Q I'm currently regulating my cycle with birth control pills from the OB-GYN. Is it okay to take herbal medicine at the same time?
A There is no need to suddenly stop the birth control pills you are taking. We usually advise taking them together with herbal medicine at spaced intervals, and once treatment stabilizes your body, we gradually adjust in consultation with your OB-GYN.
Detailed Answer
Birth control pills are a method of artificially regulating the cycle by supplying hormones externally, which works differently from herbal medicine. Taking them about one to two hours apart from herbal medicine generally causes no problem, and you should be sure to tell us about any medication you are taking during your visit. The timing of reducing or stopping the medication is always decided in consultation with the prescribing OB-GYN.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
At the clinic, we also look toward the tonifying (boyang, supporting yang) stage that raises ovarian function so the body can do for itself what the pill had been doing in its place. If you are in a situation where you have to rely on painkillers or birth control pills every month, rather than forcibly stopping the medication, it is safer to reduce it step by step after your body has gained the strength to create its own cycle.
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