Bella asked
I have a question regarding contraceptive birth control pills and the herb pueraria mirifica. Will this herb decrease the effiency of my birth control? The specific birth control I use is Lo Loestrin. Thank you
Answer
Pueraria mirifica is known by many names including:
- Kudzu
- Kwao Krua
- Thai Kudzu Root Extract
Pueraria mirifica originated in Asia and was brought to the United States during the 19th century. It has been purported to have a variety of beneficial effects when taken as a nutritional supplement including:
- Treatment of Alcoholism
- Headache
- Upset stomach
- Female figure enhancement
- Menopausal symptoms
- Weight loss
Taking Pueraria Mirifica With Birth Control Pills
There is a definitive lack of studies on the matter and it is not recommended to take pueraria mirifica and birth control pills together due to the various and unknown effects on estrogen levels in the body.
Various studies have shown conflicting and contradictory results on how pueraria mirifica affects estrogen levels in women:
- One study in rats showed that when given pueraria mirifica, estrogen levels increased in rats with no ovaries (and low estrogen levels) but had anti-estrogen effects in normal rats.
- A similar 2002 study showed that pueraria mirifica had estrogen stimulating effects in animals with low estrogen levels but anti-estrogen effects in normal estrogen level animals.
- A human study in 2003 theorizes that pueraria mirifica may have certain effects on circulating estrogen levels but the full effects aren't known.
- A 2016 study discusses pueraria mirifica and notes that it has estrogen stimulating effects in a variety of animals but noted concern on the increased cancer risk.
As there is a lack of information, pueraria mirifica should not be taken if you are on birth control pills. Early evidence suggests that pueraria mirifica can either increase or decrease estrogen levels in women (i.e. have additive or antagonistic effects), which could potentially affect how well hormone containing birth control pills work.
