weather – the 4 mistakes risking pregnancy

Credit: Peter Dazeley A PHARMACIST has warned that the contraceptive pill could be less effective in the heat. Temperatures are set to rise to 36C in parts of the country tomorrow, as the record-breaking highs this summer continue. A pharmacist has warned that hot weather could make the contraceptive pill less effective Credit: Getty Temperatures are set to rise to 36C in parts of the country tomorrow with a fifth heatwave looming Credit: Getty For parts of the UK, this will mark the fifth heatwave of the year, but pharmacist Ana Carolina Goncalves has warned that this could affect women’s contraception. “Most medicines have specific storage conditions, and many of these medications should be kept below 25 degrees,” she said. Sign up for the Health newsletter Thank you! Heat gradually speeds up the natural process that causes a medicine to break down over time. And for the contraceptive pill, this can have worrying consequences, she warned. Ms Goncalves, who is team lead at online pharmacy Pharmica, explained: “Many combined contraceptive pills – pills containing oestrogen and progestogen – need to be stored below 25 degrees, while some other contraceptive pills need to be stored below 30 degrees “Some also need to be kept in their original packaging to protect them from light and moisture. “The active ingredient can lose its potency faster than it would if the medicine were kept in the conditions it was designed for. “Heat can also affect the tablet itself, including its coating, which can change how it dissolves and releases the medicine once taken. Most read in Health “Moisture can also further accelerate this process.” The pharmacist said that while there isn’t a specific temperature at which the Pill can suddenly become ineffective, prolonged exposure to high temperatures is a cause for concern. Pharmacist Ana Carolina Goncalves has warned Brits about the effects of hot weather on the Pill Credit: SWNS High temperatures this week could impact the effectiveness of your contraceptive pill Credit: Met Office She advised that there are four errors people can make which could risk an unplanned pregnancy. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued a rare amber heat-health alert yesterday across all regions in England. Hot conditions are expected to peak on Thursday and the alert will last until 9pm on Friday. One of the “highest risk situations” is leaving medication in a park car or in direct sunlight, the pharmacist said. It is also risky to leave the contraceptive pill in very hot luggage or frequently store it somewhere “warm and humid” like a bathroom, she added. So, with soaring temperatures covering much of the UK all summer, it’s possible that where you’ve been storing your contraceptive pill could have had an impact on its effectiveness. Ms Goncalves continued: “The concern with the contraceptive pill is whether that heat has affected the hormones or the way the tablet releases them, which can mean that there is no longer a guarantee that it will deliver the full intended dose each day to help consistently prevent pregnancy. “If you think your contraceptive pill has been exposed to significant heat, check the storage instructions for your particular medication and speak to a pharmacist if you are unsure. “A pharmacist can advise whether the pack should be replaced and whether missed-pill guidance or temporary additional contraception may be advised to prevent unplanned pregnancy.” Current figures suggest that around 6 per cent of women aged 16 to 49 use the mini pill (progesterone-only) in the UK – that’s roughly 3.1 million people. It is 99.7 per cent effective with perfect use but if taken incorrectly — such as missing a pill or experiencing nausea and diarrhoea while on it — around one in ten women (9 per cent) may get pregnant. It comes after Brits were warned earlier this week that some medicines, including a common painkiller, could leave them at risk of suffering blistering sunburn. Comment now